21 April 2023
Ref: DOIA 2223-2157
John Luke
[FYI request #22215 email]
Dear John,
Thank you for your email on 22 March 2023 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
(MBIE) requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), the following information:
“I noted,
https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mbie.govt.nz%2Fi
mmigration-and-tourism%2Fimmigration%2Fmigrant-community-reference-
group%2F&data=05%7C01%7CMinisterialServices%40mbie.govt.nz%7Cfe25322d0d9442d4f4a2
08db2ab6f0a7%7C78b2bd11e42b47eab0112e04c3af5ec1%7C0%7C0%7C638150737444101134
%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiL
CJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=EALg4jR8%2Bd6hSH3nRC5JiznrKrMJu6eyHedc8h
0I6Tk%3D&reserved=0
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 government nominating agencies such as
TPK or Ministry of women etc.
The pay rate for it's member.
Also, I noted, "The Group will meet each quarter for up to 12 months, with the first meeting
held on 21 March 2023.
May I request the full meeting minute of this first meeting held on the 21 March 2023.”
Please see below my response to your requests regarding the Migrant Community Reference Group:
1. 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 government nominating agencies such as TPK or Ministry of
women etc.?
There was no call for public nomination. The Minister of Immigration received recommendations for
candidates from officials based on the experience and community knowledge of a number of
government agencies. There was a long list of approximately 50 potential candidates.
Labour, Science and Enterprise
15 Stout Street, PO Box 1473, Wellington 6140 New Zealand
E [email address]
W www.mbie.govt.nz
Members were invited to join the group by the Minister following consultation with the Ministers for
Pacific Peoples and for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities. In appointing members, the
Minister considered the composition of New Zealand’s migrant population, diversity in gender, age and
geographic regions, and the connection of candidates to either specific or broader migrant
communities.
2. [What is] the pay rate for [each] member?
As per the terms of reference, Members of the group will be paid a daily rate in line with the Cabinet
Office Fees Framework (CO (22) 2) for a level 4, Group 4 body. Members will be remunerated for 6
hours work for every meeting (2 hours preparation, 2 hours attendance, 2 hours re-engaging with their
migrant communities), at around $173 per meeting.
3. May I request full meeting minute of this first meeting held on the 21 March 2023?
There are not any formal minutes taken for the Group discussions. However, members are encouraged
to share the outcomes of any discussions with their wider migrant communities. I am therefore refusing
this part of your request in accordance with section 18(e) of the Act, as the document alleged to contain
the information requested does not exist.
I trust you find this information helpful.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision, in
accordance with section 28(3) of the Act. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Yours sincerely,
Andrew Craig
Manager Immigration (Skills and Residence) Policy
Labour, Science and Enterprise, MBIE
