New Zealand Official Yearbook 1993

The oldest rocks in New Zealand are found in Nelson, Westland and Fiordland. They have been dated back to the Paleozoic era about 570 million years ago.

Almost three-quarters of New Zealand is covered by sedimentary rocks, created by the interplay of the earth movement and erosion. The most common forms of sedimentary rocks in New Zealand are sandstone, mudstone, greywacke, conglomerate and limestone. As well as the sedimentary rocks of various ages, New Zealand incorporates in its complex structure metamorphic rocks (schist, gneiss and marble), and intrusive igneous rocks (granite, gabbro, diorite and serpentine). Volcanic rocks (basalt, andesite, rhyolite and ignimbrite), are the products of the many volcanic eruptions that have characterised New Zealand's geological history.

Apparent in the New Zealand landscape today is the evidence of episodes of intense mountain building of between six million and one million years ago. During this period the mountain chains were pushed up and there was movement and displacement of the earth's crust along faults. Due to this activity well-preserved tilted fault blocks bounded by fault scarps (steep faces hundreds or even thousands of metres high) are visible in the landscape of some regions. Fault movements continue to the present day and have accompanied several major earthquakes of the past century.

Erosion has transformed the landscape during this time, carving detailed patterns of peaks, ridges, valleys and gorges. The deposition of debris has built up alluvial plains, shingle fans and other construction forms. At the coast, waves have eaten back the headlands and built beaches, spits and bars. Glaciers carved the fiords of Fiordland and the valleys occupied by most of the South Island lakes. Sea-level changes accompanied the formation, and later melting, of global glacial ice. These changes affected the erosion and deposition of the rivers and were responsible for the formation of many prominent river terraces.

Volcanic activity over the past few million years has played an important part in shaping the landscape. The largest volcanic outpourings of late geological times were in the region between Tongariro National Park and the Bay of Plenty coast. The most recognisable volancoes in New Zealand now occur in the North Island, where a number are still active. They include Ruapehu, Tongariro, Ngaurahoe, White Island and Mount Tarawera. Others such as Mount Taranaki (or Egmont), and Rangitoto may be considered dormant at present although they are still regarded as significant hazards.

Compared with some other countries lying in the almost continuous belt of earthquake activity around the rim of the Pacific—such as Japan, Chile and the Philippines—the level of seismic activity in New Zealand is moderate, although earthquakes are common. A shock of Richter magnitude 6 or above occurs on average about once a year, a shock of magnitude 7 or above once in 10 years, and a shock of about magnitude 8 perhaps once a century.

Within New Zealand at least two separate systems of seismic activity can be distinguished. The Main Seismic Region covers the whole of the North Island except Northland peninsula, and the part of the South Island north of a line roughly passing between Banks Peninsula and Cape Foulwind. The Southern, or Fiordland, Seismic Region includes southern Westland, western Southland, and western Otago. Less clearly defined activity covers the remainder of the two main islands, and extends eastwards from Banks Peninsula to include the Chatham Islands.

Shallow earthquakes, which are the most numerous, originate within the Earth's crust, which in New Zealand has an average thickness of some 35 kilometres. These shocks are responsible for almost all damage to property, and are widely scattered throughout the country.

The most important system of deep shocks in New Zealand lies in a well-defined zone beneath the Main Seismic region, stretching from the Bay of Plenty to Nelson and Marlborough. The maximum depth of occurrence is about 400 kilometres at the northern end, and decreases evenly to a depth of about 200 kilometres before the southern boundary of the region is reached.

In geophysically disturbed regions (those with both volcanic and earthquake activity), large earthquakes are rare, although small earthquakes usually accompany volcanic eruptions. Regions of active volcanism are also subject to periodic outbreaks of small earthquakes, very numerous and all of similar magnitude. These are known as ‘earthquake swarms’ and although the number of shocks may cause alarm, it is unusual for even minor damage to result.

Earthquakes 1992. The pattern of earthquakes in New Zealand during 1992 was a little unusual, in that the latter half of the year was very quiet. There were 13 shocks of magnitude 5.0 or greater during the year: only four of these were in the July-December period, and the largest was only 5.4. In contrast, the nine shocks in the first half of the year included one of magnitude 6.4 and four others of 5.5 or greater.

The largest earthquake of the year occurred on 28 May, and was centred 30 km southwest of Blenheim. Its magnitude was 6.4, larger than those in March 1987 near Edgecumbe in the Bay of Plenty (6.1) and in May 1990 near Dannevirke (6.2). However, the effects were not as severe as either of these, because the focal depth was 84 km. Deep events like this, being further from the earth's surface, cause less motion there. It was felt from Huntly in the north to Dunedin in the south, most strongly in Nelson and Blenheim where many shops had goods thrown from shelves and there were some instances of minor damage. In Wellington it caused a swaying motion which persisted for a long time, especially in tall buildings where the movement was noticeable for a minute or more. While this motion is disconcerting to those experiencing it, the tall slender buildings are behaving as they were designed to do, swaying and flexing instead of sustaining damage.

On 2 March there was an earthquake of magnitude 5.5 in southern Hawke's Bay, between Weber and Porangahau, then another on 1 August, of magnitude 5.2 and centred between Weber and Pahiatua. They were felt strongly in Hawke's Bay and as far afield as Wanganui and Wellington. These shocks appear to be part of a continuing series which began with two in 1990, in February and May, which caused damage in Dannevirke and the nearby area. The series has continued since then, but mostly at a low level with only the occasional shock being felt. This series is somewhat unusual in its length, especially as the 1992 events were two years after the main shock. The Seismological Observatory is continuing surveillance of the area with its permanent network of seismographs.

Other shallow earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 and greater occurred near White Island on 26 March (5.4), and 22 June (5.6, 5.1), all felt strongly in Tauranga; near Arthur's Pass on 30 March (5.5); and near Tokomaru Bay on the East Coast on 17 May (5.3). All were felt sharply nearby, but not severely.

Deep earthquakes exceeding magnitude 5.0 occurred near Te Kuiti at a depth of 233 km on 15 January (5.1), 30 km south-west of Hawera at 122 km on 18 February (5.5), 296 km deep below Tauranga on 10 August (5.1), 167 km below Rotorua on 29 September (5.2), just west of National Park on 12 December at a depth of 167 km (5.4) and 276 km deep beneath Tauranga on December 27 (6.0). These earthquakes were all felt as slight jolts and vibrations, with no damage reported and none expected because of the focal depths.

The concentration of earthquakes in the first half of the year is interesting. There is little or no regularity in the way earthquakes occur, and while long term average rates have been established, the variation about these averages is quite substantial. This means that no particular significance can be attached to the quiet period we have been experiencing. It is true that periods of quiescence have been observed before large earthquakes, but this phenomenon is not well understood and it is the judgment of Seismological Observatory research staff that this current quiet period is simply an illustration of the sporadic nature of earthquakes.

Uniqueness is a feature of the natural life of New Zealand. Most notable is the absence—apart from two species of bat—of native land mammals. Many flightless birds and insects have evolved. The most remarkable birds were some 12 species of moa, forest and shrub browsers that took the place of large herbivores in other parts of the world. Moa became extinct in pre-European times, but other flightless birds remain, including kiwi, kakapo (a nocturnal parrot—the largest in the world), and weka (a scavenging rail). Flightless insects are numerous, including many large beetles and cricket-like weta.

The absence of mammals also meant that birds became important as seed-dispersing agents. As a result most forest plants bear small berries, including the giant conifers (podo-carps), the smaller canopy trees, and even some forest-floor herbs. Some alpine plants produce berries, dispersed by the New Zealand pipit and the kea (mountain parrot).

As a consequence of the great physical and climatic upheavals which New Zealand has undergone the forest has been influenced by extinction. Coconut palms once occurred in New Zealand, and fossil remains of kauri, now limited to the northern North Island, have been found south to Canterbury. Some tropical plant groups are represented by a single species, surviving only on protected islands, or in the far north.

Although many New Zealand plants and animals occupy very specialised habitats, droughts, high winds, floods, and erosion mean that many species need to be highly adaptable. Accordingly, many insects, such as native bees, gather food from a wide variety of sources, and some forest species, like beech, regenerate best after the parent forest has been destroyed (by volcanic eruption for example).

However, the overwhelming character of the land-based wildlife is its dependence on forest, and its vulnerability to introduced predators such as rats. The forests and natural grasslands have also been severely modified by introduced browsers such as possums, deer and goats, and some introduced plants, like marram grass, have taken over the places where native species would normally grow.

A vast proportion of the native animals and plant species are found only in New Zealand. Virtually all native insects, spiders and snails, and all native earthworms are restricted to New Zealand, as are most native birds and plants, most local freshwater fish (27 species), and all native reptiles (38 species).

Introduced vegetation and wildlife. The New Zealand landscape is now dominated by introduced animals and plants. Over 1500 exotic plants grow wild, some (like rye-grass, browntop, gorse and sweet briar), over large areas. Although introduced plants have seldom colonised extensive areas of native vegetation, wild animals (deer, pigs, goats, possums, stoats and rats) are widespread, and some introduced birds, such as blackbirds, occur everywhere. Urban vegetation is largely exotic and domestic stock dominate agricultural areas through the lowlands.

Introduced plants and animals have greatly increased the diversity of species in New Zealand. However, their increase has been associated with a decrease in the area dominated by native species. Today a large number of native species are very rare and seldom seen. In recent years the urgency for measures to ensure the survival of endangered species has become a world-wide concern.

One uniform time is kept throughout mainland New Zealand. This is the time 12 hours ahead of Co-ordinated Universal Time, and is named New Zealand Standard Time (N.Z.S.T.). It is an atomic standard, and is maintained by the New Zealand Time Service of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR). One hour of daylight saving, named New Zealand Daylight Time, which is 13 hours ahead of Co-ordinated Universal Time, is observed from 2 a.m. (N.Z.S.T.) on the first Sunday in October, until 2 a.m. (N.Z.S.T.) on the third Sunday in March. Time kept in the Chatham Islands is 45 minutes ahead of that kept in New Zealand.

Over the last seven years Government has reformed the machinery of government, across both the state sector and, in particular, departments and agencies. The management reforms contained in the State Sector Act 1988 and the Public Finance Act 1989 are now consolidating. The new emphasis on outputs, rather than on inputs, has focussed decision making on reaching the goals of the Government. The new financial reporting requirements provide much better information for those making decisions.

The process of state sector reform is continuing. The effectiveness of the reforms to date, in improving performance in the public sector, is the subject of a review completed by the State Services Commission in November 1991. The review produced recommendations, which are currently being actioned, in the areas of:

The establishment of Crown Research Institutes in July 1992 saw the completion of structural reforms in the area of science and technology. The institutes have a strong commercial orientation towards the long term technological needs of industry.

The New Zealand Meteorological Service is the latest government department to have been turned into a state-owned enterprises. Structural reform continues to reflect the Government's policy of separating the funder from the provider. The Housing Corporation of New Zealand has recently been split into two organisations: the Ministry of Housing, which provides policy advice on housing issues; and Housing New Zealand which provides rental services. Structural reform is now focussed on the health sector and affects the Department of Health and Area Health Boards. Work is continuing on establishing, by July 1993, Regional Health Authorities and Crown Health Enterprises. Regional Health Authorities will be responsible for the purchase of health services for provider organisations. Crown Health Enterprises will supply health services. A Public Health Commission is being formed to monitor and analyse the state of public health in New Zealand and advise on public health goals and objectives.

The ministry services the portfolios of Commerce, Communications, Consumer Affairs, Energy, Tourism, Industry and Business Development.

Conservation, Department of. (Te Papa Atawhai.) The department is responsible for the management of much of New Zealand's natural lands and water, as well as historic places and wildlife. In addition to managing national parks and reserves, forest farm and parks, the coastal marine area (in partnership with regional councils) and marine reserves, the department is also the Government's advocate in conservation issues. See chapter 14, Land and environment.

Crown Law Office. The Crown Law Office is the legal adviser to, and provides counsel in court for, the Government and ministers in matters affecting the Crown and government departments. The Solicitor-General, who heads the office, performs most of the statutory and ex-officio duties of the Attorney-General and is entrusted by statute with various specific rights, duties and functions. The range of the Crown Law Office's legal work corresponds with the activities of the Government itself.

Cultural Affairs, Ministry of. (Te Manatū Tikanga-ā-Iwi.) The aim of the ministry is to maximise understanding, appreciation, access and participation in New Zealand arts and culture both in New Zealand and overseas, and to promote the enhancement of New Zealand's cultural identity.

The ministry provides advice to Government and the Minister of Cultural Affairs on cultural matters and discharges services relating to the Cultural Affairs portfolio.

Customs Department. (Te Mana Arai O Aotearoa.) The department is charged with the administration of border control and some indirect taxation, and the tendering of advice to the Government on these and associated matters. The department performs a number of roles under the Customs Acts and other enabling legislation. These include: the administration of the tariff at the border; protecting New Zealand's borders by exercising the required control over the export and import of goods and international passengers in accord with the immigration, emigration, quarantine, and other statutory and government policy requirements (with particular attention to controlled drugs); and providing a service to commerce through the effective administration of customs procedures, and the facilitation of cargo movements. See section 22.1, Administration and development of trade.

Defence, Ministry of. (Te Manatū Kaupapa Waonga.) The Ministry of Defence is the Government's principal source of advice on defence policy. It also carries out audits and assessments on the performance of the defence organisations and manages procurement projects which entail a significant change to New Zealand's defence capability. In many matters the ministry works jointly with the New Zealand Defence Force.

Education, Ministry of. (Te Tahuhu o te Matauranga.) The ministry is responsible for providing policy advice to the Minister of Education on all aspects of education from early childhood to tertiary; overseeing the implementation of approved policies and ensuring the optimum use of resources devoted to education. See chapter 8, Education.

Education Review Office. (Te Tari Arotake Matauranga.) The general purpose of the Education Review Office is to provide regular, independent, high quality evaluative reports for the Minister; the governing authorities and managers of schools and early childhood centres; and all those with an interest in the performance of the education sector and the educational achievements of learners.

Environment, Ministry for the. (Te Manatū mō te Taiao.) The role of the Ministry for the Environment is to provide policy advice to the Government that promotes sustainable management of the environment; and to encourage sustainable management of the environment through the administration of environmental statutes, advocacy, education and advice.

The Environment Act 1986 defines environment as emcompassing ecosystems and their constitutent parts, all natural and physical resources (including buildings and man-made structures), and the social, economic, aesthetic and cultural conditions which affect the environment or which are affected by changes to the environment.

To carry out its role, the ministry gathers information and may conduct and commission research necessary for formulating advice to the Government. It also provides the Government, its agencies, and other public authorities, with advice on: the application, operation, and effectiveness of legislation relevant to achieving the objectives of the Environment Act; procedures for assessing and monitoring environmental impacts; pollution control and the management of pollutants; identification and likelihood of natural hazards, and the reduction of their effects; and the control of hazardous substances, during the management of their manufacture, storage, transport, and disposal.

As well, the ministry works towards the resolution of conflicts relating to policies and proposals which may affect the environment. It also provides and disseminates information on environmental policies.

Besides the Environment Act 1986, the ministry administers the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Act 1941, the Ozone Layer Protection Act 1990 and the Resource Management Act 1991, plus it also has responsibility for regulations made pursuant to the Resource Management Act. See section 14.2, Environmental and resource management.

External Relations and Trade, Ministry of. (Te Manatū Āhuatauga Tāwāhi, Tauhoko.) The Ministry of External Relations and Trade conducts the Government's business with foreign countries and their governments, and with international organisations.

It advises the Government on where New Zealand's advantage lies in relation to other countries. On behalf of the Government, it intervenes with other governments to promote New Zealand's interests.

It looks at New Zealand's relations with other countries as a whole. It draws together the various aspects of New Zealand's national interests including relevant domestic interests to achieve most benefit for New Zealand in relation to the Government's security, political, trade and economic objectives.

The ministry maintains posts overseas to transact official business and support the international operations and initiatives of the Government. In addition the ministry is responsible for management and support of New Zealand operations in the Antarctic through the New Zealand Antarctic Programme.

Forestry, Ministry of. (Te Manatū Ngāherehere.) The Government's forestry agency is responsible for facilitating the optimal contribution from forestry and forestry products for New Zealand's sustainable development and economic growth. This is achieved by providing information and advice to Government; communicating and managing the implementation of government policies; representing Government's interests in New Zealand and internationally; ensuring the Crown's obligations are met; and ensuring that authoritative information is available on the sector.

Government Superannuation Fund Department. (Te Pūtea Penihana Kāwanatanga.) The function of the department is to provide professional management of superannuation schemes constituted under the Government Superannuation Fund Act 1956.

Health, Department of. (Te Tari Ora.) The Department of Health is the Government's principal agent and adviser on health. The principal functions of the department are: (a) to provide the Minister of Health with analysis of health issues and expert advice on health problems; (b) to develop and promulgate health policy; (c) to administer health legislation, regulations and the public funding of health programmes; (d) to ensure the provision of essential health services; (e) to encourage positive interaction between the funders, providers and users of health services; (f) to fund programmes which promote health and prevent disease; (g) to collect and disseminate health information; (h) to monitor and review the outcome of health policies and programmes; and (i) to oversee the effective and efficient provision of health services to ensure that public funds are used appropriately and to best advantage to achieve the outcomes which the Government is seeking. See chapter 7, Health and safety.

Housing, Ministry of. The ministry's main functions are the provision of: high quality and timely policy advice on housing to the Government; and efficient and effective tenancy bond and dispute resolution services across New Zealand. See section 19.4, Reform of housing assistance.

Inland Revenue Department. (Te Tari Taake.) The main function of the Inland Revenue Department is to assess and collect various taxes and duties. The principal tax is income tax, which is collected in part by pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) deductions from salaries and wages, in part by the payment of provisional tax during the year of derivation of income, and in part by an end-of-year assessment. Of the other revenues collected the most significant are goods and services tax, stamp duty, estate and gift duties, fringe benefit tax, and totalisator duty. From 1992 the department collects Child Support and Gaming Duty payments. The department also collects accident compensation levies on behalf of the Accident Rehabilitation and Compensation Insurance Corporation. See section 25.2, Taxation.

Internal Affairs, Department of. (Te Tari Taiwhenua.) The mission of the department is to deliver excellent services relating to the nation's identity, heritage and administration of value to the Government and community. It provides services that: (a) protect and develop essential aspects of the nation's character, identity and heritage, including the public record and citizenship rights; (b) support the Crown and Government agencies, taking into account the provisions of the Treaty of Waitangi, and including the establishment and nurture of new agencies; (c) provide the link between central and local government; (d) help people to develop their communities; (e) safeguard the public interest in certain leisure activities; and (f) protect people against disaster, and promote fire and building safety.

Justice, Department of. The department has a wide variety of functions including: administration of courts; registration of land transactions, births, deaths and marriages; control of prisoners, people on community based sentences and parolees; law reform; commercial affairs (including administration of the Companies Act 1955); electoral work; and administrative work for the many authorities and tribunals. The tribunals, authorities, and committees serviced by the department help administer Acts, or advise the Government. The Department of Justice is responsible for the administration of about 160 Acts of Parliament.

Labour, Department of. The principal responsibilities of the Department of Labour are to promote full employment through the provision of an employment service; to ensure, through the work of its field staff, that workers are employed under safe and healthy working conditions; to assist and promote good industrial relations; and to administer immigration legislation. Among the most important legislation administered are the Employment Contracts Act 1991, the Factories and Commercial Premises Act 1981, the Construction Act 1959 and the Immigration Act 1987.

Maori Development, Ministry of. (Te Puni Kokiri.) The ministry began operation on 1 January 1992, taking over the residual functions of the Ministry of Maori Affairs and the Iwi Transition Agency (both of which were disestablished on 31 December 1991). This new specialist agency has a narrower focus than previous similar departments, with the main initiatives being the improvement of Maori education, health, employment and economic opportunities.

The broader functions of the ministry include: policy advice to Government on matters affecting Maori; brokerage services to Maori people and agencies, to maximise access to resources in social services and economic resource development; monitoring the performance of other government agencies in meeting Maori needs; and maintaining existing programmes pending their successful placement in mainstream departments or agencies by 30 June 1993.

There are four units within the ministry: the Education Commission, the Health Promotion Unit, the Training Unit and the Economic Resource Development Unit. See section 5.4, Maori society.

National Library of New Zealand. (Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa.) The Library's functions are to: co-ordinate the New Zealand network of libraries and provide collections to ensure there is sufficient depth in the country's collections to satisfy users' needs and that information is accessible and available; compile and make available in New Zealand and overseas bibliographic records of all published New Zealand material; advise the minister on all issues relating to libraries and library development; and to be the principal New Zealand link in international and co-operative library development. See section 10.3, Books and libraries.

National Provident Fund. The National Provident Fund comprises 17 superannuation schemes and a Global Asset Trust through which the schemes' assets are managed. The superannuation schemes are provided to individuals, employees of private sector businesses, employees of local authorities, area health boards, and other governmental and quasi-governmental entities. See section 21.3, Insurance and superannuation.

Pacific Island Affairs, Ministry of. This small group advises the Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, while providing administrative back-up and co-ordination of the above council and other programmes. The ministry establishes and maintains liaison with and between Pacific Island communities in New Zealand and government agencies; monitors, reports and promotes issues related to the communities; and is developing a resource base on Pacific Island matters. See section 5.5, Pacific Island Polynesian population.

Police, New Zealand. (Ngā Pirihimana o Aotearoa.) The mission of the police is to contribute to the provision of a safe and secure environment where people may go about their lawful business unhindered. The aim of the police is to establish and maintain a partnership between themselves and the communities they serve; maintain public safety, order and the rule of law; retain public confidence and satisfaction in the services they provide; minimise the incidence and effects of crime; and provide community support and protection during disasters and emergencies. The New Zealand Police is a state agency. See section 9.4, Police.

Prime Minister and Cabinet, Department of the. The department provides policy advice to the Prime Minister; constitutional advice and secretarial services to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet; support services to the Governor-General; communications services; and management for the Vice-Regal residences. The department consists of: the Policy Advisory Group, the Cabinet Office, which includes the Honours Secretariat; the Domestic and External Security Secretariat; the Communications Unit; Government House; and the External Assessments Bureau, which provides intelligence assessments to the Government on developments overseas.

Following the 1991 Budget announcements on health reforms, Cabinet decided that the implementation units would be based in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. There are three units involved: the National Interim Provider Board which advises the government through the Minister for Crown Health Enterprises on the establishment of the new health provider organisations; the Health Reforms directorate which provides policy, regulatory, and implementation advice to the Government through the Minister of Health on the purchase of health services; and a Co-ordination and Communications Unit which involves communication and consultation with the health sector and the general public on health reform issues. The Prime Minister has delegated full management responsibility of the Health Reforms directorate and the Co-ordination and Communications Unit to the Minister of Health, and the National Interim Provider Board to the Minister of Crown Health Enterprises.

In December 1991, Cabinet agreed that the Special Committee on Nuclear Propulsion be established to review the safety, environmental, and other issues relating to nuclear-powered ships and their entry into New Zealand ports. The committee draws secretariat support from the department.

An important function of the department is to help co-ordinate the work of the Government across departmental lines, to test the quality of advice coming from departments and to act as an ‘honest broker’ where there are conflicts over policy advice being offered by different parts of the bureaucracy.

Public Trust Office, The. The Public Trust Office provides a wide range of services as trustee, executor, manager, and attorney. It also acts as sinking fund or depreciation fund commissioner for many local authorities when so appointed, and additionally holds other funds on their behalf. It is also required to provide a number of statutory services irrespective of whether these are income earning.

Research, Science and Technology, Ministry of. (Te Manatū Putaiao.) Established in October 1989, the ministry's primary role is to provide advice to government on the development of research, science and technology policy including science priorities and funding. It is also involved in the broad review of Crown-funded science, the establishment of an information base on science and technology, and the administration of international science agreements. See section 13.1 Organisation of science.

Scientific and Industrial Research, Department of. The DSIR and other government departments, which provide scientific research services, have been reshaped into 10 Crown Research Institutes. See section 13.2, Organisation of science.

Serious Fraud Office. The Serious Fraud Office, which became operational on 26 March 1990, is primarily an operational department whose role is to detect and investigate cases of serious or complex fraud and expeditiously prosecute offenders. Based in Auckland, the office is the only government department to have its Head Office outside Wellington. See section 21.2, Commercial framework.

Social Welfare, Department of. (Te Tari Toko i te Ora.) The principal functions of the Department of Social Welfare are (a) to administer Parts I and III of the Social Security Act 1964, the Social Welfare (Transitional Provisions) Act 1990, the Disabled Persons Community Welfare Act 1975, the Children and Young Persons and their Families Act 1989, the Social Security (Reciprocity with Australia) Act 1987, the Social Security (Reciprocity with the United Kingdom) Act 1983 and the War Pensions Act 1954; (b) to advice the Minister on the Development of Social Welfare Policies for New Zealand; (c) to provide such welfare services as the Government may from time to time require; (d) to maintain close liaison with and encourage co-operation and co-ordination among any organisations and individuals (including departments of State and other agencies of the Crown) engaged in social welfare activities; (e) to undertake and promote research into aspects of social welfare; (f) to provide such administrative services as the Minister may from time to time direct to such boards, councils, committees, and agencies as he or she may direct; (g) to receive and disburse maintenance payments and enforce maintenance orders and registered agreements under the Family Proceedings Act 1980, and (h) under the Civil Defence Welfare Plan, in time of disaster—to make relief payments authorised by government to the homeless, and—to make payments authorised by government for hosts for billeting evacuees from a disaster area.

State Services Commission, (Te Kōmihana o ngā Tari Kāwanatanga.) See ‘State Services Commissioner’ above.

Statistics, Department of. (Te Tari Tatau.) The main functions of the department are: (a) to provide a statistical service relevant to the needs of governmental and community users, covering economic, demographic, and social activity; (b) to advise the Minister of Statistics on statistical policy matters; (c) to define and promote standard concepts, procedures, definitions, and classifications for use in official statistics; (d) to examine proposals by government departments for commencing or commissioning new statistical surveys, and to prepare submissions to the Minister of Statistics for approval or otherwise; (e) to review the collection, compilation, analyses, abstraction, and publication of official statistics produced in both the department and other government departments; and (f) to maintain liaison with international organisations or agencies requiring or making use of New Zealand official statistics.

Survey and Land Information, Department of. (Te Puna Kōrero Whenua.) The department is the principal government (civil and military) survey and mapping, and land information agency. Through the Office of Crown Lands the department is also the government's principal Crown land administering agency. The department's work includes control surveys as the basis for cadastral surveys and basic topographic mapping, land title surveys, investigations into the status of Crown land and Maori land, large scale topographical surveys for engineering and management purposes, land development servicing, fixing of marine and air navigation aids, aerodrome obstruction surveys, earth deformation studies, environmental planning of land, and a graphic support for the electoral system.

The main acts administered by the department are the Survey Act 1986, Public Works Act 1981, Land Settlement Promotion and Land Acquisition Act 1952, Land Act 1948, the New Zealand Geographic Board Act 1946 and Crown Grants Act 1908. In addition in excess of 50 other statutes empower the department with specific responsibilities for land transactions. Proposals for the Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Bill are also collated by the department. See section 14.1, Land resources and ownership.

Tourism, Ministry of. This ministry operates from within the Ministry of Commerce, providing policy advice to, and representing, the Minister of Tourism and the Government on policy issues relevant to the tourism sector. It advises the Government on the outputs it purchases from the New Zealand Tourism Board, manages government grant schemes relating to the tourism sector, manages land at Rotorua and the Wairakei Tourist Park, and is responsible for the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute Act 1991.

Tourism Board, New Zealand. The main functions of the New Zealand Tourism Board are to: ensure that New Zealand is developed and marketed as a distinct and competitive visitor destination overseas; promote and progress New Zealand's tourism development and intiate programmes to foster this development; administer jointly-funded public and private sector marketing programmes; undertake research of visitor arrivals, overseas tourism markets and regional tourism; take a leadership role in achieving industry unity. The New Zealand Tourism Board is headed by a nine member private sector executive board. The board has 14 overseas marketing offices. See Section 11.6, Leisure.

Trade Development Board (TRADENZ), New Zealand. The role of Tradenz (The New Zealand Trade Development Board) is to help New Zealand business increase foreign exchange earnings. Tradenz does this by working with New Zealand exporters to identify and capitalise on market opportunities and by improving companies' ability to compete profitably overseas.

Transport, Ministry of. (Te Manatū Waka.) The Ministry of Transport promotes safe and efficient transport that is environmentally sustainable and provided at reasonable cost. The ministry is responsible for administering about 20 principal Acts including the Civil Aviation Act, the Shipping and Seamen Act and the Transport Act.

The ministry has two operating divisions dealing with land and maritime transport and a small corporate office.

Treasury, The. The principal functions of Treasury are to: provide the Government with independent economic and financial advice; implement the Government's economic and financial policies; control and account for the receipt and payment of government finances; and to provide financial information on the operations of the Government. It also includes the Government Actuary's Office.

Valuation New Zealand. The major activity of the department is to prepare valuation rolls for all districts in New Zealand, to keep these rolls up to date with changes in property holdings, ownership, occupancy, and development, and to revise the values at not more than five-yearly intervals. Since 1988 the department has been progressively introducing a three-yearly cycle. Between the five-yearly general revaluations, current market values of individual properties are assessed as required. Values set by the department are used by other authorities to levy rates, land tax, estate, stamp and gift duties, and also by most government departments and agencies involved in land transactions.

The department does research work on real estate markets and compiles house and rural price indexes. It provides an advisory service to local authorities on all matters relating to rating. The department's extensive property record system is used to furnish data for land use, town planning and similar surveys both to local authorities and other public sector organisations. See section 14.1, Land resources and ownership.

Women's Affairs, Ministry of. (Te Minitatanga mō ngā Wāhine.) This ministry was established in 1984 to assist the Government to improve the status of women and to work towards the achievement of equality in all spheres of social, political and economic activity. The ministry's primary function is to advise the Minister of Women's Affairs. In carrying out this function the ministry provides specialist advice on legislative and other policy matters affecting the status of women and undertakes educational and information programmes designed to increase women's knowledge of and familiarity with the scope and processes of public policy-making. See section 5.3, Human rights, immigration and citizenship.

Youth Affairs, Ministry of. (Te Tari Taiohi.) This ministry was established to represent the youth of New Zealand; to ensure that the concerns of the young people (defined as people from the ages of 12 to 25) of New Zealand are heard by the makers of policies, services and legislation, and to allow young people to make a contribution to the cultural, social and economic development of this country.

The ministry works through three main areas; policy advice to the Minister of Youth Affairs and Government, liaison services gathering input from young people and youth networking, and administering the Conservation Corps programme, which provides young people with opportunities for employment, training and personal development through conservation activities of benefit to local communities.

In addition to the state service organisations there is a multitude of advisory bodies, statutory corporations, companies, councils, commissions, committees, tribunals and other organisations loosely connected to the Government.

Crown-owned entities. These organisation are defined in the Public Finance Amendment (No. 3) Act 1992. “Crown-owned entity” means a body or statutory officer named in the Third or the Fourth Schedule of the Public Finance Act and describes entities owned by the Crown which are not departments, Offices of Parliament or state-owned enterprises.

State-owned Enterprises. State-owned enterprises are companies established by the Government to manage its trading activities. The principle objective of every state-owned enterprise is to operate as a successful business and, to this end, to be:

An annual statement of intent is signed between the shareholding government ministers and the board of directors of the respective state-owned enterprise. Performance of the enterprise is monitored against this statement.

The Controller and Auditor-General is an officer of the Crown appointed by the Governor-General under the Public Finance Act 1977. The position is independent of the executive government and only the Governor-General, upon an address from the House of Representatives, can end the tenure. The Controller and Auditor-General and the persons acting under his or her delegation are collectively called ‘the Audit Office’.

The constitutionally important role of the Audit Office, as set out in the Public Finance Act, is to act as a monitor on behalf of Parliament and to control issues of money out of the Crown Bank Account. The Audit Office has to be satisfied that all issues from the Crown Bank Account for the government's expenditure requirements are within the appropriations and other authorities granted by Parliament. This role is crucial to the ability to Parliament to control the supply of funds to the Crown, and in certain circumstances the Audit Office may prevent the issue of money.

The Audit Office audits the financial statements of government departments, local authorities, and most government-controlled corporations, boards and companies. The office plays a key part in the accountability by these organisations. It also conducts periodic reviews of financial control systems, selected programmes or operations to ascertain whether resources have been applied effectively and efficiently in a manner consistent with the policies of the governing bodies.

Considerable emphasis is placed on reporting the results of this work. The most visible results are their financial audit reports tabled in Parliament each year.

If shortcomings are discovered during an audit, the principal recourse of the Audit Office is to report to the management of the organisation, to a minister, or to Parliament and its select committees. If there is a deficiency in money or stores, the Auditor-General has the power to surcharge the persons involved to recover the amount. This power is rarely used.

The Official Information Act 1982 is based on to the principle that information shall be made available unless there is good reason for withholding it. The purposes of the Act are: to provide proper access to official information to the people of New Zealand, to encourage their participation in the making and administration of laws and policies; to promote the accountability of ministers and officials; and to protect official information consistent with the public interest and the preservation of personal privacy.

With the exception of the Parliamentary Service, the Official Information Act covers all government departments, state-owned enterprises, and a range of statutory bodies. It does not include courts, tribunals (in relation to their judicial function), or some judicial bodies. All local authorities and statutory boards are covered under either the Official Information Act 1982 or the Local Government Official Information and Meetings 1987.

The Acts provide special rights of access to personal information. The definition of a ‘person’ can include a sole corporation and a body of persons. The protection of the privacy of natural persons is an important issue, however, this consideration may be overturned if it is in the public interest to make the information available.

Among the criteria to be considered, when judging whether information should be withheld, are that if the information is released will it prejudice the security, defence, or economic international relations of New Zealand; the maintenance of law and order; the effective conduct of public affairs; trade secrets and commercial sensitivity; personal privacy and the safety of any person.

Ombudsmen can review a decision to refuse information; the investigation is private and free of charge. The formal recommendation of an Ombudsman is binding unless overridden by a minister in accordance with a formal procedure.

An information guide concerning access to personal and official information is available from the Department of Justice. In order to provide sufficient data to ease the identification of material and assist in the lodging of requests, reference can be made to the Directory of Official Information. Published every two years, the Directory is a comprehensive guide to all the organisations covered by the Act including their structure, functions, policies, documents held, contact officers and other listings which facilitate the access of information.

The principal function of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Investigations (Ombudsman) is to enquire into complaints relating to administrative decisions of government departments and related organisations, education boards and all local authorities. Under the Ombudsmen Act 1975 there is provision for the appointment of a Chief Ombudsman and one or more other ombudsmen, in either temporary or permanent positions.

All investigations undertaken by ombudsmen are conducted in private. When an ombudsman believes a complaint can be sustained, this opinion is reported to the government department or organisation concerned along with any recommendation for action. A copy of this report is also made available to the responsible minister. At the local government level, the ombudsman reports the finding to the organisation, and provides a copy of his report to the mayor or chairperson.

Ombudsmen also investigate recommendations made to a minister by any government department, organisation or employee. Similarly, they look into any recommendations made to a full council or board of a local organisation by any committee, sub-committee, officer, employee, or member. It is also the responsibility of the Ombudsmen to investigate any complaints on decisions for the request of official information.

Ombudsmen have no authority to investigate complaints against private companies and individuals, decisions of judges, complaints directed at ministerial decisions, or at the full council of local government. They can also decide that certain complaints, although within their sphere, are better suited to other available avenues of administrative redress.