MAORI CONSULTATION STRATEGY -  2000

Draft ANZFA Maori Consultation Strategy

Introduction

The Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) is a bi-national agency, which develops food regulatory measures for Australia and New Zealand.   As a bi-national agency ANZFA respects the special place of Maori in New Zealand, as Tangata Whenua (people of the land) and recognises the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and the need to consider tikanga Maori (Maori principles and values) where relevant to food regulatory measures. This strategy represents ANZFA' s recognition of Maori within its overall commitment to community involvement.

ANZFA has a strong commitment to involving the community in its work. Involving the community in ANZFA' s processes assists ANZFA in its decision making by providing an opportunity for those who may be affected by proposed regulatory changes to be consulted at an early stage. Comments received from the community are taken into account in determining the most appropriate course of action. ANZFA is developing an overall strategy for community involvement and is specifically aiming to improve the level of involvement of indigenous Australians and Maori.  

Community involvement can provide alternative perspectives and solutions, and new evidence about the problem being considered. It helps to balance competing interests, providing a broader view of the impacts and practicality of solutions.   It also fosters greater understanding and cooperation between ANZFA and the community. The Maori Consultation Strategy reflects ANZFA' s commitment to increasing the involvement of the Maori community in its work.

Background

As part of their commitment to a closer economic relationship, Australia and New Zealand signed an Agreement ('the Treaty') in 1995 for the establishment of a joint Food Standards System and the development of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code  ('the joint Code'). It was a requirement of the Treaty that a review be undertaken no later than three years after the Treaty entered into force.

One of the issues identified by the Review process was that ANZFA could improve its consultation processes to better facilitate the participation of Maori and indigenous Australians in the food standard setting process. ANZFA had already acknowledged this issue and in 1997 commissioned a study to examine options for improving Maori involvement in ANZFA processes and for improving ANZFA' s relationship with Maori in general (the Workman Report).  

Building on this work, ANZFA held a hui (meeting) in February 2000 with Maori representatives from a range of food and public health related backgrounds. There was a great deal of constructive dialogue at the hui with many comments contributing to ANZFA' s understanding of the way in which Maori consultation needs to be progressed. This strategy reflects the views and preferences expressed by Maori representatives both at the hui and in previous consultations on the subject.

The Objective

ANZFA' s role is to protect the public health and safety of New Zealanders and Australians. The objective of this strategy is to ensure that Maori views and issues are considered in food standards development.

The Strategy

The strategy focuses on a number of key goals and identifies initiatives, which will be progressed in order to reach those goals. Performance measures for assessing the effectiveness of the strategy have also been identified in relation to each goal. It is anticipated that this strategy will be reviewed in 2002.

The Goals

The strategy has identified the following goals which will allow ANZFA to achieve the objective of improving consultation and communication with Maori.

1. To improve the flow of information about food regulation from ANZFA to Maori.
2. To establish mechanisms for identifying issues of particular significance to Maori.
3. To improve ANZFA' s overall community involvement processes so as to enhance Maori consultation.
4. To develop and implement appropriate communication plans for consulting with Maori on identified issues.
5. To provide leadership in interagency efforts to improve consultation with Maori about food regulation matters.
6. To review the effectiveness of initiatives progressed under this strategy and to develop new initiatives to address any outstanding issues.

Each of these goals is set out below along with specific initiatives for reaching them.

Goal 1

To improve the flow of information about food regulation from ANZFA to Maori.

Initiatives

ANZFA will:

(a)     Establish a network of key Maori organisations and individuals interested in food standards issues;

(b)    Distribute regular bulletins and publications through these networks giving information about current and prospective items on ANZFA' s work program; and

(c)     Receive and respond to enquiries from Maori about food regulation issues.

Performance measures

·                     The proposed network is established and information distributed.

·                     Feedback is received from participants and is recorded and utilised by ANZFA in its decision making process.

Goal 2

To establish mechanisms for identifying issues of particular significance to Maori.

Initiatives

ANZFA will:

(a)     Establish a reference group to advise ANZFA on issues likely to have significance for Maori and to suggest appropriate measures for consulting further on those issues;

(b)    Provide up to date information to the group including that showing the current status of ANZFA projects; and

(c)     Use the communication network established through this strategy to gauge the degree of interest in specific issues and be guided in its approach by the feedback received.

Performance measures

·                     The development of terms of reference and protocols for the group, the appointment of reference group members and the consideration of business by the group as determined by its terms of reference.

·                     ANZFA receives advice from the reference group and the communication network, about the level of significance for Maori of items on ANZFA' s work plan.

·                     ANZFA receives advice from the reference group and the communication network, indicating any issues which may require further consultation with Maori.

Goal 3

To improve ANZFA' s overall community involvement processes so as to enhance Maori consultation.

Initiatives

ANZFA will:

(a)     Introduce appropriate levels of cultural awareness training for ANZFA staff;

(b)    Outline strategies aimed at improving the involvement of Maori in food standards development within the Community Involvement Protocol and Policy statement.

Performance measures

·     Cultural awareness training is undertaken by appropriate ANZFA staff, commencing with those in New Zealand office.

·     ANZFA' s Community Involvement Strategy and Protocol includes measures to enable the consideration of Maori perspectives in ANZFA' s processes.

Goal 4

To develop and implement appropriate communication plans for consulting with Maori on identified issues.

Initiatives

ANZFA will:

(a)     Consult with the Maori reference group in investigating and determining the best methods for consulting with Maori on specific issues; and

(b)    Utilise ANZFA' s internal expertise in community consultation and communications to develop appropriate plans for consulting with Maori on particular issues.

Performance measures

·     ANZFA develops and implements communications plans in relation to issues identified as significant for Maori.

Goal 5

To provide leadership in interagency efforts to improve consultation with Maori about food regulation matters.

Initiatives

ANZFA will:

(a)     Seek to work with New Zealand Government agencies with a view to establishing of officials- committee concerning Maori and standards issues; and

(b)    Advise relevant New Zealand government agencies about the outcomes of ANZFA' s Maori reference group and seek opportunities to interact with these agencies when appropriate;

Performance measures

·     Discussions with New Zealand government agencies are initiated by ANZFA regarding interagency cooperation on Maori issues related to food regulation.

·     ANZFA encourages other agencies to interact with and/or support the Maori reference group.

Goal 6

To review the effectiveness of initiatives progressed under this strategy and to develop new initiatives to address any outstanding issues.

Initiatives

ANZFA will:

(a)     Review the effectiveness of this strategy in 2002, using the performance measures included in the strategy to assess progress towards the specified goals;

(b)    Seek qualitative feedback on ANZFA's processes from the Maori communication network, Maori reference group and officials committee on Maori consultation; and

(c)     Seek advice through the above mechanisms in order to develop new initiatives to address any outstanding issues.