Position description:
Research Funding New Zealand Board – member
October 2025
On behalf of the Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, the Ministry is seeking candidates who wish to
be considered for appointment as a member of the Research Funding New Zealand Board.
About Research Funding New Zealand Board
The Government is making changes to New Zealand’s research, science, innovation, and technology system to
clarify priorities, lift economic outcomes, and harness advanced technology for a more prosperous future. These
changes will maximise the value of public investment in the system, and ensure it responds to priorities and keeps
pace with technological advances.
Research Funding New Zealand (RFNZ) Board (the Board) is the cornerstone for these changes, established as an
independent Board for the purpose of translating Government science priorities into investments that will make a
difference for New Zealanders.
The Board is responsible for making funding decisions to determine the recipients of science, innovation, and
technology funding. The Minister will:
Require the Board’s funding decisions to align with Government priorities, and to be consistent with and
deliver the outcomes sought for the science, innovation, and technology system.
Invite the Board to develop plans for Ministerial approval, to give effect to those priorities and monitor
the performance of the funds for which it is making decisions.
The Board will deliver on its purpose by making its funding decisions in a manner that:
Is independent, fair, and transparent.
Takes a portfolio view of science, innovation, and technology investments.
Complies with public sector accountability and transparency requirements, and the Appropriation Acts for
Vote Business, Science and Innovation.
Member responsibilities
Role of members
RFNZ Board members will work with the Chair and other members to:
Provide leadership to the Board, consistent with its purpose and the Minister’s expectations.
Ensure effective governance and accountability practices are upheld.
Attend Board meetings and participate fully in discussions. This includes constructively challenging the
views of other Board members where appropriate, while being collegial and supportive.
Work effectively with peers and stakeholders.
Ensure conflicts of interest are managed.
Collective and individual duties
Board members must ensure the Board operates efficiently, effectively, consistently with public service values,
and manages finances responsibly.
Members must exemplify the highest standards of governance by:
Position description:
Research Funding New Zealand Board – member
Acting with honesty and integrity.
Acting in good faith and not at the expense of the Board’s interests.
Acting with reasonable care, due diligence, and skill.
Not disclosing, or making use of information that would otherwise not be available to them.
Adhering to the Public Service Commission code of conduct1.
Membership of the Board
The Board comprises eight members, including the Chair. Members are appointed by the Minister of Science,
Innovation and Technology for terms of up to three years.
Time commitment and remuneration
The Board is likely to meet monthly, with a greater time commitment during its establishment phase.
Members are entitled to receive remuneration at a rate determined by the Minister in accordance with the
Cabinet Fees Framework.
Members will receive an annual fee of
$31,200 for their governance responsibilities. An additional
daily fee of
$669 may be claimed for approved advisory work, with claims monitored by the secretariat to ensure alignment
with Board remuneration policies.
Board members are also entitled to reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred while carrying out Board
duties.
Person specifications
Specific skills required
The Minister is seeking candidates for Board membership who can, in combination with other members, provide a
mix of the following skills and experience:
Leadership and strategy, including:
demonstrated leadership experience
financial acumen
risk management
strategic thinking
understanding of good governance practice.
Science, innovation, and technology expertise, including:
understanding of the science, innovation, and technology system
experience in funding and investment decision-making
direct knowledge of international science systems
academic achievement and thought leadership
senior experience in research organisations such as universities, public research organisations, or
independent research organisations
strong science, innovation, and technology networks at community, national, and international levels
familiarity with research methods, evaluation, and frameworks
1 https://www.publicservice.govt.nz/guidance/guide-he-aratohu/standards-of-integrity-and-conduct/
Position description:
Research Funding New Zealand Board – member
understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi / Te Tiriti o Waitangi and mātauranga Māori in the science,
innovation, and technology system.
Technical and functional expertise in one of more of the following fields:
environmental sciences (including ecology)
computer science (including artificial intelligence, data science, machine learning)
health sciences
biological science
physical sciences and/or engineering.
Industry and commercialisation, including:
management or board level experience
research and development experience
an understanding of, and experience in, commercialising science, innovation, and technology
capital raising
Intellectual property licensing including awareness of indigenous IP considerations, where relevant.
Government experience, including:
experience across government agencies
understanding machinery of government and public accountability.
Ideally, at least one Board member will be based overseas, with strong international networks and expertise in
international science systems, research funding models and developments in science, innovation, and technology.
Board members are appointed as individuals to deliver on their collective responsibilities and not as
representatives of particular sectors or interest groups. Diversity of experience and background of members
across the Board is a key consideration.
Disclosure of interests
Before a person is appointed as a member of the Board, the person must:
consent in writing to being a member
certify that they are not disqualified from being a member
disclose to the Minister the nature and extent (including monetary value, if quantifiable) of all interests that
the person has at that time, or is likely to have, in matters relating to the Board.
Candidates must complete a Disclosure Form so the responsible Minister can understand any relevant interests or
potential conflicts related to a board appointment. This helps assess whether the candidate can contribute
effectively, and ensures any conflicts can be properly managed.
Candidates with conflicts that cannot be properly managed will not be appointed. This includes people in senior
leadership or governance roles at New Zealand public research organisations and universities.
Additional information
For enquiries about the position, email: [email address]
