New Zealand oil spill response strategy - Maritime New Zealand

Appendix 4 - Key Functions and Responsibilities of the Oil
Pollution Advisory Committee (OPAC)
Functions
• To provide advice to Maritime New Zealand on all matters associated with the New Zealand
Marine Oil Spill Response Strategy;
• To provide advice on the levying and use of the Oil Pollution Fund.
The Committee may comprise:
• The Director; and
• Any other people appointed by the Minister of Transport who represent or have experience
relating to:
o the shipping industry;
o the oil and gas exploration and production industry;
o the oil refining and distribution industry;
o operators of port facilities;
o regional councils;
o Maritime New Zealand;
o Ministry of Transport;
o Ministry for the Environment;
o Department of Conservation;
o Te Puni Kokiri;
o the fishing industry.
Responsibilities
• Provide advice to Maritime New Zealand on the following (as defined in section 282 of the Act):
o the New Zealand Marine Oil Spill Response Strategy;
o the fixing and levying of Oil Pollution Levies;
o the use of the New Zealand Oil Pollution Fund;
o any other matters related to marine oil spills that the Minister of Transport or the Director
specifies.
Consultation Process
OPAC meets formally twice per year (the frequency could change since this is not a statutory
requirement), and will be kept informed of relevant issues pertaining to the Maritime New Zealand
budget in the intervening months. Sub-committees of OPAC will also be formed as required, to
advise on specific issues between meetings.
Nature of OPAC Advice
The Committee must be consulted on the range of issues detailed above, and their advice must be
given serious consideration, but any recommendations offered are non-binding. The process should
not be equated with negotiation, as there is no requirement that agreement or consensus must be
reached.
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