Back in the 90's, National was slave to the latest fashion in public management theory. Multi-function agencies were inefficient and prone to loss of focus. So departments were split up to separate funders from providers, policy from operations, and to separate policy areas. As a result of this trend, the previously monolithic Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries was separated into its two components (agriculture was then remerged with the Ministry of Forestry, just so they could keep the acronym).
Fast forward 15 years, and National is slave to the latest fashion in public management theory. Single-purpose organisations are inefficient and unnecessarily duplicate backroom and management functions. Departments must be merged to produce efficiencies. As a result of this trend, the Ministry of Fisheries is to be merged with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to create a new body - which will no doubt keep the acronym.
I wonder what will happen in 15 years time?
