warrants further analysis to ensure that Maritime NZ provides
value for money. Other submitters questioned the one-sizefits-all approach that would see the single rate applied to basic
clerical and more advanced tasks. Perhaps this could also be
reviewed and modelled on commercial practice.
INEFFICIENCY, OR IRRELEVANT BUSINESS
PRACTICES?
VIP.S86
VIP.
VIP S86
A large number of submissions drew attention to the fact that the
Funding Review proposals were in direct conflict with current
trends to minimise public sector expenditure and that they appeared
oblivious to difficult international and domestic financial realities.
Submitters also pointed out that Maritime NZ���s systems are
���archaic and paper-based���, that doubling the hourly rate ���puts no
pressure on Maritime NZ to find more efficient ways of operating���,
and that ���to date we have experienced no significant commitment
by Maritime NZ staff to reduce or streamline their work���.
A number of submitters suggested that, instead of inflicting
greater costs on the maritime industry, Maritime NZ instead
needed to urgently ���review and restructure��� its business processes
to ensure better, more cost-effective services. There already exists
a robust means of delivering services in the private sector.
In this respect, it is likely that the Government���s ���Better
public services for business��� initiative, which includes a target
of 25 percent reduction in costs for businesses dealing with
government agencies, will come as an unwelcome surprise to the
Funding Review team.
SUMMARY: ���SMASH AND GRAB���
Contact: Margaret Wind, Executive Officer, New Zealand Marine
Transport Association on: 0800 667723 or +64 9 535 7702,
email: info@marinetransport.co.nz
Recognised and recommended by Professional Skipper
magazine as one of our leading marine artists.
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VIP.S85
The Funding Review is the culmination of a two-year project,
which is likely to have cost Maritime NZ (and hence the maritime
industry) a considerable sum of money, possibly even millions.
In their favour, is the fact that Maritime NZ adopted a round
table approach and involved commercial industry representatives
to assist with the difficult task of producing an outcome that had
to result in additional costs to industry.
This is accepted and unavoidable. Many operators respect and
understand that user pays is a sensible approach, but the primary
focus must be the outcome. If this does not produce added value
through a safe and productive marine environment, then the
exercise is pointless.
If those who made submissions to the Funding Review
proposal are even partly correct, the obvious question is, where
did this project go so wrong? Submitters seem to suggest that
Maritime NZ needs to get their own processes in order, rather
than mounting a smash and grab on the maritime industry.
Is the Funding Review the product of an organisation
fundamentally out of touch with the realities of modern public
administration?
Perhaps the solution is to impose a more realistic interim funding
regime, whilst heading back to the drawing board to take industry
views into account. This would seem the only realistic approach
to ensuring the viability of New Zealand���s maritime community.
Some food for thought to leave you with:
Predatory Thinking: Street smarts; whatever you want to call it:
��� It���s about writing the rules on your terms rather than following
someone else���s.
��� It���s about changing behaviour through reframing a story or
changing the context.
��� It���s about seeking unfair advantage to outmanoeuvre the
competition.
March/April 2013 Professional Skipper 71
