Our overarching approach to effective stakeholder engagement is to develop strong collaborative relationships with them. This means that we may look to others for their advice and innovation when formulating alternatives and solutions and we'll incorporate their advice and recommendations to the maximum extent possible when making decisions.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) and the Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency have had a memorandum of understanding in place since 2005 (updated in 2020). The scope of the MoU covers all functions of both organisations and is designed to support and maintain a close working relationship. Representatives from DOC and the Transport Agency meet on a quarterly basis to support the MoU by raising information, issues and opportunities.
MOU between Department of Conservation and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency [PDF, 638 KB]
As part of the MOU Waka Kotahi and DOC also have an agreed protocol for both agencies to engage on Resource Management Act (RMA) processes. Part of the protocol requests early (pre-RMA) engagement between both organisations on Waka Kotahi projects. This requires engagement during project development.
Where the Environmental and social responsibility (ESR) screen indicates any natural environment risks (where you have answered yes to NE2, NE3 or NE5), project teams are asked to engage with DOC to help understand the risks. If DOC expresses an interest in the option they will prepare a statement of interest outlining risks or opportunities. This information should be used to inform the assessment required for the Screen.
Environmental and social responsibility screen
In accordance with the protocol, where DOC express an interest in the project, the project team is asked to agree with DOC on a joint structure setting out when to engage with DOC, who from each organisation is involved, lines of communication, roles, and how risks and issues will be managed. Project teams are requested to continue engagement on the project with DOC from this point on through the project development and delivery phases in accordance with the agreed structure and the protocol.
In 2008 we signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, now Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga (HNZPT).
This MOU formalises the commitment of both organisations to maintain an effective working relationship, to help both organisations deliver their functions and services.
A key outcome is the early engagement of the HNZPT in state highway development and maintenance activities. The purpose of this is to:
Māori are recognised as the Treaty partner by the Transport Agency. In a practical sense this means sharing decision making with Māori when identifying priorities for investment and when identifying the best choice of transport system for their communities, both regionally and nationally.
Waka Kotahi has developed a Hononga Ki Te Iwi, our Māori Engagement Framework and further advice and guidance can be found in Te Ara Kotahi, our Maori Strategy.
Hononga Ki Te Iwi (our Māori Engagement Framework)
Te Ara Kotahi (our Māori Strategy)
The most effective way to engage with Māori is by investing in a relationship with them first, rather than making the task of the engagement the focus of the investment.
The NZ Transport Agency is currently working on a memorandum of understanding with the Environmental Protection Agency, which will update and replace earlier agreements. Details will be available here when the memorandum is finalised.
For further information contact environment@nzta.govt.nz.
