External governance Governance from the perspective of looking out from the regulator – the roles, relationships and distribution of powers and responsibilities between the legislature, the minister, the ministry, the regulator’s governing body and regulated entities. Framework agreement An agreement that sets out protocols for the working relationship between a regulator and a ministry that provides them with a secretariat. It will typically include the details of services to be provided and arrangements for the direction of staff. Government policy Policy set by ministers, whether individually or collectively by executive government. Impact assessment guidance Guidance to assist rule-makers in undertaking regulatory impact analysis of new rules.