6 April 2023
C164503
John Luke
[FYI request #21660 email]
Tēnā koe John
Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) request of 30 January 2023 to the
Department of Corrections – Ara Poutama Aotearoa.
We apologise that, due to an administrative error, we have not met the extended due date
for responding to your request.
This response provides information on two bodies that have members appointed by the
Minister of Corrections, the Community Impact Forum (CIF) and the Social Impact Fund
Allocation Committee (SIFAC).
On 26 September 2011, the Board of Inquiry into the proposed men’s corrections facility at
Wiri approved a site designation change, which al owed Corrections to build Auckland South
Corrections Facility (ASCF) on the site adjacent to Auckland Region Women’s Corrections
Facility (ARWCF). One of the conditions set by the Board of Inquiry, was the establishment of
the CIF and SIFAC. The Board of Inquiry also required the setup of the Tangata Whenua
Committee (TWC), but its members are not appointed by the Minister.
The purpose of the CIF is to provide a forum for community and stakeholder involvement
through which any issues of community interest or concern can be raised and addressed. The
key focus of the CIF is to consider the effect of the presence of ASCF and ARWCF on the
community. The CIF meets quarterly.
The purpose of the SIFAC is to allocate, review and oversee the funds made available by the
Minister of Corrections for the purposes recommended to it by the CIF and TWC. The Board
of Inquiry’s decision required $250,000 be budgeted each year to mitigate identified social or
cultural effects. An unused portion of the social impact fund made available in any given year
can accumulate to a maximum of $500,000. The SIFAC only meet when there is a proposal
from CIF/TWC to consider.
NATIONAL OFFICE, WELLINGTON
Mayfair House, 44 – 52 The Terrace, Wellington, 6011, Private Box 1206, Wellington 6140,
Phone +64 4 460 3000
www.corrections.govt.nz
2
The SIFAC was established in November 2015 and currently has five members, two appointed
by the Minister of Corrections (in consultation with the Minister of Māori Development), two
appointed by Auckland Council, and up to two co-opted by SIFAC members fol owing its
establishment. The CIF and SIFAC are chaired by an independent chairperson appointed by
the Minister of Corrections for a period of three years.
You requested:
a list of vacancy (ministerial appointment only, e.g. board member, Lay member,
Trustee etc) that the nomination period has been closed but stil under consideration
by the Department of Corrections or relevant Minister.
In your list, can you please included the date that vacancy been advertised, what
method you have used to publicly advertise the position, how many application you
have received and when the vacancy been closed as wel .
Also, I would like to know if you have any future opening in 2023. e.g. the position that
wil call for nomination in the year of 2023.
The term of the Chairperson of CIF and SIFAC expired in March 2022, as did the terms of the
two Ministerial-appointed members of SIFAC. The incumbent members did not wish to
extend their terms.
Corrections’ Regional Commissioner Northern, Sean Mason, was appointed to the vacancy for
the Corrections representative member of SIFAC in 2022.
These positions were not advertised publicly. Between 1 July 2022 and 15 July 2022,
Corrections consulted with the Ministry for Women, Te Puni Kōkiri, Ministry for Pacific
Peoples, Auckland Council and the Ministry for Ethnic Communities.
Three nominations were received, from the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, Te Puni Kōkiri,
and Corrections. Corrections reviewed all nominations and, fol owing the Minister’s
agreement, held a panel interview with all three candidates.
Corrections provided their recommendation to the Minister of Corrections that the highest-
rated candidate from the interviews be appointed as Chair of CIF and SIFAC, and the second-
highest be appointed as a member of SIFAC.
The Minister of Corrections has agreed to the candidates recommended by Corrections. The
Minister is now required to consult with the Minister for Māori Development, fol owing which
the recommended appointments are required to be confirmed by the Cabinet Appointments
and Honours Committee.
3
No other appointments by the Minister of Corrections are anticipated in 2023.
Please be advised that should you have any concerns regarding this response you have the
right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate our decision to extend the timeframe. Contact
details are: Office of the Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143.
Ngā mihi
Topia Rameka
Deputy Chief Executive, Māori
