The Harm-minimisation Principle

Harmful effects of change will be minimised.

New systems and major enhancement result in change; however, the undesirable effects of change on the user, the system, the national identity and the environment should be avoided or kept to a minimum.

Rationale

• The real world is a complex place, where action in one area can have a range of unintended impacts in other areas. Sometimes, in order to make progress on one issue, we narrow our focus and lose sight of the impact we might be having in other spheres. ⁱ
• The New Zealand government is working to ensure that sustainability issues are taken into account in decision-making process.ⁱⁱ
• Services must be provided in a way to avoid wasted time, resources and effort ⁱⁱⁱ

Implications

• Thinking through all the possible impacts of a decision, and so recognising the complexity of the real world is part of a sustainable development approach. This does not mean that it will always be possible to come up with solutions that are optimal in all areas, but it does mean we will make those decisions with our eyes open.^iv
• Agencies must develop sustainable procurement strategies, policies, guidance material, training and tools.^v
• In providing information to Government, the citizen will provide information once^vi– generally the ‘cost of compliance’ will be minimised.
• New systems, and major enhancement, and their operation should conform to the Govt3 programme on sustainability.^vii

Footnotes

[i. Taking into Account Effects on Social, Cultural, Economic and Environmental Dimensions; pg 10; The Government’s Approach to Sustainable Development (August 2002); http://www.beehive.govt.nz/hobbs/med-sustainable-development-govt-approach.pdf; 2007 October 5]

[ii. Foreword by Hon. Lianne Dalzeil, Australian and New Zealand Government Framework for Sustainable Procurement, ISBN: 978-1-920751-09-08, http://www.med.govt.nz/upload/50471/anz-framework.pdf, 2007 October 5]

[iii. Central Agencies Review, September 2006]

[iv. pg 10; The Government’s Approach to Sustainable Development (August 2002)]

[v. Pg 10, Australian and New Zealand Government Framework for Sustainable Procurement.]

[vi. One of the tests of Goal 3: Networked State Services, Achieving the Development Goals, http://ssc.govt.nz/SDG-report06, 2007 Oct 5]

[vii. “Govt3 is a programme for core central agencies departments and Ministries. As of 2 June 2006, 47 agencies have formally signed up to Govt3 membership.”; About Govt3; http://www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/sustainable-industry/govt3/about.php; 2007 October 5]