Key Short Term Issues

There are a number of decisions and issues that will require your attention in the next few months.

You will be asked to make decisions on the following:

• The appointment of two New Zealand Tourism Board members by the Minister of Tourism has been postponed pending the appointment of a new Cabinet. You will also be asked to appoint a Deputy Chair, following the appointment of Wally Stone to the position of Chair in March 2002. You should note that the terms of another two Board members will expire in March 2003.
• Consideration will need to be given to the revision of the membership structure of the Tourism Research Council New Zealand (TRCNZ). The Council currently comprises 15 members from the public and private sector. In addition, the 2-year terms of 7 positions appointed by the Minister of Tourism expire in August 2002, and you will be asked to provide your recommendations on appointments to these positions.
• You will be asked to consider options for improving the funding mechanisms of the Strategy Implementation Fund in September 2002. The next round of funding bids to the Strategy Implementation Fund will be developed in the next few months and put to you for your consideration.

You will be asked to participate in the following:

• New Zealand participates in the annual Australian Federal-State meetings of Tourism Ministers (Tourism Ministers Council) by invitation. This year you will be hosting and chairing the Tourism Ministers Council in Auckland on 11 September 2002.
• You have been invited to address the New Zealand Tourism Industry Conference to be held in Wellington on 20-21 August 2002. In the past, both the Minister of Tourism and the Prime Minister have spoken at this conference.

You should note the following for your information:

• The Ministry will soon start work on developing a three year plan, in consultation with key stakeholders, to enhance the implementation of the NZTS 2010. This will include an annual work programme of priority projects for 2002/2003 for the Ministry to initiate, either alone or in partnership with others.
• A policy paper on the role of central government in regional tourism infrastructure issues is currently being prepared by the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Economic Development. A number of districts and regions with low population numbers and small economies face difficulties providing the services and infrastructure demanded by high levels of tourist flows. This project will scope the nature and extent of this problem, and determine whether there is a role for central government in assisting with the development of infrastructure.
• In light of the report from the Commissioner of Crown Lands and the alternative proposals put to the Minister of Tourism, decisions will be required on a future management regime for Wairakei Tourist Park, including the role, if any, for the Ministry of Tourism.
• Rental issues around the reserves in the Tourist and Health Resorts Control Act 1908 in Rotorua are being addressed. Rent arrears are currently being pursued from the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute and the Rotorua Golf Club.
• You will soon receive a briefing on the outcomes of seminars held by Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) in July 2002 to raise the awareness of tourism amongst local government decision makers. A national symposium on the role of local government in tourism will be run by LGNZ in September 2002.