Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (New Zealand)

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The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (In Māori, Te Manatu Ahuwhenua, Ngaherehere) is the state sector organisation of New Zealand which deals with matters relating to agriculture, forestry and biosecurity. It is commonly known by its acronym, "MAF". The Minister responsible for it is the Hon. Jim Anderton, as the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Biosecurity.

[edit] History

The New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry was formerly known as the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, but in 1995 responsibilities for fisheries were passed to the newly-formed Ministry of Fisheries. However, the government of New Zealand decided that, despite the loss of Fisheries, the newly created Ministry of Agriculture should continue to be known by the acronym "MAF", and should still use the same logo, because of the high recognition and regard for the name and logo amongst the country's overseas trading partners. In 1998, this Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Forestry merged to become the present Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

[edit] Responsibilities

The ministry is responsible for biosecurity, managing New Zealand's state forests, supporting rural communities, ensuring food safety, ensuring the humane and responsible use of animals, and helping win access to overseas markets for New Zealand products. It also works to promote sustainability in the New Zealand rural sector, and to manage land, water and irrigation in rural New Zealand. The Ministry does not have control of the New Zealand Customs Service, but does operate a separate border agency - the New Zealand Quarantine Service.

[edit] External links

v • d • e New Zealand Public Service Departments

Part of the State sector organisations in New Zealand

Archives New Zealand · Crown Law Office · Department of Building and Housing · Department of Conservation · Department of Corrections · Department of Internal Affairs · Department of Labour · Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet · Education Review Office · Government Communications Security Bureau · Inland Revenue Department · Land Information New Zealand · Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry · Ministry for Culture and Heritage · Ministry of Defence · Ministry of Economic Development · Ministry of Education · Ministry for the Environment · Ministry of Fisheries · Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade · Ministry of Health · Ministry of Housing · Ministry of Justice · Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs · Ministry of Research, Science and Technology · Ministry of Social Development · Ministry of Transport · Ministry of Women's Affairs · National Library of New Zealand · New Zealand Customs Service · Te Puni Kōkiri · Serious Fraud Office · State Services Commission · Statistics New Zealand · The Treasury