Media release

From: Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge

Policy leadership needed for the future of Aotearoa’s marine environment 

If Aotearoa’s marine laws are to effectively manage marine environments and resources,  they must manage the ecosystem in a holistic and inclusive way that stops the degradation  of our oceans and restores the health of the moana and our people.  

New research from Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge reveals critical, time-sensitive opportunities in four policy areas across marine conservation, coastal  planning and environmental effects assessment, fisheries regulation, and Māori rights  and interests.  

With significant changes to law and policy already underway in these areas, there is an  opportunity for Ecosystem Based Management (EBM) principles to be adopted to better  coordinate implementation of various policy impacting the marine environment in  Aotearoa. EBM is a holistic and inclusive way to manage competing uses, and demands on,  marine environments in a way that maintains or improves ecosystem health. 

To achieve this, the research highlights the need for fundamental marine principles to be  developed in partnership with Māori and for Aotearoa to create a Ministry for the Ocean to  drive this transition.  

“We join the call for a Ministry for the Ocean to match the Ministerial portfolio for the  ocean, reflecting the complexity of marine management and departing from the terrestrial  bias of our existing laws and institutions. A dedicated Ministry would ensure a coherent,  whole-of-government approach to leadership, oversight, coordination, and alignment of  marine policy consistent with the Tiriti partnership.”  

Aligning law and policy across sectors and scales will be especially important as the New  Zealand government moves toward releasing its long-awaited climate adaptation legislation.