Think Piece 22

Think Piece 22: Proposal for the Creation of an Oceans Institution

The Institute is pleased to announce the launch of Think Piece 22: Proposal for the Creation of an Oceans Institution. This think piece suggests that one key building block necessary to deliver robust ocean governance is missing – an oceans institution.

Wendy McGuinness, CEO, believes: ‘New Zealand has a strategic opportunity and an ethical responsibility to improve ocean management. There has been some progress, but we have more work to do.’

McGuinness says ‘This new government institution would act as both a chronicler and a steward of ocean policy. It would become the central landing pad for all aspects of ocean policy.’

‘It is important to note that we do not envisage this new institution as a decision-making body or one that would undertake scientific research, nor as a lobbyist for special-interest groups. Instead it would focus on chronicling the narrative (sharing data, information and strategic knowledge about our oceans) and stewardship (collating and integrating information to inform all stakeholders and suggest effective and durable public policy making). This would create a space for collaboration and creativity, enabling policy to be developed with stakeholders over time and providing New Zealanders with durable public policy that delivers certainty and trust.’

The Institute would like to particularity thank the contributors who have come together in recent months to explore what such an institution mi ght look like and how it might come into being. They include: Lionel Carter, Malcolm Clark, Robin Falconer, Pani Gleeson, Bronwen Golder, Julie Hall, Pat Helm, Tim Higham, Suze Keith, Shonagh Kenderdine, Ngahuia Leighton, Scott Macindoe, Ann McCrone, Tim Naish, Bernie Napp, James Palmer, Raewyn Peart, Stuart Prior, Justin Strang, James Tremlett, Ray Wood and Bob Zuur.

ENDS

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