21 May 2025
45 Pipitea Street, Thorndon, Wellington 6011
PO Box 805, Wellington
Phone: 04 495 7200
John Luke
Email
: [email address]
[FYI request #30821 email]
Website: dia.govt.nz
Tēnā koe John,
Your Official Information Act 1982 request, reference OIA2425-1013
I am responding to your email of 24 April 2025 to the Department of Internal Affairs (the
Department) requesting the following under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act):
I noted, you have recently call for nomination for Gambling Commission…
May I ask how you called for public nomination and on what platform you have call for
public nominations e.g. govt.jobs website. A copy of your ad as well. 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 for your role. How
many you have shortlisted and how many you have interviewed. Also, can I request to
view the appointment letter if there is one sent to the appointee. I am happy for you to
remove all the personal information.
Also, may I request the term of reference for Gambling Commission and job description
for the appointed role. What's pay rate?
Response to your request
In April 2025, the three existing Commissioners, Sarah Shaw, William (Bill) Acton and Scott
Pearson were reappointed to the Gambling Commission (the Commission) for a further
three-year term. This term commenced on 23 April 2025 and will end on 22 April 2028.
As the Minister of Internal Affairs decided to recommend that the Governor-General
reappoint, rather than replace, the three Commissioners whose terms were about to expire,
there was no need to seek new candidates through a public call for nominations process.
I have attached at
Appendix A, copies of the letters sent to the three Commissioners
notifying them of their reappointment. Some information has been withheld under section
9(2)(a) of the Act, to protect the privacy of natural persons.
I have also attached at
Appendix A, a copy of the Candidate Information Sheet that was used
during the prior call for nominations in 2021.
The Gambling Commissioners’ fees are set under the Cabinet Fees Framework. Under the
Framework, the Commission is classified as a Group 2 Level 2 Body (Statutory Tribunal) and
Commissioners are paid $475 per day.
I can confirm that there are no terms of reference for the Commission as it was established
via a statute. You can find further information in sections 220 to 235A, and in Schedule 3 of
the Gambling Act 2003.
In addition, information about the Commission that may be of interest to you is available on
its website at
www.gamblingcommission.govt.nz/. This includes information about the
Commissioners, the Commissions functions and policies, and its Annual Reports.
Public interest considerations
As is required by section 9(1) of the Act, consideration has been given as to whether the
withholding of information is outweighed by other public interest considerations which
would make it desirable to make this information available. In this instance, it is not
considered to be the case.
Accessing the Ombudsman
You have the right to seek an investigation and review of my decision 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
We intend to publish our response to your request on our website at:
www.dia.govt.nz/Official-Information-Act-Requests-2. 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
Jeremy Cauchi
Director, Ministerial and Monitoring
Appendix A: Documents within scope
No. Title
Date
Decision (Release, partial
Withholding grounds
release or withhold)
under the Act
1 Combined letters of Appointment of Gambling
10 April 2025
Partially released
9(2)(a)
Commissioners of the Gambling Commission
2 Candidate Information Sheet – Gambling Commission
2021
Released in full
N/A
