13 November 2024
45 Pipitea St
PO Box 805
Wel ington 6140
Alan Riley
Phone +64 4 495 7200
[FYI request #28766 email]
Fax +64 4 495 7222
Website dia.govt.nz
Tēnā koe Alan
Your Official Information Act request, reference OIA2425-0367
I am responding to your email of 15 October 2024 to the Department of Internal Affairs (the
Department), requesting the fol owing information under the Official Information Act 1982
(the Act):
I would like to know who the current members of the Rata Foundation are, appointed
by the Minister, and to understand the most recent appointments process (how it was
advertised, number of applicants, selection process, appointments made).
Response to your request
Information about the current members of the Rātā Foundation (the Foundation) is available
on the Foundation’s website, at ratafoundation.org.nz/en/about/our-people/.
Appointments to the Foundation are made by the Associate Minister of Finance, Hon Shane
Jones, who is delegated the role by the Minister of Finance, Hon Nicola Willis. The
appointments fol ow guidance on appointments from the Cabinet Office, the Public Service
Commission, and The Treasury. This guidance is available via the fol owing websites:
• Cabinet Office guidance: www.dpmc.govt.nz/publications/appointments-process.
• Public Service Commission guidance: publicservice.govt.nz/guidance/guide-board-
appointment-and-induction-guidelines.
• Treasury guidance: treasury.govt.nz/information-and-services/commercial-portfolio-
and-advice/board-appointments.
When making the appointments, the Minister considers the skills and experiences identified
by the Community Trust Act 1998, the trust’s deed, and any specific skill gaps for the
appointment round. The Minister wil then appoint trustees to meet those needs.
Appointments are then considered by the Cabinet Appointments and Honours Committee
and confirmed by Cabinet. The Minister then writes to the new trustees and trusts
confirming the appointment.
For the 2024 appointment round, the criteria for the Foundation were made available in the
candidate information sheet attached as
Appendix A.
The vacancies were advertised on Seek, Stuff Careers, the Department of Internal Affairs’
(the Department) appointments and vacancies webpages, and the NZ Government Jobs
website. The Minister also sought nominations from his caucus col eagues. The Department
received 17 nominations for appointment.
The 2024 appointments have yet to be confirmed but wil be announced on the
Foundation’s, and the Department’s websites when made.
Access to the Ombudsman
You have the right to seek an investigation and review of my response by the Office of the
Ombudsman. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Proactive release
I intend to publish our response to your request on www.dia.govt.nz. This letter, with your
personal details removed, will be published in its entirety. Publishing responses increases
the availability of information to the public and is consistent with the Act’s purpose of
enabling more effective participation in the making and administration of laws and policies
and promoting the accountability of Ministers and officials.
Nāku noa, nā
Anita Balakrishnan
Director Ministerial and Monitoring
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