New Zealand Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade
Manatū Aorere
28 November 2022
195 Lambton Quay
Private Bag 18−901
Wellington 6160
New Zealand
John Luke
T +64 4 439 8000
[FYI request #20996 email]
F +64 4 472 9596
OIA 28382
Tēnā koe John Luke
I refer to your email of 31 October 2022 in which you request the following under the Official
Information Act 1982 (OIA):
I noted,- Notice of Reappointment of a Member of the Board of Management of the New
Zealand Antarctic Institute :https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2022-go1758
May I ask how did you call for public nomination and on what platform you have call for
public nominations, e.g. govt.jobs website. Also, how many applications you have received
from the public and how many you have received from other nominating agencies such as
TPK. further, how many you have shortlisted.
I am also requesting the position description of this role and the pay rate.
As this was a reappointment rather than the appointment of a new member we did not undertake
a process of public nominations, therefore no applications were received.
The Crown Entities Act 2004 allows the Minister of Foreign Affairs to reappoint an existing Board
member for a further term. When making the decision to reappoint Mr. Morrison, the Minister
considered several factors including Antarctica New Zealand’s strategic direction and the criteria
for appointments under the Crown Entities Act.
For the appointment of a new member to the Board of Management, this process is different. For
a new appointment, the position is advertised through relevant channels and nominating
agencies. For example, this includes (but is not limited to) government agencies that work on
Antarctic issues. Self-nominations are also accepted. The Minister of Foreign Affairs may also
receive nominations for the position directly. Please find attached a copy of the position
description we have used for this process in the past.
You also requested the pay rate for a member on Antarctica New Zealand’s Board. The fee for
service is $10,000 plus GST per annum.
Please note that we may publish this letter (with your personal details redacted) and enclosed
documents on the Ministry’s website.
If you have any questions about this decision, you can contact us by email at:
[email address]. You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the
e [MFAT request email]
w www.mfat.govt.nz
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Ombudsman of this decision by contacting www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone
0800 802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
Sarah Corbett
for Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade
UNCLASSIFIED
Position Description: Board Member, Antarctica New Zealand
January 2019
Antarctica New Zealand was established under the New Zealand Antarctica Institute Act 1996. The
Institute’s principal functions are:
(a) to develop, manage, and execute New Zealand activities in respect of Antarctica and the
Southern Ocean, in particular in the Ross Dependency:
(b) to maintain and enhance the quality of New Zealand Antarctic scientific research:
(c) to co-operate with other institutions and organisations both within and outside New
Zealand having objectives similar to those of the Institute.
Members of the Board of Antarctica New Zealand are collectively accountable to the Minister of
Foreign Affairs for the performance of Antarctica New Zealand in delivering the above functions. All
delegated functions and powers within Antarctica New Zealand arise from the Board's delegations.
Antarctica New Zealand is a Crown Entity under the Crown Entities Act 2004. The Board’s role is
governance.
The New Zealand Antarctica Institute Act 1996 requires the Board to have a minimum of five and no
more than seven members. Terms are typically three years, but this is at the Minister’s discretion.
Board Members are expected to attend up to 4-5 Board Meetings per annum, in Auckland, Wel ington
or Christchurch, and to provide support to the Chair of the Board as required. Members may be
required to represent the Board at external events from time to time, which may include travel to Scott
Base. Antarctica New Zealand falls within Group 3a, Level 5 of the Cabinet Board fees structure (CO
(12) 6).
Specific functions of the Board include:
• Setting the strategic direction of Antarctica New Zealand in a manner consistent with the
organisation’s statutory framework.
• Determining business objectives and the formulation of policies to achieve them, including
through the Annual Business Plan.
• Ensuring compliance with the law, accountability documents and relevant Crown
expectations. This includes financial responsibility for all money received by the Crown and
reinforcing expectations of behaviour that are appropriate to a public body.
• Appointing the Chief Executive.
• Monitoring the performance of Antarctica New Zealand and the Chief Executive.
• Maintaining appropriate relationships with the Minister, Parliament and the public. This
includes accounting for the performance and management of the organisation.
Board Members are expected to have:
• Governance and management experience;
• Experience in public sector financial management and organisational accountability;
• An understanding of the role of a Crown Entity and its place in the State Sector;
• A broad knowledge of New Zealand’s Antarctic and Southern Ocean activities;
• An understanding of the role of Antarctica New Zealand within the national context and the
Christchurch community;
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• An awareness of, and sensitivity to, New Zealand’s strategic interests in Antarctica and key
international relationships, to which the Institute’s activities contribute.
Board Members will be expected to work within a team environment, have demonstrated ability in
identifying and managing risk proactively, and have time available to discharge the role.
It would also be useful to note any of the following:
•
Experience in overseeing the delivery of major construction projects, including experience in
government procurement, design and construction contracts, and the government’s Better
Business Case process;
•
Connections with Antarctic science, the broader Antarctic community, and the New Zealand
Antarctic Programme;
•
Experience working within the Antarctic Treaty system;
•
Experience in representing Māori or iwi interests (in particular in the public sector).
We would appreciate nominations of suitable candidates before 20 February 2019 for
appointment during 2019.
Nominations should be sent to
: [email address]
Please include the candidate’s current CV and contact details.
Candidates not appointed in 2019 will be kept on file for future vacancies.
UNCLASSIFIED
Document Outline
