HE WAKA EKE NOA TOWARDS A BETTER FUTURE, TOGETHER NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 CONTENTS

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PAGE 03 GLOSSARY

PAGE 04 FOREWORD

PAGE 06 NEW ZEALAND’S APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

PAGE 10 LIVING STANDARDS FRAMEWORK AND INDICATORS AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND

PAGE 14 NEW ZEALAND’S INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

PAGE 18 SDG 1 PAGE 72 SDG 10 NO POVERTY REDUCE INEQUALITIES

PAGE 24 SDG 2 PAGE 78 SDG 11 ZERO HUNGER SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

PAGE 30 SDG 3 PAGE 84 SDG 12 GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

PAGE 36 SDG 4 PAGE 90 SDG 13 QUALITY EDUCATION CLIMATE ACTION

PAGE 42 SDG 5 PAGE 96 SDG 14 Cover image: Zena Elliott, born 1964, New Zealand. GENDER EQUALITY LIFE BELOW WATER Māori tribal affiliations: Ngāti Awa, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngāi Te Rangi, Te Arawa.

Urungi 2014. PAGE 48 SDG 6 PAGE 102 SDG 15 Acrylic and spray paint on marine ply. CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION LIFE ON LAND Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade. Courtesy of the artist and Milford Galleries, Dunedin; Photography Glenn Frei. PAGE 54 SDG 7 PAGE 108 SDG 16 In 2013 Zena Elliott held an exhibition entitled ‘Glokool’ – a name she coined from two words, AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN PEACE, JUSTICE AND ENERGY STRONG INSTITUTIONS ‘global’ and ‘local’. Her art is all about the melding of cultures in New Zealand today – Māori and Pākehā, local and global – while retaining an individual voice. She celebrates her many influences in PAGE 60 SDG 8 PAGE 114 SDG 17 her vibrant, richly-patterned paintings. DECENT WORK AND PARTNERSHIPS FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH THE GOALS Elliott’s work draws on both popular culture and fine art: the imagery of computer graphics, video gaming, and street art, as well as that of abstract painting and customary Māori art. In Urungi (the PAGE 66 SDG 9 title alludes to navigation), she includes the frond-like koru – a form found in Māori carving and a INDUSTRY, INNOVATION symbol of growth, strength and peace. AND INFRASTRUCTURE

1 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 GLOSSARY

Hapū – Sub-tribe Tangata whenua – People of the land, local people He waka eke noa – We are all in this together Taonga – Treasure KAUA Hui – Meeting Te ao Māori – The Māori world Iwi – Tribe Te Tiriti o Waitangi – The Treaty of Waitangi Kaitiaki – Caretaker (also means trustee in a - trust sense) UNEP – United Nations Environment Programme Kaitiakitanga – Stewardship Waka – Canoe Kaua tētahi e whakarērea – Leave no one TETAHI E behind Wāhine – Women Kaupapa – Purpose Wairua – Spirit Mana whenua – Authority over the land Wānanga – Institution of learning, intensive learning - Mātauranga Māori – Māori knowledge and understanding of everything Whānau – Family OECD – Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development WHAKAREREA Ōhanga āmiomio – Circular economy Pākehā – European/Caucasian Rangatira – Chief/Leader Talanoa – Discuss

Note LEAVE 1 All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars. 2 The use of ‘disabled people’ in this report reflects the current consensus, based on advice from the New Zealand Disability Strategy Revision Reference Group, that this is the most respectful term recognising that disabling barriers exist within society and not with us as individuals. In future, it is possible the disability community will decide to revise the way to describe themselves. If this happens, the language can be changed to reflect this. 3 The Crown – The expression ‘the Crown’ is used frequently in descriptions of New Zealand’s NO ONE current constitutional arrangements. The meaning of ‘the Crown’ varies according to the context in which it is used. Generally, it describes executive government conducted by Ministers and their departments. It does not normally include organisations having their own BEHIND corporate identities, such as state-owned enterprises.

3 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019

The Living Standards Framework is countries most in need, in particular Small innovative in that it measures and Island Developing States and Least analyses the dynamics of wellbeing, as Developed Countries, with sustainable well as risk and resilience across a broad development a core priority. Sustainable range of economic, social and development also informs our approach environmental domains. The Living to trade, the environment and security. Standards Framework includes a ‘dashboard’ (database of indicators) that Sixty percent of New Zealand’s WAHINGA KORERO will support progress towards the SDGs. development cooperation goes to the Pacific region with a strong focus on Statistics New Zealand has also developed improving Pacific prosperity and THE RT HON JACINDA ARDERN a set of metrics – Indicators Aotearoa New economic resilience. The government’s Zealand (IANZ). Like the Living Standards Pacific Reset demonstrates our Framework, IANZ goes beyond traditional commitment to lift our ambition and PRIME MINISTER OF NEW ZEALAND economic measures such as income and investment in the region. Substantial GDP, and includes wellbeing and new funding will go towards tackling sustainable development. IANZ supports issues such as climate change, health, the development of the Living Standards education, gender and youth. Dotted in the South Pacific, three hours Framework as well as monitoring and from our nearest neighbours, New Zealand reporting against the SDGs. New Zealand recognises that all the is a nation proud that our isolation has SDGs, from eradicating poverty to never lessened our commitment to the These, along with the government’s science strengthening the means of global community. advisers, provided an evidence-based implementation, are connected and foundation for our first Wellbeing Budget, cannot be achieved by governments As an active member across international delivered on 30 May 2019, which focused alone. It requires cooperation and the government investment on areas where participation of all sectors of society. institutions, New Zealand is committed to the greatest benefits could be achieved. The review highlights some of the crucial the implementation of the 2030 Agenda work being undertaken across New for Sustainable Development and While New Zealand has overall a high Zealand and overseas by individuals, achievement of the 17 Sustainable standard of living, too many of our businesses and community groups to Development Goals (SDGs). families experience poverty or material achieve the SDGs. hardship. Māori and Pacific peoples, sole Our first Voluntary National Review parent households and people with As I said at the United Nations General covers all 17 SDGs with a national lens disabilities are over-represented at the Assembly in September last year: that reflects our belief in productive, lower end of the economic spectrum. sustainable and inclusive development to We must redouble our efforts to work as ensure no one is left behind. The report Child poverty is a particular concern. a global community. highlights challenges as well as successes, New Zealand aims to at least halve child provides a baseline for future reporting, poverty within 10 years by 2028 and we We must rediscover our shared belief in and identifies areas where more work have introduced a wide range of the value of connectedness. needs to be done. measures to support this including a Families Package, to boost the incomes We must demonstrate that collective Our country’s size, location, history, values and wellbeing of low-income families. international action not only works, but and the partnership between the Crown The Child Poverty Reduction Act 2018 that it is in all of our best interests. and Māori are reflected in the review. In provides an ongoing focus on child particular we acknowledge that the special poverty reduction by requiring successive We must show the next generation that we status of Māori, as the tangata whenua or governments to measure and report on are listening, and that we have heard them. indigenous people of New Zealand, is the issue. fundamental to who we are as a nation. The SDGs help us demonstrate each of New Zealand is committed to supporting these principles and New Zealand is New thinking is needed to achieve the the SDGs alongside our international committed to them. vision captured within the SDGs. Rather partners. In 2018 New Zealand increased its than measuring progress in purely Official Development Assistance (ODA) in economic terms, the New Zealand Treasury response to the 2030 Agenda and the is developing a broader set of measures – sustainable development finance needs of the Living Standards Framework based on developing countries. The additional work done by the OECD – that puts NZ$714 million allocated over four years sustainable intergenerational wellbeing at represents a 30 percent increase in our the centre of policy-making and the ODA, lifting it to a projected 0.28 percent Jacinda Ardern management of our resources. of GNI. New Zealand’s ODA targets Prime Minister of New Zealand

5 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019

NEW ZEALAND’S APPROACH A JUST TRANSITION

TREATY OF WAITANGI Ensuring a just transition is about how we transform our economy to one that TO SUSTAINABLE is productive, sustainable and inclusive. New Zealand is founded on a partnership It is about creating new opportunities, between Māori, the tangata whenua or new jobs, new skills and new investments. indigenous people of New Zealand, and the It is also about building an understanding Crown (or government). In 1840 a founding of potential pathways to transform DEVELOPMENT constitutional document, Te Tiriti o Waitangi the New Zealand economy and how (the Treaty of Waitangi), was signed. the impacts of the transition will be The intent was to formalise an enduring distributed across the economy. A just partnership between Māori and the Crown. ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GLOBALLY IS A CRITICAL transition requires working alongside The Treaty encompasses both individual and communities, regions and sectors to CHALLENGE FACING ALL OF US. collective rights and provides a framework make choices about how we manage the for the State to promote, protect and respect pace and impacts of change in a fair and indigenous rights. inclusive way. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable REDEFINING SUCCESS The Treaty of Waitangi was signed in good Development serves as our collective Achieving a just transition is a long-term faith by representatives of the British Crown blueprint to achieve a better and more process. To be successful it will require New Zealand’s policy direction is influenced and by many Māori Chiefs on behalf of their sustainable future for all. It challenges managing the pace and timing of change by our position as a small independent people. The Crown intended Māori to be us to get serious about delivering an with a mix of policies, government Pacific country, deeply engaged in our treated fairly and honourably, particularly integrated and balanced social, economic support and commitment to social region and the world. We are a nation of in the course of land transactions. However, and environmental agenda. dialogue at multiple levels. The work of explorers and adventurers, and have been Māori suffered greatly through the process the government and its social partners since the first waka reached our shores. of colonisation and the government now New Zealand is contributing to will need to be underpinned by a deep We are agile and adaptable with a mind-set acknowledges that since 1840 it has breached achievement of the 2030 Agenda and understanding of which groups in our that enables us to be innovative in the face its duties under the Treaty and has accepted the Sustainable Development Goals society will face the most significant of new challenges. a moral obligation to resolve Māori (SDGs) through a combination of challenges and the likely nature of domestic action, international leadership historical grievances. As a people we highly value our egalitarian those challenges. The government on global issues and support for will work with sectors and communities society. But we know that despite our Today the distinct and special status of Māori as developing countries. Achievement to empower them to develop strategies developed status, there are New Zealanders tangata whenua is of profound importance to requires a whole of government effort, for anticipating and responding who struggle to achieve a decent level of New Zealand and fundamental to our identity working alongside the private sector and to opportunities and challenges wellbeing. Our success as a nation rests on as a nation. The Treaty is recognised as a civil society. from transitions. far more than just economic indicators. foundational document of New Zealand that has This is our first Voluntary National Review significant constitutional, historical and ongoing We are therefore taking a new approach. on our implementation of the SDGs. importance. It belongs to all New Zealanders We are redefining what success looks PRODUCTIVITY We have chosen to address those aspects and is a source of both individual and collective like by putting the wellbeing of all of the 2030 Agenda most relevant to rights of Māori. New Zealanders at the centre of New Zealand. The report captures New Zealand wants to be a leader and everything we do. our current initiatives and high level constructive partner, both nationally and plans, and reflects our commitment to internationally, in the transformation to Our approach takes into account productive, sustainable and inclusive a modern and sustainable economy. Our New Zealand’s unique characteristics, development as a country and as a direction moves us away from a simple including the relationship between the global partner. We intend to provide a focus on Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Crown and Māori as tangata whenua. foundation for future national reporting to incorporate environmental and social It builds on our national values, our to build on. factors as well as economic indicators. collective responsibilities as kaitiaki of our environment and the international Our vision, to improve the wellbeing and reputation we are proud of. living standards of New Zealanders

7 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019

through building a productive, sustainable and more connected communities. international rules and institutions and inclusive economy, echoes the Economic growth and social inclusion are including those relating to economic objectives of the SDGs. We are embedding interdependent. We are determined to success, environmental protection and our wellbeing focus into our policy grow and share more fairly New Zealand’s natural resource management. We work PACIFIC WELLBEING thinking to ensure that the direction of all prosperity. All New Zealanders should to strengthen the contribution of trade to government policy is consistent. This have equal opportunities to participate inclusive and sustainable development. Pacific Aotearoa talanoa with means thinking holistically about how in our economy. We will reduce the We have increased our aid and we target more than 2,500 Pacific people policies and programmes impact each barriers to participation and support this to countries most in need, particularly living in New Zealand have other and contribute to our overall people and businesses to take advantage Small Island Developing States and Least identified what wellbeing means objectives. To deliver higher living of the opportunities available. We will Developed Countries. for Pacific peoples today and standards for New Zealanders, we are ensure everyone who is able to is earning, for the future. These talanoa working to overcome some significant learning, caring or volunteering. We focus our contribution on the Pacific highlighted Pacific identities, challenges to productivity, sustainability where we have deepened our partnerships languages and cultures; and inclusiveness. Productivity is a key We recognise that there is disparity and direct 60 percent of our aid. Alongside economic development and driver of economic performance, higher in outcomes for New Zealanders, strong market access, we have committed income; health and wellness; and wages and higher living standards. particularly for Māori, Pacific peoples and to provide 20 percent of our Official intergenerational opportunities women. We are committed to ensuring Development Assistance as Aid-for-Trade for youth as key priority areas. We are at the beginning of a period of that all New Zealanders benefit from in the Pacific with the aim of improving significant change that will impact on our growth, now and in future generations. two-way trade, Pacific prosperity and This has provided the basis to economy, now and for decades to come. economic resilience. We have increased develop the Pacific Aotearoa These changes include things like our our commitment to climate related vision for Pacific peoples: ‘Pacific demographics, technology, the sharing financing to $300 million through to 2022. values are our anchor, with each economy and climate change. We also SUSTAINABILITY This will include a focus on adaptation to generation weaving the foundation need to respond to changing financial the impacts of climate change, in line with for the next to stand on. Pacific and trade policies of major economies Our natural capital, or natural resource Pacific partner priorities. communities are leading around the world. To meet the challenges base, is woven into the fabric of every innovations within Aotearoa, the and take the opportunities of a rapidly New Zealander’s health and wellbeing, Pacific region and the world. We changing world we need to support the country’s brand and Te Ao Māori. Our OUR SUSTAINABLE are confident in our endeavours, workers and businesses to be inclusive, land, forests, waterways and oceans are FUTURE we are thriving, resilient and resilient and adaptable. the foundation of our economy. prosperous Pacific Aotearoa.’

Internationally, we cooperate with partners New Zealand is in the process of New Zealand is driving transformation Pacific Aotearoa places the to create conditions that enable all transitioning to a cleaner, greener, through collaboration and partnerships aspirations of Pacific peoples countries to prosper. We are committed carbon neutral country. We must between local and central government, at the centre of thinking and to development cooperation that embeds progressively reverse environmental businesses, workers and unions, rural decision making. It recognises the principles of the 2030 Agenda. We damage and support the economy to and urban communities and iwi, as their leadership role and strengths work for sustainable and inclusive growth be more sustainable through smart use well as with international partners. to drive change from within, globally, including through strengthened of technology, education, regulation, It is essential that participation across and for, their own communities. economic governance and stability. investment and pricing. We must be sectors, communities and agencies is It is fundamental that Pacific resilient and able to respond to shock developed and deepened. values inform how initiatives are events and emerging stresses. developed. Relationships must be INCLUSIVITY We want to build a solid and enduring effective in a Pacific community foundation to achieve a more productive, setting. This vision provides sustainable and inclusive society. Every insight to tailor initiatives to The wellbeing of people and communities GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS step counts. We look forward to taking ensure they resonate with and are is at the centre of New Zealand’s vision. ever greater strides towards improving impactful for Pacific communities. We are committed to delivering equitable New Zealand seeks a peaceful world in the wellbeing of all New Zealanders, outcomes and enabling current and which all people live with dignity and especially the most vulnerable, and to future generations to achieve higher living safety, all countries can prosper and our the delivery of the SDGs. standards. We are determined to make shared environment is protected. New Zealand the best place in the world We cooperate to advance that goal to be a child and to build healthier, safer globally. We work to strengthen

9 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019

LIVING STANDARDS FRAMEWORK AND INDICATORS AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND

NEW ZEALAND’S APPROACH TO ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IS BROAD, INTEGRATED AND HOLISTIC. IT IS FOCUSED ON IMPROVING THE WELLBEING AND LIVING STANDARDS OF ALL NEW ZEALANDERS. The LSF is a practical application of government action will support our national and international research progress towards achieving the SDGs. around measuring wellbeing, tailored to reflect New Zealand’s unique culture and In parallel, Statistics New Zealand has Our conceptualisation of sustainable to analyse, measure and compare those what matters to New Zealanders. To distil developed Indicators Aotearoa development is consistent with the spirit outcomes through a wide and evolving and structure this knowledge, and to New Zealand – Ngā Tūtohu Aotearoa, a of the 2030 Agenda, which outlines a set of indicators. The framework covers ensure international comparability, the new suite of statistical indicators that go series of interconnected goals that are current wellbeing, future wellbeing Treasury drew on the internationally- beyond economic measures, such as GDP people-centred and encompass a wide and risk and resilience across a range recognised approach taken by the and include wellbeing and sustainable variety of issues affecting the wellbeing of economic, social and environmental Organisation for Economic Co-operation development to help inform government of our planet and all of humanity. indicators. Distribution is important and Development (OECD). policy and investment decisions. This new across all these three concepts. tool supports the development of the LSF, We are redefining what success means for New Zealand. We believe that to be Within current wellbeing, 12 domains as well as other governmental wellbeing successful we need to build a productive, reflect wellbeing at a ‘point in time’. WE BELIEVE THAT TO BE SUCCESSFUL WE reporting and analysis activities including sustainable and inclusive economy, Four capitals – natural, human, social, monitoring and reporting against the which improves the wellbeing and and financial and physical – are the NEED TO BUILD A PRODUCTIVE, SUSTAINABLE SDGs. Indicators Aotearoa New Zealand living standards of all New Zealanders. assets that generate wellbeing now AND INCLUSIVE ECONOMY, WHICH IMPROVES is a comprehensive suite of approximately To this end, the New Zealand Treasury, and into the future. New Zealand’s 100 social, cultural, environmental and the government’s lead economic and capital stocks include our people’s skills, THE WELLBEING AND LIVING STANDARDS OF economic indicators to measure and track financial adviser, has developed a Living knowledge, and physical and mental New Zealand’s progress over time. There Standards Framework (LSF) to improve health; our natural environment; our ALL NEW ZEALANDERS. will be approximately 20 population and the depth, breadth and quality of policy social connections, communities and production indicators, providing context development concerning living standards. institutions; and the buildings, machines The LSF includes a dashboard – a for considering and interpreting the and other physical assets that support structured database of indicators to wellbeing indicators. The Living Standards Framework is a material living conditions. Links can be support policy development to lift high level framework that emphasises drawn between the LSF current domains intergenerational wellbeing. The use of The indicator suite has been developed to the diversity of outcomes meaningful for of wellbeing and future capital stocks and these tools as part of regular financial allow for measurement of New Zealand’s New Zealanders, and helps the Treasury the SDGs. and economic analysis of options for current and future wellbeing and

11 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 EXAMPLES OF HOW THE SDGs MAP TO INDICATORS AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND

Low income Experience of discrimination Child poverty Low income Income adequacy Income inequality Homelessness Material wellbeing Net worth Costs of extreme weather events Democratic participation Justice equity Health equity

Soil health Productive land Access to safe water for recreation and food gathering Homelessness Housing affordability Efficiency of land use Land assets Housing quality Overcrowding Access Cultural ecosystem services to natural spaces Levels of pollutants New Zealand’s impact on the rest of The indicators will support government Provisioning ecosystem services Active Victimisation Resilience of infrastructure the world. The indicators build on strategic direction and provide the stewardship of land Net greenhouse gas Waste generation Heritage assets international best practice, and have information needed to guide priorities emissions Biodiversity/native species been tailored to a New Zealand context and improve the wellbeing of all New by incorporating topics such as culture, Zealanders. The indicators will also enable Material intensity, including recycling, land identity, land and waste. New Zealand’s local government, businesses, civil society Health expectancy Health equity fill inflows, second-hand economy Waste official statistics agency is partnering and communities and individuals to Mental health status Amenable mortality generation Export of waste (net and gross) with Māori to further develop the set make informed choices on wellbeing Self-reported health status Spiritual health Consumption of greenhouse gases Energy of indicators based on concepts of and sustainability. Suicide Injury prevalence Illness consumption Efficiency of land use attributable to air quality Overcrowding wellbeing from a Te Ao Māori perspective. Productive land Modified land The first cut of the indicators will be This suite of indicators was developed released in late June 2019. It is intended through broad and inclusive public that the Treasury will draw indicators Core competencies Early childhood Costs of extreme weather events Global education Educational attainment CO concentrations Gross greenhouse gas consultation. It included input from and data from the indicator suite for 2 Education equity Literacy, numeracy and emissions Net greenhouse gas emissions subject matter experts across many the Living Standards Framework. science skills of 15-year olds Intergenerational Consumption of net greenhouse gas emissions sectors, including government, non- More information on Indicators transfer of knowledge Modified land Renewable energy government organisations, academia, Aotearoa New Zealand can be found at business and international wellbeing www.wellbeingindicators.stats.govt.nz. Fish stocks Ocean acidification experts – all of which fed into Value of unpaid work Domestic violence Waste flows in waterways and coastal marine recommendations on the indicator set. Experience of discrimination environments Quality of water resources To the extent possible, the wellbeing Income inequality Net worth Low Provisioning ecosystem services indicators will be disaggregated to track income Justice equity Inequality of Regulating ecosystem services Cultural the progress of different groups within education outcomes Health equity ecosystem services Biodiversity/native the population. species Ecological integrity

Drinking water quality Access to safe Biodiversity/native species Ecological Indicators Aotearoa New Zealand water for recreation and food gathering integrity Efficiency of land use will function as the data source that Quality of water resources Stock of Productive land Soil health Cultural underpins government analytical freshwater resources Water stress ecosystem services Provisioning ecosystem frameworks and decision making. Waste flows into waterways and coastal services Regulating ecosystem services This includes supporting New Zealand’s marine environments Material intensity, Quality of water resources reporting on progress on the SDGs. including recycling, land fill inflows, second hand Active stewardship of land economy

Generalised trust Institutional trust Justice equity Perceptions of safety/ Energy intensity Energy resources feelings of safety Harm against children Renewable energy Energy consumption Victimisation Experience of discrimination Domestic violence Sense of belonging Loneliness

Employment rate Hourly earnings Job satisfaction Job strain Not in employment, education or training Foreign direct investment Official Unemployment Work/life balance development assistance Remittances to Workplace accidents Official development other countries assistance Consumption of net greenhouse gas emissions

Infrastructure Resilience of infrastructure Modified land Commuting time to work Costs of extreme weather events Gross greenhouse gas emissions Material intensity, including recycling, landfill inflows, second-hand economy Net fixed assets For reasons of brevity not all Indicators Aotearoa New Zealand that relate to SDGs are shown. 13 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019

NEW ZEALAND’S INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

IN ADDITION TO PURSUING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AT HOME, NEW ZEALAND WORKS TO ADVANCE THE 2030 AGENDA IN OUR REGION AND IN THE WORLD.

Sustainable development is a core foreign focus to global cooperation on human Small Island Developing States and affordable, reliable and clean energy policy priority. It is central to the mission rights and gender equality, climate Least Developed Countries. We focus and increased economic and food of our aid programme and informs change, environmental and oceans our aid on countries where we have security benefits from sustainable our approach to trade, environment, stewardship, open and rules-based the presence and partnerships to be fisheries and aquaculture. development and security policy, as well trade, disarmament and security. effective. Globally we have prioritised as our domestic policy. We seek global policy coherence our support to sustainable agriculture, Our recently announced Pacific Reset including through the elimination of clean energy and education. Across signalled a lift in New Zealand’s environmentally harmful subsidies all our aid we pursue development strategic ambition and investment in NEW ZEALAND that undermine progress toward that is resilient, inclusive, sustained the region. The Reset aims to build COOPERATES FOR sustainability. We advocate for global and effective. And we seek to deeper and more mutual partnerships systems to work effectively for Small strengthen the role of trade in with Pacific countries, enhance SUSTAINABLE Island Developing States. delivering inclusive and sustainable coordination with other key partners DEVELOPMENT ACROSS development in developing countries. and institutions and improve the THREE KEY SPHERES 2 We support sustainable development coherence between New Zealand’s policies – whether domestic or foreign in developing countries — 3 We work for Pacific achievement of policy – that have a bearing on the New Zealand recognises the the SDGs — 1 We cooperate for global solutions New Zealand is a Pacific country and Pacific and its people. An additional sustainable development challenges to global challenges — we recognise the unique and critical $714 million in overall aid funding facing developing countries across New Zealand recognises the sustainable development challenges announced in Budget 2018 will be a range of circumstances. We importance of effective global facing our region. Our presence and drawn on to tackle priority issues for recognise the risk of countries falling cooperation to protect and advance partnerships in the Pacific mean this the Pacific, in particular economic behind due to governance, conflict global public goods and to create is where New Zealand’s contribution resilience, climate change, health, conditions that enable all countries or environmental reasons. We is most important and can have most education, gender, human rights to realise sustainable development. recognise the scale, vulnerability and impact. It is the geographic focus for and youth. climate issues faced by Small Island our aid. New Zealand works for durable Developing States. And the middle international solutions to global income country challenge of sustaining New Zealand works with Pacific Island environmental, economic, security social and economic progress while countries and the region to support and development challenges. We making a historic transition to low- progress against the Pacific Roadmap aim to strengthen the international emissions and environmentally for Sustainable Development. Our aid rules and institutions essential sustainable development. partnerships are responsive to context to sustainable development. We and each country’s issues and priorities. are active within and support the New Zealand targets its aid to We are working to deliver ambitious multilateral system. We bring particular countries most in need, particularly targets in terms of expanded access to

15 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019

SDG SUMMIT—UNIVERSITIES NEW ZEALAND NARRATIVE IMPERATIVE—ME FAMILY SERVICES

New Zealand’s eight universities are The theme of the second national SDG Narrative Imperative was a 2018 Narrative Imperative is a great example represented at a national level by Summit, to be held in Auckland in competition that asked New Zealanders of the power the SDGs have to engage Universities New Zealand – Te Pōkai Tara. September 2019, is ‘accelerated action, to write about the SDGs that they felt people across a nation and globally They are working together and with other together’, recognising the need for passionate about. Co-founded by six on the economic, environmental and sectors – specifically central and local urgency and cross-sector engagement. friends, this volunteer run initiative set societal dimensions of sustainable government, civil society, the private The Summit hosts have extended the out to engage the New Zealand public development. To read the entries go sector and youth – to show leadership Stakeholder Group to include 350 in the global agenda for sustainable to www.narrativeimperative.org. in the implementation of the SDGs at Aotearoa, Auckland District Health Board, development. The Narrative Imperative a national level. This includes hosting a EnviroSchools, Forest and Bird, Hui-E!, team wanted to provide a platform for series of national SDG Summits that aim to Manaaki Whenua, New Zealand National all New Zealanders to engage with the promote, build and accelerate multi-sector Commission for UNESCO, Ministry of SDGs they care about, extending the action to implement the UN’s Sustainable Foreign Affairs and Trade, NZ Council conversation beyond government’s Tweet Development Goals in New Zealand. for International Development, NZ Green policy advisers. Building Council, Sustainable Business The inaugural national SDG Summit in Council and Sustainable Business Network. Entries could be written in either Te Reo Na_tive @na_tiveNZ•26m Final few hours to get your submissions Wellington in 2018 aimed to ‘bring the Māori or English and could be in any in for Narrative Imperative! What have SDGs home to New Zealand’, to ‘inform, Stakeholder groups are working with written form – including poems, opinion you got to say about the #SDGs New excite and mobilise’ leadership across the sectors to assess their current status articles and short stories. All entries were Zealand? Applications close tonight 13 the sectors, and to start cross-sectoral with regard to the SDGs, catalogue uploaded online and anyone residing in May @ 11.59PM NZ time @HelenClarkNZ conversations around action. Three exemplary initiatives and identify gaps, New Zealand had the opportunity to vote 5: Gender Equality hundred participants from across the challenges and solutions. The second for their favourite submission. 6: Clean Water and Sanitation 7: Affordable and Clean Energy sectors were given opportunities to find summit will formulate cross-sectoral 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth out how government agencies, businesses, plans for accelerated action, and these In the two months that the competition 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure 10: Reduced Inequality civil society, Māori enterprises and plans will be implemented in the run-up ran over 200 people submitted an entry 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities academia were already using the SDGs to the following summit. By encouraging and more than 5,000 people voted. 12: Responsible Consumption and Production 13: Climate Action and measuring their progress towards complementary and integrated planning 14: Life Below Water achieving them. The Summit included and action in and across other sectors, The Narrative Imperative team were 15: Life on Land international and national keynote the summits are expected to play an successful in their aim of generating 16: Peace and Justice and Strong Institutions. speakers, panel discussions with sector- important and ongoing role in driving exposure and engaging New Zealanders group leaders and action stations where New Zealand’s implementation of with the SDGs. The team were interviewed Helen Clark @HelenClarkNZ participants worked together to prepare the SDGs. by Radio New Zealand and former actionable, investable ideas to progress New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark achievement in pre-polled topics of promoted the competition on social Replying to @na_tiveNZ relevance to one or more of the SDGs. media. Teachers across New Zealand had Hope you get a good response! #SDGs their classrooms discuss the SDGs and are relevant to #NZ - as they are to submit an entry. all countries! @jacindaardern

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New Zealand’s first in a series of national, cross-sectoral and action-oriented SDG Summits was hosted by Victoria University of Wellington in April 2018, and will be followed by the University of Auckland and Auckland University of Technology hosting in September 2019. Photo Credit: Victoria University of Wellington.

17 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019

NEW ZEALAND CONTEXT significantly overrepresented among low-income households, as are New Zealanders with disabilities. New Zealand is a highly developed country with a high standard of living. SDG1 – NO POVERTY Child poverty is an area of particular International comparisons indicate that concern. Evidence shows that the our low-income and material deprivation experience of poverty, especially when population proportions are on a par with that experience is severe and persistent, We want to at least halve child poverty within OECD countries’ average performance, but can have a negative impact on the lives we recognise that we have more work to of children. They may be more likely, on ten years – the first step is the passing of the Child do to reduce the rates. We are committed average, to experience poorer educational to tackling these issues and improving the outcomes, poorer health and have more Poverty Reduction Act. wellbeing of all people in New Zealand, difficulty finding work in adulthood. with a particular focus on reducing child poverty and improving child wellbeing. INITIATIVES UNDERWAY

WE ARE COMMITTED TO INCREASING New Zealand has extensive social protections in place to provide support THE STOCK OF PUBLIC HOUSING AND to people when needed. We are also AFFORDABLE HOUSING OVER THE NEXT undertaking a range of initiatives and commitments that will make a significant FOUR YEARS. contribution to reducing the proportion of New Zealanders living in poverty At the international level we act in particularly amongst groups that many ways to end poverty. We recently are overrepresented. increased our Official Development Assistance (ODA) significantly in order Social protections, including targeted to contribute more to global sustainable financial and other supports, are available development needs, particularly in to those seeking employment, and the Pacific. We aim to use our ODA to support is provided for those people support those most in need. with, or who are caring for someone with, a health condition, injury, or disability. Financial support is available for sole parents along with additional support to CHALLENGES help them find part-time work or prepare for future work. An important focus of Despite New Zealand’s overall high employment related support is to provide standard of living, annual household people with more opportunities to work survey data tells us that a proportion and earn a good living. of New Zealand households experience poverty or material hardship, with certain We want New Zealand to be the best groups overrepresented. place in the world for children and young people. To help achieve that For example, using those households vision we have introduced new laws. with incomes less than 50 percent of The Child Poverty Reduction Act 2018 equivalised median household income creates an on-going focus on child as the measure, nine percent of the poverty, and provides for political population were below this threshold accountability against published targets. before deducting housing costs in The new legislation requires successive 2015. This increased to 15 percent after governments to measure and report on deducting housing costs. child poverty (using a suite of measures). The government has set ten-year targets, The proportion of those below this aimed at reducing child poverty by poverty threshold varies significantly by at least half on both low-income and household type and ethnicity. Sole parent material hardship measures by 2028. households are more likely to be on low- Intermediate targets have also been set incomes than other types of households. and seek to reduce the number of children Similarly, household income data shows in poverty on these same measures by that Māori and Pacific peoples are tens of thousands in the first three years.

19 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG 1 – NO POVERTY

Alongside this, we have increased the Group to provide advice on options that size of our Household Economic Survey could best give effect to its vision for the BY 2021, THE 2017 REDUCE THE NUMBER OF sample to 20,000, so that in future we future direction of the social welfare system. CHILDREN IN POVERTY BY will have better information about poverty The Group has recommended fundamental FAMILIES PACKAGE, and hardship for particular populations change to the welfare system, focused on TENS OF THOUSANDS and groups. restoring dignity to people so they can AIMS TO: participate meaningfully with their families Legislative changes also require successive and communities. The government is governments to develop and publish a considering the Group’s recommendations strategy to improve the wellbeing of all as a valuable input to the broader work children; including children with greater on overhauling the welfare system. It is INCREASE INCOMES FOR needs as a particular focus. The strategy expected that achieving the vision will ABOUT 384,000 FAMILIES WITH will also address reducing child poverty, require wide systemic change, involve a CHILDREN (62%) and mitigating the impacts of child poverty three to five-year work programme and is and socio-economic disadvantage faced by likely to take upwards of 10 years to embed. children. The scope of the first strategy has been extended to include young people and We are also working to address the populations. Whānau Ora is a community public retirement pension, New Zealand is due to be published later in 2019. impact of housing costs on New driven programme designed to support Superannuation, and significant assets Zealanders, including those on low- a holistic approach to improving the built up by many in this age group, These actions to reduce child poverty and incomes. We are committed to increasing wellbeing of Māori and all New Zealanders. especially mortgage-free home ownership. improve child wellbeing will contribute to the stock of public housing places and The approach supports whānau to achieve The voluntary, work-based KiwiSaver achieving the 2030 Agenda. affordable housing over the next four their aspirations by placing them at the retirement saving scheme is also helping years. We are also focused on achieving centre of decision making and giving them people save for retirement. We are also Our commitment to reduce poverty is equitable housing outcomes for Māori greater control of the services they need. developing a new strategy to prepare also demonstrated by our recent Families and other groups with poor housing Kaiārahi (navigators) typically work with New Zealand for an ageing population. Package, which includes a range of tax- outcomes. Means-tested supplementary whānau to identify their specific needs Areas of focus include housing, health, credit changes and other measures social welfare supports are available and aspirations and then help identify and financial security and work. that will increase the incomes of low- to those on low-incomes to assist with connect them with appropriate services, income families. When the Package is accommodation costs. education providers, or employment and We recently increased our Official fully implemented in 2021, it will boost business opportunities. Development Assistance (ODA) the incomes of about 384,000 families For those living in rented accommodation significantly in response to the 2030 with children, about 62 percent of New we are progressing work to improve the Government agencies work jointly with Agenda and to sustainable development Zealand’s families with children, and quality of housing and rental conditions. disabled people’s organisations to finance needs, particularly in the Pacific. reduce the number of children in poverty This includes legislative changes aimed implement the Disability Action Plan. The From 2018, we have allocated an additional by tens of thousands. at improving security of tenure and current Disability Action Plan 2014-2018 $714 million over a four-year budget cycle, implementing the Healthy Homes includes actions to increase disabled representing a 30 percent increase, lifting Alongside the Families Package, we are Guarantee Act 2017 to ensure that rental people’s employment and economic ODA to a projected 0.28 percent of Gross acting to address household income levels. homes are warm and dry. opportunities, and testing a new support National Income. The minimum wage has been increased system that empowers persons with to $17.70 per hour, a 7.2 percent increase, We know that debt is a factor for many disabilities to make decisions about We focus our ODA on the challenges and this will be further increased over families experiencing poverty and hardship. how they spend their disability support of countries most in need, including the coming years as economic conditions A number of initiatives are underway that funding. A new Disability Action Plan Small Island Developing States (where allow. This will raise incomes derived from may help to reduce poverty and hardship by 2019-2022 is currently being developed, we allocate 60 percent of our ODA), employment across many household types, reducing problem debt. Legislative measures which will include an action to reduce the Least Developed Countries, landlocked including those with low-incomes. Many are being introduced to address predatory employment gap between disabled and developing countries and fragile and New Zealanders on low-incomes have also lending, and we are exploring other ways to non-disabled people. conflict affected states. We consider that benefited from pay equity settlements, enable access to affordable credit (or other our ODA has a comparative advantage in particular groups of predominantly support) for vulnerable consumers. Compared to other age groups, older as a source of financing for countries that women workers. New Zealanders are less likely to struggle to access other finance and as a The impacts of poverty do not fall equally experience material hardship or have catalyst for mobilising resources for regions The government established an across population groups. We are working low-incomes after housing costs. This and groups of people most at risk of being independent Welfare Expert Advisory to address the specific needs of these reflects the universal provision of the left behind. 21 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019

REDUCING CHILD POVERTY AND IMPROVING WELLBEING TE PUNA ORANGA—ME FAMILY SERVICES

experiencing poverty and socio-economic Te Puna Oranga – ‘The Spring of Life’ IN DECEMBER 2018 WE disadvantage and those of interest to the – is the name of a new community TE PUNA ORANGA OFFERS New Zealand agency that administers garden and makerspace at ME Family PASSED LEGISLATION TO HELP our statutory care, protection and youth Services in Māngere East. The name THE KIND OF SPACE EVERY ACHIEVE A SIGNIFICANT AND justice systems. The new legislation reflects the wairua of the space and its COMMUNITY IS IN NEED OF, requires consultation with children role in bringing to life the hopes and SUSTAINED REDUCTION IN CHILD and with Māori. It also makes explicit aspirations ME Family Services has for SOMEWHERE PEOPLE CAN reference to the Treaty of Waitangi, the our community: a thriving, regenerative POVERTY, AND TO IMPROVE THE UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, community where everyone and GO TO FEEL VALUED, MAKE and the UN Convention on the Rights of everything has value. WELLBEING OF ALL CHILDREN Persons with Disabilities. A CONTRIBUTION, SHARE AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN From a swamp, to farmland, to the muddy KNOWLEDGE ABOUT GROWING The government undertook extensive end of a school field in the middle of NEW ZEALAND. public engagement on the strategy in the suburbs, we wanted to capture the FOOD AND EATING WELL AND 2018, including hearing from more than essence of the space and find out what The legislation requires successive 6,000 children and young people. This its unique contribution could be to the RETHINK HOW WE CREATE AND governments to set intermediate (three- feedback will help inform the direction local community. Using the metaphor of year) and long-term (ten-year) targets and content of the first strategy, which is the swamp, we saw that the space had a DEAL WITH ‘RUBBISH’. on a set of child poverty measures. due to be released later in 2019. role to play in capturing and regenerating It provides a doorway in to the wrap- The government must report on child the ‘waste’ from our neighbourhood. around support offered by ME Family poverty rates each year and outline how We have also introduced a Child Impact The space was created in partnership Services including social work support, official budget decisions will impact on Assessment Tool for voluntary use with MAU Studio, and with the help of early childhood education, driver child poverty. by government and non-government local schools, locally-based architecture licensing and micro-business support. organisations in New Zealand to assess students and local time-traders. Most importantly it connects people to The current government has set its whether policy proposals will increase the their local community and to themselves. intermediate targets, which aim to reduce wellbeing of children and young people. The entire site is constructed from the number of children in poverty by tens our neighbourhood’s ‘waste’: tyres for of thousands by 2021, and its long-term The tool helps to provide a child-centred garden beds, a shipping container for our targets, which aim to halve child poverty assessment where the best interests of makerspace, a pallet deck and garden by 2028 (and exceed this on some the child are a primary consideration shed, old bed heads for plant supports. measures). To help reach these targets, and the views of children are respected A water tank collects rain water from our the government has introduced the and given due weight. Guidance is also roof and connects to a rustic outdoor Families Package – a range of measures provided on how to ensure that the kitchen space, where meals can be that deliver more money to families. voices of children and young people are cooked-up straight from the garden. As well as tax-credits, these include captured in the design, implementation The garden is maintained and developed weekly payments to families of new- and review of policy decisions. by ME Family Services staff, alongside born children and winter energy many fabulous local time-traders. payments to low-income families. The government has also expanded Statistics Since our official opening in November New Zealand’s Household Economic 2018, Te Puna Oranga has received Survey, to strengthen the measuring and many visitors, from local and central reporting of child poverty. government departments, to local organisations, schools and neighbours. New legislation also requires the government to develop and publish a strategy to improve the wellbeing of all children. The strategy must include a focus on the wellbeing of those with greater needs, those

23 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG2 – ZERO HUNGER

We have a significant role to play in NEW ZEALAND CONTEXT guarantee a role for Māori in decision- global food security. making around resource management.

New Zealand is a long-standing New Zealand is a substantial net exporter proponent for the removal of barriers of food products, playing an important to international trade in food products, role in global food security through the and a strong advocate of a rules-based provision of safe and nutritious food international trade system aimed at products to the world. ensuring people have affordable access to that food. New Zealand also actively New Zealand’s efficient production engages in international forums and systems and strict regulatory policy through multilateral research to raise on- regimes ensure the safety and integrity of farm productivity (including through the our products for international consumers. Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Meeting high standards has been Greenhouse Gases) and international driven by more than 30 years without cooperation on food supply chain production or trade distorting subsidies efficiency and integrity. for our agriculture and fisheries sectors. This has resulted in innovative producers Food security is a global challenge and who strive to gain maximum value from New Zealand is a small country. But this New Zealand’s pasture-based agriculture does not mean our role is a small one: system and quota-managed fisheries. through international collaboration we can share our expertise with the world in areas such as productive and resilient NEW ZEALAND’S FOOD PRODUCTION food production systems, supply chain integrity and biological greenhouse CHALLENGE IS TO STAY AT THE FOREFRONT gas emissions research. This, combined with strong advocacy for the removal OF GLOBAL CONSUMER DEMAND FOR SAFE of harmful barriers to trade, can allow New Zealand to play a significant and AND SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED FOOD. positive role in global food security and sustainable agriculture. Goal 2 seeks to double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, particularly indigenous CHALLENGES peoples. In New Zealand, Māori are significant owners of land assets and New Zealand’s food production drivers of economic activity in food challenge is to stay at the forefront production and export sectors, and of global consumer demand for safe in the economy as a whole. Much of and sustainably produced food while the $55 billion asset base in the Māori developing innovative ways to assure economy is in the primary sectors, consumers of the safety and integrity of including 38 percent of all fisheries our products. quota, 30 percent of lamb production and 10 percent of dairy production. A major challenge for agriculture systems Much of the government’s activity has is climate change. We need to find ways been concerned with increasing Māori to reduce the greenhouse gas footprint presence, capability and productivity of food production to support New in these sectors. As well as being major Zealand’s transition to a low-carbon economic players, the principles of economy and commitments under the New Zealand’s Treaty of Waitangi Paris Agreement, whilst also ensuring that

25 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG 2 – ZERO HUNGER

food production systems have the built-in decisions that show global leadership, and resilience and adaptive capacity to deal enable the transition to a low-emissions FRUIT IN SCHOOLS with a changing climate. economy. We have established an Interim Climate Change Committee. Part of its the widest reaching health initiative across How we tackle agricultural emissions is scope is to progress work on agricultural perhaps New Zealand’s most challenging emissions, before we pass legislation One piece of mostly climate change issue. The agriculture to establish an independent Climate locally grown produce sectors are an intrinsic part of our Change Commission. The partnership each school day for economy, communities and identity. between our agricultural industry groups Emissions from agriculture also make and government officials coupled with up almost half of our annual greenhouse international collaboration through the 549low decile primary and intermediate gas emissions. Decisions about Global Research Alliance on Agricultural schools, vastly improving health and 118,000 agricultural emissions need to be based Greenhouse Gases and other partners education outcomes for students. students on good science that supports effective has enabled us to establish an evidence adaptation and a just transition, and base that will support decisions on what present opportunities for other countries actions farmers can take now, and in the to follow our lead. future, to reduce emissions, and assess the costs, opportunities and benefits of doing While the vast majority of New Zealanders so. These efforts have benefited both 80% 90% 83% have secure access to safe and nutritious domestic sustainable food production as principals reported of principals reported a of principals said overall food, obesity is a major health concern for well as assisting global food security. their school sense of equality between health of students would New Zealand, particularly for Māori and had fewer hungry students, regardless of decline if the programme Pacific peoples. There is an ongoing focus children their family circumstances ended. on reducing obesity rates and increasing the quality of New Zealanders’ diets, THERE IS AN ONGOING FOCUS ON REDUCING especially for the most vulnerable such OBESITY RATES AND INCREASING THE as children and youth. for every New Zealander, applying new programme (which provides children at QUALITY OF NEW ZEALANDERS’ DIETS, digital tracking, reporting and monitoring eligible primary schools with a free piece Māori-owned land productivity is of commercial activity and developing of fresh produce daily) and provides reported to be at 60 to 70 percent of ESPECIALLY FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE innovative trawl technologies. funding support to other programmes, the national average with the Māori such as KickStart Breakfast and KidsCan. economy facing unique challenges due SUCH AS CHILDREN AND YOUTH. We are developing a population-based to the legislative system Māori land approach to obesity policy. The overall Our Māori Agribusiness programme operates under. Decision making can aim of this approach is for the population seeks to support Māori to make informed to achieve and maintain a weight in the decisions to increase the sustainable be more complex and take more time New Zealand takes a leading role in given communal ownership, land blocks healthy range, as measured by population productivity of Māori primary sector addressing agriculture subsidies in the body mass index. The approach will assets. The programme provides access may be small and fragmented hindering WTO. This includes our strong advocacy profitable development and access to recognise the importance of creating to information and expertise to increase for a meaningful agreement in the WTO healthy environments across a range of Māori participation across the primary capital investment can be difficult, as to address harmful fisheries subsidies Māori land cannot be used as collateral. settings, for example in work places and industries and delivers economic, by the deadline of 2020 set in Goal 14. education locations. There will be a focus social and environmental outcomes New Zealand not only does not subsidise on children and young people, as well as to New Zealand. its fisheries sector, but it also levies the on achieving equity for Māori and Pacific INITIATIVES UNDERWAY commercial sector for the costs of fisheries people by designing and tailoring actions Finally, New Zealand has also taken action management and operational research to together with them where feasible. to expand international cooperation and New Zealand has committed, under the establish sustainable catch limits. capacity-building through partnerships UN Framework Convention on Climate We provide funding to a number of and aid provided to numerous Pacific Change, to reduce emissions on an Our Fisheries Change Programme programmes in schools that provide island countries. Much of this cooperation economy-wide basis to 30 percent is working to ensure the sustainable access to food in order to improve focuses on increasing the economic below 2005 levels over the period 2021 economic, social and cultural value of nutritional intake and reduce food and food security benefits derived to 2030 (11 percent below 1990 levels by New Zealand’s fisheries. This programme insecurity amongst students. The from agriculture, renewable energy and 2030). We are also committed to making is set to ensure sustainable fisheries government funds a Fruit in Schools building resilience.

27 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 - GLOBAL RESEARCH ALLIANCE THE MAORI ECONOMY: ON AGRICULTURAL GREENHOUSE GASES A MAJOR FORCE IN FOOD PRODUCTION

In 2009 we led the establishment of the agricultural development priorities and Global Research Alliance on Agricultural the development of nationally determined Greenhouse Gases (GRA) to promote an contributions under international climate increase in cooperation and investment change agreements; this is reflected in in research to mitigate greenhouse gases that 10 of the most recent countries to join from food production, while maintaining the GRA are from Africa. food security and resilient production systems. Today the GRA has 57 member countries from all regions of the world, SO FAR NEW ZEALAND HAS and maintains partnerships with key international and regional organisations COMMITTED $65 MILLION TO involved in agricultural development, FUND RESEARCH AND CAPABILITY research and agribusiness. BUILDING IN THE AREA OF The GRA has a dual research strategy to demonstrate the mitigation benefits GREENHOUSE GAS MITIGATION of improved farm productivity and IN PASTURE-BASED TEMPORAL efficiency and promote basic/discovery phase research. New Zealand has invested LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS. significant resources to build capability in developing countries. Globally, improved productivity will be where This funding supports research and the greatest emissions reductions can development and capacity building in be achieved while maintaining global developing countries to improve their food security. Developing countries are ability to understand, measure and - with a general understanding that it be increasingly seeing how the work of mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from MAORI ARE SIGNIFICANT managed sustainably to protect it for the GRA relates to their own national pastoral livestock agriculture.549 OWNERS OF LAND AND PRIMARY future generations. SECTOR ASSETS AND DRIVERS Assisting Māori to improve the productivity of their primary sector GLOBAL RESEARCH ALLIANCE OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN NEW assets in a manner consistent with ON AGRICULTURAL GREENHOUSE GASES cultural and other priorities will lead to ZEALAND’S FOOD PRODUCTION positive outcomes for New Zealand and AT A GLANCE is a priority for New Zealand’s Ministry SECTORS. for Primary Industries. However, Māori face unique challenges in The ministry delivers Māori agribusiness increasing the productivity of their land Research support that expands Māori ability to 57 and assets. member make informed decisions to increase Groups the sustainable productivity of their About five percent (1.3 million hectares) countries primary sector assets. This work helps of total land in New Zealand is collectively provide long-term access to primary 4 owned by Māori under the Te Ture sector expertise and initiatives to build Whenua Māori Act 1993. There is an knowledge and capability amongst average of 100 owners per land block and Māori across the primary industries. It land blocks are typically small (averaging also aligns with wider primary sector Paddy Rice Livestock Croplands Integrative Science 21 hectares). Approximately 20 percent of Research Research Research Research direction and initiatives to deliver positive this land is highly productive. Group Group Group Group Networks economic, social and environmental 18 outcomes to New Zealand. Where formal management is established

on this type of collectively owned Māori land it is through elected trusts partner international organisations collaborative projects Over scientists or governance structures specified in 17 66 supporting the GRA involved3000 in activities of the GRA legislation. Māori are kaitiaki of their land, meaning this land is unlikely to be sold,

29 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG3 – GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING NEW ZEALAND CONTEXT level. At the disaggregated level strong inequities still exist between sub- We want all New Zealanders to live full, independent populations. This is particularly so for Māori New Zealand is committed to improving and Pacific peoples and for low socio- and healthy lives and to have greater access to universal health and wellbeing across all our economic groups, who bear a greater population. We have already achieved burden of health problems and disease. health care and disability services. a large number of Goal 3’s targets at the aggregated level and we are well Achieving equity across population placed internationally. groups is therefore a major priority for the health sector. This will be New We also recognise that achieving Zealand’s greatest challenge in ensuring health and wellbeing for all requires healthy lives and wellbeing for all, a comprehensive approach. Making particularly for non-communicable progress across the breadth of the diseases, mental health and tobacco use agenda will be necessary as many where substantial inequities exist. These of the Goals contribute to the broad examples cause a large burden of disease, determinants of health. Similarly, a and reducing the inequities here has the healthier population will be better potential to produce large health gains placed to support the achievement of for New Zealand. As we work towards the SDGs as a whole. We recognise achieving Goal 3’s vision, we will need to that improving health requires actions make sure that all relevant measurements across the broad determinants of health are able to be disaggregated by sub- including social, cultural, environmental populations to ensure all populations and economic conditions. We will strive in New Zealand are able to enjoy to achieve changes in those determinants healthy lives. that may currently be a barrier to good health and wellbeing. Another particular challenge for New Zealand is achieving universal health care coverage. Although all New Zealand citizens are covered by THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH IS CONSIDERING a public health system, challenges THE STRATEGIC DIRECTION FOR IMPROVING still remain in accessing primary care and dental care, with a fee-for-service HEALTH EQUITY FOR PACIFIC PEOPLES. structure presenting a barrier to many. Recent New Zealand Health Survey data reports that approximately 15 percent of adults did not visit a general practitioner We have four key health priorities, which in the previous year due to cost. This closely align with Goal 3: achieving problem is particularly acute for Māori equity; child wellbeing; mental health; and low socio-economic families. and primary health care. In addition to these priorities we are pursuing a set of health system enhancements that will INITIATIVES UNDERWAY also support implementation of this Goal. Achieving equity is a priority goal for the government. A strategic framework CHALLENGES is being developed to guide this work and better understand equity problems. While New Zealand is relatively well- It is expected that the equity focus will placed in terms of achieving Goal 3 overlap with other strategic priorities, by 2030, this is at the total population such as improving child health, primary

31 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG 3 – GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING

adjusted for age, Māori females have four campaign. This has the ambitious goal WE’RE DELIVERING THE GOVERNMENT’S PRIORITIES times the rate of lung cancer compared of no new transmissions of HIV in New to non-Māori, and Māori males have three Zealand by 2025. We have seen progress times the rate of lung cancer compared to already. In March 2018 we were one of non-Māori. The plan will bring the Māori the first countries in the world to publicly world view to strategic decision-making fund the HIV prevention drug pre- and service delivery by ensuring all work exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), meaning is undertaken as a partnership, and embed those at high risk of HIV have another Achieving Child Mental Primary Māori leadership in the design of health way to protect themselves. equity wellbeing health health care programmes. Through previous, similar initiatives, New Zealand has already New Zealand has a number of other achieved equity in survival outcomes priority initiatives underway that for children with cancer. We have support the targets of Goal 3. We OTHER IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES demonstrated that integrated, persistent are pursuing a set of health system focus can increase Māori participation in enhancements including drinking water screening and outcomes. regulation, improving maternity care and strengthening the midwifery workplace, strengthening our District Health Board performance framework, WE HAVE FOUR KEY HEALTH PRIORITIES – road safety planning and enhancing Drinking DHB Maternity Planned Capital capital asset management. water performance care and care asset ACHIEVING EQUITY, CHILD WELLBEING, regulation framework midwifery management MENTAL HEALTH AND PRIMARY HEALTH CARE. New Zealand is currently undertaking a Health and Disability System Review, with the purpose of future-proofing health care and mental health. mental wellbeing being supported. The Ministry of Health is considering the New Zealand’s health and disability Our primary health care work programme In December 2018 we completed an strategic direction for improving health services. It will conclude in 2020 and aims to provide people with greater inquiry into mental health and addiction, equity for Pacific peoples in New Zealand. provide a set of recommendations on access to primary care. Some changes with the purpose to identify unmet needs This may include developing new strategic how to achieve better health and wellness have already taken place that have and develop recommendations for a priorities and actions to improve Pacific outcomes for all New Zealanders, improve improved access, including extending better mental health and addiction system. health. The Ministry is also considering health outcomes for Māori and other access to low-cost and zero-fee general This has resulted in a wide-ranging set working with relevant agencies whose population groups, reduce barriers to practice visits, and reducing prescription of recommendations aimed to provide work also impacts on Pacific people’s access to health and disability service to charges for children under the age of real and enduring change, including for health. Any new strategic direction for achieve more equitable outcomes for all 14. These changes have seen the cost of individual, family and whānau support. We Pacific health would need to involve parts of the population. visiting the doctor fall for up to 540,000 expect that there will be improvements Pacific communities and the Ministry New Zealanders, while an additional for mental health outcomes (including would need to ensure this takes place. On the international front, New Zealand’s 56,000 13 year olds now receive free those emphasised in Goal 3) as a result of The Pacific Aotearoa Vision, led by the international development cooperation primary care visits. This is a step towards implementing the government’s response Ministry for Pacific Peoples, articulates for health seeks to ensure access to improving universal health care coverage. to these recommendations. Pacific aspirations for the future across a essential and quality health services so range of social and economic domains. that Pacific people can achieve their More generally, child and youth wellbeing A new National Cancer Action Plan A key goal of the vision is having resilient potential, and to contribute to prosperity, is a cross-government priority, with is being developed by the Ministry of and healthy Pacific communities and any safety and stability in the region. Our the Department of the Prime Minister Health in close partnership with Māori strategic priorities or actions developed focus is on improving health outcomes and Cabinet leading development of leaders, communities and other sector by the Ministry of Health would closely through increasing the capacity of a strategy to improve the wellbeing of representatives. Currently, cancer is align with this work. country systems. Our priority areas children and young people. Our Ministry unevenly experienced in New Zealand. are prevention and control of non- of Health is contributing to initial Māori, Pacific people and those living New Zealand has initiatives aimed to communicable diseases, sexual and policy work, with a focus on children in rural areas who suffer from cancer reduce the burden of communicable reproductive health and rights, child experiencing optimal development in generally have poorer health outcomes diseases. The New Zealand AIDS health and nutrition and prevention and their first 1,000 days and on children’s than the rest of the population. When Foundation has developed an Ending HIV control of communicable diseases.

33 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 BRINGING SUSTAINABILITY TO THE HEALTH CARE SECTOR ELIMINATE VIRAL HEPATITIS C BY 2030

The health sector is aware of its such as transitioning their vehicle fleets significant contribution to greenhouse to hybrid and electric vehicle options, as gas emissions in New Zealand and is well as making e-bikes available for use working to improve its sustainability. by employees.

In New Zealand District Health Boards Supporting this work is the Sustainable (DHBs) are responsible for providing or Health Sector National Network, an funding the provision of health services in association of New Zealand health their district. A growing number of DHBs professionals working to embed carbon employ sustainability officers and also reduction and sustainability into the measure and take action to reduce their New Zealand health sector. They hold greenhouse gas emissions. For example, regular meetings in order to encourage two leading DHBs in the country have collaboration and the sharing of ideas. managed to reduce their greenhouse gas National-level forums on sustainable emissions by 28 percent and 18 percent healthcare have raised the profile of this over four years and six years respectively. important work. The Ministry of Health At one DHB in 2017/18, 2.8 million kWh of is also supporting and encouraging the energy was saved. This is equivalent to health sector to take action to become the annual consumption of 395 average more sustainable. New Zealand households. The driver behind these reductions has been energy savings from simple changes such as installing LED lights and computer sleep software, to larger changes such as Get Hep C Tested Campaign, Health Promotion Agency elevator upgrades and air-conditioning plant optimisation. improving access to hepatitis C treatment HEPATITIS C AFFECTS in the community, improving prevention THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN and harm reduction and increasing APPROXIMATELY 50,000 awareness and understanding. INITIATIVES AT MANY DHBs NEW ZEALANDERS. THAT ENCOURAGE THE USE OF The cross-sector working group It is estimated that more than 20,000 developing the National Hepatitis ACTIVE TRANSPORT: A WIN-WIN, people do not know they have hepatitis C, C Action Plan will be made up of with about 1,000 new cases each year. representatives from primary health REDUCING GREENHOUSE GAS organisations, government agencies, labs, EMISSIONS AND IMPROVING In line with the World Health needle exchange services, community Organization’s Global Hepatitis Strategy, alcohol and drug services, addiction INDIVIDUAL HEALTH. New Zealand has a goal of eliminating services, consumer representatives, the viral hepatitis as a major public health hepatitis C workforce (including hospital Initiatives include changing parking threat by 2030. To achieve this goal the specialists, general practitioners and arrangements at hospitals to incentivise Ministry of Health is leading a cross- nurses), the Māori and Pacific workforce carpooling, public transport use and government response, including key and other national organisations. active transport use. DHBs are also partnerships with our pharmaceutical considering greener transport options funding agency (PHARMAC) and the The Ministry of Health has also been Department of Corrections. A pan- working in partnership with the Hepatitis genotypic treatment, which is a potential Foundation of New Zealand and the cure for hepatitis C, is now publicly Health Promotion Agency on a national funded in New Zealand. hepatitis C campaign, which commenced 25 February 2019. The focus of the A National Hepatitis C Action Plan is campaign is on identifying the more than being developed to help focus resources 20,000 people in New Zealand who do on key priorities that will have the not know they have hepatitis C and greatest impact on improving outcomes encouraging them to get tested. for people with hepatitis C. This includes

35 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019

NEW ZEALAND CONTEXT CHALLENGES

New Zealand has a quality, high- Although many of our young people SDG4 – QUALITY EDUCATION performing education system that achieve at high levels in some areas, reflects our unique and diverse society. evidence shows that our education It is modern and responsive, combining system is not delivering for all. Inequity traditional principles with innovation, remains a persistent and serious issue, creativity and fresh thinking. Young people with insufficient progress toward equity We want to shape an education system that in our system are taught how to put of educational outcomes, particularly for knowledge to work in the world and are Māori and Pacific students and those with delivers equitable and excellent outcomes. equipped for the 21st century. We focus disabilities and learning support needs. on maximising students’ participation, progress and achievement, responding to Our education system is facing increasing the identity, language and culture within pressure on teacher supply in certain their family or whānau context. locations, subjects and parts of the sector. As this hinders our ability to plan for the We want a public education system that future, comprehensive workforce planning provides all New Zealanders with lifelong tools and an education workforce learning opportunities so that they can strategy are being developed. discover and develop their full potential, engage fully in society and lead rewarding Our devolved school governance system and fulfilling lives. We are in the top half of enables strong community ownership OECD countries for participation in early and decision making but can also childhood education and schooling is lead to challenges with collaboration, compulsory from ages six to 16. Schooling alignment and coherence within the is free between the ages of five to 19 at education system. We recognise the state schools for New Zealand citizens need to strengthen connections between and permanent residents. Amongst OECD parents, whānau, families, employers and comparators, we are above average for communities and to focus on supporting adults with a tertiary degree or higher, educationally powerful partnerships. Our and have the highest rate of participation comprehensive reform programme intends in adult learning. to address these challenges and aims to create an end-to-end pathway from early learning through to tertiary study. IN 2017/18, WE SPENT OVER $14.7 BILLION TO ENABLE OVER 1.5 MILLION CHILDREN, INITIATIVES UNDERWAY YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT STUDENTS TO To further lift our performance, we are undergoing a process to fundamentally LEARN AND ACHIEVE. reshape our education system. We aim to build a shared vision amongst stakeholders of a system that serves all Our schools are self-managing enabling learners. We are undertaking this through them to develop locally-relevant learning wide-reaching engagement as part of an programmes, based on our National ongoing national Education Conversation Curriculum. There are two statements (Kōrero Mātauranga). of this: one for English-medium schools and one for Māori-medium schools. They These inputs will inform our major reform are designed to be non-sexist, non-racist programme, which includes a number and non-discriminatory. The National of significant reviews. We are reviewing Certificates of Educational Achievement our school governance model and the way (NCEA) are outcomes-based qualifications administration and management of the for secondary school students that can schooling system works. Our secondary be achieved in a variety of settings. For school qualifications are being reviewed early childhood education our curriculum so they provide meaningful pathways, framework (Te Whāriki) provides clear and give personalised learning and build empowering learning outcomes. capability for lifelong learning. Photo courtesy of Education New Zealand New of Education courtesy Photo

37 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG 4 – QUALITY EDUCATION

The reform of vocational education to achieve their education aspirations. of all learners across the curriculum. approach to careers guidance. aims to ensure we have effective public We are working to ensure teaching is This acknowledges the different ways Adult and community education regional vocational education, which is more culturally responsive and we have and pace at which children learn, and contributes to people being able to find adaptive and supports the changing world recently released Tapasā, a framework supports teachers to provide more learning better and more rewarding work and of work. School property management for teachers to strengthen their Pacific opportunities including a focus on soft skills. participate more fully in society. We is also being reviewed. New strategies cultural competencies. support lifelong learning opportunities, are in development, including long-term Teaching sustainable development and including universal literacy and numeracy approaches for Māori and Pacific learners, Almost all children in New Zealand have global citizenship is important for New achievement through the Workplace a plan for early learning and an education participated in early childhood education Zealand’s future. Our curriculum supports Literacy and Numeracy Fund and Adult workforce strategy. The reforms will shape (ECE), with providers including Māori holistic teaching programmes and Community Education programmes. a 30 year strategic plan for New Zealand immersion services, services run by pathways that enable engagement with education to support learners, deliver parents, and services provided in private the environment and sustainability. NGOs In New Zealand, one in five young improved outcomes and meet the needs homes. We help reduce the cost barrier work directly with schools to enhance people need some kind of additional of the modern world. The changes will to ECE in a variety of ways, including by this learning. One of the desired learning support. We want those with also link closely with cross-government funding 20 hours of ECE per week for outcomes of the New Zealand learning support needs or disabilities to work to develop a strategy to improve the three to five year olds. ECE participation International Education Strategy 2018- be present, safe and included in their wellbeing of children and young people, rates for Māori and Pacific children are 2030 is that all students develop the learning environments. A Disability and which has a strong focus on education. slightly lower than the national average, skills, knowledge and capabilities they Learning Support Action Plan is due so we run targeted programmes to raise need to live, work and learn across to be finalised in 2019 and will set out We acknowledge that our education participation in these communities. national and cultural boundaries. first steps towards improving learning system has underserved Māori learners support. More than $1 billion is spent and work is ongoing to support equitable Teachers in New Zealand are well-placed to each year on learning support. A new access, inclusion and outcomes. We educate students for the future, and we are IT IS CRUCIAL THAT WE NOT ONLY MAKE THE Learning Support Delivery Model will be are committed to continuing efforts to working to address the pressure on teacher in place by the end of 2019 with schools support Māori to participate, achieve and supply. We are developing a future-focused BEST USE OF TECHNOLOGY BUT THAT WE and communities collaborating with local enjoy education success as Māori. Education Workforce Strategy 2032 that education offices. In addition, we will aims to achieve our vision of a quality, HAVE STUDENTS WITH SOFT SKILLS WHO be employing approximately 600 new While there are ‘pockets of excellence’ trusted, and respected teaching profession. ARE EMPATHETIC, ADAPTIVE, ABLE TO THINK dedicated Learning Support Coordinators supporting Māori to succeed, Ka Hikitia It focuses on attracting, recruiting to work alongside classroom teachers. (Māori Education Strategy) and Tau Mai and retaining a high quality education CRITICALLY, AND READY TO LEARN. Te Reo (Māori Language in Education workforce, which will ensure that every Goal 4 expressly addresses the need to Strategy) have not been consistently learner achieves education success. eliminate gender disparities in education. implemented as intended and will be We recognise there should be equal and In New Zealand, women are gaining refreshed in 2019. We have developed We are strengthening digital competencies affordable access to tertiary education qualifications at a higher rate than men. a number of measures to strengthen in the curriculum to prepare students to and that workers will need to be adaptable However, there is still a disparity in the engagement between schools and meet the demands of an evolving digital with a diverse range of skills. Over $4 tertiary-level STEM fields, where only a whānau. Better partnerships can help world. Teachers need to understand digital billion is currently allocated each year for third of all students are women. Targeted the achievement and wellbeing of Māori tools and weave them into their teaching, tertiary study financial support. We provide scholarships have been introduced to students by strengthening the cultural which requires a fundamental re-think of allowances for low-income students and help address this, and a cross-government responsiveness of teachers, embedding how we train teachers, and support their interest-free student loans. One of the aims initiative aims to encourage better STEM Māori identity, language and culture into ongoing professional development. of our tertiary Fees-Free policy is to make engagement, including for girls and local curricula, and supporting families Almost all schools are connected to ultra- starting study or training more affordable women. We also acknowledge the need to engage. fast broadband via a fully-funded and for first-time tertiary students. to address discrimination experienced by managed connection. We are upgrading LGBTQI+ students and have developed The work we do must have explicit school buildings and facilities to ensure Secondary-tertiary programmes provide guidelines to ensure inclusivity. consideration for Pacific learners. The they are fit-for-purpose, adaptable, and learning opportunities for students (aged Pasifika Education Plan sets out our well-maintained. 15–18) who might otherwise disengage Finally, our education system needs to strategic direction for improving Pacific with education. We support young continually adapt in a rapidly changing student outcomes. It acknowledges It is crucial to the future of education people who have left school without and increasingly globalised context. that the education system has not that we not only make the best use of qualifications and adults with low literacy Our comprehensive Education Work always served Pacific people well and technology but that we have students with or numeracy to re-engage in learning. We Programme will continue to drive us is being updated to outline actions to soft skills who are empathetic, adaptive, are also reforming vocational education forward toward a quality, lifelong, ensure that Pacific learners and their able to think critically, and ready to learn. and training to achieve an even more inclusive and equitable education system families are valued, safe and equipped We focus on the progress and achievement responsive system, and are updating our for all in New Zealand.

39 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 - - THE EDUCATION CONVERSATION | KORERO MAUTAURANGA GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION

We have set out an ambitious work programme for our education system. AS PART OF THE EDUCATION At the core of this work programme is our long term vision for education in CONVERSATION, TWO EDUCATION New Zealand to meet the needs of all SUMMITS TOOK PLACE IN 2018. learners, no matter who they are, or where they come from. To build a THE EVENTS WERE ATTENDED BY shared vision amongst stakeholders of a system that serves all learners, OVER 1,400 PEOPLE, INCLUDING we are undertaking wide-reaching engagement as part of an ongoing CHILDREN AND YOUTH, WITH THE national Education Conversation. REACH BEING EXTENDED The Education Conversation | Kōrero THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA. Mātauranga is a collaboration between government and New Zealanders across the education sector and community to Important lessons in collaborative design make education fit-for-purpose and build were learnt from the Summits. The the world’s best education system. It aims dialogue, themes and materials from to provide a unique opportunity to hear these are being applied to all of the key from those most affected by how our education review sand consultations. education system performs. Alongside the Summits, the Ministry of Learners from all ages, needs, abilities Education engaged with diverse Image with permission of New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO and cultural backgrounds have engaged stakeholders, as well as conducting an with the Education Conversation. We online survey. A conversation with Māori Students can choose a specific area have received feedback from teachers, whānau and communities highlighted THE NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL of interest under that theme, which principals, parents, caregivers, school what matters most in the education of COMMISSION FOR UNESCO HAS then forms the basis of the student’s support staff, social workers, employers, Māori learners. A series of well-attended personalised learning pathway. children and youth, iwi, Māori and Pacific engagements were also held with Pacific IDENTIFIED GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP people, the LGBTQI+ community, and peoples and migrants, where they The model is embedded into the school people with disabilities and learning provided views on what education should EDUCATION AS A TARGET AREA curriculum, learning assessment and support needs. We have also heard from look like in New Zealand. Three everyday operations. For example, in one teenagers in the corrections system, workshops were held in 2018, focused on TO SUPPORT NEW ZEALAND’S school term the inquiry topic was “How community leaders, refugees, migrants, co-designing the future of our secondary EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE THE SDGs. do I make a difference?” Five-year old public policy experts and education school qualifications. We have been students researched and raised funds forging new ground in how we work with for their chosen local charities; 13-year scholars. The Minister of Education In 2018 the Commission launched a the education sector and leading the way old students researched and sourced appointed several advisory groups, national Award in Global Citizenship towards best practice engagement. sponsorship for care packs for the an independent taskforce and a Education, recognising education sector homeless; and 15-year old students chose ‘Guardians’ group, who are responsible or community groups who were doing We are continuing to partner with inquiry topics such as seabed mining and for drawing on the feedback received to outstanding work to encourage New produce a 30-year vision for education the sector and community to bring its impact on the local environment. together the expertise and views of a Zealanders to become responsible and in New Zealand. active global citizens. The award also diverse range people to make meaningful The school’s initiative is reflected in encourages the sharing of good practice improvements and co-design the future its vision statement of ‘Growing good in the global citizenship education space. of New Zealand education. people for a changing world’. It has led to an overall rise in students’ learning The 2018 school sector award was outcomes, with the model ensuring won by Pātea Area School, which has that everything they do as a learning established a learning model that embeds community is empowering, experiential, global citizenship in the whole school’s authentic and connected to the wider curriculum delivery, rather than as a world around them. one-off project. The school developed an inquiry programme focused on different local and global challenges, selecting a different theme for each school term.

41 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG5 – GENDER EQUALITY

We want to achieve gender equality and empower NEW ZEALAND CONTEXT such as Māori, Pacific and migrant all women and girls so they can contribute to and women, face greater gender pay gaps. In 1893, New Zealand led the world as the benefit from growing New Zealand’s prosperity. New Zealand women continue to suffer first country where women won the right from high levels of domestic and sexual to vote. Since then, progress towards violence and we continue to rank high women’s full participation at all levels has in OECD statistics on violence against continued. New Zealand women enjoy women. Family violence is the largest the protection of full and equal rights driver of violent crime in New Zealand. under the law. We have come a long way, Current data shows that one in three however challenges remain. women experience physical, emotional and/or sexual violence from a partner We are aiming to develop an economy in their lifetime – twice the rate for that is growing and working for all of men. Women are also more likely to be us, to improve the wellbeing of New killed. Women living with a disability, Zealanders and their families, and to young women, Māori women, queer and make New Zealand proud. We want transgender women experience higher New Zealand to be a great place to be a rates of violence and are also more likely to woman or girl in all their diversity, where be re-traumatised by our current systems. wāhine Māori succeed as Māori, and where gender is not a barrier to success While New Zealand has made good and wellness. We also want New Zealand progress towards equal representation to be a place where the contribution of all on state sector boards, women remain women and girls is valued, that all women underrepresented on private sector and girls are financially secure and can boards. Women hold only 19 percent of fully participate and thrive, and that all board positions and senior leadership women and girls are free from all forms positions in New Zealand Stock Exchange of violence and harassment. (NZX) listed companies. More generally, women of Māori, Pacific and Asian ethnicities remain under-represented in the top tiers of management and over- WE WANT NEW ZEALAND TO BE A GREAT represented in lower paid occupations. PLACE TO BE A WOMAN OR GIRL IN ALL In 2018, the United Nations Convention of THEIR DIVERSITY. the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Committee’s concluding observations on New Zealand set out As a matter of priority we are working 78 recommendations for improvement. to address gender inequalities that exist The concerns ranged from improving around pay equity, the gender pay gap, women’s access to justice, access to health family and sexual violence, and economic care services, implementing pay equity, outcomes for women, particularly Māori developing a gender budget, and initiating and Pacific women. a national action plan for the advancement of women. CHALLENGES INITIATIVES UNDERWAY While the gender pay gap has narrowed over the past 20 years, it is persistent. One significant step we are taking in We have a national gender pay gap of order to address the gender pay gap is 9.2 percent. Some population groups, the Equal Pay Amendment Bill, currently

43 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG 5 – GENDER EQUALITY

before parliament. This will enable Te Rōpū, has been established to work employees, including from the community with Māori and the government to develop and NGO sector, to take pay equity claims the national strategy and action plan. to address the historical and continued IN NEW ZEALAND, WOMEN ARE under-valuation of female-dominated jobs. WHILE NEW ZEALAND HAS MADE GOOD We also have a Gender Pay Action Plan that includes a range of targets for public PROGRESS TOWARDS EQUAL service agencies to meet, which will accelerate progress towards gender REPRESENTATION ON STATE SECTOR equal employment standards. Under this plan all government agencies are to BOARDS, WOMEN REMAIN close gender pay gaps in the same roles UNDERREPRESENTED ON PRIVATE and offer flexible working arrangements by default by the end of 2020. In addition, SECTOR BOARDS. 41% 60.9% 48.8% 50 percent of senior leadership roles in the of our MPs of public sector of top three tier public service are to be held by women. employees senior managers

Women spend a greater proportion From 1 April 2019 employees affected of their time on unpaid and/or caring by domestic violence are entitled to up work and this contribution is not widely to 10 days of paid domestic violence women. This was the second-highest total In the private sector, initiatives to understood, recognised, or acknowledged leave per year. In addition, proposed since the stocktake began in 2004. The address women’s low participation on as ‘real’ work. We are therefore working legislative amendments will modernise government has announced a target of the boards and senior leadership of NZX to better understand the contribution the Domestic Violence Act 1995 and achieving 50 percent women on state listed companies include the annual and value of women’s unpaid work introduce new offences including assault sector boards and committees by 2020. YWCA Equal Pay awards and the new in New Zealand society. We are also on a person in a family relationship. These Gender Tick accreditation programme, examining whether there are specific laws aim to improve New Zealand’s high To help grow the pathway of women which helps businesses to show their barriers to women’s participation in the rates of family and sexual violence, by leaders, a Future Directors programme commitment to providing a fair workplace tradable sector, and how these might be enabling more effective responses to has been introduced to the public sector. for all employees regardless of gender. addressed through our trade agreements. instances of violence. Future Directors gives talented young Gender equality and women’s people the opportunity to observe and empowerment is also embedded in policy We are continuing to push for greater participate on a company board for a year. and programming for New Zealand’s participation of women in leadership development cooperation. positions across political, business and public life. At present 41 percent of We have multiple initiatives underway to New Zealand Members of Parliament reduce family and sexual violence. The are women, the highest proportion Government established the Joint Venture of women ever represented. The for Family Violence and Sexual Violence, a representation of women in the public new approach, which will aim to transform service workforce continues at a high responses to and prevent violence by level, with 60.9 percent of employees working across multiple agencies. The being female at 30 June 2018. The Government has also created a new percentage of women in the top political position of Parliamentary Under- three tiers of senior management was Secretary to the Minister of Justice 48.8 percent, up from 38.4 percent in (Domestic and Sexual Violence) to support 2008. As of December 2018, half of the coordination of cross-government the public service chief executives work. The Joint Venture is preparing a were women. draft national strategy and action plan on family violence and sexual violence, In the most recent stocktake of state and a design process to enable public sector boards 45.7 percent of ministerial input. A Māori non-governmental group, appointees to state sector boards were

45 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 THE EQUAL PAY AMENDMENT BILL GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE HOTLINE IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA —CHILDFUND

Around half of New Zealand women and Group was reconvened to provide further experiencing family and sexual violence men work in occupations where at least recommendations, which were used to GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE (GBV) in the country. The hotline has provided 70 percent of workers are of the same formulate the Equal Pay Amendment Bill, crisis counselling for over 4,000 clients, gender. In female-dominated workforces currently before Parliament. AFFECTS ABOUT safety planning for over 1,500 clients, there have been pay equity issues TWO-THIRDS OF WOMEN IN suicide intervention for over 50 clients, arising from historical and current under- The purpose of this new legislation is and information to over 10,000 callers. valuation of women-dominated jobs. to improve the process for raising and PAPUA NEW GUINEA. More than 7,000 callers have been progressing pay equity claims, and to referred to on-the-ground services, eliminate and prevent discrimination on including police, welfare agencies, and MANY LOW-PAID, FEMALE- the basis of sex in the remuneration and counselling services. DOMINATED WORKFORCES employment terms and conditions for - work done within female-dominated jobs. The top presenting issues for callers INCLUDE MANY MAORI AND It aims to settle pay equity claims through in the past year were: family violence, a bargaining-based framework, correcting both physical and emotional; safety and PACIFIC WOMEN, AND WOMEN historic under-valuation while avoiding security issues; and child welfare and litigation. child abuse. Over half (56 percent) of WHO WORK MULTIPLE JOBS. callers were male, and called the hotline not as survivors, but mostly as witnesses In 2014 the union representing care of gender-based violence or individuals and support workers, who were paid at With funding from the New Zealand seeking information or relationship or near the minimum wage and were Development Programme, ChildFund advice. A small proportion of male callers predominantly female, brought a case operates Papua New Guinea’s first identified as perpetrators. against their employer Terranova, under nationwide free telephone counselling the Equal Pay Act 1972. The union and referral service, with a goal of The hotline has also served as an successfully argued that the Act entitled providing coordinated and effective unexpected lifeline for traumatised them to pay equivalent to a different, services for survivors of gender-based survivors of the 2018 earthquakes in the male-dominated job with an equal violence. 1Tok Kaunselin Helpim Lain has Southern Highlands, with over 2,000 skill-level. As a result, care and support received more than 15,000 calls in its calls fielded in the aftermath as many workers received a $2 billion pay equity third year of operation. earthquake survivors have limited options settlement, securing higher wages. for face-to-face counselling or mental The service aligns with the Papua New health support. Following the case, pay equity Guinea Government’s National Strategy claims have been raised by various to Prevent and Respond to Gender Based predominantly-female state sector Violence 2016-2025. The intended long- workforces, resulting in increased term goal is to enable a socio-political remuneration for many groups of low- environment in Papua New Guinea that is paid women. In response, the government more responsive to the needs of survivors established the Joint Working Group of GBV. on Pay Equity Principles to develop recommendations on how to best Trained counsellors are on call from address pay equity claims. In 2018 the 7am to 7pm everyday providing free confidential counselling services, information and support for anyone

47 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG6 – CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION NEW ZEALAND CONTEXT progressed by amendments to the National Policy Statement (NPS) for We want all New Zealanders to continue to Freshwater Management, other regulation Improving the sustainable management of under the RMA and our national access and enjoy clean water in their homes, rivers, freshwater resources and improving water Environmental Reporting Programme. services for communities are clear priorities This regulatory approach is somewhat lakes, and beaches. for New Zealand. New Zealanders highly unique internationally in the degree to value clean and healthy water ecosystems, which it requires localised integrated with kaitiakitanga or the responsibility to catchment planning, and participatory provide good environmental stewardship democracy. This creates a relatively being a defining tenet for Māori and the strong role for local government in wider community. While New Zealand is environmental management. In addition, blessed with many exceptional freshwater a significant policy project is underway ecosystems, some are also degraded or to improve the national regulation of at risk. Many significant community and Three Waters services (drinking water, iwi-led initiatives are taking direct action wastewater and stormwater) to ensure to protect and restore these ecosystems high-quality services that are consistent alongside projects led by the government. with community expectations and international best practice.

WE HAVE ESTABLISHED A TASKFORCE TO CHALLENGES

DEVELOP POLICY THAT WILL HALT FURTHER While New Zealand already meets or exceeds many of the indicators related DEGRADATION OF WATER QUALITY AND SEEK to Goal 6, indigenous communities RAPID IMPROVEMENTS IN CATCHMENTS and the wider public, government and industry bodies all have high ambitions AT RISK. for improving stewardship of freshwater ecosystems and resources. The biggest task for New Zealand is related to Existing regulation under the Resource reducing key sources of pollution, both Management Act (RMA), Health Act from farming activities (which make and several pieces of new policy under up a significant part of New Zealand’s development will make New Zealand economy) as well as from urban land well-placed to meet many of the targets use. This will be necessary to protect relevant to Goal 6. However, it is worth the health of water ecosystems and noting that New Zealanders’ expectations provide many ecosystem services that of freshwater management are higher New Zealanders value, such as recreation than what is required to meet the SDGs and traditional food sources. in many cases, and we are seeking improvements that exceed the SDG Another key goal is to create a system targets for both ecosystem health and the in which well-informed communities management of drinking water, sanitation are able to meaningfully engage both and stormwater services. in integrated catchment planning and the management of water services. New Key targets that New Zealand is national monitoring metrics related to taking action on relate to water both environmental health and the quality quality, sustainable use and support of water services are being considered for community engagement in water that might help both inform communities management – all of which are being as well as track progress over time. Photo source: Jeff McEwen. Kaitoke National Park National Kaitoke Jeff McEwen. source: Photo

49 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG 6 – CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION

There are two main areas where sanitation is the ongoing review of and aspirations related to waterbodies New Zealand risks falling short of Three Waters service regulation. This and establish plans based on this input. expectations. Firstly, there are challenges programme is working to strengthen the Through these planning processes, in relation to protecting and restoring existing regulatory framework to enhance New Zealanders have become water ecosystems by 2020. National transparency and accountability and increasingly engaged in water governance monitoring indicates that we are far promote proactive risk management. issues. In one survey, 82 percent of from meeting this target, due to historic While existing data suggests that respondents indicated that it was very degradation and a high proportion of New Zealand service providers already or extremely important to improve threatened aquatic species. Ongoing policy largely meet the Goal 6 targets, New Zealand’s water quality. development is aimed at preventing further regulatory improvements are being 82% degradation and improving ecosystem considered to ensure that there is of survey respondents want In order to address the impact that health to meet Goal 6, however it may take appropriate oversight over the system. to see water quality nutrient runoff has on fresh water decades to restore some ecosystems to improved. quality, we have established new rules meet domestic expectations. that require local governments to set limits to manage nutrient pollution. The Wetlands are one of the habitats at A SIGNIFICANT POLICY PROJECT IS Living Water partnership between the greatest risk. New Zealand has lost UNDERWAY TO IMPROVE THE NATIONAL Department of Conservation and Fonterra 90 percent of its natural wetlands and (New Zealand’s largest dairy cooperative) the remaining areas continue to decline. REGULATION OF DRINKING WATER, improve dynamic efficiency and reduce is working with farmers, scientists, Some of the degradation is relatively levels of water stress. councils, mana whenua, and communities recent with significant losses occurring WASTEWATER AND STORMWATER. to design and test scalable solutions to within the last decade. New Zealand is on track to implement accelerate sustainable dairying (reducing integrated water resources management nutrient pollution), restore freshwater Secondly, in relation to the achievement As part of our efforts to improve at all levels by 2030. Since 2011 New habitats, and build ecosystem resilience. of universal and equitable access to safe environmental outcomes related to water Zealand has had a requirement for and affordable drinking water, there management by 2030, we established a integrated catchment management Outside of the Essential Freshwater are currently some inequities in the taskforce to develop policy that will halt through the NPS for Freshwater policy programme, New Zealand also Management. This national regulation has a strong environmental reporting performance and cost of rural and urban further degradation of water quality and requires that all regions should have programme in place that provides robust water supplies in New Zealand. Compliance seek rapid improvements in catchments integrated and collaborative water and independent information at regular information indicates that small and rural at risk. This Essential Freshwater policy management plans in place by 2025. intervals, improving transparency and water supplies do not meet the Drinking programme is seeking to strengthen supporting decision-making. The latest Water Standards as consistently as large many aspects of our existing water policy, This same piece of regulation is also information on a wide range of metrics for supplies, and for small communities, some of which are highlighted below. affordability is a common challenge. driving the protection and restoration freshwater ecosystems can be found in the of water ecosystems; however for 2017 report Our Freshwater, and the 2019 In line with Goal 6, New Zealand also has many waterbodies it will be impossible synthesis report Environment Aotearoa, There are also some specific challenges an ongoing policy project to improve to restore them by 2020 due to legacy which covers all environmental domains. where New Zealand is not currently water use efficiency and fair allocation. impacts and hydrological lag times. capturing data in line with some Some water resources are currently over- internationally recommended methods. That said, many restoration projects New Zealand has also taken action allocated in New Zealand and significant are underway all over the country, with to expand international cooperation Both our national environmental reporting efforts are underway in both government programme and Indicators Aotearoa some financed by our $100 million and capacity – building on water and and with private sector groups to Freshwater Improvement Fund and sanitation-related activities, in particular New Zealand are currently working to improve resource use efficiency and the define a core set of indicators that will others being championed by industry through partnerships and aid provided to adoption of Good Management Practices, and community groups. numerous Pacific island countries. ensure we can better meet our international particularly regarding irrigation in the and domestic reporting requirements. agricultural sector. While the current The NPS for Freshwater Management allocation system aims to set catchment also has secured a strong role for public limits to preserve environmental values, participation in setting freshwater INITIATIVES UNDERWAY this system operates on a first-in first- policy. Through this regulation, local served principle that creates some governments are required to work with A key government initiative to ensure inefficiencies. We are exploring ways to communities to identify their values access to drinking water and adequate amend the allocation framework to

51 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 PARTNERING FOR FRESHWATER IMPROVEMENT TARANAKI REGIONAL COUNCIL RIPARIAN MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME—TARANAKI REGIONAL COUNCIL

Improving freshwater quality is a priority catchments, where pressures such as Fencing riparian margins prevents for New Zealand. In recent years we’ve land use are increasing but water quality TARANAKI REGIONAL COUNCIL’S livestock access, and planting traps and seen an increase in public interest in the had not yet crossed the ‘tipping point’ filters silt and nutrients from pasture safety of those swimming in our rivers, where restoration becomes more difficult RIPARIAN MANAGEMENT run-off, provides shading, reducing water streams, lakes and at beaches, and or expensive. PROGRAMME IS TRANSFORMING temperature and improving instream and overall water quality improvement. The streambank habitat. government is working with stakeholders A variety of interventions specific to THE LANDSCAPE ON A SCALE across various sectors that contribute each project are supported through At June 2018, 99.9 percent of Taranaki to freshwater quality through a range of these projects. This includes on-the- NOT SEEN ELSEWHERE IN NEW dairy farms had riparian plans. More initiatives that focus on stopping future ground community initiatives such as than 5.1 million plants have been planted degradation, reverse past damage, and planting, monitoring and implementing ZEALAND, AND IMPROVING along streambanks, with this number address water allocation issues. mātauranga Māori principles in water FRESHWATER HEALTH AND set to reach 6 million by completion management, and also technical solutions of the programme. 13,207 km (86 One such initiative is the Freshwater such as sediment traps, constructed NATIVE HABITAT. percent) of streambank on the ring Improvement Fund, which committed wetlands, and wastewater management plain is now protected by fencing, with $100 million over 10 years from 2017 to systems. These freshwater improvements National Institute of Water and an additional 8,399 km (72 percent) facilitate partnerships that generate on- are expected to have positive effects Atmospheric Research (NIWA) scientists of streambank requiring vegetation the-ground action for the management downstream into the estuarine, coastal, confirm the voluntary restorative protected by riparian vegetation. of New Zealand’s lakes, rivers, streams, and marine environments. programme is likely one of the biggest groundwater, and wetlands. and longest-running restorative freshwater An independent NIWA study (March 2018) projects in the world. Covering over found the programme has correlated with 15,400 kilometres of streambanks, the improved ecological health and reduced THE FUND SUPPORTS 34 $100 million programme has been built bacterial levels in some Taranaki streams on hard work and investment, largely and rivers. PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS AROUND funded by landowners, with 10 percent NEW ZEALAND, TOTALLING public funding. $47 MILLION IN GOVERNMENT Freshwater is valued culturally and socially and is a driver of Taranaki’s economy. FUNDS, WHICH ARE MATCHED BY More than 300 rivers and streams flow from Mount Taranaki to the sea, across PROJECT PARTNERS. the volcanic ‘ring plain’, which is covered by intensive dairy farming. Stream health Projects demonstrate co-benefits for in the region was deteriorating due to ecosystem services and involve Māori pressures from diffuse pollution from cultural perspectives and input. The pasture run-off, along with industrial and majority are run by local council and municipal wastewater discharges. involve the community, industry bodies, the Department of Conservation where In the early 1990s, the council identified needed, and a range of expert bodies in the need to protect and enhance cross-sectoral approaches to freshwater the region’s many waterways in a improvement. Projects are also expected comprehensive and integrated way, and to involve communities in the restoration developed the Riparian Management of the health of their rivers, streams, Programme. The council has worked with and wetlands. landowners on the ring plain and coastal terraces to develop riparian management To make the best use of available plans, recommending fencing and resources, we take an (investment) data planting streambanks, and supplying driven approach to identify strategic suitable native plants to plan holders at- opportunities to improve environmental cost (around 500,000 plants per year in outcomes. In the case of Freshwater recent years). Improvement, we are targeting vulnerable

53 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG7 – AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY NEW ZEALAND CONTEXT In New Zealand energy affordability has become more of an issue in recent Having access to a reliable, modern and years. For example, our inflation- New Zealanders have near universal adjusted residential electricity prices sustainable source of energy helps us deliver better access to modern energy. Apart from are 79 percent higher than in 1990, rare outages, supplies of electricity and and have risen faster than most other wellbeing for all. fuel are secure and reliable, although OECD countries since 2000. Also, there ongoing investments in infrastructure appears to be a trend of steadily rising development will be needed to ensure importer petrol and diesel margins since future energy security and sustainable 2008. We are actively monitoring these energy for all. developments and looking into ways to address them. An Electricity Price New Zealand is undergoing a transition Review is underway, and the Commerce towards a low-emission, inclusive and Commission is undertaking a market productive economy. Improving the study into the supply of retail petrol sustainability of New Zealand’s energy and diesel used in land transport in supply and meeting our international New Zealand. commitments under the Paris Agreement go hand-in-hand. We intend to introduce and pass the legislation, which will include a goal to achieve net-zero CHALLENGES greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This will strengthen New Zealand’s overall Whilst the New Zealand population domestic policy alignment with Goal 7. primarily depends on clean fuels and technology for household needs, such as cooking, lighting and heating, there is not a high reliance on clean fuels and technology across all sectors. In 2017, OUR ELECTRICITY SUPPLY IS DOMINATED BY only 11 percent of New Zealand’s total final energy consumption came from HYDRO-POWER, WHICH ALONG WITH WIND renewable sources, and our overall energy intensity is high (almost 20 percent AND GEOTHERMAL POWER GENERATION, higher than the OECD average). CONTRIBUTES TO ENSURING OUR SUPPLY IS The majority of industry, manufacturing 85 PERCENT RENEWABLE. and agriculture continue to rely on fossil fuels such as natural gas and coal for process heat applications. This is our second largest source of energy- Whilst the majority of our electricity related greenhouse gas emissions behind is already generated from renewable transport. Recent analysis shows that sources of supply, there are opportunities some process heat users are not making for improving energy efficiency and decisions that maximise energy efficiency. increasing reliance on low-emission energy sources, particularly in relation Though viable opportunities for to transport and process heat. For process heat users to reduce emissions example, New Zealand’s transport-related already exist and can be deployed in a greenhouse gas emissions are higher than relatively short timeframe, these users many other OECD countries, and over often face barriers to the adoption half of process heat demand is met by of new technology. Historically, low- burning coal, natural gas, and liquid fossil emissions prices in the New Zealand fuels (e.g. diesel). Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS)

55 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG 7 – AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

A JUST TRANSITION TO A LOW-EMISSIONS ECONOMY have had a small or negligible impact fuel efficiency standards as part of the low- on the economics of firm-level decisions emissions vehicles programme. regarding the renewable and efficient use of process heat. INITIATIVES UNDERWAY Additional challenges include gaining access to capital, with renewable energy or Our electricity supply is dominated by efficiency improvement projects having to IP hydro-power, which along with wind and SH CO Inclusive compete with other private sector capital geothermal power generation, contributes R L E L Sustainable investment projects. Users may also have to ensuring our supply is 85 percent N E an aversion to disrupting their production. T C renewable. Domestic policymakers and R T Productive A lack of information about efficient or A I the Interim Climate Change Committee V

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low-emissions technologies, their costs and E

are investigating pathways to achieve our

benefits, as well as users’ own energy use, A 2035 goal to make electricity supply 100 S

are also important challenges to increasing H C

percent renewable. T

A I access to more sustainable energy in the O

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process heat sector.

As we transition towards a low-emissions E

D economy and reduce our reliance on VISI N The transportation sector is still fossil fuels in the energy sector, New O dominated by fossil fuel use and Zealanders will need to adapt. A Just contributes the most greenhouse Transitions Unit has been set up to gas emissions across New Zealand’s ensure that the transition is fair, equitable energy sector. This stems from a heavy and inclusive in partnership with iwi, Homes programme, which will provide In 2018, the Ministry for Transport dependence on road vehicles across our communities, households, regions and grants to low-income New Zealanders for announced an updated Government sparsely populated country. There are sectors. This approach seeks to ensure improved insulation and heating. Policy Statement on land transport, which 792.5 light vehicles per 1,000 people that energy remains affordable, reliable increased spending on public transport, in New Zealand, which is among the and modern in New Zealand as we The Energy Efficiency and Conservation rapid transit for cities, as well as walking highest levels of light vehicle ownership move towards a more sustainable, low- Authority (EECA) is currently working and cycling infrastructure to shift per capita worldwide. In addition, public emissions future. with the government on a joint action plan New Zealanders towards less emissions- transport use is low and the vehicle fleet called Process Heat in New Zealand. The intensive modes of transportation. To is old with poor fuel economy when With respect to energy affordability, an aim is to understand the opportunities support this there was also an increase in compared to other countries. Electricity Pricing Review is currently for increasing process heat efficiency and Petrol Excise Duty and Road User Charges. underway to assess the affordability reducing greenhouse gas emissions from We face a number of challenges related of electricity for all New Zealanders. its use. EECA also actively works with In the future, the electrification of industry to the decarbonisation of our transport At present, industry standards apply to large energy and heat-users to support and electric vehicle uptake are expected sector. The NZ ETS plays a very assist vulnerable or medically dependent efficiency improvements and emissions to improve the share of renewable energy limited role in encouraging emissions consumers in order to minimise and avoid reduction, including administering grants in total final energy consumption and reductions as the emission price only disconnection as a result of non-payment and loans. improve energy intensity in New Zealand. comprises a small component of fuel for electricity. A Winter Energy Payment In addition, a Hydrogen Strategy is prices. Historically, this has skewed land is also available to help vulnerable In order to reduce fossil fuel use in the currently under development to assess the transport investment decisions in favour consumers with the cost of heating their transport sector, significant investment potential for the use of hydrogen as a fuel of roading, instead of public transport homes in wintertime. In the transport into public transport, cycling and electric in the transport and electricity sectors in infrastructure investments. sector, the Commerce Commission is vehicle charging infrastructure will be the future. undertaking a market study into the required. Some freight transport could The price of electric vehicles, as well as their supply of retail petrol and diesel used in also be affordably shifted from roads to New Zealand also has an on-going limited travel range, also remains a barrier land transport in New Zealand. rail or shipping, although there is limited commitment to facilitate access to for many New Zealand consumers, though potential in this direction as most freight clean energy, energy efficiency and uptake is rising. We risk inheriting high- Poorly insulated housing stock creates is carried over small distances. Further related infrastructure and technologies emissions vehicles from other countries due significant demand for relatively inefficient advances in technology will be necessary through development cooperation, with a to our lack of vehicle emissions standards. and expensive electrical heating. In 2018, to enable the decarbonisation of heavy particular focus on the Pacific region and We are investigating this including vehicle we launched a four-year Warmer Kiwi transport and aviation. Small Island Developing States.

57 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019

ELECTRICITY PRICE REVIEW VECTOR URBAN FOREST—VECTOR

In April 2018 New Zealand’s Minister of 2019, the review published an Options The Vector Urban Forest is an Auckland Energy and Resources commissioned an Paper which contains 41 early ideas for based initiative from electricity independent review into New Zealand’s improvements across the entire electricity distribution business Vector that aligns electricity market. The review is sector. The options are grouped into with its commitment to creating more investigating whether New Zealand’s seven key themes: strengthening the sustainable cities and communities. current electricity market delivers a fair consumer voice; reducing energy and equitable price to end consumers. hardship; increasing retail competition; It is also considering how to future-proof reinforcing wholesale market competition; UNDER THE INITIATIVE, THE the sector and its governance structures improving transmission and distribution; to help ensure the electricity sector improving the regulatory system; and COMPANY PLANTS TWO NATIVE functions well during New Zealand’s preparing for a low-carbon future. TREES FOR EVERY ONE TREE transition away from carbon-based fuels – a consideration that will become REMOVED TO PROTECT THE increasingly important as electricity NEW ZEALAND’S CURRENT meets more of New Zealand’s energy REGION’S POWER LINES. needs, and as new technologies ELECTRICITY MARKET DELIVERS are utilised. The planting targets existing restoration A FAIR AND EQUITABLE PRICE TO schemes to maximise both the ecological Such reviews are not new. Since the END CONSUMERS. and social value of the trees, including 1970s, New Zealand has reviewed its riparian planting and focusing on areas electricity sector roughly every decade These early ideas have been tested of the city where existing canopy cover – each time substantial changes have through a second round of stakeholder is low. Photo credit: Vector Ltd been made to improve or correct the engagement. Written and oral feedback sector’s performance. In the 1980s and from the public, industry representatives Managing tree risk is especially important The Vector Urban Forest plays a key 1990s, the sector was privatised to and consumer groups will inform the given the extensive network damage role in educating the public about the improve commercial performance, and review’s final recommendations, which that occurs during storms and other high importance of proper tree management a light-handed regulatory regime was will be delivered to the Minister of Energy wind events. Vector’s climate modelling and what their responsibilities are as developed. By the 2000s, concerns and Resources in mid-2019. From there projects a significant increase in the a tree owner. Vector has published a about industry performance and self- the government will consider which of| number of hours with sustained wind planting guide that shows what trees governance arrangements resulted the review’s recommendations it will speed in excess of 70km/h – the point and plants are safe to plant near power in further improvements being made, action, including those that industry and where damage to the power network is lines. This guide promotes the planting of including developing new regulations and the public sector should progress as a historically high. species native to New Zealand and those improving market competition to restrain high priority. that provide habitat for birds and bees. retail prices to efficient levels. Aucklanders love their trees but unfortunately there is a real lack of The Vector Urban Forest also provides However, the current review is unique awareness of the issues they can cause a positive initiative for Vector to engage as it addresses the need for electricity to network resiliency if they are not with local communities and work prices to be fair and affordable, not just maintained or planted with consideration together on creating a future legacy efficient or competitive. Another novel to power line proximity. for generations to come. As part of the element is the review’s focus on the initiative Vector involves local school consumers’ point of view and their say in The Vector Urban Forest is an example groups to provide them an opportunity the direction of the sector. of the action Vector is taking to raise to connect with nature and create their awareness of the issue. Each year the recreation spaces of the future. More The review was split into two phases. Vector Urban Forest Initiative aims to information can be found at: www.vector. The first phase of work focused on plant at least 20,000 new seedlings to co.nz/articles/planting-smart-to-help- determining facts and building evidence make up for the approximately 10,000 prevent-power-outages. of problems within the sector. These trees removed from near the electricity were published in the First Report for network. The trees Vector removes are discussion in September 2019. The second first identified as a risk by an expert phase of work focused on developing and then removed with permission possible improvements to the problems from the landowner. identified in the first report. In February

59 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG8 – DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH NEW ZEALAND CONTEXT manage the economic transition so that We want to build a productive, sustainable and it happens in a way that is fair and just. New Zealand’s economic goal is to build We want a productive economy that has inclusive economy that delivers for everyone. a productive, sustainable and inclusive productive and sustainable cities and economy. Our plan for a modern and regions, businesses that are innovative and prosperous New Zealand is supported by internationally competitive, and people a comprehensive whole-of-government that are highly skilled working in fair, work programme, which includes four productive and meaningful employment key economic priorities that support relationships. Our aim is to grow our our economic goal: growing and sharing productivity levels so that New Zealanders more fairly New Zealand’s prosperity; are positioned to take advantage of the supporting thriving and sustainable productivity gains from the internet of regions; delivering responsible things, automation and renewable energy. governance with a broader measure of success; and transitioning to a clean, We want a sustainable economy that green, carbon neutral New Zealand. will be clean, green and carbon neutral. Our economy should be environmentally, fiscally, economically, socially and IN ORDER TO EASE FINANCIAL PRESSURE culturally sustainable. It must be resilient to economic and natural disasters and ON FAMILIES WE ARE TAKING STEPS TO economic growth should be enduring and created within ecological limits. INCREASE WAGES AND PARENTAL LEAVE. We aim to reverse much of our existing environmental damage and effectively protect our natural capital, including our To deliver higher wellbeing for native species and habitats. New Zealanders, we are working to overcome some significant challenges We want an inclusive economy that to productivity, sustainability, and delivers higher wellbeing and living inclusiveness. Like the rest of the world, standards for all our people. They we are also at the beginning of a period should have a safe place to live and the of significant change driven by our opportunity to participate in meaningful demographics, technology, the sharing and decent work and share in our economy and climate change. We also prosperity. We want our people to have need to respond to changing financial access to meaningful pathways into and trade policies of major economies education, training and work, social around the world. Our government and support, healthcare and rehabilitation our people are working together to shape when they need it, and to be protected our economy for the future so that we from unsafe, unfair and oppressive can make the most of the opportunities behaviour. We want to address gender that arise from these changes and inequalities that continue to exist around address key challenges. pay equity and the gender pay gap. In line with Goal 8, we want to transform our economy. In doing so, we will ensure the transition to the new economy is CHALLENGES fair for our people, our places, and our businesses. Our partnerships with our The New Zealand economy is growing businesses, our people, Māori, local at a solid rate, our unemployment rate government, and non-government remains low and the outlook continues organisations will ensure we plan and to be positive. Ongoing economic

61 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG 8 – DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

growth is expected to be supported In terms of sustainability, our economy’s more productive, sustainable and inclusive of Work Tripartite Forum, a partnership by strengthening wage growth, low input driven growth in recent years has economy and ensure the transition to between government, business and interest rates and accelerating residential put pressure on our biophysical limits, this economy is fair and just for all of our workers, to investigate our institutions investment growth. infrastructure and social outcomes. We people, places and businesses. and programmes to ensure we are also face the risks of climate change, prepared to meet challenges and take the Nevertheless, we are preparing for a natural disasters and economic shocks. We are taking a number of steps to grow opportunities as our economy transforms. period of significant change in light of In addition, some population groups and share more fairly New Zealand’s major developments that will have impacts and some regions have persistently prosperity. We are partnering with business In order to ease financial pressure on on our economy, now and for decades experienced lower wellbeing as a result to encourage innovation, productivity and families we are taking steps to increase to come. These include digitalisation, of our economy failing to deliver equal build a skilled workforce. This includes work wages, increase parental leave, improve the internet of things, clean energy and opportunities or equitable outcomes. Some to improve productivity by reforming our early childhood education, and address the sharing economy, as well as global key challenges to realising an inclusive tax, central banking, overseas investment the gender pay gap through an Equal Pay disruptions associated with policies such economy include reducing inequality and and commerce regulatory systems. We are Amendment Bill and a gender pay action as quantitative easing and state control of material deprivation, improving education, also aiming to grow exports through our plan in the public service. We are also trade surpluses that can distort markets health and housing outcomes, and small business strategy and trade for all aiming to reform employment relations protecting vulnerable people. and trigger protectionist responses. agenda, and to build a skilled workforce law to protect vulnerable workers. through reforms to vocational education We can expect these developments to and training systems, and reforms to our For New Zealand, a key aspect of transform our economy and our jobs on INITIATIVES UNDERWAY immigration system. We are also looking at promoting sustained and inclusive a similar scale of impact as globalisation, ways to protect vulnerable workers through economic growth entails supporting further reform of employment relations the internet, market-based reforms and Rather than measuring progress in purely thriving and sustainable regions outside laws or other ways of discouraging removing subsidies did over the past 30 economic terms, we are developing of our major cities. We are creating new years. Achieving this transformation will business models, which could undermine a broader set of success measures opportunities for regional economies take time and its impacts will not always be employment standards. that will put the notion of sustainable to grow, including by investing in them felt evenly across our country. Therefore, intergenerational wellbeing at the centre through the Provincial Growth Fund, as our economy transforms, fairness We acknowledge the opportunities that of our thinking and decision making. enhancing supply chain efficiency, throughout the process will be important. are being progressed to increase the accelerating the rollout of rural productivity of Māori-owned primary We are establishing new, comprehensive broadband internet, better supporting Technologies such as artificial intelligence, sector assets and agribusinesses. measures of national achievement and the racing industry, and improving the internet of things and renewable We are unlocking new growth through redefining what success looks like, in the benefits that regions receive from energy may help New Zealand in a way that is complementary to the major infrastructure programmes in tourism. We are also working to boost overcoming the productivity challenges vision encapsulated in the SDGs. We are our roads, rail, schools and hospitals. the international value and reputation of of size and distance and improve our developing new statistical tools (Indicators We also have a number of initiatives under primary sector exports from the regions, international competitiveness. To make Aotearoa New Zealand) which will way to strengthen the Māori and Pacific including through improved freshwater the most of the opportunities arising from contain wellbeing indicators tailored to contribution to the economy, including and fisheries management, strengthening these changes, we want to take action New Zealanders by incorporating cultural the Crown-Māori Economic Growth biosecurity measures, and by developing now to support change and technology and Te Ao Māori perspectives. These will Partnership and national Māori economic uptake in areas where New Zealand has align with our Living Standards Framework development strategy, He kai kei aku ringa, partnerships between the government comparative advantage. and its accompanying dashboard, which which means ‘providing food by my own and food producers on key policies. puts sustainable intergenerational hands’, and employment and business New Zealand’s productivity levels are low wellbeing at the centre of decision making support services for Pacific communities. Finally, we are working to transition our relative to the OECD average. Some of the processes for policy advice, government economy to a clean, green carbon neutral critical challenges for lifting New Zealand’s expenditure and long term management To meet the challenges and take the New Zealand with a sustainable future. We productivity performance include the small of our assets. Where appropriate, these opportunities of a rapidly changing world are aiming to set clear emission reduction size and scale of many of our businesses, new tools and frameworks will also assist of work we need to support workers targets, improve our Emissions Trading adding greater value and diversity to us in evaluating our future progress and businesses to be inclusive, resilient Scheme, and develop a low-emission the goods and services we produce, towards implementing Goal 8. and adaptable. We have tasked the New vehicle programme. We are also looking overcoming geographic distance to key Zealand Productivity Commission with at ways to more sustainably manage the markets, lifting low levels of research and Beyond the development of new tools to undertaking an inquiry into technological extraction of our natural resources, and to development, and improving trends in the measure and assess progress, we have a change, disruption and the future of work. support our people, places and businesses availability and efficient use of capital. range of initiatives underway to build a Further, we have established the Future transition to a low-emissions economy.

63 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 FUTURE OF WORK TRIPARTITE FORUM NEW ZEALAND TOURISM INDUSTRY

Like the rest of the world, New Zealand our businesses and workers rely on. Tourism has contributed significantly to To address problems associated faces a period of significant change that The Forum has a current work growth in the New Zealand economy with ‘freedom camping’ we set up a will impact our economy now and for programme that focuses on four themes. over recent years, and is important to the ‘responsible camping working group’ decades to come. First we want to ensure that our transition vibrancy and vitality of many regional made up of industry, local government to a low-emissions economy is just. We economies. Tourism is also a driver of and central government to better manage Our changing demographics, new want to understand how we can embrace New Zealand’s international connections. this practice and the disruption and technologies and climate change are opportunities and challenges brought environmental harm it can cause. amongst a wide range of factors that will about by rapid change and respond shape the future of work. Indeed, many to new technologies, globalisation and INTERNATIONAL VISITOR We also developed a tourism strategy jobs that exist now will cease to exist in demographic shifts in a way which is fair ARRIVALS TO NEW ZEALAND HAVE and regional investment framework, the decades to come. and equitable. which will help government decide when, GROWN 42 PERCENT IN THE LAST where and how it invests in the tourism The Future of Work Tripartite Forum (the Second, we want to ensure that New system to ensure better co-ordination Forum) is a partnership between the Zealanders continually engage in learning SIX YEARS. at both the central and regional level. Government, Business New Zealand and to be able to adapt to, and make the most Alongside the strategy, the Ministry of the Council of Trade Unions (CTU), which of, technological and economic change. This has led to a range of challenges Business, Innovation and Employment aims to support New Zealand businesses Third, we aim to improve technological for infrastructure, overcrowding at is developing a sustainability dashboard and workers to meet the challenges and capability in New Zealand to help people particular sites at particular times, and based on economic, social, cultural, and take the opportunities presented in a and business adapt to disruption caused environmental impacts. It can also environmental attributes of sustainability. rapidly changing world of work. While it is by emerging technologies that are have adverse impacts on other parts These will align with the SDGs and be difficult to know the full extent of change changing the nature of work. And finally, of economy (for example housing internationally comparable. The dashboard that is coming, we can act now to respond the Forum is considering initiatives to and labour markets) and a hardening will also provide a framework for evaluating to the change that is already here. build productive and inclusive work places. of attitudes of some New Zealanders the implementation of the strategy. towards visitors and the tourism sector This collaborative approach will be critical more broadly. to developing a holistic response to the NEW TECHNOLOGIES challenges we face and maximising the The government plays an important opportunities for change. Ultimately AND CLIMATE CHANGE ARE role in making sure the tourism system we want to avoid the mistakes of the delivers the best results for all, including past where economic shocks damaged AMONG A WIDE RANGE OF visitors, tourism businesses, our regions communities all over New Zealand, and FACTORS THAT WILL SHAPE THE and communities and all New Zealand. to ensure that we adapt effectively to To address the challenges brought about changes in technology or processes that FUTURE OF WORK. by increasing tourism we have initiated a number of responses.

We established the Tourism Infrastructure Fund, which supports small communities with high visitor numbers to fund basic tourism infrastructure. We also introduced an international visitor levy that will ensure visitors can contribute to some of the public infrastructure and conservation land that they use on their trips.

65 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019

NEW ZEALAND CONTEXT is future-proofed to keep pace with technological changes. Broadly speaking, New Zealand has a We want to support our businesses to good national infrastructure base. We are SDG9 – INDUSTRY, INNOVATION thrive and be innovative through greater focused on bolstering our infrastructure investment in research and development over the next 10 years to help us keep (R&D). Approximately 97 percent of all pace with our growing population and as businesses in New Zealand employ less part of an economic transition that we are than 20 employees, and we want these AND INFRASTRUCTURE going through to move towards a more businesses to be agile and responsive to sustainable, lower-emissions economy. We want to deliver transformation and growth for all. grow, thrive and be innovative. We will do this by investing in infrastructure, research We want to support business innovation WE WANT TO BETTER DIGITALLY CONNECT because it supports economic diversity, and development, and our regional economies. raises productivity, creates high- OUR MORE REMOTE, RURAL COMMUNITIES value jobs, and improves social and environmental wellbeing. Currently, AND DECREASE THE BARRIERS THAT R&D expenditure total is 1.37 percent of New Zealand GDP. To raise this to two GEOGRAPHIC ISOLATION MAY CREATE. percent of GDP over the next 10 years, a R&D tax credit has been introduced to support the combination of grants that This investment will also help us to are currently in place. address challenges including ageing infrastructure, ongoing affordability constraints, regional growth and decline, infrastructure pinch-points (especially in CHALLENGES our largest city of Auckland), an ageing population and increased pressure on our New Zealand has relatively low levels of natural resources. productivity growth and investment in large-scale infrastructure. We are continuing Investment in resilient infrastructure to work on improving the incentives in will enable our communities to be safe, New Zealand’s infrastructure sector inclusive, and interconnected through because we believe New Zealand’s reliable transport and communication infrastructure investment decisions could be networks. This will also ensure our more outcome focused than they are now. infrastructure is robust in the face of climate change, and help New Zealand New Zealand’s institutional arrangements achieve our economic goals of building for managing infrastructure investments a more productive, sustainable, and have strengthened in recent years. inclusive economy. However, the system is not consistently delivering good infrastructure outcomes To support a thriving nation in the at a local level. The institutional settings digital age, we are working to make that support infrastructure planning and digital connectivity part of daily life. delivery need to work well together to This improvement in connectivity will make a material difference to outcomes. lead to significant economic and social benefits, and improve wellbeing. It will The poor management structures in also drive productivity in our provinces, New Zealand’s infrastructure system enable innovation, and keep us connected result in ad-hoc and short-term to the rest of the world. investment decisions that are often focussed on the asset solution. In part, We want to better digitally connect our this is because planning and funding more remote, rural communities and decisions are not linked to an overarching decrease the barriers that geographic vision and strategy. isolation may create, thereby lowering the barrier to the prosperity of individuals This lack of coordination means that and businesses. We want to ensure evidence does not always inform any connectivity gaps in relation to decisions. There are also inconsistencies telecommunications infrastructure are in the approaches that central and addressed, and that digital infrastructure local government take to the planning,

67 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG 9 – INDUSTRY, INNOVATION, AND INFRASTRUCTURE

marketing, procurement and delivery and grows and shares more fairly of infrastructure. New Zealand’s prosperity. As part of this, BOOSTING Fibre-to-the-premises for we are working to improve the incentives The cumulative effect of these weaknesses in New Zealand’s infrastructure system BROADBAND AND is a lack of visibility and certainty in the to ensure we deliver good infrastructure MOBILE SERVICES of New Zealanders pipeline of infrastructure projects that outcomes at a local level. are likely to occur in the future. This is NATIONWIDE in 390 towns and cities inhibiting investment in New Zealand and To support investment intentions 87% its labour force. As such, a step change is and create opportunities for greater Rural broadband to more than Mobile coverage on approx required in the infrastructure sector. collaboration in infrastructure project 85,000 rural households 1,400 km of state highways & delivery, we are establishing the New and businesses In terms of information and Zealand Infrastructure Commission, 168 key tourism locations communication technologies, extending Te Waihanga. Through the Commission mobile and broadband coverage further we want to foster partnerships across into rural New Zealand is particularly central and local government, private challenging because remaining areas infrastructure owners, and the market. for cities to grow up and out. It brings We see research, science and innovation are characterised by their remoteness This will assist us to successfully deliver together five focus areas: infrastructure (RSI) as driving the changes necessary and rugged terrain. The government new infrastructure, and undertake funding and financing; urban planning; to achieve its goal of a productive, has therefore been intervening in the maintenance and renewal activities on spatial planning; transport pricing; sustainable and inclusive economy. market where the terrain, combined our existing infrastructure. and legislative reform to support the The government has set a goal of lifting with low population numbers, makes it programme’s objectives New Zealand’s spending on research and uneconomic for commercial companies This Commission will develop a 30-year development (R&D) to two percent of GDP to invest in infrastructure. infrastructure strategy, and provide advice We are also undertaking a major upgrade by 2027. It is also developing a RSI strategy and best practice support to infrastructure of our telecommunications infrastructure. that sets out a vision for what it wants New Zealand’s science and innovation initiatives throughout New Zealand. This This will boost broadband and mobile to achieve through RSI, and a planned system is notably small, both in terms strategy will work in partnership with services throughout the country and pathway for achieving the lift of R&D. of private and public expenditure. Despite industry to deliver resilient, sustainable significantly contribute to making significant recent increases in public infrastructure that improves the wellbeing New Zealand a world-leading digital The key challenges to the RSI system funding, this expenditure is still below of all New Zealanders and better enable nation. Ultra-fast internet access will be are growing business R&D and improving comparable international averages, as is industry to invest in physical and human improved, and by the end of 2022 we connections between publicly funded our number of people engaged in research. capital. It will help guide our future estimate 87 percent of New Zealanders in science and domestic and international infrastructure investment decisions, around 390 towns and cities will be able partners. One of the most significant The number of businesses that currently and ensure that these decisions support to access broadband through fibre-to- recent initiatives to address this is the receive growth grants from the government productivity and business growth, and the-premises. This will place New Zealand commitment to implementing an R&D for R&D is low, at approximately 300. create reliable and resilient networks, in the top five countries in the OECD in Tax Incentive with the aim of lifting This is partly due to the large number of including our transport, energy, water, terms of the proportion of the population private sector R&D. This is intended to small companies in New Zealand, and and communications networks. that has access to fibre. form a significant portion of the increase the average age of these businesses. For in total R&D that is required to reach the example, one third of all New Zealand The government and industry are New Zealanders in rural locations government’s two percent goal. companies have been in business for less collaborating to lift the capability and have usually been limited to slower than five years. The R&D Tax Incentive capacity of the construction workforce internet speeds and expensive satellite The design of the Tax Incentive will is going to replace growth grants but to ensure we have the right people at broadband. Under a new Rural government will continue to provide a ensure that a broader range of firms are the right time in the right place with the Broadband Initiative, by the end of 2023, incentivised to do R&D. This initiative broader landscape of support, which right skills to meet our current and future includes grants and repayable grants. more than 85,000 rural households will be delivered in collaboration with construction needs. Development of and businesses will be able to access New Zealand’s dedicated innovation human capital is essential to ensure we improved broadband services. Additional agency, Callaghan Innovation. Callaghan are able to build, maintain and replace funding will also extend mobile phone Innovation supports science and INITIATIVES UNDERWAY the infrastructure we require to prosper. coverage to more remote areas of the technology-based innovation and its country, including on approximately commercialisation to improve the growth We have a range of initiatives underway Under our Urban Growth Agenda, we 1,400 km of state highway and in 168 key and competitiveness of businesses. to ensure our investment in infrastructure aim to remove barriers to the supply of tourism locations. improves wellbeing and living standards, land and infrastructure and make room 69 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 GROWING OUR REGIONS THE CONSTRUCTION SKILLS ACTION PLAN

We have allocated $3 billion over a three- into the future. This represents a major Nearly 10 percent of the New Zealand Action Plan will increase the number year term to invest in regional economic opportunity to grow the skills and workforce is currently engaged in of apprenticeships that are offered development through the Provincial capability of working people in regions construction-related occupations. in construction, create new job and Growth Fund (PGF). and to equip them for sustained work and Our goal is to lift the capability and skill hubs to assist people to enter the pathways to higher incomes. capacity of this workforce, and increase industry, and focus on increasing the skills Provincial New Zealand is the heartland the number of people who work in of the existing workforce. of New Zealand, and home to some The Sector Workforce Engagement construction in the future. This increase of our most creative and innovative Programme (SWEP) is a cross in skills and capability is important to This Plan arose from a series of people. Much of New Zealand’s economy government initiative that aims to improve building and maintaining our health, workshops, with input from over 140 rests on the successes of the regions, employers’ access to skilled labour - education, and transport infrastructure. individuals, organisations and industry with tourism, forestry and the primary working across industries like horticulture It will also be important for the Kiwibuild on what was missing and what else industries all strong contributors to New and viticulture, dairy farming, road programme, which aims to increase home government and the sector needed to do Zealand’s export economy. freight transport, construction, tourism, ownership by increasing the supply of to address workforce issues. Building a hospitality and aged residential care. affordable homes, particularly in areas of sustainable construction workforce will However, some regions are challenged New Zealand where there is a shortage. take a sustained effort over time. This with higher unemployment, lower SWEP works by partnering with industry to Plan therefore feeds into a much broader productivity, finding skilled workers, and develop solutions to improve their access The government and industry agree economic objective and plan that focuses people who are struggling economically. to labour and create training pathways for that New Zealand needs safer, more on sustainable economic growth and Through the PGF, the government seeks local people to enter into local industry. durable and affordable buildings and improving the wellbeing of all to ensure that people living all over New infrastructure, and to achieve this we New Zealanders. Zealand can reach their full potential by Since SWEP was established as a pilot need a resilient construction sector. To helping build a regional economy that in 2016, 950 New Zealanders have been this end, the Construction Skills Action is sustainable, inclusive and productive. placed into employment through SWEP Plan was launched in October 2018. The PGF is administered by the Provincial facilitated initiatives, with more than The Action Plan was co-developed by Development Unit, part of the Ministry of 3,000 people supported into recognised government agencies and an industry Business, Innovation, and Employment. training whilst in employment, and group made up of industry leaders from 50 people into apprenticeships. across the sector. It signals a new way Many of the projects and initiatives for the New Zealand government and being funded through the Provincial More information is available at: construction industry to work together to Growth Fund will create jobs, now and www.growregions.govt.nz. build resilient infrastructure, and to create a more productive, capable workforce.

To address skills and labour shortages in the construction industry the government and the sector have worked together to devise a plan to deliver the right people at the right time with the right skills to meet our construction needs. This Action Plan has six initial priority areas: leveraging government procurement; establishing job and skills hubs; growing construction careers and credentials; expanding skills for industry; mana in mahi – strength in work; and further changes to immigration settings. The

Construction underway on the drive station for the new high speed gondola at Whakapapa skifield. The project received a $10 million loan from the Provincial Growth Fund and will significantly boost the region’s tourism offerings.

71 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG10 – REDUCE INEQUALITIES NEW ZEALAND CONTEXT strategies will need to continue to have a strong focus on raising the real incomes of We want to build a fairer and more inclusive lower income earners at a faster rate than We believe that a sustainable, inclusive, the national average if we are to increase New Zealand that we can all be proud of. and productive economy provides all their national income share. citizens with opportunities to engage in economic activities and social discourse The make-up of the bottom 40 percent to achieve their full potential. While of the population varies significantly New Zealand prides itself on having a by household type, one of a number of fair society, inequalities persist. We are measures that are useful to inform policy committed to reducing inequality and responses. Over 70 percent of sole parent supporting and empowering all citizens households (84 percent of which are to achieve their potential. headed by women), and households of the elderly who live on their own, have - - incomes in the bottom 40 percent. By THE CROWN-MAORI STRATEGY FOR MAORI contrast, less than 25 percent of families ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HE KAI KEI with no dependent children and couples under 65 have incomes in the bottom AKU RINGA) PROVIDES A BLUEPRINT FOR 40 percent of incomes.

A PRODUCTIVE, INNOVATIVE, AND EXPORT- Māori and Pacific peoples are over - represented in the bottom 40 percent ORIENTATED MAORI ECONOMY THAT WILL of household incomes. Our annual SUPPORT BETTER PAYING JOBS AND HIGHER household income survey data indicates that about 60 percent of Māori and LIVING STANDARDS. Pacific peoples incomes were in the bottom 40 percent, compared to 34 percent of European/Pākehā Our goal is to ensure that our economic households. Median household income and social systems work hand in hand. trends indicate that on average there may We want the social system to deliver be an income gap of about 25 percent for equal access to opportunities for Māori and about 32 percent for Pacific people to participate in the economic, peoples below that of European/Pākehā social, cultural and political life of the household incomes. community, and the economic system to ensure that people can take advantage Temporary migrants in New Zealand of the opportunities, and benefit from have the same employment protections equitable outcomes. We are also as citizens and residents. However, there committed to maintaining well-managed have been some instances of temporary immigration policies. migrant worker exploitation. We are working to better understand the extent of this issue and to identify proposals for CHALLENGES policy change.

Since the Global Financial Crisis, New Zealand’s real GDP per capita growth INITIATIVES UNDERWAY has averaged 0.8 percent per annum. The national income share of the bottom We are committed to supporting people 40 percent of the population has been to move into and remain in employment nearly constant at 20 percent since through a suite of active labour market 1996. We recognise that our policies and programmes and policies. These include

73 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG 10 – REDUCE INEQUALITIES

employment readiness and job placement boost social inclusion and participation, services, wage subsidies, work readiness build resilient communities, and help training, and job creation. These meet New Zealand’s climate change programmes and policies are intended to targets. The Fund has a strong focus on prepare job seekers for the labour market helping deprived communities which and help them to find secure and suitable should also help to reduce income employment. The Social Security system inequalities. Areas with a high index of $3 provides specific support for young socioeconomic deprivation have been BILLION people to obtain full-time work and to prioritised for early investment. achieve a formal industry qualification. to be invested by Parents’ labour market participation is The Crown-Māori strategy for Māori the Provincial Creating jobs, leading Increasing social universally supported by 20 hours per economic development (He kai kei Growth Fund to sustainable economic inclusion and growth participation week of free early childhood education aku ringa) provides a blueprint for a for children aged three to five years old. productive, innovative, and export- orientated Māori economy that will Our investments in increasing skills and support better paying jobs and higher raising productivity are contributing living standards. It sets targets for Māori to reducing income inequality in lower economic development progress from Enabling Māori to realise Encouraging environmental Improving resilience, income populations. This is being 2017 to 2021 – with the overarching goal aspirations in all aspects sustainability and meeting particularly of critical progressed by working with businesses of increasing Māori median income by of the economy climate change commitments infrastructure, and by to foster innovation, productivity and 20 percent. alongside productive use of diversifying our economy building up the skilled workforce. As an land, water and other example, we are aiming to lift the capacity As part of our efforts to address resources and capability of our construction historic Māori grievances, a permanent workforce under a Construction Skills commission of inquiry, the Waitangi Action Plan in order to drive higher skilled Tribunal, was established to hear claims and better paid jobs, with a particular made by Māori against the Crown for Māori through commercial investments Many of the initiatives described in focus on increasing the participation of breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi. and direct investment in tribal members other Goals, in particular Goals 1, 4 and 5, under-represented groups including Over the last three decades, following through education and training. will also make a substantial contribution Māori and Pacific peoples. inquiries into historical Treaty breaches to achieving this goal. Overall, these in each geographic district, the Crown As for other countries, an aging initiatives and investments will contribute We are also strengthening employment has entered into negotiated settlement population and rising rates of long-term to increasing the incomes of lower law to further improve working conditions processes with Māori groups. These conditions means that there is a growing income earners at a faster rate than and fair wages. The Employment settlements aim to resolve historical demand for families to contribute to the the national average, build a more Relations Amendment Act 2018 claims and provide some redress to care and support of family members. inclusive and productive economy, is designed to improve workplace claimant groups. Changes to funded family care are being and reduce inequalities. conditions and help deliver decent introduced that will provide increased work conditions and fair wages. The Since the first settlement in 1998 there financial support to households where a Act will help to achieve these outcomes have been 87 settlements negotiated with spouse or parent provides unpaid care to by improving protections for workers, different Māori groups and the Crown a family member with high care needs. especially vulnerable workers, and is working to complete a further 50 strengthening the role of collective settlements with remaining groups. The We are also developing a new Disability bargaining. In addition, new equal pay total value of completed settlements so Action Plan, which will address issues legislation aims to address systemic sex- far is $2.24 billion. Settlements include posing significant challenges to disabled based pay discrimination. an acknowledgement and apology for people, including education, employment, breaches; commercial redress, in the accessible information, housing, seclusion Under our Provincial Growth Fund we form of cash and property; and cultural and restraint. By tackling these issues will invest $3 billion over 2018 to 2020 redress, which helps to reconnect we aim to increase the incomes and to enhance economic development Māori to sites of spiritual and cultural wellbeing of disabled people, reduce the opportunities, create sustainable jobs, significance. Settlements have been used inequalities they face and build a more enable Māori to reach their full potential, to culturally and economically revitalise inclusive and productive economy.

75 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019

NEW ZEALAND DISABILITY STRATEGY RED SHIRTS IN THE COMMUNITY—THE WAREHOUSE GROUP

an excellent education; security in their Since 2016, The Warehouse’s Red Shirts Most recently the programme has WE HAVE A VISION TO MAKE economic situation; the highest attainable in the Community programme has helped been included in a digital platform standards of health and wellbeing; and more than 1100 young people who are not known as Accelerator. Young people NEW ZEALAND A NON-DISABLING that they feel safe, understood and are currently in employment, education, or can access the platform for workplace SOCIETY – A PLACE WHERE treated fairly and equitably by the justice training, gain retail skills and experience training programmes and connect system. the workforce. with potential employers in a blended DISABLED PEOPLE HAVE AN learning environment that incorporates An outcomes framework including The programme is operated by The gamification of content and a mentoring EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO ACHIEVE indicators is being developed to measure, Warehouse in conjunction with the Ministry component. monitor and publicly report on progress of Social Development, which recommends THEIR GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS, against the Strategy. To address data and provides the participants. Skills From late 2019, Accelerator will recruit AND ALL OF NEW ZEALAND gaps, indicators based on the Washington Organisation, operates as the navigator participants through online platform Group Short Set of questions have been or ‘mentor’ for the participants, and also Youth Hub, provide access to training WORKS TOGETHER TO MAKE included in the national census and a assesses adherence to New Zealand modules needed during their three number of government surveys. This Qualification Authority standards. weeks in store at The Warehouse. It will THIS HAPPEN. information will facilitate comparisons also offer 90 days further follow up and between disabled and non-disabled Each participant is mentored through the pastoral care support to participants as The New Zealand Disability Strategy was people, when available. programme by Skills Organisation, which they complete their training and prepare developed in consultation with disabled also provides 90 days of pastoral support work-ready documents such as CVs and people, their families and whānau to As a practical example of the impact of to the participants, with the aim of finding references. help achieve this vision and to progress the Action Plan, all public sector chief paid employment within three months realisation of the UN Convention on the executives have committed to signing of graduating. Participants are generally Red Shirts in the Community will be the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) an accessibility charter to ensure public made up of young people (aged 16 to first training module on Accelerator. Once in New Zealand. The Strategy guides information is increasingly accessible to 24 years) not engaged in employment, it has been successfully delivered as a the work of government agencies on disabled people. education, or training. digital programme, it will be extended disability issues from 2016 to 2026. It is to other sectors and employers who can governed by the principle that disabled The programme was developed over offer on-the-job training opportunities for people be involved in decision-making a period of 18 months, with three young people. that impacts them, as well as the Treaty pilots taking place across a range of of Waitangi and the CRPD. The Warehouse stores. The third pilot resulted in a 76 percent success rate The Strategy is implemented through in assisting the participants into paid Disability Action Plans. An Action Plan employment within three months of covers a four-year period and is updated programme completion. Alongside the every two years to ensure that priorities Convention hard skills learnt by the participants, an remain relevant and in line with the on the unanticipated benefit was the soft skills Strategy and recommendations from the Te Tiriti Rights of gained such as increased teamwork, self- UN Committee on the Rights of Persons o Waitangi Persons esteem, respect for others, engagement with Disabilities. with in conversations, and self-confidence. Disabilities The Strategy recognises the need for a Ensuring The Red Shirts in the Community long-term approach to invest in disabled disabled people programme is now the largest public- people’s whole lives using a twin-track are involved in private partnership of its kind working on approach to deliver outcomes via specific decision-making social inclusion and youth development in and mainstream services. that impacts New Zealand. This year it is being rolled them Specific out to 57 stores nationwide. For example, the Strategy places a high A priority on all disabled people realising: whole-of-life and and long-term mainstream approach support and to social services – a investment twin-track approach

77 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG11 – SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES We want all New Zealanders to work, live and play NEW ZEALAND CONTEXT Aspects of Goal 11 relating to risk and resilience are being addressed in the in safe, affordable and resilient communities where policy and monitoring spheres through The vast majority of New Zealanders New Zealand’s implementation of the spaces and materials are used in ways that preserve live in cities and urban settings. We are Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk therefore focused on a range of housing Reduction. value and conserve natural resources. and urban development policies that address how cities and other urban areas Alignment between Goal 11 and deal with and adapt to change. We are New Zealand’s transport policy is also seeking to end homelessness, increase strong, with focus on the areas of transport housing supply (both public and private), safety, sustainability, and accessibility – and improve the effectiveness of urban including public transport being features planning systems. in both. Sustainable environmental management and public participation are fundamental parts of New Zealand’s resource management legislation. WE ARE SEEKING TO MAKE LONGER-TERM CHANGES THAT WILL SEE AN END TO CHALLENGES HOMELESSNESS. Perhaps the biggest obstacle for New Zealand to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable are the Through our Urban Growth Agenda competing challenges that these goals (UGA), we are seeking to increase can present, such as accommodating housing affordability and create thriving population growth, managing urban communities by developing policy now expansion, and preserving the natural that will have an effect across the medium environment. New Zealand’s legislative to long-term. Beyond housing affordability, framework seeks to balance these other objectives of the UGA include competing priorities, with the UGA improved living standards and housing pursuing improvements to how both local choices, improved access to employment, and central government plan long-term education and services, reduced emissions and how they work together to achieve and increased climate resilience, improved the right balance. infrastructure, and to provide quality built environments that avoid urban sprawl. New Zealand also faces a range of All of these polices strongly reflect Goal 11, hazards and risks from natural disasters, which seeks to make cities inclusive, safe, including earthquakes. Many of these resilient, and sustainable. risks can be readily identified, and planning to manage them and ensure We are seeking to make longer-term effective response and recovery from changes that will see an end to emergencies can mitigate their impact. homelessness, better integration of However, we also recognise that the transport and urban development, climate future is uncertain and significant, change and disaster resilience, and unexpected, and hard-to-predict events improving freshwater quality in our urban in New Zealand are inevitable. areas. New Zealand’s policies on urban

ISTOCK.COM/HUAFIRES planning, environmental management, and We are also undertaking further work to emergency management are also evolving better monitor and understand issues to ensure that our cities are fit for purpose related to Goal 11’s aspiration of better in the future, are sustainable, and resilient. cities. Collection and reconciliation of Photo credit: istock.com/huafires credit: Photo

79 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG 11 – SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

NEW HEALTH HOMES STANDARDS FOR NEW ZEALAND’S

RENTAL HOMES WILL BE IN disaster resilience planning which is to waste collection and its disposal is based on a reduction, readiness, response set out under the Waste Minimisation PLACE BY 2021, INCLUDING: and recover framework. We aim for Act and the Resource Management Act. 600,000 cities to adopt and implement policies All household waste is disposed of at that support mitigating and adapting sanitary landfills and commercial waste to climate change, and resilience to is disposed of at landfills appropriate disasters. New Zealand’s monitoring for the waste type. We want to move of adoption and implementation of towards circular economy thinking so climate change and resource efficiency that resources are kept in the system policies and plans is a relatively recent for as long as possible and diverted All rental homes will have a All rental homes will have ceiling development. Current baseline reporting from landfills. heater that can heat the and underfloor insulation that either shows some local authorities are well main living area to 18°C. meets the 2008 Building Code advanced in comprehensive planning, The National Environmental Standards for insulation standard, or (for existing with many others continuing to develop Air Quality have set thresholds to manage ceiling insulation) has a minimum their plans. On assessing the effects of the population’s exposure to ambient thickness of 120mm. disasters we are already collecting data pollutants particularly in towns and cities. on our progress towards the Sendai Interventions to improve air quality in our Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, cities and reduce the effects of poor air data relating to a number of the Goal’s alongside the 2010-2020 Road Safety and we are also currently establishing a quality are having an effect. Modelling targets has proved difficult. Suitable data Strategy that seeks affordable, accessible National Loss Database which supports shows that estimated premature deaths is unavailable or data that is collected and sustainable transport systems as Sendai Target reporting. associated with air pollutant exposure locally has yet to be standardised to well as improved safety and public decreased by eight percent between produce a national dataset, making transport. National measures for transport 2006 and 2016. reporting on how we are tracking towards accessibility, including access to public some of the goal’s targets difficult. transport, are currently being developed. NEW ZEALAND IS A LEADER OF Universal access to green and public Work on data collection and reporting spaces is a target within Goal 11. In line is ongoing, particularly around the state Goal 11 seeks inclusive and sustainable ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE CITIES, with this, we have a national programme of housing, transport accessibility, and urbanisation through participatory urban LEVERAGING THE BENEFITS THAT CITIES supporting cities and communities to natural and cultural heritage. planning and management. Our approach become age-friendly and a number is strongly aligned with this vision, with OFFER WHILE REDUCING THE COSTS AND have already achieved Age Friendly our Resource Management Act requiring Communities’ accreditation. We are the sustainable management of resources IMPACTS THAT THEY IMPOSE. also commencing a work programme to INITIATIVES UNDERWAY as well as regulating urban planning. As achieve a fully accessible New Zealand for such, all cities and local government areas persons with disabilities. In addition many In the area of housing, we aim to ensure have robust direct public participation in local authorities have their own plans and affordable housing that is healthy and urban planning processes. Local authorities have completed an strategies relating to public open space appropriate for need, and to take steps assessment of the amount of underground and how to make those spaces safe, to end, not just manage, homelessness. New Zealand takes very seriously the and above ground infrastructure that inclusive and accessible. Work is also underway to measure need to protect our unique cultural will be affected by sea level rise, based and evaluate the quality of existing and natural heritage. We have two on three different scenarios. Discussions Internationally, New Zealand’s aid policy housing stock. In addition, new minimum government agencies tasked with the between local and central government are aims to deliver sustainable development standards to create warmer, drier rental preservation, protection and conservation underway to identify options for meeting and reduce poverty in developing homes have been put in place along with of cultural heritage and one for natural the cost involved and providing councils countries and contribute to a more improved building standards for housing heritage. These agencies, along with a with the powers to halt development in secure, equitable and prosperous world, being built under the government’s wide range of policies that support areas likely to be affected by sea level rise and strongly supports the SDG target in KiwiBuild house construction programme. them, evidence our strong desire to in the future. this area. preserve New Zealand’s heritage for The 2018 Government Policy Statement future generations. New Zealand’s waste management policy on land transport prioritises both is aligned with Goal 11, with a particular transport safety and access to transport, New Zealand has comprehensive recent focus on strategy to reduce waste including public transport. This sits alignment between national and local sent to landfill. New Zealand’s approach

81 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019

BUILDING OUR DISASTER RESILIENCE LIVING LIGHTLY AND FUTUREFIT—AUCKLAND COUNCIL

New Zealand is exposed to a range of collective result, and that Aucklanders, as significant hazards and threats, including ENSURING CITIES AND DISTRICTS CHARGED WITH SHIFTING individuals and as a collective, do play a earthquakes and extreme weather. In substantial and positive role in addressing addition to natural hazards, we face a ARE MORE INCLUSIVE, SAFE, AUCKLANDERS TO A LOW climate change. number of other threats which could RESILIENT AND SUSTAINABLE IS CARBON PATH IN SUPPORT OF cause disasters or major disruptions. With the understanding that different Our economy relies heavily on primary A KEY PART OF THE STRATEGY. THE REGION’S 1.5°C CLIMATE messaging and tools work for different production and is vulnerable to adverse segments of the population, the Live impacts from pests and diseases. Heavy Our towns and cities are where most COMMITMENT AND ITS STATUS Lightly Programme has been designed reliance on technology and just-in-time New Zealanders source their everyday to use language and calls to action that supply chains means we are vulnerable to services, and it is where they live, work, AS A C40 INNOVATOR CITY, resonate with each target segment of disruption from a wide range of domestic and play. Given that our towns and AUCKLAND COUNCIL’S LOW Auckland’s population. One example is and international sources. The shifting cities are a critical support system for the FutureFit initiative, co-developed global geopolitical environment means individuals, families, and communities, CARBON LIVING TEAM HAS by Auckland Council and Wellington threats to our trading environment, the Strategy promotes a series of actions City Council. FutureFit is New Zealand’s security and economy are complex and to improve their resilience. DEVELOPED A SCIENCE-BASED first gamified carbon footprint tool, often unpredictable. PROGRAMME CALLED ‘LIVE which creates a fun, team challenge Building resilience at this level is about - - environment to drive collective action on To better prepare ourselves to understanding risk through assessment LIGHTLY – NOHO MAMA’. climate change. FutureFit guides users tackle these hazards and threats, the and mapping, reducing exposure and to make small, meaningful changes to government, in partnership with a wide vulnerability through risk-sensitive Based around six climate action themes their lifestyles that will reduce their daily range of stakeholders, has developed economic development and growth (Move, Shop, Eat, Energy, Grow and Talk) consumption-related carbon emissions. the framework for a National Disaster planning, risk-informed asset and financial Live Lightly quantifies consumption Resilience Strategy. The Strategy is management, and building capacity carbon emissions linked to over 90 This unique online tool is designed to made under the mandate of the Civil through community development, lifestyle actions. It provides guidance empower New Zealanders to act on Defence Emergency Management Act emergency preparedness activities, and on how Aucklanders can identify and climate change by quantifying the 2002, but has broad intent to strengthen planning for recovery. adopt the lifestyle actions that will yield carbon emissions associated with the resilience of New Zealand, so that the greatest material impact, in terms of their daily lifestyle actions; and the hazards, crises, and emergencies carbon reduction, and lead to improved challenging individuals to reduce we will inevitably face do not become health, wellbeing, and financial savings. their carbon footprint. disasters that threaten our wellbeing and prosperity. A crucial part of the programme has FutureFit enables individuals to view been to identify the barriers and triggers and understand their personal carbon The Strategy proposes a three-pronged to climate action. A key finding of footprint; it provides a benchmark for approach to improve our nation’s the programme is that 44 percent of users to track their individual footprint resilience to disasters. First it aims to Aucklanders feel overwhelmed when against that of the average New minimise the risks we face and limit the confronted with issues relating to Zealander and the rest of the world; significant impacts to be managed in climate change; that often people feel and it sets a FutureFit target for a crisis. Second, it seeks to build the that ‘it’s too late’, ‘too big a problem’, New Zealanders to work toward. capability and capacity to manage or ‘somebody else’s problem to deal More information can be found at: emergencies when they do happen. with’. The research also found that by www.livelightly.nz and www.futurefit.nz. Finally, it aims to enable, empower deconstructing the ‘climate change’ and support communities to act for issue to the household level, individuals Further information on Auckland themselves and others when faced with are better able to understand, relate Council’s broader climate work risk or disruption. to, and take action. Furthermore, when programme can be found here: the benefits of taking climate action bit.ly/2VLbfNu. Information on Auckland’s The Strategy takes a whole-of-society are articulated in terms of monetary C40 status and commitments is available approach, promoting a strong message savings, convenience and health benefits, here: bit.ly/2W0X8Zq. that ‘everyone has a role in a disaster individuals are far more receptive and resilient nation’. It describes a model of a prepared to participate. The most resilient nation, as a blend of bottom-up, powerful message that Live Lightly sends grassroots, community initiatives, and an is that every individual action taken, no enabling, empowering, and supportive matter how small, yields a significant policy environment at a local and central government level. Image credit: National Disaster Resilience Strategy civildefence.govt.nz 83 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG12 – SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION & PRODUCTION NEW ZEALAND CONTEXT environment. Genuine sustainable development outcomes are key to Doing more and better with less is in our DNA. ensuring the long-term success of the New Zealand’s ambition is to lead the tourism industry. It is part of our culture of ingenuity and world in environmental guardianship. Sustainable production and consumption resourcefulness. is a key element for this ambition. Our credentials as a significant net food CHALLENGES producer and major international tourism destination are both heavily dependent on New Zealand’s farming, forestry, and sustainable production and consumption. horticulture sectors are an intrinsic part of our economy, communities We aim to transform how we manage and identity, and they depend on the resources, significantly reducing waste resources provided by biological systems. and greenhouse gas emissions, and Particular challenges being tackled by laying the groundwork to accelerate the government, communities and industry transition to a circular economy. This include maintaining community-agreed will take a coordinated national effort of ecological limits for freshwater quality central government, local government, and mitigating agricultural greenhouse the business sector, and the public. gas emissions while maintaining our export-led economy, which is driven New Zealand’s legislative and regulatory by the efficient production of high settings, and the absence of production quality, nutritious food. Emissions from or trade-based subsidies, are intended agriculture also make up almost half of to promote and incentivise innovation our annual greenhouse gas emissions, and efficiency of production. Efficient although to put this into context, production means a more efficient use New Zealand’s total contribution to of resources, limiting post-harvest loss global emissions is less than 0.2 percent. and driving a greater appreciation for Contaminant losses attributed to the value of natural resources and the intensive farming practises and urban environment throughout the supply chain. storm water and wastewater outflows are An example is the success New Zealand too high in many monitored freshwater companies have had when, having faced catchments around New Zealand. large distances to market, they have developed innovative ways to keep food The amount of waste disposed to levied fresh, and of high quality, for longer. landfills per capita rose by 20 percent in Under the Resource Management Act the three years between 2014 and 2017, 1991 (RMA) New Zealand’s natural and and the upward trend is set to continue. physical resources are managed in a We appear to be among the highest sustainable framework. The RMA is generators of household waste per capita based on the principle of sustainable in the OECD. A work programme is in management, which involves considering place to upgrade the national database effects of activities on the environment for waste to get a more accurate picture now and in the future when decisions are of commercial and industrial waste made about the use of natural resources. streams and recycling rates.

The New Zealand tourism sector has New Zealand’s clean green image is a experienced exceptional growth in recent key attractor of international visitors and years. As New Zealand’s environment the foundation of our tourism sector. A and scenery are the primary attraction key challenge is to ensure that tourism for international visitors, it is imperative activity is carried out in harmony with our to preserve New Zealand’s unique sustainable development objectives.

85 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG 12 – SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

NZ PACKAGING DECLARATION Local and international business commit to using

INITIATIVES UNDERWAY Policy Statement (NPS) for Freshwater Management. This requires regional councils to set objectives and limits that New Zealand intends to transition to a reflect their communities’ desired state circular economy by transforming how for fresh water. Councils are at different we manage resources, reduce waste and stages in meeting NPS for Freshwater improve environmental outcomes. Management requirements. We are stepping up our waste The current freshwater quality reform 100% 100% 100% minimisation efforts using tools that have work programme is wide ranging. It not been used before. New Zealand is reusable recyclable compostable will consider options for: stopping and in a unique position as it can draw on reversing damage in at-risk catchments; Māori knowledge systems and values that packaging in their NZ operations by 2025 embedding good farm management influence the progress of its transition to Ōhanga Āmiomio (a circular economy). practice such as riparian planting and stock exclusion; better managing high risk activities such as winter grazing, The New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZX) We have been a leading advocate for In June 2018 the New Zealand Plastic has updated its Corporate Governance Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform (FFSR). Packaging Declaration was launched in hill country cropping, feedlots and intensification; protecting ecosystem Code to require more specific reporting The drivers for progressing this work which local and international businesses around non-financial performance, are compelling; fossil fuel subsidies commit to using 100 percent reusable, health, wetlands and estuaries; fair and efficient allocation of water take and including on environmental, social and encourage wasteful consumption and recyclable or compostable packaging in economic sustainability issues. This has production, disadvantage renewable their New Zealand operations by 2025. nutrient discharge, addressing Māori rights and interests and regulating contributed to the rise in the frequency energy, and depress investment in new attributes (sediment, copper, zinc, of business reporting in New Zealand, energy efficiency. With a similar purpose, New Zealand and over time will likely act as a catalyst dissolved oxygen). This work is likely became a signatory to the New Plastics for better business practice by raising the New Zealand’s advocacy has been to lead to changes to the NPS for Economy Global Commitment led by the bar on what is expected. In addition, New primarily through avenues such as the Freshwater Management, a new National Ellen MacArthur Foundation and UNEP in Zealand’s Sustainable Business Council Friends of FFSR, launching the FFSR Environmental Standard for freshwater, October 2018. The commitment targets (SBC) has 91 member organisations, Communique at the 2015 United Nations and possibly changes to the Resource eliminating problematic plastic, innovating which represent 29 percent of New Climate Change Conference and the FFSR Management Act 1991 (RMA). in packaging design and infrastructure Zealand’s private sector GDP. When Ministerial Statement at the World Trade and promoting the circulation of materials joining SBC, members sign up to reduce Organization’s (WTO) 11th Ministerial In the primary industries sector, a good within the system. We are developing a greenhouse gas emissions and introduce Conference in December 2017. We have farming practice Action Plan for Water Plastics Action Plan that builds on the aims annual reporting practices, which outline also been pushing for wider participation of the Global Commitment. New Zealand Quality was recently released. It commits their progress on environmental, social in the voluntary peer review process also banned the sale and manufacture of to supporting all farmers and growers to and economic issues. led through the Group of Twenty (G20) certain products containing microbeads in implement good practice principles that and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation June 2018, and after public consultation, will reduce their impact on New Zealand’s Our new Tourism Strategy is proposing (APEC). In 2015, New Zealand was single-use plastic shopping bags will be fresh water. The aim is that all farmers a more deliberate and active role for amongst the first APEC economies to banned from 1 July 2019. and growers develop and implement a government in tourism, to make sure that volunteer for a FFSR peer review to farm environment plan that identifies the growth is productive, sustainable and identify inefficient fossil fuel subsidies With respect to waste management, risk areas for downstream water quality inclusive. It sets out the government’s leading to wasteful consumption. specific tools that we are looking at in the on their property and sets out actions aim for tourism, to enrich New Zealand short to medium term are an expansion of needed to address those risks. This through sustainable tourism growth, We are continuing to promote FFSR, the waste disposal levy to more landfills Action Plan is expected to accelerate the working across central government raising the profile of reform as a trade and a large increase in the levy rates, more uptake of good framing practices across as well as with local communities to issue amongst WTO members and strategic investment in waste management, the country. The dairy industry has also achieve this. The tourism industry has challenging them to consider how and promoting product stewardship established a Water Accord, committing also launched the New Zealand Tourism establishment of effective subsidy schemes for more product groups. the industry to a set of national good Sustainability Commitment, which aims to disciplines could contribute to the key practice benchmarks aimed at lifting see every New Zealand tourism business climate change objective of phasing out Under the Resource Management Act, the environmental performance on New committed to sustainability by 2025, wasteful fossil fuel subsidies. key regulatory tool used for improving Zealand dairy farms. with a vision of leading the world in freshwater quality is the National sustainable tourism.

87 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 BEEF AND LAMB PRODUCTION MINIMISING AND MANAGING WASTE IN NZ’S LARGEST CITY

New Zealand sheep and beef farmers Industry bodies are taking steps to Across the city, standardised domestic have been producing more from less and address these ongoing challenges. MAKE waste and recycling services are reducing their environmental footprint Beef + Lamb New Zealand Ltd Design out waste being rolled out to create an efficient since the 1990s. Roughly the same amount is a farmer levy-funded industry Design for long life collection service, and help Aucklanders of lamb is produced today, but from half organisation representing New Product as a service KEEPING RESOURCES IN USE minimise their waste and reduce their the number of ewes. At the same time, the Zealand’s sheep and beef farmers. waste disposal costs. This has been sheep and beef sector’s contribution to Their 2018-2022 Environment Strategy in conjunction with new region-wide GDP has doubled from $2.5 billion to $5 and implementation plan lays out a services, such as onsite inorganic billion. The reduced animal numbers have progressive long-term vision for the USE collections and Community Recycling meant that the sector’s greenhouse gas sector based around four priority areas Centres, which have begun diverting LEASING emissions profile has significantly shrunk, – healthy productive soils, thriving useful materials away from landfills. HIRING and the amount of nitrogen per kilogram biodiversity, reducing carbon emissions SERVICING So far these efforts have reduced of saleable product has declined. and cleaner water. REPAIR household kerbside waste by 10 percent between 2010 and 2016. Given household As part of the plan, Beef + Lamb waste makes up a small fraction of total NEVERTHELESS, THE SECTOR New Zealand has identified two key goals REMAKE waste disposed to landfill (around 15 – every sheep and beef farm having a ADDING VALUE Re-use percent), Auckland is also focused on KNOWS THAT THERE IS MORE TO tailored and active environment plan by Remanufacturing diverting commercial waste streams from the end of 2021, and the sheep and beef Reprocessing landfill – such as waste from construction BE DONE, ESPECIALLY AROUND Recycling sector as a whole moving towards carbon and demolition. REDUCING SEDIMENT LOSS, neutrality by 2050. Through achieving these goals the sector will become even The benefits of having a zero waste city REDUCING PHOSPHORUS LOSS more environmentally sustainable. Reducing the environmental impact of include increased resource efficiency, cities by improving waste management innovation and productivity gains for TO WATER, AND REDUCING practices and decreasing the amount of businesses, changes in household GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS solid waste produced are a key part of purchasing, and reducing expenses as making cities more sustainable. Auckland, well as waste. FURTHER. New Zealand’s largest city, has been taking an active approach to ensure that For Auckland to be a zero waste city, it both better minimises and manages the the Plan outlines that it will need to waste that is produced in the city. ensure waste minimisation is integrated Since the 1990s, the sheep and beef sector has made major into design, manufacturing, retailing, productivity and eco-e ciency gains and is producing more from less. Auckland’s Waste Management and and consumer choices. Materials should Minimisation Plan 2018 has a vision for be used in ways that preserve value, Sheep numbers GHG emissions Lamb numbers the city to have zero waste by 2040. minimise environmental impacts and Importantly the zero waste strategy conserve natural resources, and products embraces Māori perspectives and should be designed and used according down -52% down -40% down -8% aligns with the tradition of kaitiakitanga to the waste hierarchy, staying as high to sustain and restore our collective on the hierarchy as possible. Some waste resources. Three goals sit under the plan: can be eliminated before it is even made, to minimise waste generation, maximise by being designed out of products and opportunities for resource recovery, and processes, and resources can be used Sector reduce harm from residual waste. and reused, through better systems down down contribution -28% -23% $5b for repurposing and remanufacturing Land under sheep and Beef cattle numbers to GDP has doubled materials into other goods. On-shore beef farming WASTE MINIMISATION EFFORTS processing capacity for recyclables Absolute GHG IN THE CITY HAVE ALREADY SEEN needs to be developed given the emissions GHG emissions impacts of recent global restrictions IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT in recycling markets.

down -30% down -40% down -21% OF WASTE BEING GENERATED. from sheep and beef farms per kilogram of saleble Nitrate leaching per product kilogram of saleable product

89 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG13 – CLIMATE ACTION

We want to enhance our leadership in climate NEW ZEALAND CONTEXT In order to accomplish our ambitious change by becoming carbon neutral by 2050 emission reduction goals, the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme New Zealand has an extensive climate – a challenge to be achieved by all New Zealanders, (ETS) and a set of supporting policies will policy agenda, that sees action on be used to drive emissions down. Reforms together. climate change embedded with our will also see the establishment of an broader economic strategy. We are independent Climate Change Committee committed to making decisions that show and the adoption of the Climate Change global leadership, enable a productive, Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act sustainable and climate resilient future, (Zero Carbon Amendment Bill), to ensure and support a just and inclusive society. that mitigating and adapting to climate New Zealand has ratified the Paris change remains at the forefront of Agreement and committed to reduce New Zealand’s policy. our emissions to 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. We have also announced an intention to become a net-zero carbon economy by 2050. CHALLENGES

New Zealand has one of the most - productive and competitive agricultural MAORI ENJOY A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP sectors in the world. Agriculture and other agriculture-related manufacturing WITH THE ENVIRONMENT AND EXERCISE are key economic sectors providing over KAITIAKITANGA, OR STEWARDSHIP, OVER THE 10 percent of GDP. NATURAL ENVIRONMENT. We are a small, trading nation whose economy is driven predominantly by pasture-based livestock agriculture and On 8 May 2019, the Government the efficient production of high quality, announced the introduction of the nutritious food including dairy, sheep Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) meat, beef, horticulture, and seafood. Amendment Bill into Parliament. The This means that almost 50 percent of Bill provides a framework for reducing our greenhouse gas emissions come emissions by 2050, and achieving a from the agricultural sector with our climate resilient future. It establishes an contribution to global emissions of less independent Climate Change Commission than 0.2 percent. One of the challenges to provide advice and hold the for agricultural nations, including government to account on both of these New Zealand, is how to continue to goals, which supports the pursuit produce food efficiently for a growing of Goal 13. global population, reduce emissions and, as the climate continues to change, how Additionally, New Zealand has one of the to enable rural communities to adapt. highest shares of renewable electricity in the world, with up to 85 percent from Transport is New Zealand’s second renewable sources such as hydroelectric, largest source of greenhouse gas geothermal or wind. By comparison, the emissions, contributing nearly 20 percent 2015 OECD average is 22.98 percent. of gross emissions; it is New Zealand’s New Zealand has an abundance of fastest growing source of emissions. unused sources of renewable electricity, Between 1990 and 2016, New Zealand’s particularly wind and geothermal, which gross emissions grew by 20 percent. will experience growth as the country Comparatively, transport emissions

Arthurs Pass, New Zealand New Arthurs Pass, moves towards its 2030 targets. grew by 71 percent. The primary source

91 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG 13 – CLIMATE ACTION

of transport emissions are from private Commission will have responsibility for As part of Budget 2018 we announced cooperation and investment in research vehicles, with high private vehicle use providing advice to the Government on our intention to establish a $100 million to mitigate greenhouse gases from and low public transport use. Uptake of both adaptation and mitigation, and for Green Investment Fund. The Fund will be food production, while maintaining electric vehicles has so far been slow. holding the Government to account as it formally established as a company, which food security and resilient production However, as we electrify our vehicle works towards its emissions targets and means it will operate independently systems. Today the GRA has 55 member fleet, there will be a further challenge resilience goals. from government and allow it to work countries from all regions of the world, in a market responsive way. We are also and maintains partnerships with key in meeting the increasing demand for of NZ’s electricity. The dynamism of the problems At the sub-national level local government considering mandatory climate-related international and regional organisations represented in the transport sector – and leaders have launched a Local Government financial disclosureelectricity requirements that involved in agricultural development, the cultural and technical shifts they pose Leaders’ Climate Change Declaration. The could encourage investment in low- research and agribusiness. - exemplify a challenge to urgent action Declaration commits members to support emissions ventures, as recommended by currently being undertaken to combat initiatives to reduce greenhouse gases the Productivity Commission. We want every New Zealander to have climate change and its impacts. undertaken by central government and to robust and trusted information on the make local commitments to respond to state of their environment. Environmental Māori enjoy a special relationship with the climate change. reporting, conducted by the Ministry environment and exercise kaitiakitanga, or of NZ’s for the Environment and Statistics NZ, stewardship, over the natural environment. An exciting future lies ahead for the electricity of NZ’s on atmosphere and climate enables As with many indigenous groups electricity industry. The Interim Climate electricity transparency of information to the globally, the effects of climate change Change Committee will oversee possible 85% public. The upcoming synthesis report, will exacerbate the difficulties already system changes in the electricity sector, comes from renewable sources WindEnvironmentGeothermal Aotearoa 2019, willHydro focus faced by vulnerable Māori communities. which will be especially pertinent where on environmental cross domain issues, The country has made significant gains there are changes across the transport providing robust, accurate information in in legislative reform that better facilitate sector to lower emissions. There is potential an accessible way. Māori interests in the environment more to enhance this by further harnessing our of NZ’s New Zealand uses a multi-year emissions widely, such as reform to Te Ture Whenua geothermal and wind power. electricity budget approach for setting and Māori Act 1991. Adequately safeguarding 85% measuring progress towards our targets. Māori cultural interests in land and The New Zealand Productivity Commission comes from renewable sources Wind Geothermal Hydro New Zealand will meet its future targets natural resources as we move into an era released a final report in September 2018 through a mix of reducing emissions defined by climate change presents a on the opportunities and challenges for domestically, planting forests to absorb challenge when allocating finite resources. New Zealand in becoming a low-emissions New Zealand has a strong relationship carbon dioxide and offsetting our Difficulties will include creating a system economy. The Commission identified a with the Pacific, and developing island emissions by buying emission reductions that is more reflective and representative range of policies and institutional settings to set New Zealand on a path to a low- nations; in supporting developing from overseas where appropriate. It is of Māori interests to help preserve and countries in their mitigation and these initiatives and reform which will aid mitigate the impacts felt by Māori. emissions economy. The government will be publishing its response in 2019. adaptation to climate change, in the transition towards a low-emissions New Zealand has contributed economy, and contribute to the pursuit As identified by the Productivity approximately $455 million in climate of Goal 13. INITIATIVES UNDERWAY Commission and international examples, change related funding during 2013 it is important that this transition to a to 2016. In addition, New Zealand New Zealand has made substantial low-emissions economy is managed in extended the ratification of the Paris progress in initiatives to combat climate a just and inclusive way, that does not Agreement to Tokelau. Tokelau’s low- change and its current and anticipated exacerbate the impacts felt by vulnerable lying atolls remain extremely vulnerable impacts. April 2018 saw the establishment communities. A just transition ensures to climate change, and serve as an of the Interim Committee on Climate environmental sustainability as well as important reminder of New Zealand’s Change, a group that is tasked with decent work and social inclusion while obligation to developing Pacific nations. working on the nuances of future reform. moving equitably towards environmental The Interim Climate Change Committee sustainability. This is also a requirement New Zealand led the establishment of is expected to transition into the Climate under the Paris Agreement. At present the Global Research Alliance on Change Commission in 2020, after the there is inter-agency collaboration Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA) Zero Carbon Amendment Bill is enacted. in creating pathways to ensure a just in 2009 to promote an increase in The independent Climate Change transition nationwide.

93 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 CLIMATE LEADERS COALITION RESERVE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY —RESERVE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND

We believe that New Zealand businesses official CarboNZero certification. Together, The Reserve Bank of New Zealand For this to occur, two conditions need to can play a significant role in tackling The Warehouse Group says it emits (RBNZ) is the central bank of be met. First, there has to be proactive climate change. The Climate Leaders approximately 40,000 tonnes of carbon New Zealand and the prudential and effective leadership to drive our Coalition (CLC) was launched in July a year. This will be reduced through supervisor of the domestic banking and collective understanding of climate risks 2018 to promote business leadership and an internal active emissions reduction insurance sectors. It has developed and and to establish robust strategies to collective action on the issue of climate programme throughout The Warehouse published a climate change strategy respond to those risks. Second, there has change. Nearly 80 New Zealand chief Group’s operations and supply chain, (available at: www.rbnz.govt.nz/financial- to be effective and timely dissemination executives have so far signed the joint with more than 25 energy and emissions stability/climate-change/strategy). of those assessments and strategies. statement, which commits each of their saving projects. One of the primary objectives of this Appropriate information will be vital organisations to take voluntary action on strategy is to integrate climate risks in enabling entities and individuals to climate change. The Warehouse Group’s carbon emissions directly within the various functions of price and manage risks, facilitating will be offset with carbon credits and the RBNZ, including monetary policy the broader transition to a low-carbon This includes measuring and publicly through the planting of 2.7 million trees. settings, financial stability analysis, economy, and ultimately contributing to reporting their greenhouse gas emissions, The Group will also switch to LED lighting prudential supervisory requirements both the soundness and efficiency of the setting a public emissions reduction to reduce electricity use in stores, and and market operations. financial system. target, and working with suppliers to ambitious waste recycling targets have reduce their emissions. been set by The Group. Additionally, 30 The RBNZ is also seeking to mitigate RBNZ is working domestically and percent of the company’s vehicle fleet will directly its own impact on the internationally to help meet these The Coalition also represents a unique be electric by 2019. environment by calculating and reporting conditions. At the domestic level, it is opportunity for business to work together on its own carbon footprint and steps engaging with other public and private and learn from each other to reduce their The CLC is a positive example of to reduce it. This will include focus on groups to drive national strategies emissions. Organisations from all sectors private sector leadership in meeting its energy use, waste management and planning. This includes efforts of the economy are represented in the the challenges presented by a and staff travel, as well as longer-term to develop and disseminate detailed Coalition and together the signatories changing climate. consideration around how it sources and hazard models to drive risk informed make up more than half of New Zealand’s distributes currency. It is intended that investment that contribute to enhanced gross emissions. this disclosure will act as a model for resilience to climate change nationally other entities in New Zealand. and help identify the needs of vulnerable THE COALITION HAS EXPLICITLY communities. SUPPORTED THE PARIS WITHIN THE STRATEGY, RBNZ On an international level, RBNZ is an EXPLICITLY RECOGNISES active member of the Central Banks AGREEMENT AS WELL AS and Supervisors Network for Greening THAT NO SINGLE INSTITUTION the Financial System (NGFS) and the NEW ZEALAND’S COMMITMENT Sustainable Insurance Forum. In joining WORKING ALONE CAN ACHIEVE the NGFS, it explicitly identified a desire TO IT. to act as a global voice for the broader MEANINGFUL PROGRESS ON A Pacific region, which sits on the frontline It also supports the introduction of in terms of the physical effects of a Climate Change Commission and GLOBAL CHALLENGE SUCH AS climate change. carbon budgets enshrined in law. The Coalition’s goal is to help New Zealand CLIMATE CHANGE, AND THAT transition to a low-emissions economy APPROPRIATE ACTION ON A and, in doing so, create a positive future for New Zealanders, business and NATIONAL OR GLOBAL LEVEL the economy. CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED IF As one example, The Warehouse Group, a member of the CLC, recently announced INDIVIDUALS AND ENTITIES ARE that it is only the third major retailer ABLE TO TAKE ACTION ON A worldwide to go carbon neutral – earning MICRO LEVEL.

95 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG14 – LIFE BELOW WATER

We want to protect our unique marine ecosystems NEW ZEALAND CONTEXT A wide range of practical activities and ensure a healthy ocean that delivers social, that respond to Goal 14 are under way, for example activities related to ocean As an island nation with close affinity environmental and economic benefits for future acidification and marine pollution from to the ocean, New Zealand is a strong land-based sources. Such activities are generations. supporter of Goal 14. We played a supported by our significant investment significant role in the development of its in marine science and technology. targets and we invest in national, regional Supporting the Small Island Developing and global action to progress towards States of the Pacific region to realise the achieving them. benefits from their blue economies is a priority for our Official Development There is strong domestic alignment Assistance (ODA). We are also focused between government policy and most on tackling illegal, unreported and of Goal 14’s targets, for example on unregulated fishing particularly in the sustainable fishing, fisheries subsidies, Pacific and Southern Oceans. general implementation of international law of the sea, and fishers’ access to marine Working with international partners, resources and markets. New Zealand’s New Zealand will continue to support marine and coastal ecosystems are global action to enhance the conservation managed and protected through a range and sustainable use of the ocean and of legislative instruments and policies marine resources, with a strong focus implemented by multiple agencies. on sustainable fishing, tackling ocean acidification and marine plastic pollution and the elimination of harmful fisheries subsidies. Supporting Pacific island countries to sustainably manage their natural resources and protect the WE HAVE FUNDED A FOUR-YEAR RESEARCH environment will remain an enduring priority. PROJECT THAT WILL PROVIDE NEW KNOWLEDGE ON OCEAN ACIDIFICATION. CHALLENGES

At this point in time New Zealand cannot Ensuring that our fisheries remain confidently report on progress toward all sustainable and profitable remains a aspects of Goal 14, notably on restoring priority. Our Fisheries Change Programme and strengthening the resilience of will ensure that we have increasingly marine and coastal ecosystems. Cross- accurate and timely information about jurisdictional management precludes commercial fishing activity to inform easy assessment of the proportion of fisheries management decisions and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) the right policy settings to protect that is managed using ecosystem- and grow the economic, social, and based approaches. However, ecosystem cultural benefits of fisheries to all considerations are evident in New Zealanders. New Zealand also New Zealand legislative and regulatory periodically reviews its various frameworks, including for fisheries programmes to address the impact management, resource management and of fishing on the marine environment, for activities in the EEZ. including Threat Management Plans for Hector’s and Maui dolphin and Data paucity and the scale of polluting New Zealand sea lion, and National activities (for example farming and Plans of Action for seabirds and sharks. forestry) also make it difficult to assess

97 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG 14 – LIFE BELOW WATER

potential progress on preventing and are managed at or above target reference process. Sea Change – Tai Timu Tai Pari reducing marine pollution by 2025. points. Our Fisheries Change Programme is New Zealand’s first marine spatial plan. However, we are committed to progress in is working to ensure the continued It has 181 proposals developed through a this area, including through investments sustainable economic, social, and cultural stakeholder-led process, covering a wide in addressing pollution from land-based value of New Zealand’s fisheries. range of issues: marine protection, habitat activities to improve water quality restoration, biodiversity, commercial (including in rivers, lakes and coastal New Zealand does not subsidise its fishing, environmental and cultural issues. marine areas) and through reform of the fisheries sector and we are an active waste management system proponent for an agreement in World Our ODA provides ongoing support to Trade Organization (WTO) to discipline Small Island Developing States (with a harmful fisheries subsidies, including focus on the Pacific) through a range INITIATIVES UNDERWAY those that support illegal fishing, of development assistance activities subsidies to fishing of overfished and technical expertise, including for stock, and subsidies that contribute to fisheries management, aquaculture New Zealand is making significant efforts overcapacity and overfishing. We are and tourism. There is a special focus on to reduce marine pollution from land- committed to achieving an agreement support to help increase the economic based sources for example through that can be adopted by WTO members benefits to the Pacific from sustainable banning single-use plastic bags and by 2020. fishing, including by supporting regional the sale of products containing plastic institutions that provide fisheries microbeads. We have also adopted a management, development and circular economy programme of work compliance advice and services to aimed at improving product stewardship, the Pacific. identifying changes in supply chains that WORKING WITH INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS, can reduce waste, and decreasing the amount of waste going to landfills. NEW ZEALAND WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT

We are undertaking a number of steps to GLOBAL ACTION TO ENHANCE THE tackle ocean acidification. New Zealand CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF has an expanded set of measuring sites, and ocean acidification is a national THE OCEAN AND MARINE RESOURCES. 97% indicator in our environmental reporting of all commercially Wind series on the marine domain. We have harvested catch comes from funded a four-year research project that fisheries that are managed will provide new knowledge on ocean New Zealand currently has 44 no- acidification to enhance protection and take marine reserves and another 1.26 at or above sustainable management of coastal ecosystems. million km2 under a variety of protection limits Policy developments also take into measures. Further work is required to account the risks and opportunities for achieve a network of marine protected the seafood industry, with researchers areas and reserves that are representative having developed risk assessments for key of all our ecosystems. Activities are Finally, in terms of research, we spend fisheries and drafted a compendium of underway to provide background, approximately $1.6 billion per year on changes observed in New Zealand waters. analysis, and recommendations for science and innovation investments Our ODA supports work in the Pacific expanding marine protection in New and a significant amount of this budget to build resilience to ocean acidification Zealand. Work will continue on improving has recently been dedicated to marine through practical adaptation actions and national coordination, the integration of science and technology. For example, capacity building. Internationally New protected areas into broader ecosystem under a multi-year programme (the Zealand champions action on ocean management, and improving information Marine Environment Platform) we are acidification as part of its support for the on the social, cultural, economic and investing more than $100 million into Commonwealth Blue Charter. ecological values associated with the research which aims to deliver benefits marine environment. such as increased economic returns In terms of fisheries management, from marine resources while maintaining New Zealand has had a rights-based Two significant regional marine protected marine ecosystem integrity and system in place for over 30 years. area planning processes are underway – biodiversity. Currently, 97 percent of all commercially the South East Marine Protection process harvested catch comes from stocks that and Sea Change – Tai Timu Tai Pari

99 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 COMMONWEALTH OCEAN ACIDIFICATION ACTION GROUP GLOBAL LITTER DATABASE AND SOLUTIONS PLATFORM

As a result of absorbing around 525 practice in ocean acidification monitoring, billion tons of carbon dioxide from the mitigation, adaptation and resilience. atmosphere since the beginning of the Through the workshop, participants industrial era, the ocean has increased identified practical activities that its acidity by 30 percent. Ocean the Action Group could collectively acidification has adverse effects on the advance to drive progress in various health of shelled marine organisms, coral areas, including engaging political and possibly even fish. It will impact leadership at national levels to elevate economies that depend on fisheries and ocean acidification into national policy. marine tourism, coastal communities that As champion for the Action Group, rely on coral reefs for protection, and on New Zealand will lead Commonwealth marine biodiversity and conservation more cooperation to develop a strategy to broadly. Goal 14 seeks to minimise and implement these activities address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels.

In April 2018 leaders of the 53 Commonwealth countries adopted the Commonwealth Blue Charter, committing to actively cooperate to solve ocean challenges. As part of our support, New Zealand is championing an Action Group on ocean acidification, which seeks to improve the Commonwealth membership’s capability to effectively The growing problem of waste plastics with the Ministry for the Environment, address its impacts. and other waste materials poses Department of Conservation, and a significant threat to our marine Statistics New Zealand. By working environment and the biodiversity that together in the project design phase NEW ZEALAND HOSTED THE it supports. This is a global challenge with New Zealand’s official statistics affecting all coastal states. As part of agency, it has been able to accept the FIRST COMMONWEALTH OCEAN our efforts to address this problem it is data at its highest standard for quality important to be able to measure it and assurance and interoperability. The data ACIDIFICATION ACTION GROUP track our progress. collected by citizen scientists can now WORKSHOP IN FEBRUARY 2019. be utilised for reporting on litter in any Sustainable Coastlines, a New Zealand government body nationwide, as well as A large number of participants, including based NGO, has developed a programme for international reporting including on leading international science and to train 'citizen scientists’ across the the SDGs. NGO experts and officials from many country to collect litter data from their Commonwealth countries, came together local beaches in order to generate a In early 2019 Sustainable Coastlines to share knowledge, experience and best database and solutions platform. It is submitted its initial data set; 29 detailed delivering a large-scale project collecting litter surveys and meta data collected open, scientific and long-term data on by trained citizen scientists from litter in coastal waters, which will support 21 official beach monitoring sites around the scaling up of solutions. the country between October 2018 and March 2019. This data will be included The data collection methodology uses in the Ministry for the Environment/ a localised adaptation of internationally Statistics New Zealand Marine 2019 recognised marine litter survey guidelines Report, making it the first time that developed by the UN Environment marine litter datasets and citizen science Programme and Intergovernmental data have been included in official Oceanographic Commission. It was New Zealand government reporting. co-developed in partnership with government agencies, and Sustainable Coastlines is collaborating on the project

101 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG15 – LIFE ON LAND

With New Zealand’s many unique species and NEW ZEALAND CONTEXT level is set out in the New Zealand ecosystems, guardianship or kaitiaki is in our nature Biodiversity Strategy 2000-2020. Key aspects of this vision are to ensure Conservation and sustainable use of and at the heart of what it means to be a Kiwi. that New Zealanders value and better New Zealand’s unique habitats, ecosystems understand biodiversity, and work and biodiversity is at the heart of our together to protect, sustain and restore it, culture. For many New Zealanders, the allowing everyone to enjoy and share in its natural environment is part of our identity. benefits as the foundation of a sustainable economy and society. We want the full Our rich indigenous biodiversity is unique, range of New Zealand’s indigenous with a high number of endemic species: ecosystems and species to thrive from the 100 percent of New Zealand’s reptiles, mountains to the ocean depths, with Māori 70 percent of our birds and 80 percent iwi and hapū as kaitiaki as active partners of our vascular plants are found nowhere in managing biodiversity. else on Earth. Our biodiversity shapes and sustains our society and is a major attraction for international tourists. CHALLENGES

Pressures from human activity have WE WANT THE FULL RANGE OF NEW caused a rapid decline of our native ecosystems and species, and this decline ZEALAND’S INDIGENOUS ECOSYSTEMS AND continues. Environmental reporting shows that there has been a significant shift in SPECIES TO THRIVE. land use in the past two decades and indigenous biodiversity and ecosystems New Zealand’s forests are part of our continue to be under threat. There identity; they are a defining feature of our are now over 4,000 species at risk of landscapes, house our endemic taonga extinction and many natural ecosystems (treasured) species and provide socio- are in decline. The most significant economic value to our people and regional pressures come from changing land use economies. New Zealand is committed and the impacts of invasive species, to the achievement of sustainable particularly mammalian predators and management of forests. Sustainable herbivores and exotic weeds. Redressing forest management is about maximising the damage and re-building ecosystems the environmental, social, economic and to support our native species remains a cultural benefits from forests and forestry. significant challenge.

New Zealand has multiple frameworks Around 37 percent of New Zealand’s land designed to protect the land and area is covered in forests. The majority ecosystem services, which are framed by of this forest is made up of indigenous our New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy and species in protected areas, which are a range of tools and legislation such as actively managed by our Department including National Environmental Standards of Conservation. The remaining for Plantation Forestry to manage the approximately 2 million hectares of forest environmental effects of forestry, and is exotic, privately owned production a National Environmental Standard for forest, which are the source of over Assessing and Managing Contaminants in 99 percent of harvested volumes. Soil to Protect Human Health. The clear separation of production and conservation forests allows for New Zealand’s current vision for New Zealand’s native tree species and

Photo credit: Sabine Bernert credit: Photo biodiversity management at a national the native biodiversity within to be

103 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG 15 – LIFE ON LAND

protected, while the forestry sector can We are also developing a National Policy social challenges. It will also support freshwater and marine ecosystems aimed utilize fast-growing exotic species which Statement on Indigenous Biodiversity, New Zealand’s climate change objectives at ecological restoration and threatened support our export-based economy and which will set out objectives and policies as a sustainable and effective contribution species recovery. provide broader socio-economic and to improve how regional councils and towards our transition to a zero carbon environmental benefits to regions and territorial authorities manage and protect economy. New planting will include both Finally, New Zealand seeks to move broader ecosystems. A challenge that indigenous biodiversity on both public and exotics and natives species, in a mix of to a stage where there is widespread, New Zealand faces is to maintain this private land. permanent and harvestable forestry, on informed and effective community balance in outcomes from our forests. private, public and Māori-owned land. action to achieve biodiversity outcomes. Our Predator Free 2050 initiative is The Predator Free 2050 programme One of the other challenges we face is the world’s most ambitious predator In 2018, we also provided our Department brings together communities and wider the large number of statutes governing management programme. Its goal is to rid of Conservation with an additional $182 organisations to eradicate New Zealand’s terrestrial conservation management, New Zealand of introduced predators, the million in operational funding over four most damaging introduced predators, years – the largest budget increase and initiatives such as the Department of many of which are dated. This creates a most significant of which are rats, stoats since 2002. This includes $76 million Conservation Community Fund supports complex system which hinders our ability and possums, by 2050. Other major for biodiversity initiatives across land, community-led conservation efforts. to implement the objectives of Goal 15. initiatives are focused on weeds, aiming to rid New Zealand of wilding conifers and 12 other problem weeds. INITIATIVES UNDERWAY A broad range of initiatives are being New Zealand is developing a new undertaken by local government and We’re responsible for: Biodiversity Strategy to address the communities. For example, Wellington City Council’s biodiversity strategy Our Natural OVER Kermadec Islands challenges of biodiversity loss. Our current Not to scale National Biodiversity Strategy, adopted in Capital is designed to reduce predators 2000, expires in 2020. The new Strategy and protect threatened species through → 8 million will address emerging pressures such as mobilising community action. Since HECTARES OF PUBLIC climate change and look at new ways 2015 the city has experienced a material CONSERVATION LAND of valuing our biodiversity in its role increase in native bird life including a More than one-third of New Zealand’s land area underpinning ecosystems, natural capital 600 percent increase in the native kākāriki and wellbeing. A new strategy is also an parrot population and an average of opportunity to align related initiatives that 45,000 native trees planted annually. 13 are existing or in development. NATIONAL PARKS New Zealand has recently launched a The New Zealand Biodiversity Action Plan National Environmental Standards for 2016-2020 provides an update to the Plantation Forestry under our Resource 36 Biodiversity Strategy and includes five Management Act. These Standards allow CONSERVATION PARKS local councils to better maintain or improve updated goals to achieve the Strategy’s Chatham Islands vision. Each goal includes national targets the environmental outcomes associated to ensure progress, which are linked with plantation forestry activities nationally, 100s to the global strategic goals set by the and to increase certainty and efficiency OF RESERVES AND ISLANDS Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). in the management of plantation forestry activities. Our sixth National Report to the CBD in 2018 shows that New Zealand has made We have set a goal to plant one billion good progress on actions taken to raise trees over 10 years, called the One awareness of biodiversity, integrate Billion Trees Programme. The tree biodiversity into planning processes and planting programme will benefit regional increase covenant protection on private economies, the environment and the land. However, it also makes it clear that people. It will support the commercial much more work needs to be done in the forestry sector, and create more jobs and face of significant pressures including training opportunities in regions where changing land use and invasive species. unemployment is high and there are Subantarctic Islands Not to scale 105 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 ONE BILLION TREES PROGRAMME PREDATOR FREE 2050

Trees offer a wide range of benefits to environment and support New Zealand’s landowners, communities, catchments, regions transition to a low-emissions economy. and New Zealand. Benefits include helping to improve land productivity and water quality, There is a focus on lowering the planting tackle erosion and reduce the effects of barriers currently faced by landowners and climate change. Trees enhance our natural improving incentives to support the right landscape and provide important habitats for trees, in the right place, for the right purpose a range of native species, as well as support and create wider social, environmental and wellbeing and jobs by providing income from economic benefits across New Zealand. timber, honey and carbon credits. The government is looking to partner with New Zealanders to achieve this goal through The government has developed the One research, innovation and sector development Billion Trees Programme to increase current initiatives. rates of tree planting to reach at least one billion trees over the next decade. The The programme will harness and build on the Programme will deliver improved social, environmental and economic outcomes for afforestation and land management work New Zealand. already underway with landowners, Māori, regional councils, researchers, community The programme is funded by the Provincial organisations and local communities. Growth Fund (PGF) which aims to realise the remarkable potential of the regions of - - - - Aotearoa New Zealand. The programme is WHAKAPUPUTIA MAI O MANUKA, led by Te Uru Rākau – Forestry New Zealand Photo credit: David Mudge, Nga Manu Images© within the Ministry for Primary Industries KIA KORE AI E WHATI. (MPI) and supports landowners to grow both CLUSTER THE BRANCHES OF THE New Zealand’s wonderful birds, reptiles, Achievement of a predator free native and exotic trees to create employment - insects and bats have evolved in isolation over New Zealand relies on ‘collective impact’ – and workforce development, optimise MANUKA, SO THEY WILL NOT millions of years to develop characteristics concerted effort by various parties towards land use, mitigate climate change, support unique to these islands. Most of these a collectively owned goal. The parties Māori values and aspirations, protect the BREAK. precious, beautiful – sometimes quirky – collectively develop a co-operative plan to species are found nowhere else in the world solve it. but their existence is under serious threat. STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAMME In 2018 the New Zealand government Over the last few hundred years, introduced approved $81 million over four years to Increased tree planting will occur through a variety of mechanisms. predators especially rats, stoats and suppress predators in priority ecosystems, possums, have decimated the populations protect and increase biodiversity on off- of New Zealand’s indigenous wildlife. shore islands and develop more effective and Many native species are now extinct and efficient predator control methods. 82 percent of remaining species are in serious trouble because every year millions Predator Free 2050 Ltd, established by the of eggs, chicks and adults are killed and government as one of the parties to deliver One Billion Trees Matariki Tu Rākau Crown Forestry eaten by these ground-based predators. on the Goal, has invested in large-scale predator free projects in Waiheke, Taranaki, Fund Planting living memorials to Entering into joint ventures or Hawkes Bay, Wellington and Dunedin. honour our New Zealand Defence leases with landowners (such Alongside these projects are over 1,200 1. Direct landowner grants IN RESPONSE TO THESE THREATS, Force members, past and as farmers) to plant commercial — providing incentives and community projects assisting with predator present. forestry. THE NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT reducing the barriers to control. In its first few years of operation, planting. the area of mainland New Zealand where HAS ADOPTED THE VISION OF predators are suppressed through predator 2. Partnership projects ACHIEVING A PREDATOR FREE control projects has increased to over one — supporting increased million hectares. Alongside the operational planting by considering NEW ZEALAND BY 2050. components, the programme is conducting the role of innovation and research to extend and develop tools and workforce initiatives; Predator Free 2050 is a step change methodologies to deliver a predator free — looking at options to scale programme, driving co-ordinated, New Zealand. up some native regeneration progressive, eradication nationwide. projects. 107 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019

NEW ZEALAND CONTEXT experienced longstanding disparities. Our LGBTIQ+ community, new migrants to New Zealand, and the many New Zealand has a strong and New Zealanders with disabilities also independent system of justice. We SDG16 – PEACE, JUSTICE face discrimination and challenges that perform well on transparency and many others do not. We also have work accountability, as well as the promotion to do to ensure there is active partnership of the rule of law and equal access to between the government and Māori, justice. Transparency International has consistent with the Treaty of Waitangi. AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS ranked New Zealand as one of the least

corrupt and most trustworthy countries New Zealand has amongst the highest We know that people, places and economies thrive in the world. We are well aligned on reported rates of family and sexual participatory and representative decision- violence in the developed world, which when a country is free from violence and when trust making, legal identity and ensuring public remains a major human rights challenge. and transparency are high. access to information, and have policies Around 12 percent of New Zealanders – and practical actions in these areas. over half a million people – are directly We are committed to significantly affected by family violence each year. reducing the flow of illicit finances and Violence disproportionately affects some arms, and have specific policy, legislation parts of New Zealand society. Women and practical actions in place. are seven to ten times more likely to be seriously injured by partner violence than men, and women also experience more repeat incidents of interpersonal violence by family members. Māori are FRONTLINE SOCIAL SERVICES WORKING disproportionately represented as people WITH FAMILIES IMPACTED BY FAMILY who are harmed and who cause harm. VIOLENCE HAVE BENEFITED SIGNIFICANTLY In addition, Māori are and have been severely overrepresented in New Zealand’s FROM INCREASED FUNDING. prison population for several decades. Māori make up only 15 percent of our population, but approximately half of New Zealand’s prison population. Māori are The Treaty of Waitangi is central to also 38 percent of the people proceeded New Zealand’s constitutional arrangements against by the Police and 42 percent of the and the government’s obligation of active people convicted. Other challenges facing partnership with Māori. This is vital to our justice system include high rates of ensure that our society is inclusive and our imprisonment and reoffending. institutions are legitimate and accountable.

We aim to make New Zealand the best INITIATIVES UNDERWAY place in the world to live and raise a family, which cannot be achieved without New Zealand is focused on the wellbeing transformational change to our justice of children and whānau and is dedicated system. We are determined to ensure to a long term and systemic approach to that New Zealanders can live free from end family violence and sexual violence. violence and abuse and are committed to We acknowledge that responses to working with Māori and communities to family and sexual violence have been reduce offending and introduce safe and inadequate, and we are committed effective justice for all. to making improvements for victims, perpetrators and their families.

CHALLENGES We are creating a joint-venture tasked with building a cohesive, whole-of- We face several challenges in order to government response to family violence fulfil the vision encapsulated in Goal 16. and sexual violence. We are also aiming We know that some New Zealanders for significant improvements through the face more barriers accessing justice implementation of new laws and policies, and participating in democracy than a national strategy for the prevention of

Photo credit: New Zealand Police Zealand New credit: Photo others. Māori and Pacific peoples have family and sexual violence, an investment

109 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG 16 – PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS

strategy for family violence and sexual system. Our goal is to reduce the prison and prosecute people traffickers. Recent Act. We know some New Zealanders are violence services, better cross-government population by 30 percent in the next 15 legislative changes have strengthened our less likely to seek help when they have coordination and improved data. years and address the disproportionate ability to prosecute those responsible for a problem that would benefit from legal representation of Māori. Achieving this exploiting people through forced labour, services. In 2018, we reviewed the legal Since 2015, the National Collective of ambitious target will require widespread slavery and like practices, and servitude, aid system to assess whether the current Independent Women’s Refuges has public buy-in for a new purpose for with New Zealand’s first conviction for settings were appropriate. The review delivered Whānau Protect, New Zealand’s the criminal justice system. We are people trafficking occurring in 2016. included examining the income thresholds nationwide home safety service. undertaking an extensive national public Internationally, New Zealand is an active Windfor eligibility and the need to repay legal Whānau Protect supports victims of conversation about the justice system, participant in the Bali Process on People aid. The review specifically looked at the family violence who experience repeat including local and national engagement Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and impacts on different population groups, victimisation, are at high risk of serious events, and significant opportunities Related Transnational Crime. including women. The government is assault or death, and are leaving an for Māori and victims to share their considering what changes to implement abusive relationship. Practical safety perspectives. The goal of this engagement based on the outcome of this review. improvements are made to houses, is to establish a sustainable public leading to a greater sense of security. mandate for significant change. Aim to reduce the New Zealand is dedicated to putting prison population by in place practical measures to protect E Tū Whānau is a long-standing national In 2018, a new agency, The Office for businesses and make it harder for whānau violence prevention programme. Māori Crown Relations – Te Arawhiti was criminals to fund and profit from illegal It is a Māori response, supported by established. Part of the role of this agency activity. Legislation was passed in 2009 government, to unacceptably high levels is to increase government capability in to assist in detecting and deterring of violence within whānau. It utilises a engaging and partnering with Māori, money laundering, contributing to public strengths-based approach to increase with the intention of improving shared 30% confidence in the financial system and protective factors (such as cultural outcomes such as over-representation in over the next 15 years upholding our reputation as a good place identity, social capital, family stability and the justice system. to do business. This law was amended in community cohesion) and decrease risk 2017 to extend its reach to cover more factors for family violence. We are working on ways to deliver We know that democracies thrive when businesses, who are required to conduct a safe and effective justice system people trust and participate in their extensive due diligence on customers Frontline social services working with including greater use of alternatives government. To promote greater public and report suspicious activities to the families impacted by family violence have to imprisonment and therapeutic and access to information, transparency and Commissioner of Police. benefited significantly from increased restorative justice processes to reduce open government, we have committed to funding, as have sexual abuse and imprisonment. A specific kaupapa Māori proactively releasing all Cabinet papers New Zealand is committed to treatment services to better support rehabilitation and reintegration pathway and minutes, which record the decisions contributing to peace and promoting victims, deliver medical treatment, for wāhine Māori has been established for of New Zealand’s senior ministers and cooperation, transparency and forensic services and referrals. all women’s prisons. We are also investing key policy directions. From 2019, all responsibility in the international arms in improving social outcomes, for example Cabinet material must be released and trade. We are a leading supporter of The Family Violence Act 2018, which addressing socioeconomic disadvantages published online within 30 days of the the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), which we takes effect from July 2019, introduces experienced by children, which will have decision being made, unless there are ratified in 2014. We have undertaken new offences, supports new ways for long-term benefits for Māori children. good reasons not to. This recognises initiatives to support universalisation collecting evidence, enables judges to that achieving public accountability and and implementation of the ATT, refer people to broader services and New Zealand is committed to combating transparency requires constant effort including the production of model makes changes to civil orders to improve people trafficking in all its forms and and not only making information publicly implementing legislation and a model safety. The Act also criminalises coerced at all levels. Victims of trafficking are available, but also easily accessible. ‘export control list’ for Pacific Island marriage or civil union. New resources treated as people in need of protection Proactive release of information will countries. In 2018, New Zealand hosted will help victims of sexual violence and provided with a range of support work to promote good government and the Pacific Conference on Conventional understand the justice process. services through a whole-of-government transparency, and will foster public trust Weapons Treaties to promote uptake approach. Our response to people and confidence in our institutions. and implementation of the ATT in the Beyond the issue of family and sexual trafficking is outlined in a Plan of Action Pacific region. We also enacted legislation violence, we have commenced a to Prevent People Trafficking, which aims Improving access to justice is one of the in 2018 to support our commitments comprehensive and ambitious programme to prevent people trafficking, protect key challenges facing our justice system. under the ATT and introduce more of reforming the criminal justice the human rights of trafficking victims Access to justice is fundamental to the rule comprehensive controls around global of law and protected by our Bill of Rights weapons brokering.

111 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 TE ARAWHITI INTEGRATED SAFETY RESPONSE TO FAMILY VIOLENCE

In late 2017, the government established a under the Treaty, and foster a strong New Zealand has unacceptably high The ISR process is initiated in two ways: new ministerial portfolio, the Minister for Māori Crown relationship. Therefore, a key levels of family violence. Due to the by the Police referring a Family Harm Māori Crown Relations – Te Arawhiti. This focus of the office is assisting agencies to high number of incidents, there is a real episode to ISR following an emergency portfolio will grow and support the unique build capability across a number of areas: risk that families will slip through the callout, or by the Department of relationship between Māori and the Crown Māori language, tikanga Māori and Māori cracks and not receive all of the support Corrections identifying and referring a that arises out of the Treaty of Waitangi. worldviews; New Zealand history and available to them through the multiple high-risk prison release. Shortly after the establishment of the the Treaty of Waitangi; understanding agencies that deal with the consequences portfolio, the Minister undertook 33 hui to institutional racism; how to engage of family violence. Those affected by A multi-agency group made up of a team seek input from around the country on the effectively with Māori on policy and family violence are required to navigate from Oranga Tamariki, the Police, the portfolio’s areas of focus. other proposals, and making the most of a complex system made up of many Department of Corrections, Ministry of opportunities to partner with Māori. agencies in order to receive support Health, specialist NGOs and Māori service One suggestion from those hui was for These work areas reflect the Crown’s such as child counselling, alcohol or providers hold a Safety Assessment a standalone agency to support the intention to build a forward-looking drug interventions, or employment and Meeting, triage and risk assess all family Minister’s work. A new Office for Māori relationship with Māori and shift away budgeting support. violence episodes and allocate responses Crown Relations – Te Arawhiti was from the grievance-focused approach to agencies. Agencies work with the established and became operational on of the historical Treaty of Waitangi To combat this, in 2016 the government family to provide help and support 1 January 2019. The office incorporated settlement process. committed funding to pilot a new so that they can stay safe. Features some existing functions, such as Integrated Safety Response (ISR) model include specialist services for victims completing historical Treaty of Waitangi A strong relationship will help ensure that for an enhanced response to family and perpetrators (including independent settlement negotiations, as well as new responsive, inclusive, participatory and violence episodes and high-risk prison victim specialists and perpetrator areas of work. representative decision-making occurs releases. ISR aims to ensure victims, outreach for high risk cases), daily risk at all levels. It will also mean that in areas perpetrators, families and whānau receive assessment, family safety plans, and an The new work areas of the office largely where Māori interests are significant, appropriate and tailored responses electronic case management system. reflect the other key themes heard the Crown and Māori will partner to according to risk levels. through the hui, in particular that the determine the issue and develop solutions As at February 2019, ISR had 75,500 Crown has to build its capability for together. Māori and the Crown can then individuals and 31,381 family safety plans engaging and partnering with Māori to work to maximise future opportunities EIGHTY PERCENT OF FUNDING IS in its case management Family Safety better enable it to fulfil its responsibilities for wider New Zealand through true SPENT ON SERVICE PROVISION System. To date, $26 million has been partnerships. - allocated to continue funding the pilot, FOR FAMILIES AND WHANAU. and over half this funding went to Māori providers, who supply key support ULTIMATELY THE CROWN’S GOAL The pilot currently operates in two major services to families to address violence IS TO CREATE A THRIVING, districts. ISR is a multi-agency project among their whānau. hosted by New Zealand Police to ensure SUSTAINABLE AND FUTURE the immediate safety of victims and children and to work with perpetrators FOCUSED ECONOMY AND to prevent further violence. It aims to put families and whānau at the centre ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL by listening to the victim’s voice and NEW ZEALANDERS. creating Family Safety Plans based on individual risks and needs. Information is The Crown recognises that it must honour shared efficiently with relevant agencies its Treaty of Waitangi obligations and, to facilitate improved outcomes for in partnership with Māori, increase the families while respecting their privacy wellbeing, community connection, health and dignity. ISR aims to coordinate all and educational outcomes of Māori people relevant agencies to enable them to work in order to achieve this. Te Arawhiti is a together to ensure that those effected new vehicle to assist government agencies by family violence receive a co-ordinated to make this happen. and tailored response that addresses their individual risks and needs.

113 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG17 – PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS NEW ZEALAND CONTEXT It calls for commitments to finance, technology, trade, a stronger global We are open and engaged in the world; we have a part system and policy coherence. New Zealand and New Zealanders are to play and partnership is just the way we work. open and outwardly engaged in the world These face headwinds. Development and in our region. As a small independent finance efforts have yet to yield the scale country and trading nation our own up of the finance required by developing sustainable development relies on this countries. The contribution of trade engagement. As a Pacific country we are is hindered by a rise in protectionist invested in the sustainable development policies. A real global partnership is of our region. As a global citizen we constrained by political and economic have a deep stake in global progress uncertainty. New Zealand is active in on the 2030 Agenda for people, planet, addressing these challenges on which prosperity and peace. much progress hinges.

We are committed to playing our part as a reliable, principled and trusted partner. INITIATIVES

New Zealand’s development assistance is focussed on the Pacific where we have WE HAVE TAKEN A NUMBER OF TRADE deep connections and where we can MEASURES TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT. WE have the greatest impact. We have long advocated for greater recognition of the HAVE PROVIDED 100 PERCENT DUTY-FREE, unique development finance challenges faced by Small Island Developing States QUOTA-FREE MARKET ACCESS FOR LEAST- (SIDS), something that is strongly DEVELOPED COUNTRIES (LDCS) SINCE 2001. reflected in the 2030 Agenda. In 2018, we increased our Official Development Assistance (ODA) in response to the 2030 Agenda and to the sustainable New Zealand partners widely for development finance needs of developing sustainable development – we partner countries, particularly in the Pacific. We with Pacific and developing countries, allocated an additional $714 million over with the regional organisations we are a four year budget cycle, representing members of, and with the multilateral a 30 percent increase, lifting ODA to a projected 0.28 percent of GNI. system. We partner with New Zealand public sector agencies and with private In 2018, we also significantly increased sector, civil society and academic our contribution to the Global organisations to draw on the full Environment Facility. This was in spectrum of expertise and to increase recognition of the need to increase our impact. We coordinate closely with funding for developing countries to other development partners. respond to environmental challenges.

We provide a range of support to drive CHALLENGES sustainable economic development in the Pacific. We assist partners to Goal 17 commits countries to a strengthen their private sector, both partnership that strengthens the means through activities that use our aid by which the SDGs can be implemented money to leverage private sector finance globally and in developing countries. and expertise, and through technical

115 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 SDG 17 – PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS

of NZ’s electricity

an active contributor to Aid-for-Trade Regionalism. We support the work of 2018—2021 initiatives. We have also notified the LDCs Pacific regional institutions to advance Services waiver, and ratified the Trade the SDGs in the Pacific. We are also Facilitation Agreement. working with NGOs in the region to better deliver sustainable development Billion and effective implementation of the in ODA assistance SDGs, recognising the particular skills and $2.191 expertise non-government organisations WE ARE COMMITTED TO PLAYING OUR PART have to offer.

AS A RELIABLE, PRINCIPLED AND TRUSTED We fund the strengthening of statistical PARTNER. systems in the Pacific, including through support to Pacific organisations, UNFPA, Pacific Global Multilateral Humanitarian Other UNICEF and the World Bank. This builds New Zealand’s trade agreements have their capacity for both domestic and and NGO included significant Aid-for-Trade international information gathering, support, including the Pacific Agreement reporting and planning. Capacity building $1.3b $363m $399m $86m $212m on Closer Economic Relations Plus is always central to the way we work with (PACER Plus), a trade and development partner countries. agreement between Australia, New Zealand and nine Pacific Island Policy coherence and ensuring our countries. New Zealand (together with policy settings enhance development are Australia) has provided funding to assist necessary and enduring themes in our Pacific Island countries to enact the development approach. assistance to improve the business New Zealand recognises that trade is agreement, including through technical, enabling environment. We support a powerful catalyst for development. legislative and customs support. Once initiatives that improve public financial We champion a universal, rules-based, PACER Plus enters into force, New management and boost domestic open, non-discriminatory, equitable Zealand and Australia have committed to revenue mobilisation efforts, including multilateral trading system under the support a five year work programme that through technical assistance and support World Trade Organization (WTO). Small aims to address barriers to trade in the to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and developing countries in particular rely region, with a view to increasing exports Pacific Financial Technical Assistance on this system to protect and advance from developing countries and to invest Centre. We provide technical advisory their interests. New Zealand continues at least 20 percent of our total ODA in support for Pacific to attract foreign to work constructively at the WTO to support of ‘Aid-for-Trade’ in the Pacific. direct investment and grow exports. achieve agricultural reforms, increased market access, and elimination of export New Zealand played an active role in New Zealand’s development-friendly subsidies and trade-distorting domestic the Pacific SDG Taskforce working with migration policies, such as the support policies which we view as the Pacific partners to produce the Pacific Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) best means of delivering the development Roadmap for Sustainable Development. work policy, are a valued part of potential of trade. We are also an The Roadmap guides regional responses New Zealand’s relationship with Pacific engaged and active participant in efforts for the achievement of the SDGs Island countries. New Zealand has to reform and strengthen the WTO. within the context of national plans recently (2017) increased funding to and priorities, the 2015 Small Island expand labour mobility opportunities, We have taken a number of trade Developing States (SIDS) Accelerated and is developing a strategy to support measures to support development. Modalities of Action (S.A.M.O.A) Pacific women to access employment We have provided 100 percent duty- Pathway and the Framework for Pacific opportunities. Remittances generated free, quota-free market access for Least from labour mobility schemes like RSE Developed Countries (LDCs) since 2001. make significant contributions to the We provide reduced tariffs for a number economy in most Pacific states. of less-developed countries, and are

117 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019 UNDERSTANDING THE NEEDS OF SMALL ISLAND BRIDGING THE TECHNOLOGY GAP DEVELOPING STATES

Fifty-eight countries and territories are Both reports have attracted international The geography of the Pacific is such that In line with the theme of joining forces considered Small Island Developing interest for the way they strengthen populations are scattered across vast to leave no one behind, the project has States (SIDS), scattered mainly across research on development funding and distances of ocean. Many Pacific countries highlighted the value of partnering with the Pacific, Caribbean and Indian Oceans. offer new ideas on how to respond. This comprise small land masses within existing institutions, which can bring These countries and territories vary in puts both SIDS and New Zealand in a huge economic zones; the Cook Islands efficiency in delivery and sustainability, population, income, remoteness and stronger position to influence relevant population of 18,000 is spread across and improve access to essential services natural resources, but share the common international policy. 15 small islands in an area of 1.8 million for remote or rural populations. challenge of being at the forefront of the km2; Kiribati’s 100,000 people are spread impact of climate change. This means that across 32 atolls in an area of ocean the they are vulnerable to rises in sea level and size of continental United States. are at risk of tropical cyclones. This presents a unique set of challenges to Pacific governments seeking to NEW ZEALAND HAS LONG provide essential services to their citizens. Economies of scale, possible in other ADVOCATED FOR GREATER developing economies, do not exist and RECOGNITION OF THE UNIQUE access to basic services such as power or telecommunications is often constrained DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES by very high per-capita cost of service provision, particularly in areas outside the FACED BY SIDS. capital or main island.

SIDS have unique development funding New Zealand has partnered with the requirements. To increase understanding University of the South Pacific (USP), of the funding challenges and explore which has 14 campuses and ten centres solutions, we helped design and fund two across 12 Pacific countries, to upgrade studies on SIDS. The studies were co- the satellite connections at each campus financed with Australia and published by across all 12 countries, including the main the UN and the Organisation for Economic hub on the Fiji campus. It is also upgrading Cooperation and Development (OECD). IT networking systems in all campuses to bring modern IT services to the entire staff The report produced by the OECD is and student base across the Pacific. the most comprehensive report ever undertaken of development funding in These new services will enable USP to SIDS. It analyses 35 countries, providing transform the delivery of its learning a comparative analysis of all Official curricula, ensuring that students across Development Assistance, bilateral and the campus network are able to engage in concessional funding over a period of five a variety of learning methods. For the first years, and identifies how development time, all students across the USP network partners can better support SIDS. will have a comparable digital experience The UN report examines the particular regardless of their geographic location. development funding challenges for This includes participation in virtual Pacific SIDS, drawing on input from 15 classroom learning delivered from the Pacific countries. It identifies key financing main Fiji campus, ensuring that students in opportunities and innovations that SIDS remote learning centres have access to the and their partners can use to help achieve same quality of learning experience as any the Sustainable Development Goals. student on a main campus.

119 NEW ZEALAND’S PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGs – 2019

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