17 October 2025
OIAD-1756
John Luke
[FYI request #32307 email] Tēnā koe John
Thank you for your email of 13 September 2025 requesting the following under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act) of the Ministry for the Environment (the Ministry):
May I ask how you called for public nomination this round 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 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 previous appointee. I am happy for you to remove all the personal information.
How many positions are being fil ed during this round of appointments? and please provide
the current member's term of appointment, including the start and end dates.
On 9 October 2025, the timeframe for response to your request was extended by five working days
under section 15A(1)(b) of the Act, as consultations necessary to make a decision on the request
were such that a proper response could not reasonably be made within the original timeframe.
I am providing a response to each part of your request below.
May I ask how you called for public nomination this round and on what platform you have
call for public nominations e.g. govt.jobs website.
An advert was placed on the Ministry’s website and distributed to members of WasteMINZ and
The Packaging Forum by those organisations. The existing Panel suggested using these forums
in particular as we are seeking a new Panel member with core experience in the waste sector.
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.
Five applications have been received and none from nominating agencies.
How many you have shortlisted and how many you have interviewed.
One applicant was shortlisted and interviewed and subsequently selected as the preferred
applicant.
Also, can I request to view the appointment letter if there is one sent to the previous
appointee. I am happy for you to remove all the personal information.
A contract for service is used in lieu of an appointment letter as Panel members are classed as
independent contractors. I am releasing this contract and the associated conflict of interest
declaration to you in part, with some information withheld under section 9(2)(a) of the Act, to
protect the privacy of natural persons.
PO Box 10362, Wellington 6143 | Freephone 0800 499 700 | environment.govt.nz
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How many positions are being filled during this round of appointments? and please
provide the current member's term of appointment, including the start and end dates. One position is being fil ed. This is to replace a member who resigned in June 2025. The term of
appointment is three years starting October 2025.
In terms of section 9(1) of the Act, I am satisfied that, in the circumstances, the withholding of
information in this request is not outweighed by other considerations that render it desirable to
make the information available in the public interest.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Office of the Ombudsman of my
decisions relating to this request, in accordance with section 28(3) of the Act. The relevant details
can be found at:
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz. Please note that due to the public interest in our work, the Ministry publishes responses to requests
for official information shortly after the response has been sent on our website at:
https://environment.govt.nz/about-us/official-information-act-requests/. If you have any queries
about this, please feel free to contact our Ministerial Services team at:
[email address]. Nāku noa, nā
Lorena Stephen
General Manager – Partnerships and Investments
Ministry for the Environment | Manatū Mō Te Taiao
PO Box 10362, Wellington 6143 | Freephone 0800 499 700 | environment.govt.nz
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Document schedule
# Date Title
Decision
Grounds
1. 19
Paul Evans signed
Released in part
9(2)(a)
Jan
Waste Investment
2023 Panel Contract
2. 19
Paul Evans COI
Released in part
9(2)(a)
Jan
declaration form
2023
PO Box 10362, Wellington 6143 | Freephone 0800 499 700 | environment.govt.nz
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