Author Description

Since the mid 1980s, environmental policy has had an especially high profile in New Zealand politics. New Zealand has taken the initiative in promoting strong measures that deal with global warming, nuclear issues, ozone depletion, driftnet fishing, and the protection of Antarctica. This book provides the first systematic and critical analysis of environmental policy in New Zealand based on concepts and theories from the fields of environmental politics research and public policy studies. It assesses the strengths and weaknesses of New Zealand's environmental policies with respect to four recurring themes: the need for anticipatory policy making; the need to change our ways; the need for institutional reform to enhance policy performance; and the need for more integrated and comprehensive policy. Given that New Zealand is a widely perceived and self-promoted "clean and green" country, its environmental policies are of special international significance and interest.