This report challenges common perceptions of New Zealand's state sector and calls for fundamental reforms to improve its performance. It provides analysis of how the state sector functions to examine its real-world limitations and potential for improvement. It finds hierarchy, disengaged motivation, information limits, and lack of accountability constrain the state sector.

This report aims to provide policy-makers with an opportunity to revisit, review and reflect on environmental policies in the United Kingdom over the years. In doing so, the intention is that lessons can be learnt from the successes and failures of previous environmental policies.