This report uses the issues of climate change and genetic modification to explore four scenarios based on whether or not the world manages itself well and whether or not New Zealand manages itself well. These four scenarios illustrate why small countries have such a vested interest in international affairs. The paper is the first report...

A number of countries have established or required existing institutions to create national sustainable development strategies. Building on the insights of Report 1, it explores existing frameworks and takes an in-depth look at eight institutional options available to New Zealand. The paper reviews eight previously identified institutional options in the light of international experience, and...

The aim of this research report was to review best global practice in regard to the written content of National Sustainable Development Strategies (NSDSs) in order to identify and explore the common and unique elements of each. We selected the NSDSs of Finland, Sweden and the United Kingdom (see Appendices 1–3) as we considered they...

This report focuses on the bridge between central and local government in New Zealand. It identifies and analyses mechanisms employed by central government to directly or indirectly support local government and communities in achieving sustainable development. The paper is a stocktake of key central government information and other support mechanisms relating to the creation of...

In 1997, New Zealand, along with many others, made a commitment at the UN General Assembly to produce a national sustainable development strategy (NSDS). In 2002, New Zealand again committed to implement an NSDS by 2005; however, no NSDS was produced. This report describes the actions taken. The key finding of this report is that...