File No. DOIA 1920-1779
John Luke
[FYI request #13011 email]
Dear John Luke
Thank you for your email of 3 June 2020 requesting under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act),
the following:
I noted on your website, not sure if this is your responsibility or MBIE, but will send that to you anyway.
https://www.tec.govt.nz/rove/regional-skills-leadership-groups/
May I kindly request the update of this initiative "We are still planning to establish the groups in mid-
2020." and how you plan to call for express of interest for Regional Skills Leadership Groups and has the
job description or term of reference been drafted? If yes, may I request them.
Also, may I request the copy of this proposal "concrete proposals that will be provided to Ministers at the
end of February 2020."
Our response
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is providing you with two ministerial
papers (attached) relevant to the establishment of (interim) Regional Skills Leadership Groups (iRSLGs).
These are:
Regional Skills Leadership Groups: composition proposals, February 2020 – including a separate
annexed document
Establishing interim Regional Skills Leadership Groups to support COVID-19 response, April 2020
MBIE is also providing you with copies of the:
Terms of Reference, including a separate annexed document
Position descriptions for iRSLG Chair and Member.
In response to your question about the process for identifying and appointing members, due to the
labour market disruptions caused by COVID-19 and need to establish these interim bodies quickly, MBIE
ran an expedited process for the initial membership of the iRSLGs. As such, MBIE did not conduct a
general call for expressions of interest; rather, it worked with regional stakeholders, such as the
Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development Agencies and existing regional groups, to identify
suitable candidates to serve as business, local government, and community representatives on the
iRSLGs. The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions put forward suggested worker representatives, and
15 Stout Street, PO Box 1473, Wellington 6140 New Zealand
E [email address]
T +64 4 472 0030
W www.mbie.govt.nz
iwi and Māori business groups nominated iwi representatives for the groups. In most regions, the
Regional Public Service Lead is the central government representative on the group.
All iRSLG members are formally appointed by the Chief Executive of MBIE.
It is expected that within a year the interim RSLGs will transition to full RSLGs. The key difference
between interim RSLGs and full RSLGs is that the latter will be expected to produce an annual Regional
Workforce Plan. The Chairs of the full RSLGs will also be appointed by the Appointments and Honours
Committee of Cabinet, following an expression of interest process. Likewise, each region will run an
expression of interest process for other members of the group over the following 12 months.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of response to this request,
in accordance with section 28(3) of the Act. The relevant details can be found at:
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz. Yours sincerely
Heather Kirkham
Director, Strategic Labour Market Policy
2