End outcome 3: Best use of Crown assets

What we seek to achieve

LINZ has a regulatory and standard-setting role for aspects of the acquisition, management and disposal of lands of the Crown. LINZ also manages Crown land on our balance sheet, and works to resolve land-related Crown liabilities. This work needs to be done in the context of the Government's desired economic, social and environmental outcomes.

Specifically, 'best use of Crown assets' means that:

• the Crown buys and sells property in a way that advances the public interest and protects private rights
• Crown land is put to its best use (as defined by government policies and related legislation) for economic, environmental and social purposes, and
• economic growth and transformation are encouraged, and New Zealand's unique assets and resources are protected.

Why this is a priority

This end outcome has a strong link to 'national identity', given that the land owned by the Crown can have a fundamental impact on who we are as a nation. Key priorities for 2008/09 include the South Island high country work programme and work relating to Treaty settlements.

Achieving 'best use of Crown assets' means that:

• the Crown follows a fair and lawful process in acquiring or taking property
• land is dealt with according to the Crown's responsibilities when it becomes surplus
• Crown land is properly recorded and maintained to ensure the highest return is received
• fair payment is made for the acquisition of land
• land in the South Island high country is freeholded for economic use, while land that has significant inherent value is protected, and reasonable public access is preserved, and
• wider national interests in sensitive Crown-owned land are protected.

Intermediate outcome

The key intermediate outcome that contributes to the achievement of the end outcome 'best use of Crown assets' is the effective and efficient management of Crown land and liabilities.

Why this intermediate outcome

LINZ regulates the management and disposal of the Crown's interest in land and property in accordance with the Public Works Act 1981 and the Land Act 1948. LINZ is responsible for administering the legislation that enables government agencies to buy and sell property, and for ensuring that robust statutory decisions are made and statutory requirements are consistently applied.

LINZ also manages Crown land and property on our balance sheet in accordance with regulatory frameworks. We control pests, plants and animals on this land and on Crown-owned river beds and lake beds administered by LINZ.

The land LINZ manages ranges from large pastoral leases to forests held in trust for Treaty of Waitangi settlements to small plots of land. LINZ also manages some sites contaminated by previous owners or occupiers.

In managing Crown land effectively and efficiently, LINZ is protecting New Zealanders' interests by ensuring that this land is put to best use (ie the best use given the Government's desired economic, social and environmental outcomes).

In this context, effective and efficient management means:

• when the Crown acquires land, landowners' rights are protected
• the Crown acquires land for a good reason
• landowners are fully aware of their rights and have the opportunity to negotiate on a reasonable and equal footing
• keeping land management costs as low as possible
• being a responsible landowner, landlord and neighbour, and
• protecting the Crown's interest by complying with laws and regulations affecting Crown land, and keeping accurate records of the land LINZ holds.

Measuring 'best use of Crown assets'

Changes in the state of this outcome will be measured by:

• reviewing government acquisition and disposal processes to improve transparency and statutory compliance, and
• the amount and quality of our collaboration with central and local government as appropriate to manage and resolve Crown land-related issues.

Achieving the end outcome

Land market leadership

LINZ's primary focus here is to provide leadership and expert land policy advice, including:

• managing the framework for screening sensitive land for disposal
• contributing to the Treaty settlement process through the provision of expert land policy advice
• successfully managing policy development and implementation in the context of the Government's High Country objectives², including:
  • rent setting and valuation methodology for pastoral leases
  • rent adjustment policy, and
  • protection of lakeside landscapes
• reviewing the Public Works Act, and
• contributing to affordable housing initiatives.

Optimal regulation

LINZ regulates the acquisition, management and disposal of the Crown's interest in land. This is done through the statutory office of the Commissioner of Crown Lands.

In 2008/09, we aim to complete the rationalisation of the standards in this area and undertake related consultation, awareness and education activities.

A further focus over the medium term will be to review the Public Works Act to ensure it is fit for purpose for New Zealand now and into the future.

Systems and controls compliance assurance has also been implemented in this area. We will continue to map systems and controls in this manner, and encourage the development of industry self-compliance.

Expert decision-making

LINZ is required to make statutory decisions in the areas of Crown property, pastoral land and tenure review. In doing this, we aim to ensure robust decisions that balance all relevant interests. We are also responsible for managing a diverse portfolio of Crown land and property in accordance with statutory and regulatory frameworks.

In 2008/09 we will:

• deliver greater responsiveness, transparency, control of processes and improved management of relationships and knowledge by:
  • building capability and expertise to bring the management of sensitive or strategic portfolios of land in-house
  • enhancing external relationship management
  • developing systems and processes for effective decision-making, and
  • increasing the integrity and accessibility of data.

LINZ will also:

• develop an operational framework for the implementation of the high country rent adjustment policy
• work with other agencies to develop an all-ofgovernment approach for the best use of high country pastoral land, and
• incorporate new responsibilities for negotiating access outcomes on the government's behalf over pastoral land.

Ongoing work towards this outcome includes:

• improving our collaboration with other agencies, local government and the community in how we work together towards joint outcomes on programmes (such as dealing with regional pests, biosecurity, contributing to new conservation parks, and Treaty of Waitangi work), and
• advising ministers on sensitive land requirements.

Measuring the intermediate outcome

Outputs contributing to end outcome 3

The following output classes link to the strategic goals and priorities within this outcome set.