EventsFeaturesImage galleriesMediaPublicationsAnnual reportAsia White PaperBusinesslinkNewslettersPost Election BriefStatement of intentTrade matters
Through its Vote: Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Ministry provides funding to one Crown Entity (New Zealand Antarctic Institute) and two Crown charitable trusts (Pacific Cooperation Foundation and Asia New Zealand Foundation). It also, in conjunction with MED, has a joint role in monitoring the performance of NZTE.
Its role in relationship to these bodies is as follows:
The New Zealand Antarctic Institute is a Crown Entity established under the New Zealand Antarctic Institute Act 1996 to develop, manage and execute New Zealand’s activities in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, in particular the Ross Dependency. The Ministry’s main responsibilities for the Institute are to assist in the negotiation of the output agreement between the Institute and the Minister, manage the budget-setting process, provide advice on the Institute’s strategic direction and capability, monitor the performance of the Institute, and assist the Minister in making appointments to its Board of Management.
In the next financial year the Institute, in partnership with Meridian Energy, will complete the installation of three wind turbines on Ross Island, Antarctica.
The Pacific Cooperation Foundation was established as a charitable trust in June 2002. The Foundation has been funded since 2004 through Vote: Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Ministry acts on behalf of the Minister as purchase and ownership adviser in respect of the Foundation. The Ministry assists with the preparation of the purchase agreement between the Foundation and the Minister, coordinates the appropriation process, provides financial and performance monitoring, advises on the Foundation’s strategic direction and capability, and reports quarterly to the Minister.
The Foundation has adopted a revised mission statement supported by three strategic goals:
The Asia New Zealand Foundation (formerly the Asia 2000 Foundation) was established in 1994 as a non-profit Crown trust focused on building links and promoting greater understanding between New Zealand and its Asian neighbours. It is an entity named in the fourth schedule of the Public Finance Act 1989, and subject to certain sections of the Crown Entities Act. The Foundation is active in a wide range of programmes including education, business, media, culture, research and policy studies. The Ministry acts as purchase adviser and contract manager in respect of the Foundation. It assists with the preparation of the output agreement between the Foundation and the Minister, coordinates the appropriation process, undertakes financial and performance monitoring, advises on the Foundation’s strategic direction and capability, and reports periodically to the Minister.
Following an independent review of the Foundation in 2007, Cabinet endorsed a series of recommendations aimed at strengthening the Foundation’s strategic focus and governance. The Ministry is monitoring the implementation of these recommendations and works closely with the Foundation to support alignment of its programmes with New Zealand’s foreign and trade policy goals and priorities in Asia.
The Ministry, in conjunction with MED, has a joint role in monitoring the performance of NZTE on behalf of the responsible Ministers (although NZTE is not funded from Vote: Foreign Affairs and Trade). Regular briefing and comment is provided to Ministers on NZTE's performance within agreed timeframes. This covers such issues as consistency of NZTE proposals and activities with the Government’s overarching policy objectives. Advice is also provided to Ministers on their responsibilities under the Crown Entities Act, on Ministers’ letter of expectations, NZTE’s Statement of Intent, annual Output Plan, quarterly reports including financial reporting, and any issues affecting their portfolios where the Ministers' views need to be conveyed to the NZTE Board. The Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade is a Special Adviser on the Board as is the Chief Executive of MED
During the period of this Statement of Intent, the Ministry will foster tight coordination between MFAT, NZTE (and MED) to ensure economic growth and international competitiveness is supported through New Zealand's international connections. The Ministry will work collaboratively with NZTE as it implements changes to the Government’s industry support and business services programmes. MFAT will work with NZTE to support globally competitive New Zealand firms which deliver growth and jobs for New Zealanders. Dynamism in the delivery of services offshore and changes in NZTE’s strategic footprint will be handled with minimum disruption to end-users. A wider NZ Inc approach will emphasise cooperation onshore and offshore and a shared stake in New Zealand’s economic wellbeing. This combined effort will help ensure New Zealand emerges from the financial crisis in a strong and competitive position.
The following Acts are administered by MFAT:
Export controls on strategic goods are administered by the Ministry under the Customs Export Prohibition Order 2005. The Ministry also administers a number of statutory regulations made under the above Acts, particularly in the area of UN Security Council sanctions, diplomatic privileges and immunities, and Tokelau.
Next > Annex 1: The Ministry's Assets
