Parliamentary Environments Overseer
In the heart of Aotearoa New Zealand's political landscape, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE) serves as an independent guardian, monitoring and advocating for environmental sustainability. This role is crucial in a country where there is a strong affinity for the natural environment, which significantly contributes to our wellbeing, economy, and sense of identity.
The PCE's office, located in Parliament House, is responsible for scrutinising environmental policy and practice, advising Parliament, and advocating for policy coherence and long-term stewardship of New Zealand’s natural resources. The Commissioner, currently The Rt Hon Simon Upton, who was recently appointed for a second 5-year term in October 2022, is appointed for a term of five years to ensure an unbiased perspective.
The Commissioner's functions are diverse. They include reviewing the system of agencies and processes set up by the government to manage the country's resources, investigating the effectiveness of environmental planning and management, and encouraging preventive measures and remedial actions to protect the environment. Through these actions, the PCE helps to highlight risks, unintended consequences, and gaps in government environmental policy, often warning against short-term or poorly founded policy changes that could harm the environment over the long term.
One of the Commissioner's key powers is the ability to obtain information from any organisation or person, even if it is not publicly available. This power, however, comes with a duty of secrecy, only disclosing the information obtained if necessary for carrying out their functions. If information is not provided, the Commissioner can summon people to be examined under oath.
The PCE's work is far-reaching, extending to making submissions and providing feedback on major environmental legislation and policy proposals. For instance, the report "Space invaders: A review of how New Zealand manages weeds that threaten native ecosystems" is one such report that highlights the Commissioner's role in investigating and reporting on environmental concerns.
The PCE's independence is paramount. They are independent of the government of the day and report to Parliament as a whole. While the Commissioner can make recommendations, they cannot require their implementation. The Commissioner's reports may contain recommendations to Ministers or be purely informative, aiming to change policies, provide guidance or education, raise awareness, redefine problems, or kickstart action on a topic.
Reports and advice drawn from environmental investigations form a significant part of the Commissioner's work programme. The PCE's website offers a variety of downloadable reports, FAQ sheets, and news items for public access, ensuring transparency and accessibility.
In summary, the PCE serves as an impartial voice on environmental sustainability, ensuring government accountability in environmental management. By maintaining a neutral stance and focusing on the long-term sustainability of New Zealand's natural resources, the PCE plays a vital role in shaping the future of our environment.
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE) not only monitors and advocates for environmental sustainability, but also scrutinizes environmental policy and practice, providing advice that is crucial for policy coherence and long-term stewardship of New Zealand’s natural resources. In line with this mandate, the PCE maintains independence and transparency, often contributing to general-news discussions on political agenda-setting and policy decisions concerning the environment.
