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Policy papers are grouped here in no particular order. They are also available under each Minister's home page. The search page will allow you to hunt based on Minister and/or subject.

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Path to 2010

A public statement of the goals the Government is committed to achieving.
The philosophies that underpin these goals are outlined in the Prime Minister's
foreword.

National Land Transport Strategy

Moving freight and people, where we live, where we work, or where we spend our leisure time involves the use of land transport in some way. Its impact goes to the core of our way of life. New Zealand's economy cannot be sustained without it. The shape of our communities and the quality of life we experience are all part of the wider land transport picture. It affects us all, often without us realising it. So what is your view for land transport in the year 2010? Or even further out, say in the year 2025?

The New Zealand Customs Service Strategy Statement

The New Zealand Customs Service is the primary border management agency of the New Zealand government.
As such it is Customs' responsibility to manage the implementation of Government strategies and the national collective interest as these affect or are affected by the movement of travellers into or out of the country.
The Customs' Strategy is summed up here.

Road Management: Options for Reform

This paper is designed to stimulate debate on how to improve the way in which we manage our roads. There are many good safety and traffic management systems in place in New Zealand but there is no consistent approach across the roading network. Your contributions are invited to help establish a common system.

The provisions contained in the Maori Reserved Land Amendment Bill 1996 follow more than five years of consultation.

The underlying issue which has generated these consultations, reports and proposals has been dissatisfaction by owners of Maori Reserved Lands at their lack of control over their land. This is the result of the provisions of the Maori Reserved Land Act 1955. Some owners and lessees of Maori Reserved Land have already reached negotiated agreements on rents outside the provisions of the Act. The proposed changes to the Maori Reserved Land Act 1955 detailed here are a fallback option for use when owners and lessees are unable to achieve negotiated agreements.

The figures show very good trends in many key policing areas. The increase in reported crime continues to remain just above 2%.

Summary of the Environment 2010 Strategy

Through the Resource Management Act 1991, New Zealand committed itself to managing natural and physical resources sustainably and to taking into account the needs of future generations. Now the Environment 2010 Strategy gives us, for the first time, a strategic overview of the way we deal with environmental issues.

New Zealand's Anti-nuclear Stance

The World Court case in which New Zealand tried to stop the French testing their nuclear bombs at Muroroa Atoll in the South Pacific. Includes arguments put by New Zealand as part of the World Health Assembly and United Nationas General Assembly action.

Income and asset testing for longterm residential care of older people.

There is a lot of misunderstanding about income and asset testing. An outline of the the Government's policy is contained here along with some historical information and some commonly asked questions.

Revision of the Cabinet Manual

The Cabinet Office Manual sets out the conventions and procedures of Cabinet government in New Zealand. It is revised from time to time to take account of changes in the operation of central government decision making. The last update was in early 1994.

In recent years, New Zealand's level of understanding and awareness of Maori issues has increased. Some have gained more prominence than others. It is important for people to understand what the Government is seeking to develop through its Maori policy initiatives. The Government has sought to emphasise the importance of Maori participation in New Zealand society. The Government's policy statement outlines the objective.

The New Zealand Police have not been able to stem the trend of increasing crime over the last 30 years, despite the provision of additional resources and the adoption of new operational policies and practices. In the year to September 1992, New Zealanders reported 500,000 offences, excluding traffic related offences. New Zealand can no longer claim to be the peaceful society it was during the 1950s and 1960s. In response to these trends, the New Zealand Police have developed a five year Strategic Plan. One of the primary goals of the Police Strategic Plan is "reducing the incidence and effects of crime" on victims and communities.