UPDATE – JANUARY 2023
This consultation has closed. We’ve released the review of submissions on the proposed topic.
Download the review of submissions [PDF, 329 KB]
Have your say
From 22 August to 16 September 2022, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) sought feedback on the proposed subject of its long-term insights briefing. The briefing explored new demand opportunities for the food and fibre sector in the year 2050.
Long-term insights briefing: The future of New Zealand's food and fibre sector [PDF, 774 KB]
Your input on the future sources of product and service demand that could be in play by the year 2050 was to:
- improve our understanding of the range of possibilities that exist for the sector
- provide a sense of priority around the areas to explore
- ultimately shape the scope and focus of the briefing.
Why we consulted
We were keen to hear directly from New Zealanders and stakeholders and appropriately consider Māori and Treaty interests. We sought your insight and input on this subject and your feedback on several key questions. Our goal was to produce a briefing that will be useful to anyone looking for future demand-based trends and opportunities for the food and fibre sector.
The future focus of this work aimed to help MPI:
- test assumptions that are influencing how policy and industry issues are being considered
- explore beyond the assumed future to consider a much wider range of possible contexts
- generate new insights into possible future demand drivers
- reduce risk by developing policy and industry plans that are more resilient to changing conditions and takes advantage of new opportunities.
What is a long-term insights briefing?
Long-term insights briefings are a new requirement for agencies under the Public Sector Act 2020. Chief executives are required to publish a briefing at least once every 3 years.
The purpose of the briefing is to share:
- information about medium and long-term trends, risks, and opportunities that affect or may affect New Zealand and New Zealand society
- information and impartial analysis, including policy options for responding to these matters.
The briefings are not government policy and are independent of ministers. They provide the chance to explore and better understand critical issues affecting our future.
Chief executives select the subject for their briefings. They do this by taking into account the purpose of the briefing and those future trends, risks, and opportunities that are particularly relevant to their department's functions.
Chief executives must consult the public on the proposed subjects of their briefing. They must also consult the public on their draft briefing.
Find out more about long-term insights briefings – Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
The proposed subject for MPI's briefing
The proposed focus of MPI's briefing was the consumption and market trends which could be in play by the year 2050. By anticipating the key forces of change around demand and the opportunities these create for the sector, our aspiration was to lay the foundations for New Zealand to future-proof the productive capability and capacity of the food and fibre sector.
We intended developing the briefing content in 3 stages.
- Identifying and prioritising the market-led missions the sector should focus on for success in the future.
- Finding connections between these missions and the value chain, particularly production, processing, manufacturing, and distribution.
- Formulating options for industry and Government to lift the sector’s productivity performance by focussing on 9 core productivity drivers.
Why focus on productivity and consumer demand?
Our food and fibre sector is leading New Zealand's economic recovery from COVID-19. The Government’s Fit for a better world – accelerating our economic potential roadmap outlines a transformation path for the sector to accelerate that effort. One of the 3 key pillars of this strategy is boosting productivity by adding $44 billion in export earnings over the next decade through a focus on creating value.
Consumer demand is at the centre of our journey to build a stronger economy while not compromising our broader environmental goals. As an exporting nation, what we produce and how we produce it must be connected to, and informed by, global markets and trends. Key to success as we move into the future will be constantly understanding and responding to the needs of customers, consumers, and markets.
Demand will continue for a wide range of products to be exported and used in offshore manufacturing processes that meet the needs of a growing global population. Consumers in key markets will continue to prioritise high-quality food that is safe and healthy, and food and fibre products produced and packaged sustainably.
A significant programme of work is already laying strong foundations for the future through the Food and Fibre Partnership Group, Māori Primary Sector Forum, and the food and fibre sector think-tank (Te Puna Whakaaronui) as well as relevant industry transformation plans.
Find out more about 'Fit for a better world – accelerating our economic potential'
Submissions are public information
Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.
People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.
If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.
