H2024055550 Response Letter.pdf

133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
21 November 2024
John Luke
By email: [FYI request #29054 email]
Ref:   H2024055550
Tēnā koe John
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), which was
transferred from the Office of the Associate Minister of Health, Hon Casey Costello to the
Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora (the Ministry) on 5 November 2024. Please find a response
to each part of your request below:
I noted, you have recently call for nomination for your Te Kaunihera Tiaki Niho | Dental
Council https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2024-go5539. May I ask how you called for public
nomination and on what platform you have call for public nominations e.g. govt.jobs
website.
The roles on the Dental Council - Te Kaunihera Tiaki Niho were publicly advertised on the
Ministry’s careers webpage (https:/ careers.health.govt.nz/) and the New Zealand Government
Jobs website (https:/ jobs.govt.nz/) from 25 March 2024 to 10 April 2024.
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 for your
role.
The Ministry received nine applications in total. Nominations were sought from a variety of
nominating agencies; however, no nominations were received.
How many you have shortlisted and how many you have interviewed in this recruitment
round.
Of the nine applications, five candidates were shortlisted. Of these, one candidate participated
in a due diligence interview. Please note that interviews are not generally undertaken for
candidates who are seeking reappointment to the same role.

May I also seek a copy of the ad went out to public and the appointment letter sent to the
appointee, feel free to redact any personal information.

The Ministry has identified four documents within scope of this part of your request. These
documents are itemised in Appendix 1 and copies of the documents are enclosed. Where
information is withheld under section 9 of the Act, I have considered the countervailing public
interest in release in making this decision and consider that it does not outweigh the need to
withhold at this time.

Please note, document 1 is the advertisement that went up on the Ministry’s and the New
Zealand Government Jobs websites.

I trust this information fulfils your request. If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request with
us, including this decision, please feel free to contact the OIA Services Team on:
[email address].

Under section 28(3) of the Act, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review any
decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be contacted by email at:
[email address] or by calling 0800 802 602.

Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Manatū Hauora website at: www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases/responses-
official-information-act-requests.

Nāku noa, nā

Sarah Turner
Deputy Director-General
Government and Executive Services | Te Pou Whakatere Kāwanatanga

Page 2 of 3

Appendix 1: List of documents for release

#
Date
Document details
Decision on release
1
25 March 2024
Dental Council advertisement
Released in full.
2
24 October 2024
Appointment letter of Paula
Some information withheld
Baker to the Dental Council
under section 9(2)(a) of the
Act, to protect the privacy of
3
Reappointment letter of Dr John  natural persons.
Bridgman
4
Reappointment letter of
Rosemary Fizpatrick

Page 3 of 3

Document 1
The Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora (the Ministry) is seeking candidates who wish to be
considered for appointment as health practitioner OR layperson members of the Dental Council
| Te Kaunihera Tiaki Niho (the Council). The Council is a Responsible Authority under the Health
Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (the Act). The purpose of the Council is to protect
the health and safety of members of the public by ensuring that oral health practitioners are fit
and competent to practice.
Kōrero mō te tūranga | About the role
Being a member of the Council is rewarding and chal enging. You will be committed to improving
the health of New Zealanders, through contribution to the governance of the Council's legislative
requirements.
The functions of responsible authorities are set out under section 118 of the HPCA Act, and more
information about the Council is available on their website. Appointments to the Council are made
1982
by the Associate Minister of Health, Hon Casey Costello, typical y for terms of three years.
Members can be reappointed for up to nine consecutive years.
ACT
The Ministry recognises that diversity enables our boards and councils to be high-performing and is
committed to ensuring they represent the diversity in New Zealand's population, including gender,
ethnicity, disability, age and geographic location. The Ministry encourages people from all
backgrounds, especially those who can reflect the needs, values, and beliefs of Māori, and have an
understanding of and are committed to meeting the obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi, to
apply for these roles.
Kōrero mōu | About you
INFORMATION
For all applicants, governance and/or regulatory experience is a plus but not required. It is
beneficial if you have the ability to lead strategically, and to balance competing demands.
In this instance, we are particularly looking to receive applications from practitioner candidates
who are dentists or dental specialists, and layperson candidates who can represent the
perspectives of Māori, Pacific people, and people with lived experience of a disability. We are also
looking to receive applications from health practitioner and
OFFICIAL  laypeople candidates who have
knowledge and understanding in tikanga Māori and te ao Māori.
Health practitioner applicants must be a
THE registered dentist or dental specialist with a current
practicing certificate, and have a good understanding of the scope of practice, competencies and
Council's Standards Framework that encompasses both clinical standards and the standards for
professional conduct.
Under section 5 of the HPCA Act, la
UNDER ypeople applicants cannot be qualified or registered as health
practitioners. Preferred laypeople candidates will also:
•  have strong governance and regulatory experience
•  have strategy and risk management experience, or experience in health sector
management
•  be able to represent community and consumer interests
•  be familiar with
RELEASED   relevant legislation and/or the health sector
Members of a Responsible Authority cannot simultaneously be a member of the Health
Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal (the Tribunal) given the disciplinary function of the Tribunal over
health practitioners.
Me pēhea te tono | How to apply
Applications must be made using the Ministry of Health online Career Centre by close of
business 8/04/2023 and include:

Document 1
•  a completed declaration form (attached), and
•  a covering letter, and
•  a current CV.
Due diligence checks will be undertaken for shortlisted applicants. Your personal information will
be handled in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020. The Ministry of Health may also request that
the New Zealand Security Intel igence Service conduct national security screening of you as part of
the appointment process.
The appointment process can be lengthy, taking between 6 to 12 months. Your patience and
professionalism as we work through the next steps is appreciated. The outcome of the recruitment
process for the Board wil  be confirmed after it has been considered by the Cabinet Appointments
and Honours Committee.
Ko wai mātou | Who we are
1982
See the Ministry of Health Board appointments webpage for more information.
ACT
If you would like to obtain further information or clarification, or if your circumstances change or
should you wish to withdraw your application, please contact the Statutory Appointments team by
emailing: [email address]

INFORMATION
OFFICIAL
THE
UNDER
RELEASED

1982
ACT
INFORMATION
OFFICIAL
THE
UNDER
RELEASED