Policy Group

General Manager: Doris Johnston (National Office, Wellington)

The objective of the Policy Group is to ensure that the Department has a clear direction for its conservation policy and treaty settlement work. There are primarily two units; one focussing on policy and one on treaty negotiations.

Policy

Managers: Jim Nicolson and Nigel Parrott

These units are responsible for developing Departmental policy that has a national focus, with three to ten year time horizons and the ability to change the nature of the Department’s business. This includes both internal statutory policy development, such as the review of the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement, and representing the Department in the development of policy by other Government agencies. 

Policy Negotiations

Manager: Lucy Alcock

This unit is responsible for developing and presenting the Department’s policy position in relation to the negotiation of historical Treaty claims lodged by Iwi. The Department is involved in negotiations where land under claim forms part of the public conservation portfolio and this part of the Treaty negotiation process is known as ‘cultural redress’.

The unit is also involved in developing the policy parameters that shape the redress to be provided through the foreshore and seabed negotiations. Staff within the unit represent the Director-General in both the Treaty and foreshore and seabed negotiations.

Planning

Manager: Guy Kerrison

This unit is responsible for providing policy and planning advice on Resource Management Act statutory coastal functions, statutory advocacy and conservation management planning. The unit leads and co-ordinates the national delivery of planning systems, processes and standards.