13 October 2021
LB
[FYI request #16555 email]
Dear LB
Official Information Request
Our Ref: 2021-0129
I refer to your official information request received on 21 September 2021 for:
“provide a month by month breakdown of activities undertaken so far this year in seeking a new
Chief Executive for Oranga Tamariki”
This request followed an earlier request from you where you asked us to outline the activities that
had been undertaken so far this year in seeking a new Chief Executive for Oranga Tamariki.
In response to your first request, we advised that in January 2021 the Public Service Commissioner
appointed Sir Wira Gardiner as Acting Chief Executive for Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children and
that the vacancy for the substantive position of Secretary for Children and Chief Executive Oranga
Tamariki – Ministry for Children has recently been advertised with applications closing on the 19
September 2021.
Fol owing our response, you have further asked us to provide a monthly breakdown of the activities
undertaken so far this year in seeking a new Chief Executive for Oranga Tamariki.
Our response
The Chief Executive Development, Appointments and Remuneration (CEDAR) team within the
Commission supports the appointment - including reappointments and acting appointments - of
Public Service Chief Executives (CEs). The requirements for appointing and reappointing Public
Service Chief Executives are outlined in schedule 7 of the Public Service Act 2020.
Please find a table below outlining the activities undertaken this year in respect of the position of
Secretary for Children and Chief Executive Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children.
Month
Action
July 2021
• Preliminary planning for the appointment was undertaken. (For instance
drafting tentative timelines and process documents)
• As per schedule 7 of the Public Service Act 2020 (the Act), the Public Service
Commissioner informed the Minister for the Public Service and the Minister for
Children that the process was commencing for recruiting and appointing a
Secretary for Children and Chief Executive (Secretary for Children), Oranga
Tamariki as the substantive role was vacant.
• Those ministers were invited to identify matters that the Commissioner should
take into account when deciding upon the person to recommend for
appointment, as required by the Act.
• The position description for the role of Secretary for Children, Oranga
Tamariki was updated and then approved by the Public Service
Commissioner.
August 2021
• The impending vacancy in the position of Secretary for Children, Oranga
Tamariki was noted, and the position description was confirmed, by the
Cabinet Appointments and Honours Committee.
• The impending vacancy in the position of Secretary for Children, Oranga
Tamariki was noted, and the position description was confirmed, by the
Cabinet as a basis for selecting a suitable candidate for appointment
• Advertisement and supporting materials for the vacancy were prepared
• The Public Service Commission engaged a recruitment service provider and an
assessment service provider for the vacancy
• Applications for the vacancy opened
September 2021
• Panel members were identified and contacted for scheduling purposes
• Planning for the selection process was undertaken
• Applications closed
• Consideration of applications commenced
If you wish to discuss this decision with us, please feel free to contact
[email address]. You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision.
Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
freephone 0800 802 602.
Please note that we intend to publish this letter (with your personal details removed) the
Commission’s website.
Yours sincerely
Nicky Dirks
Manager – Ministerial and Executive Services
Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission
Document Outline
