It is important that we have robust scientific evidence for all the work in the Ministry and as a base for freshwater policy options. We have sought external expertise to help us explore and test our approach, and to provide specialist advice on science and policy work.
The Science and Technical Advisory Group oversees the scientific evidence for freshwater policy development. The establishment of this group draws on useful discussions between freshwater scientists about policy development and the science behind the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (Freshwater NPS).
This group provides and technical advice on the Essential Freshwater work programme and other Ministry for the Environment work. It has a role in ensuring the interpretation of the science for policy development is accurate. It also helps improve protocols to better manage the incorporation of science into the policy process.
Terms of Reference [PDF, 778 KB]
Members have been appointed to this group because of their personal insight, skills and expertise, not as representatives of any organisation.
Kāhui Wai Māori members who are also on the Science and Technical Advisory Group are:
STAG members provided a report to the Minister for the Environment in September 2019. Their report highlights a strong focus on the health of the environment and the waterbody. The report recommends changes to the national freshwater management framework to strengthen the relationship between this national direction and ecosystem health and functioning.
The meeting minutes and documents leading to the development of the report are listed below.
Below are the key meeting papers that the Ministry provided to STAG to inform their discussions and seek feedback on the Essential Freshwater proposals. The meeting papers contain the agendas, draft minutes from previous meetings, and information on the topics being discussed. From time to time it was necessary to send STAG members information between meetings. These documents are listed as additional meeting papers.
STAG members provided a second report to the Minister for the Environment in April 2020. The supplementary report summarises discussions held between November 2019 and January 2020, following the release of the Action for healthy waterways proposals for public consultation. The supplementary report notes several amendments to the recommendations in the June 2019 report and should be read in conjunction with the primary report.
The meeting minutes and documents leading to the development of the report are listed below.
Below are the key meeting papers that the Ministry provided to STAG to inform their discussions and seek feedback on the Action for healthy waterways proposals following public consultation. The meeting papers contain the agendas and information on the topics being discussed. From time to time it was necessary to provide STAG members additional information. These documents are listed as additional meeting papers.