20-D-01523 John Luke
Appendix 1: Summary of fund details
This document provides the key information requested for each of the funds administered by
the Ministry for the Environment. Further detail is provided in the additional appendices.

Waste Minimisation Fund
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Panel members
Panel members’ names and biographical details are withheld under the following sections of
Act
the Act:

9(2)(g)(ii) maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the protection of such
Ministers, members of organisations, officers, and employees from improper
pressure or harassment

How the WMF calls for nominations
The call for nominations to the WMF Panel is advertised on the MfE website and
www.jobs.govt.nz. These website links are also distributed through external and internal
stakeholder networks.
Information
See Appendix 2: Call for WMF Panel Nominations Strategy 2020 for further detail.
Pay rate, Term of Appointment and job description
Pay rate:
The fees will be based on the Cabinet Fees Framework for members appointed to bodies in
which the Crown has an interest [CO(19)1]. Under the fees framework, the Panel is classified
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as a Group 4, Level 3 body. Under this classification, panel members receive a daily fee of
$395 (gross). Panel members who are currently employed in the public service are not eligible
for daily fees.
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Term of Appointment:
Three years

Job description:
Individual panel members assess (score) applications individually, and then come together as
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a group to discuss each application and collectively make the recommendations. When
making recommendations, the Panel considers whether each application is consistent with
the WMF assessment criteria. The panel can also recommend how much funding is allocated
to each successful applicant and can stipulate conditions of funding. See further detail in the
Terms of Reference.

Additional information
The Panel are experts with a deep understanding of New Zealand’s waste sector and waste
collection system. They are selected for their in-depth knowledge and awareness of the key
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environmental, social, cultural and economic issues facing the sector, and understanding of
key stakeholders in the sector

See Appendix 3: WMF - Assesment Panel Terms of Reference 2020 for further detail.
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Freshwater Improvement Fund
Freshwater Improvement Fund – Round 1 was held in 2017, currently considering new panel
members for Round 2.
Panel members

•  David Painter
•  Hugh Canard
•  Jenni Vernon
•
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  Mereana Wilson
•  Tina Porou

Description
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The Freshwater Improvement Fund (FIF) was launched in 2017. It committed $100m over a
10 year period to support initiatives that would improve the management of freshwater within
quality and quantity limits.
The first contestable funding round for the FIF ran between 23 February and 13 April 2017
inclusive. Around $45M was committed to 33 projects approved for funding.
A second contestable funding round of the FIF opened on 7 September, and closed  21
September 2020. This second round has been created for projects that create employment
opportunities which will improve the management of New Zealand’s lakes, rivers, streams,
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groundwater and wetlands.
A further round of the FIF will open January 27 and close 10 February 2021.
As at the date of this request (10 August 2020), the selection of assessment panel members
for round 2 (September 2020) had not been finalised.
For more information, visit: https://www.mfe.govt.nz/more/funding/freshwater-improvement-
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fund
Panel Member composition the
An assessment panel was recruited to assess eligible applications for round 1 that included
the following skills and expertise:
  Knowledge of the Freshwater NPS and requirements for implementation
  Freshwater ecosystems and water quality
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  Good practice land and water management
•  Mātauranga Māori
  Resource management
  Economics
  Business acumen
  Project management and governance.
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An assessment panel was recruited to assess eligible applications for round 1 that included
the following skills and expertise:

  Knowledge of the Freshwater NPS and requirements for implementation
  Freshwater ecosystems and water quality
  Good practice land and water management
•  Mātauranga Māori
  Resource management
  Economics
  Business acumen
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  Project management and governance.
The assessment panel, comprised of five voting members with a non-voting Chair (staffed
from MfE), assessed the eligible applications individually then met as a group to moderate
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their assessments for this first funding round.
Process around nominations
There were no statutory requirements regarding the recruitment of panel members for the first
round of the Freshwater Improvement Fund assessment panel.
Panel members could self-nominate or be nominated by others by submitting a template
nomination form provided by MfE.
Due to the nature of the FIF and the specific technical skills required for the panel, MfE did not
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publically advertise for nominations. Potential candidates were identified from people known
to MfE or its relationship contacts based on relevant skills and experience. Officials briefed
the Minister on options, and he decided the final panel membership.
Admin – pay rate, job description etc

Panel members were briefed by officials on expectations of their role and provided with terms
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of reference relevant to the FIF.
External panel members were paid according to the then current Cabinet Fees Framework for
members appointed to bodies in which the Crown has an interest [CO (12) 06]. This
the
information is publicly available at: https://dpmc.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2017-03/coc-12-
06.pdf
Panel members qualifying for payment (ie, not currently employed in the public service) were
paid according to Group 4 level 3 fees of $364 (gross) per day.
Panel members were also able to claim expenses related to their travel and accommodation
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to attend a panel moderation meeting in Wellington.
Further detail
See •  Appendix 4: Terms of Reference – FIF Assessment Panel (Round 1) 2017
•  Appendix 5: Freshwater Improvement Fund - panel nomination form
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Te Mana o Te Wai Fund
Te Mana o Te Wai Fund – First round was held in 2017, no assessment panel selected yet for
upcoming funding round.
Panel members

•  Julian Williams
•  Tikitu Tutua-Nathan
•  Taimania Clark
•
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  Mereana Wilson
•  Annabelle Ellis
•  Bruce Croucher

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Description
The purpose of the Te Mana o te Wai Fund is to help Māori improve the water quality of
freshwater bodies (including lakes, rivers, streams, estuaries and lagoons) that are of
importance to them by:

•  supporting  iwi/hapū  to  play  an  active  part  in  improving  the  water  quality  of  their  local
freshwater bodies
•  enabling iwi/hapū to actively participate in managing their local freshwater bodies
  developing partnerships and working in collaboration with others
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•  assisting iwi/hapū and the wider community recognise the importance of fresh water in
supporting a healthy ecosystem, including supporting human health.

The Government budget for 2014 provided $5 million (over two years) to create the Te Mana
o te Wai Fund and a contestable funding round was held in 2015. $4.5M was committed to 9
projects as a result.

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In 2018, a further $1 million (over one year) was provided for the fund. Of this, $750k was
distributed via direct funding to three projects focussing on monitoring.

the
The fund is currently closed for applicants. A further round of Te Mana o te Wai funding will
be available late 2020.

As at the date of this request (10 August 2020), the selection of assessment panel members
for the next round of the TMOTW has not been initiated.
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For more information, visit:
https://www.mfe.govt.nz/more/funding/te-mana-o-te-wai-fund
Panel Member composition
An assessment  panel  including three  members external  to  MfE  and  a non-voting chair
(provided by MfE) was recruited based on the following set of criteria:
  Skills and experience in community sector
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  Resource management expertise
•  Tikanga Māori perspective
  Experience on funding panels or schemes
  Knowledge/understanding environment/ecosystems

Process around nominations
The Panel was comprised of three Ministry staff, an official from Te Puni Kōkiri (TPK) and a
nominated representative selected by the Freshwater Iwi Advisors Group (IAG) all of whom
had one or more of the relevant expertise required.
No timeframe was set for the duration of appointments.
Admin – pay rate, job description etc

Panel members were briefed by officials on expectations of their role and provided with terms 1982
of reference relevant to the TMOTW Fund.
Panel members from ‘out of town’ were able to claim expenses related to their travel and
accommodation to attend a panel moderation meeting in Wellington.
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We are not able to release information on individual expense claims for reasons of personal
privacy (section 9(2)(a)).
Further detail
Appendix 6: TMOTW Assessment Panel Terms of Reference 2015
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Community Environment Fund
Community Environment Fund – Round 9 was held in 2017, and no new funding rounds
expected in the near future.
Panel members

•  Bill Dahlberg
•  Arapeta Tahana
•  Maggie Brayfield
•
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  Emma Bonner

Description
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The Community Environment Fund empowers New Zealanders to make a positive difference
to the environment.
It achieves this through:
  Strengthening partnerships
  Raising environmental awareness
  Encouraging participation in environmental initiatives in the community.

The last contestable funding round (round 9) was held in 2017. Around $1.9M was committed
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to 10 projects as a result of the funding round.
The fund is currently closed for applications.
For more information, visit: https://www.mfe.govt.nz/more/funding/community-environment-
fund
Panel Member composition
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An assessment panel that included the following skills and experience was recruited to review
eligible applications for CEF round 9:
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  Knowledge of the Community sector
  Resource management expertise
  Local government expertise
•  Tikanga Māori expertise
The final panel was comprised of three voting members with a non-voting Chair provided by
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MfE.
Process around nominations
MFE emailed a range of contacts in July 2017 seeking nominations for potentially suitable
panel members available from approximately September to November 2017. Nominations
could be made via self or another party by completing the attached nomination form.
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A list of potential panel members and their relevant skills and experience was provided to the
Minister for consideration. This informed his decision on the preferred panel composition. The
final panel was subject to availability of those selected by the Minister at the times required.
Panel appointments were for a term of 3 years from the date the Confidentiality agreement
was signed and returned by the panel member following a letter of appointment.
Admin – pay rate, job description etc

Panel members were briefed by officials on expectations of their role and provided with terms 1982
of reference relevant to the CEF.
External panel members were paid according to the then current Cabinet Fees Framework for
members appointed to bodies in which the Crown has an interest [CO (12) 06]. This
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information is publicly available at: https://dpmc.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2017-03/coc-12-
06.pdf
Panel members qualifying for payment (ie, not currently employed in the public service) were
paid according to Group 4 level 3 fees of $364 (gross) per day.
Panel members were also able to claim expenses related to their travel and accommodation
to attend the panel moderation meeting in Wellington.
Further detail
Appendix 7: Panel TOR - CEF 2017
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and analysis; stakeholder engagement and relationship management; cultural and
environmental impact assessments and Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty responsiveness for
mainstream government, local authorities, iwi, hapū and community organisations.
She was a Principal Advisor in the Chief Planning Office at Auckland Council, supporting best
practice responsiveness to Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi delivery and working with
manawhenua of Tamaki Makaurau. She has worked in collaborative hapu and community
initiatives around safe and sustainable communities, with manawhenua kaitiaki helping to
improve their environment and support them to be actively involved in the remediation and
conservation. Ani has worked in Treaty of Waitangi settlement negotiations for government
and her Patuharakeke hapu. A Hapu Trustee she co-convenes their Treaty claims 1982
settlements and legal issues portfolios among her portfolios.
She has been on a number of Tai Tokerau/Northland and nationally based NGOs Boards as
well as her hapu and marae at Takahiwai situated in the southern shores of the Whangarei
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harbour. Her Hapu is very active on environmental issues and the impact of industry on the
harbour and receiving environment.
Gregory Carlyon
Greg is the Director of The Catalyst Group a multidisciplinary consultancy firm providing
strategic and environmental management advice. Greg has been a practicing planning and
resource management specialist for 25 years. Before this, he worked as an executive for
Horizon Regional Council focusing on Planning, policy, community plan, science, consents,
compliance and strategic initiatives. Greg’s experience also includes working at Department
of Conservation as a conservancy planner. He is a qualified Independent Chair and Hearing
Commissioner. Greg has been heavily involved in large scale consent renewals, negotiating
mitigation packages and facilitating community responses to resource management issues.
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Rachel Devine
Rachel is a partner at MinterEllisonRuddWatts. She has advised extensively on all aspects
of environmental and resource management law for private and public sector clients. Her
expertise spans drafting law and influencing planning processes through to obtaining rights
to operate and responding to compliance problems. Rachel has a strong understanding of
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the economy is well supported by a wealth of knowledge across the firm, including access
to significant databases of information. Rachel has worked closely throughout the country
with a wide range of environmental community groups, iwi / hapu and business sectors, each
passionate about their own specific agendas. In recognition of her environmental expertise,
the
Rachel was President of the New Zealand Resource Management Law Association during
2018 and 2019.
Loretta Lovell
Loretta is the Director of Lovell & Associates Ltd, a boutique law firm specialising in public
law, environmental, commercial and energy law that acts largely for Māori organisations,
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government agencies and developers seeking to work with Māori. Loretta has over 20 years’
experience in the energy and renewable field advising on projects of a wide spectrum in the
renewal energy fields, geothermal, wind, hydro and tidal. She has also acted as a
Development Contribution Commissioner on behalf of the Minister for Local Government
assessing decisions of Local and Territorial Authorities enforcing compliance with the law.
Process around nominations
The Ministry administers the application process of nominations. In order to secure high quality
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nominations for the Panel with the required expertise and experience, the Ministry seeks
nominations from a range of organisations by publically advertising through the following
channels: Resource Management Law Association, Environmental Protection Authority and

NZ Planning institute, Federation of Māori Authorities. Those nominations are presented to
the Minister for the Environment who has the authority to make all appointments.
Admin – pay rate, job description etc
Panel members receive an honorarium based on the State Services Commission Cabinet
Fees Framework for members appointed to bodies in which the Crown has an interest [CO
(19)1]. The current rate for the ELA Panel members is $364 per day.
Term of Appointment is 3 years
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Further detail:
Appendix 8: ELA Terms of Reference
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Appendix 2: Waste Minimisation Fund panel nomination process

Strategy: Call for WMF Panel Nominations
1.  Determine specific skills required
2.  Make sure words used in briefing, website, application, and comms about the streams (investment signals) is
consistent.
3.  Future proof panel for potential increase in funding.
4.  Make changes to ‘call for nominations’ comms piece below
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5.  Heads up to existing panel to apply when comms go out, they will apply along with everyone else
6.  Work with comms to develop social media campaign to pull in nominations to panel:
LinkedIn, WasteMinz, NRS Community of Interest (MPI, MBIE, TPK, DoC) , Waste Advisory Board, Callaghan
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Innovation, Packaging Forum, Scion, Para Kore, Plastics NZ, Zerowaste Network, BusinessNZ
Internal networks: Te Taiao, Waste Policy team

Wording for Panel call for nominations
Call for Nominations – Panel members for the Waste Minimisation Fund (WMF) Assessment Panel
The Ministry for the Environment- Manatū Mō Te Taiao is currently seeking nominations for panel members to serve
on the Waste Minimisation Fund (WMF) assessment panel.
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We are looking to appoint panel members for three year terms and successful panel members are likely to be
required to assess funding applications for at least one funding round per year.
Panel members need to be available from late May through June for the assessment of applications for the 2020
round of the WMF. The Panel may also be convened for applications outside the annual round. The Terms of
Reference can be found as an attachment to this email or here (link to website).
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Individuals interested in securing a position on the WMF assessment panel are to submit a covering letter and
curriculum vitae (including the details of two referees) that supports their skills and expertise in one or more of the
following areas:
the
Essential Skills and Expertise
  Expertise in either:
o  resource recovery infrastructure planning and investment; and/or
o  Expertise or knowledge of the plastics industry across whole of life including specific knowledge or background
in some or all of the following:
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  Research and development, product design and material science
  Commercialisation of innovation
  packaging industry
  recycling including knowledge of current and emerging technology and markets
o  Tikanga Maori perspectives; and/or
o  Community based waste minimisation initiatives; and/or
  Technical waste expertise.
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  Understanding of waste policy across all spheres of Government

Desirable Skills and Expertise

  Experience with community projects

  Local government knowledge
  Legal and finance experience
  Strategic thinking
  Leadership through board or committee experience

Panel members will be paid for their time according to the Cabinet Fees Framework for members appointed to
bodies in which the Crown has an interest.  The fees will cover:
  time spent reading and evaluating applications (number of days/hours will vary depending on number of
applications received)
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  attendance at a one day panel induction meeting in Wellington
  attendance at an (up to) three day panel deliberation meeting in Wellington
  all travel, accommodation (where applicable) and expenses while in Wellington (where applicable) will be
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arranged by the Ministry
Applications are to be submitted to the Ministry by email to [email address] no later than 12.00 noon on 2 April
2020.
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Appendix 3: Waste Minimisation Fund
Assessment Panel Terms of Reference
Purpose of the Waste Minimisation Fund
The Waste Minimisation Fund (WMF) is funded through the waste disposal levy that was
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introduced under the Waste Minimisation Act 2008. Fifty per cent of the money col ected from
the levy is distributed to territorial authorities to spend in accordance with their Waste
Management and Minimisation Plans. The remainder (minus administration costs) is used for
the WMF.
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The purpose of the WMF is to fund projects that promote or achieve waste minimisation. By
supporting these projects, the fund increases resource efficiency, reuse, recovery and recycling,
and decreases waste to landfill.
The Minister for the Environment has set eligibility and assessment criteria for the WMF,
notified under the New Zealand Gazette (current eligibility and assessment criteria as at
01/04/2019 in Appendix 1). The Minister may also consider any other matters that he or she
thinks relevant. Only projects that promote or achieve waste minimisation are eligible for
funding. Projects must result in new waste minimisation activity, either by implementing new
initiatives, or a significant expansion in the scope or coverage of existing activities.
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Purpose of the Waste Minimisation Fund Assessment Panel
The purpose of the WMF Assessment Panel (the Panel) is to provide an assessment of applications
requesting funds from the WMF. Under the Waste Minimisation Act 2008, the Minister for the
Environment (the Minister) is responsible for approving WMF funding. The Minister also appoints
WMF panel members. The Minister currently delegates decision making to the Associate Minister
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for the Environment.
All applications are reviewed and assessed by the panel against the WMF assessment criteria
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and on their merit compared with other applications.
The Panel then makes recommendations on which projects should receive funding. The Minister
makes the final decision about which projects are invited to proceed to Stage II of the funding
process, which involves project planning and deed negotiation. The Ministry will then
commission independent due diligence checks on the applications recommended for funding.
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Project planning and Deed negotiations must be completed before funding support is finalised.
Roles and responsibilities
The Panel’s key responsibility is to provide recommendations on which applications should
receive funding through the WMF.
Individual panel members assess (score) applications individually, and then come together as a
group to discuss each application and col ectively make the recommendations. When making
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recommendations, the Panel considers whether each application is consistent with the WMF
Waste Minimisation Fund (WMF) Assessment Panel – Terms of Reference March 2020
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assessment criteria. The panel can also recommend how much funding is allocated to each
successful applicant and can stipulate conditions of funding.
The Chair is responsible for facilitating discussions and final decision-making amongst the Panel.
In the event that the Panel is unable to reach a majority decision the Chair will have the casting
vote. The Chair of the WMF panel will be a Ministry official.
The Panel’s role in recommending the commitment of WMF funds to applicants is strictly
advisory. The Minister has absolute discretion to accept or decline in whole or part,
recommendations of the Panel.
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Preparation and meetings
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Panel members are expected to read and be conversant with the WMF eligibility and assessment
criteria and any supporting material forwarded by the Ministry.
Panel members will be required to:

•  Individually assess and score WMF applications to the annual contestable rounds in
accordance with the WMF assessment criteria over a four week period likely to
commence in late May with potential for a second assessment required later in the
year;

•  Complete and return required WMF assessment documentation (scoring sheets and
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conflict of interest forms) one week prior to the Assessment Panel meeting;

•  Convene as a group for the annual round for up to three days in Wel ington (likely to be
mid-June and potentially mid-November of each year) to deliberate on
recommendations that funding is either approved or declined for each application.
Where funding is approved the amount, term and any conditions of funding are to be
discussed and wil  be recorded in a panel minute.  Where funding is declined; the
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reasons for declining funding are to be discussed and wil  be recorded in a panel minute;

•  Be available for a three year term as an appointed panel member. Panel members are
the
likely to be required for one funding round per year, with the final panel composition for
each funding round being confirmed prior to the panel assessment stage. The Ministry
will give panel members as much notice as possible for each funding round.
Please note dates and timings are subject to change.
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The Panel may be required to attend a one day panel induction meeting prior to each annual
WMF round.
The Panel may also be convened for applications outside the annual round. These Terms of
Reference will apply.
The Ministry will provide administrative support to the Panel during this time, including:
•  Coordination of travel and accommodation arrangements (where applicable)
•  Preparation of applications for panel assessment and scoring
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•  Preparation of meeting agendas and distribution of meeting minutes

Waste Minimisation Fund (WMF) Assessment Panel – Terms of Reference March 2020
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Panel composition
Dependant on the number of applications received the  Panel  may be split into multiple
assessment streams in order to support manageable workloads for assessors. Each assessment
stream will comprise of up to six voting members and a non-voting chair made up of the following:
•  Up to five external to the Ministry panel members;
•  One Ministry official;
•  One non-voting chair from the Ministry (manager level or above).
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Fees and reimbursements
Fees and reimbursements for work completed by panel members will be set out in individual  Act
letters of appointment. The fees wil  be based on the Cabinet Fees Framework for members
appointed to bodies in which the Crown has an interest [CO(19)1]. Under the fees framework,
the Panel is classified as a Group 4, Level 3 body.  Under this classification, panel members
receive a daily fee of $395 (gross). Panel members who are currently employed in the public
service are not eligible for daily fees.
Confidentiality
All material sent to the Panel is to be kept confidential. At no time are panel members to discuss
application details with anyone, including the applicants (either before or after its consideration).
If additional information is required, the Ministry wil  be the conduit by which this information is
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obtained. Similarly, enquiries to panel members relating to individual applications should be
referred to the Ministry.
To avoid potential lobbying and protect their privacy, Panel members are advised not to disclose
their role on the WMF Panel.
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Conflicts of interest
All panel members must declare any  interest which conflicts (or might conflict, or might be
perceived to conflict) with the interests of the Ministry in ensuring that applications for grants of
the
money under the WMF are assessed fairly and impartially. An interest can be pecuniary or non-
pecuniary.
A panel member can declare a conflict of interest at any time. However, when first appointed,
the panel member must declare all known actual or potential interest conflicts on an Interests
Register that will be provided by the Ministry. Other conflicts must be declared as soon as
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practicable after the panel member knows of the information or situation that gives rise to the
conflict.  Any panel member who is directly or indirectly associated with any application must
declare their interest prior to the panel meeting and, if a conflict exists, withdraw from the
discussion and decision on that application.
Official Information Act request
All correspondence, including emails, between the Panel and Ministry staff is official information
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and  are  subject to the Official Information Act (OIA)  1982.   Please note,  panel comments on
application forms and summaries are also subject to the OIA.

Waste Minimisation Fund (WMF) Assessment Panel – Terms of Reference March 2020
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Appendix 1:
New Zealand Gazette, 01/04/2019, Notice Number 2019-go1460
Eligibility – Waste Minimisation Projects
1.
Only waste minimisation projects are eligible for funding. Projects must promote or achieve waste
minimisation. Waste minimisation covers the reduction of waste and the reuse, recycling and recovery of
waste and diverted material.
2.
Projects must promote or achieve new waste minimisation activity, either by implementing new initiatives
or a significant expansion in the scope or coverage of existing activities.
3.
Funding is not for the ongoing financial support of existing activities, nor is it for the running costs of the
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existing activities of organisations, individuals, councils or firms.
4.
Projects should be for a discrete timeframe of up to three years, after which the project objectives will
have been achieved and, where appropriate, the initiative will become self-funding.
5.
Funding can be for operational or capital expenditure required to undertake a project.
6.
For projects where alternative, more suitable, Government funding streams are available (such as the  Act
Contaminated Sites Remediation Fund or research funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and
Employment), applicants should apply to these funding sources before applying to the Waste
Minimisation Fund.
7.
The applicant must be a legal entity.
8.
The fund will not cover the entire cost of the project. Applicants will need part funding from other sources.
9.
The minimum grant for feasibility or scoping studies will be $10,000.00. The minimum grant for other
projects will be $50,000.00.
10.  The scope of the fund includes, but is not limited to: •
o
educational projects that promote waste minimisation activity;
o
projects that address litter;
o
projects focused on gaining an understanding of existing waste quantities and composition,
behaviour, or economic incentives, as a precursor to effectively reducing waste and/or
increasing reuse, recycling, and recovery of waste materials;
o
the design of targeted product stewardship schemes to promote and achieve waste
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minimisation in line with the Ministry’s strategic priorities.
Project Benefits
1.
Preference will be given to projects that help achieve the strategic outcomes identified by the Ministry for
the Environment from time to time (if any).
2.
Preference will be given to projects that collectively give the largest net benefit over time. The
assessment of the effectiveness of projects will include the extent to which the projects can demonstrate:
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o
likelihood of success;
o
reduction of harm to the environment;
o
reduction in the volume of waste disposed of;
o
economic, environmental, social or cultural benefits;
o
longer term benefits after the completion of the project;
the
o
alignment to waste minimisation activities with outcomes consistent with the circular economy
concept;
o
consideration of climate change impacts arising from waste-related activities.
3.
Projects will be assessed for their strategic value in achieving the purpose of the fund. Strategic value
means the likely ability of projects to act as catalysts that enhance and extend the uptake of waste
minimisation.
4.
Consideration will be given to projects that are implementing one or more of the most recently published
recommendations of the review of the waste disposal levy carried out under section 39 of the Waste
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Minimisation Act 2008.
5.
The degree of partnership and cross-sectoral collaboration will be taken into account in assessing the
strategic value of proposals.
6.
The level of funding from other sources will be taken into account. Shared funding is preferred.
Project Delivery
7.
The applicant must demonstrate:
o
ability to deliver the project;
o
how the project will achieve its goals;
o
how the effectiveness of the project will be monitored, evaluated and reported;
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o
if and how the project will continue after funding ends and become self sustaining, particularly if
the funding is for the establishment phase of a longer term project.
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Appendix 4:

Freshwater Improvement Fund 2017
Assessment Panel Terms of Reference
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Purpose of the Freshwater Improvement Fund
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The Freshwater Improvement Fund (the Fund) provides $100 million over the next 10 years to
improve the management of New Zealand’s freshwater bodies by supporting initiatives which
assist users to move to managing within quality and quantity limits. This means improving the
way we share and use water as well as taking care with what we allow to flow into our water
bodies.
The Fund will support projects that will make a significant and measurable improvement to
rivers, lakes, streams and wetlands, with priority on the most vulnerable catchments.
The Fund is able to support a range of projects at diﬀerent scales and over varying time frames.
This could include one-off short term projects up to one year as well as longer-term projects
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taking up to five years. The Fund will also help communities adapt to new ways of managing and
using fresh water within the limits they set for water quality and quantity. Approximately $24.5
million is available in the first funding round.
The Minister for the Environment (the Minister) has set eligibility and assessment criteria for the
Freshwater Improvement Fund.  The Minister may also consider any other matters that he or
she thinks relevant. Whilst the fund gives priority to projects located in catchments identified as
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vulnerable, projects in catchments not classified as vulnerable are also eligible to apply for
funding.
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Purpose of the Freshwater Improvement Fund Assessment Panel
The purpose of the Freshwater Improvement Fund Assessment Panel (the Panel) is to provide an
assessment  of  applications  requesting  funding  from  the  Freshwater  Improvement  Fund.  The
Minister approves panel members.
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All applications are reviewed and assessed by the Panel against the Fund’s assessment criteria
and on their merit compared with other applications.
The Panel then makes recommendations on which projects should receive funding. The Minister
makes the final decision about which projects are invited to proceed to Stage II of the funding
process, which involves project planning and deed negotiation.  The Ministry will then
commission independent due diligence checks on the applications recommended for funding.
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Freshwater Improvement Fund (FIF) Assessment Panel – Terms of Reference 2017
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Roles and responsibilities
The Panel’s key responsibility is to provide a recommendation on which applications should
receive funding. Individual panel members assess (score) applications individually, and then
come together as a group to discuss each application and collectively make the
recommendations.
When making recommendations, the Panel considers whether each application is consistent
with the Fund’s assessment criteria. The panel can also recommend how much funding is
allocated to each successful applicant and can stipulate any conditions of funding.
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The Chair is responsible for facilitating discussions and final decision-making amongst the Panel.
In the event that the Panel is unable to reach a majority decision the Chair will have the casting
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vote. The Chair of the Panel will be a manager from the Ministry’s Investment and Partnerships
Directorate.
Preparation and meetings
Panel members are expected to read and be conversant with the Fund’s eligibility and assessment
criteria and any supporting material forwarded by the Ministry.
Panel members will be required to:


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  Attend a panel induction meeting (which should take no longer than 2 hours) likely to be
late April 2017. Panel members may attend via video conference.

  Individually assess and score applications received through the contestable round in
accordance with the Fund’s assessment criteria over a three week period likely to
commence in early May  2017;

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  Complete and return required assessment documentation (scoring sheets and conflict of
interest forms) one week prior to the Assessment Panel meeting;


the
  Convene as a group for up to three days in Wellington (likely to be early-June 2017) to
deliberate on recommendations that funding is either approved or declined for each
application. Where funding is approved the amount, term and any conditions of funding
are to be discussed and will be recorded in a panel minute. Where funding is declined;
the reasons for declining funding are to be discussed and will be recorded in a panel
minute;
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The Ministry will provide administrative support to the Panel during this time, including:
  Coordination of travel and accommodation arrangements (where applicable)
  Preparation of applications for panel assessment and scoring
  Preparation of meeting agendas and distribution of meeting minutes
Panel composition
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The Minister appoints the Panel, which will comprise of up to five voting members and a non-
voting chair, with members having subject matter expertise in one or more of the following areas:
  Knowledge of the Freshwater NPS and requirements for implementation
Freshwater Improvement Fund (FIF) Assessment Panel – Terms of Reference 2017
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  Freshwater ecosystems and water quality
  Good practice land and water management
  Mātauranga Māori
  Resource management
  Economics
  Business acumen
  Project management
Fees and reimbursements
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Fees and reimbursements for work completed by panel members will be set out in individual
letters of appointment. The fees will be based on the Cabinet Fees Framework for members  Act
appointed to bodies in which the Crown has an interest [CO(12)6]. Under the fees framework,
the Panel is classified as a Group 4, Level 3 body.  Under this classification, panel members
receive a daily fee of $364 (gross). Panel members who are currently employed in the public
service are not eligible for daily fees.
Confidentiality
All material sent to the Panel is to be kept confidential. At no time are panel members to discuss
application details with anyone, including the applicants (either before or after its consideration).
If additional information is required, the Ministry will be the conduit by which this information is
obtained.  Similarly,  enquiries  to  panel  members  relating  to  individual  applications  should  be
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referred to the Ministry.
Conflicts of interest
All  panel  members  must  declare  any  interest  which  conflicts  (or  might  conflict,  or  might  be
perceived to conflict) with the interests of the Ministry in ensuring that applications for grants of
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money under the Fund are assessed fairly and impartially. An interest can be pecuniary or non-
pecuniary.
A panel member can declare a conflict of interest at any time. However, when first appointed, the
the
panel  member  must  declare  all  known  actual  or  potential  interest  conflicts  on  an  Interests
Register  that  will  be  provided  by  the  Ministry.  Other  conflicts  must  be  declared  as  soon  as
practicable after the panel member knows of the information or situation that gives rise to the
conflict.    Any panel member  who is directly or indirectly associated with any application must
declare  their  interest  prior  to  the  panel  meeting  and,  if  a  conflict  exists,  withdraw  from  the
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discussion and decision on that application.
Official Information Act request
All correspondence, including emails, between the Panel and Ministry staff is official information
and  are  subject  to  the  Official  Information  Act  (OIA)  1982.    Please  note,  panel  comments  on
application forms and summaries are also subject to the OIA.

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Freshwater Improvement Fund (FIF) Assessment Panel – Terms of Reference 2017
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Appendix 5: Freshwater Improvement Fund –
assessment panel nomination form
This form is to make nominations to the Freshwater Improvement Fund assessment
panel.  Additional information on this role has been provided in the supporting email.
Completed nomination forms should be returned to [email address] no later
than Friday 20 January 2017.
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Name
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Organisation
Job title
Email
Phone number
Skil s and experience
  Knowledge of the Freshwater NPS and requirements for implementation
Select all that apply.
  Freshwater ecosystems and water quality
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  Good practice land and water management
  Mātauranga Māori
Resource management
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  Economics
  Business Acumen
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  Project management and governance
Does the nominee
have any other skil s
and experience
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relevant to the role?
Please tick the box to
confirm that the
  Yes
nominee understands
the likely time
commitment of the
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panel.

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Purpose of the Te Mana o Te Wai Assessment Panel
The purpose of the TMOTW Fund Assessment Panel (the Panel) is to provide an assessment
of applications requesting funds from the TMOTW Fund.
All applications are reviewed and assessed by the panel against the TMOTW Fund
assessment criteria, and on their merit compared with other applications.
The panel then makes recommendations on which projects should receive funding. The
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Ministry will then brief the Minister. The Minister makes the final decision about which
projects are invited to proceed to Stage II of the funding process, which involves
commissioning independent due diligence checks on the applications recommended for
funding as applicable before project planning and deed negotiation.
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Roles and responsibilities
The Panel’s key responsibility is to provide a recommendation on which applications should
receive funding through the TMOTW Fund.
Individual panel members assess (score) applications individually, and then come together
as a group to discuss each application and collectively make the recommendations. When
making recommendations, the Panel considers whether each application is consistent with
TMOTW Fund purpose and the assessment criteria. The panel can also recommend how
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much funding is allocated to each successful applicant and stipulate any conditions of
funding.
The Chair is responsible for facilitating discussions and final decision-making amongst the
Panel. In the event that the Panel is unable to reach a majority decision the Chair will have
the casting vote. The Chair of the TMOTW Fund panel will be a Ministry official.
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Preparation and meetings
Panel members are expected to read and be conversant with all applications and supporting
the
material forwarded by the Ministry.

For each funding round panel members will be required to:

  Attend  a  half  day  panel  induction  meeting  (18  May  2015)  at  the  Ministry  for  the
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Environment, Wellington;

  Have  approximately  four  weeks  to  assess  and  score  all  eligible  applications
according to the TMOTW Fund criteria;

  Convene  as  a  group  for  up  to  three  days  at  the  Ministry  for  the  Environment,
Wellington (17 – 19 June 2015) to deliberate on recommendations that funding is
either  approved  or  declined  for  each  application.  Where  funding  is  approved  the
amount,  term  and  any  conditions  of  funding  are  to  be  discussed  and  will  be
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funding are to be discussed and will be recorded in a panel minute;
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  Be  available  for  another  round  in  2016.  This  is  not  expected  to  be  necessary
however,  if  the  applications  received  are  not  up  to  the  standard  that  all  TMOTW
Funds are allocated another contestable funding round may be required to allocate
any remaining funds.
The Ministry’s Remediation Projects team provides administrative support to the Panel
during this time, including:

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  Coordination of travel and accommodation arrangements (where applicable)
  Preparation of applications for panel assessment and scoring
  Preparation of meeting agendas and distribution of meeting minutes
  Subject matter expertise (where applicable)
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Panel composition
The  Minister  approves  the  Panel,  which  will  comprise  of  six  voting  members  and  a  non-
voting chair made up of the following:
  three external to the Ministry panel members;
  three  government  subject  matter  experts  from  within  the  Ministry  and/or  across
the Public Sector and;
  one non-voting chair from the Ministry (Senior Analyst level or above).
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Expenses
Travel and accommodation expenses (where applicable) will be coordinated and covered
by the Ministry for out of town panel members who are attending Panel meetings. Panel
members who are currently employed in the public service and based in Wellington are not
eligible to receive expenses for travel and accommodation.
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Confidentiality
the
All material sent to the Panel is to be kept  confidential. At no time are panel members to
discuss application details with anyone, including the applicants (either before or after its
consideration).  If  additional  information  is  required,  the  Ministry  will  be  the  conduit  by
which  this  information  is  obtained.  Similarly,  enquiries  to  panel  members  relating  to
individual applications should be referred to the Ministry.
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Conflicts of interest
All panel members must declare any interest which conflicts (or might conflict, or might be
perceived to conflict) with the interests of the Ministry in ensuring that applications for
grants of money under the TMOTW Fund are assessed fairly and impartially. An interest can
be pecuniary or non-pecuniary.

A panel member can declare a conflict of interest at any time. However, when first
appointed, the panel member must declare all known actual or potential interest conflicts
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on an Interests Register that will be provided by the Ministry. Other conflicts must be
declared as soon as practicable after the panel member knows of the information or
Te Mana o Te Wai Fund 2015 - Assessment Panel Terms of Reference
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situation that gives rise to the conflict. Any panel member who is directly or indirectly
associated with any application must declare their interest prior to the panel meeting and, if
a conflict exists, withdraw from the discussion and decision on that application.
Official Information Act request
All correspondence, including emails, between the Panel and Ministry staff is official
information and are subject to the Official Information Act (OIA) 1982. Please note, panel
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comments on application forms and summaries are also subject to the OIA.

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Appendix 7:
Community Environment Fund 2017
Assessment Panel Terms of Reference  1982
Purpose of the Community Environment Fund
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The purpose of the Community Environment Fund (CEF) is to provide funding so New Zealanders
are empowered to take environmental action. The purpose of the CEF is to:
1.  strengthen partnerships
2.  raise environmental awareness
3.  encourage participation in environmental initiatives in the community.
Purpose of the Community Environment Fund Assessment Panel
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The purpose of the CEF Assessment Panel (the Panel) is to provide an assessment of applications
requesting funding from the CEF. Panel members are approved by the Associate Minister for the
Environment, as delegated by the Minister for the Environment.
All applications are reviewed and assessed by the Panel against the Fund’s assessment criteria
and on their merit compared with other applications.
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The Panel then makes recommendations on which projects should receive funding. The Minister
makes the final decision about which projects are invited to proceed to Stage II of the funding
process,  which  involves  project  planning  and  deed  negotiation.  The  Ministry  will  then
the
commission independent due diligence checks on the applications recommended for funding.
Roles and responsibilities
The  Panel’s  key  responsibility  is  to  provide  a  recommendation  on  which  applications  should
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receive funding. Individual panel members assess (score) all applications individually, and then
come  together  as  a  group  to  discuss  each  application  and  collectively  make  the
recommendations.
When  making  recommendations,  the  Panel  considers  whether  each  application  is  consistent
with  the  Fund’s  assessment  criteria.  The  panel  can  also  recommend  how  much  funding  is
allocated to each successful applicant and can stipulate any conditions of funding.
The Chair is responsible for facilitating discussions and final decision-making amongst the Panel.
In the event that the Panel is unable to reach a majority decision the Chair will have the casting
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vote. The Chair of the Panel will be a manager from the Ministry’s Investment and Partnerships
Directorate.
Community Environment Fund 2017 - Assessment Panel Terms of Reference
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Preparation and meetings
Panel  members  are  expected  to  read  and  be  conversant  with  the  Fund’s  eligibility  and
assessment criteria and any supporting material forwarded by the Ministry.
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Panel members will be required to:

  Attend a panel induction meeting (which should take no longer than 2 hours) likely to be
late September/early October 2017. Panel members may attend via video conference.
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  Individually  assess  and  score  applications  received  through  the  contestable  round  in
accordance  with  the  Fund’s  assessment  criteria  over  a  three  week  period  likely  to
commence in late September/early October 2017;
  Complete and return required assessment documentation (scoring sheets and conflict of
interest forms) one week prior to the Assessment Panel meeting;
  Convene  as  a  group  for  up  to  three  days  in  Wellington  (likely  to  be  early  November
2017) to deliberate on recommendations that funding is either approved or declined for
each  application.  Where  funding  is  approved  the  amount,  term  and  any  conditions  of
funding are to be discussed and will be recorded in a panel minute.  Where funding is
declined; the reasons for declining funding are to be discussed and will be recorded in a
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panel minute;
The Ministry will provide administrative support to the Panel during this time, including:
  Coordination of travel and accommodation arrangements (where applicable)
  Preparation of applications for panel assessment and scoring
  Preparation of meeting agendas and distribution of meeting minutes
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Panel composition  the
The Minister appoints the Panel, which will comprise of up to five voting members and a non-
voting  chair,  with  members  having  subject  matter  expertise  in  one  or  more  of  the  following
areas:
  Knowledge of the community sector
  Resource management expertise

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  Local government expertise
  Tikanga Maori perspective
Fees and reimbursements
Fees and reimbursements for work completed by panel members are based on the Cabinet Fees
Framework  for  members  appointed  to  bodies  in  which  the  Crown  has  an  interest  [CO(12)6].
Under  the  fees  framework,  the  Panel  is  classified  as  a  Group  4,  Level  3  body.    Under  this
classification,  panel  members  receive  a  daily  fee  of  $364  (gross)  per  day  for  attending  panel
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meetings, and for time spent reviewing and assessing applications for funding. Panel members
who are currently employed in the public service are not eligible for daily fees.
Community Environment Fund 2017 - Assessment Panel Terms of Reference
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Confidentiality
All material sent to the Panel is to be kept confidential. At no time are panel members to discuss
application  details  with  anyone,  including  the  applicants  (either  before  or  after  its
consideration).  If  additional  information  is  required,  the  Ministry  will  be  the conduit  by  which
this  information  is  obtained.  Similarly,  enquiries  to  panel  members  relating  to  individual
applications should be referred to the Ministry.
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Conflicts of interest
All  panel  members  must  declare  any  interest  which  conflicts  (or  might  conflict,  or  might  be
Act
perceived to conflict) with the interests of the Ministry in ensuring that applications for grants of
money under the Fund are assessed fairly and impartially. An interest can be pecuniary or non-
pecuniary.
A panel member can declare a conflict of interest at any time. However, when first appointed,
the panel member must declare all known actual or potential interest conflicts on an Interests
Register  that  will  be  provided  by  the  Ministry.  Other  conflicts  must  be  declared  as  soon  as
practicable after the panel member knows of the information or situation that gives rise to the
conflict.  Any panel member  who is directly  or indirectly associated with any application must
declare  their  interest  prior  to  the  panel  meeting  and,  if  a  conflict  exists,  withdraw  from  the
discussion and decision on that application.
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Official Information Act request
All correspondence, including emails, between the Panel and Ministry staff is official information
and  are  subject  to  the  Official  Information  Act  (OIA)  1982.    Please  note,  panel  comments  on
application forms and summaries are also subject to the OIA.
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Appendix 8: Terms of Appointment to the Environmental Legal
Assistance Fund Panel
The Environmental Legal Assistance Fund provides financial assistance to not-for-profit groups
advocating for matters of environmental public interest to enable them to participate more effectively
and efficiently in resource management processes.1
The focus in decision-making is on supporting cases of environmental public interest. This emphasis
represents a shift away from the original objective of the Fund; to enable participation, or “assist groups
to participate more effectively in resource management processes”.2
Position Description
The purpose of the Environmental Legal Assistance Fund Panel (Panel) is to provide an assessment
of applications requesting funds from the ELA Fund.  Panel members are  expected to read and be
conversant with applications and supporting material forwarded to the Ministry prior to convening. Panel
members will be required to convene bi-monthly (depending on the availability of funding) to make
funding recommendations to the Minister. The Panel will have approximately 10 working days to assess
applications and prepare a reviewer form for their assigned applications. The Panel will then convene
for one day to assess applications as a group.
Individual Panel members assess (review) applications individually, and then come together as a group
to discuss each application and collectively make the recommendations. When making
recommendations, the Panel considers how each application scores against the ELA Fund criteria. The
Panel may recommend how much funding is allocated to each successful applicant and, if appropriate,
can stipulate any conditions of funding.
All Panel members review all the applications being considered in a funding round, and individual Panel
members are nominated to act as the primary reviewer for particular applications.  The primary reviewer
is responsible for completing an evaluation of the application, providing a recommendation to the Panel,
and leading discussion on the application at the Panel meeting.  The Chair does not usually prepare
and present applications.  The Panel Chair is responsible for facilitating discussions and final decision-
making amongst the Panel. In the event that the Panel is unable to reach a majority decision the Chair
will have the casting vote.
The ELA Fund usually runs six contestable funding rounds across the financial year, attracting an
average of ten applications per round. Additional contestable, or closed, funding rounds may be held at
any time at the discretion of the Minister.
Appointments
The Minister has the authority to appoint, reappoint, extend and terminate terms of the Panel members.
under the Official Information Act 1982
Term of the appointment
The term of this appointment is from the date of acceptance of the attached letter of appointment. The
term will terminate three years from the letter of appointment date. Panel members who wish to resign
prior to the completion of their three-year appointment period are requested to provide written notice to
the Ministry three months in advance of their resignation (this allows sufficient time to recruit and appoint
a new Panel member). Should there be a need to terminate the term of appointment of Panel members,
the Ministry will provide three months’ notice.
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1 The full overarching statement of the Fund is publicly available in the Guide to Applicants. The full statement references “high public
interest” however in reality whether a proceeding is determined as being of ‘high’ public interest is not defined and is assessed on a
case-by-case basis.
2 Cabinet decision on establishment of the ELA Fund, December 2001 (FIN (00) M 38/17).

Panel fees
As a Panel member you will be paid a fee of $364 (gross) per day for attending Panel meetings, and
for time spent reviewing and assessing applications for funding. This fee is based on the Cabinet Fees
Framework for members appointed to bodies in which the Crown has an interest [CO (19)1]. Under the
Fees Framework the Panel is classified as a Group 4, Level 3 body.  As these fees are taxable, it is
your responsibility to confirm your tax status with the Inland Revenue Department.  The costs of your
flights and accommodation will be covered by the Ministry.
Confidentiality
All material sent to the Panel is to be kept confidential. At no time are Panel members to discuss  1982
application details with applicants (either before or after its consideration). If additional information is
required, the Ministry will be the conduit by which this information is obtained. Similarly, enquiries to
Panel members relating to individual applications should be referred to the Ministry.
Act
Conflicts of interest
Any Panel member who is directly or indirectly associated with any application must declare their
interest prior to the meeting and, if a conflict exists, withdraw from the discussion and decision on that
application.
Official Information Act Request
All email and correspondence between the Panel and Ministry staff are official information and are
subject to the Official Information Act 1982.

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Document Outline