18 January 2023
John Luke
[FYI request #21434 email] Tēnā koe John,
I refer to your request that was transferred from the Office of the Minister for Arts, Culture and
Heritage, on 22 December 2022 to Manatū Taonga. This has been considered under the
Official Information Act 1982 (OIA), for the following information:
‘I noted, Appointment to the Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa
https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2022-go5429
May I ask how you called 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 or Ministry of Women etc. further, how many you have
shortlisted and how many you have interviewed. I am also requesting the position
description of this role and the pay rate.”
The Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa (Arts Council) has 13 members and therefore,
member terms regularly expire. This appointment was one of a number in 2021/2022 for an
appointment programme for the Arts Council. Several appointments have or are being
considered. The sources for nomination were many as per the PSI appointment guidelines.
They included advertisements on online facilities including govt.jobs, Manatū Taonga website,
nominations from Caucuses, nomination agencies (including Te Puni Kōkiri, Manatū Wāhine,
Office of Ethnic Communities, Office of Disability Issues and the Ministry for Pacific Peoples)
and other government agencies.
Many nominations were from more than one source. The nominations received were lodged
in the Manatū Taonga database and around 145 were included on a long list. At least 24 were
received from the nomination agencies. For this appointment 5 persons were subject to due
diligence interviews. These interviews were conducted by a panel chaired by the Arts Council
Chair.
Section 29 (2) of the Crown Entities Act states: ‘A responsible Minister—
a) may only appoint or recommend a person who, in the responsible Minister’s opinion,
has the appropriate knowledge, skills, and experience to assist the statutory entity to
achieve its objectives and perform its functions; and
b) subject to subsection (1), in appointing or recommending an appointment, must take
into account the desirability of promoting diversity in the membership of Crown entities.’
The role of the Arts Council is outlined at
https://creativenz.govt.nz/About-Creative-NZ/Our-
Council Board fees for members are subject to the Cabinet Fees Framework (Framework). The fees
for members are $14,000 per annum and these are within the range for the relevant
classification.
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 may publish this letter (with your personal details removed) on the
Ministry’s website.
Nāku noa, nā
Daiman Smith
Associate Deputy Chief Executive, Policy and Sector Performance
