ABSTRACT
This chapter hypothesizes that a clear mandate and sound technical assistance from central government agencies would help regional councils to prepare high quality policy statements, as would the strength of commitment and capacity within councils. It focuses on the number of full-time equivalent staff members in the core group responsible for writing the regional policy statement. The quality of regional policy statements is crucial for effective integrated resource management. Organizational capability is central to the planning programmes of regional councils. It provides the means through which resource management issues are defined, objectives formulated, policy solutions determined, and policy performance monitored. The consultation carried out by regional councils in preparing regional policy statements was not as extensive as that carried out by district councils in preparing plans. Interviews yielded some insights into how the regional councils developed their understanding of the mandate. The councils address the bicultural mandate by setting up a Maori Standing Committee.
