H2026081335 Response.pdf

133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T +64 4 496 2000
W www.medsafe.govt.nz
8 May 2026

John Luke

By email:  [FYI request #34471 email]
Ref:
H2026081335

Tēnā koe John

Response to your request for official information

Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to the Ministry of
Health – Manatū Hauora (the Ministry) on 11 April 2026 for information regarding appointments to
the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs (EACD). Please find a response to each part of your
request below.

https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2026-go1757

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 call for nomination for appointments to the EACD was for public service members, as stated
under section 5AA of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975:
“… (3)(b) up to 3 people employed in the public service (as defined in section 10 of the
Public Service Act 2020) who between them have appropriate expertise in—
(i) public health:
(ii)  the  appropriateness  and  safety  of  pharmaceuticals  and  their  availability  to  the
public:”

The advertisement was initially published on the Ministry of Health vacancy portal and was
disseminated to agencies/organisations who may have members or staff for which the role may
be of interest (in this case the Public Health Agency and to medication safety pharmacists
through the NZ Hospital Pharmacy Association (NZHPA)).

Also, how many applications you have received for each of the role 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 one application for the role of public health from a Public Health Agency
employee, and one application for the role of appropriateness and safety of pharmaceuticals and
their availability to the public from a hospital pharmacy employee. Both candidates were
determined to hold the required expertise and experience.

A copy of your ad and pay rate as well.

As requested, a copy of the advertisement is enclosed and is itemised in Appendix 1 as
Document 1.

Members of the EACD are paid a daily rate of $325 per day (excluding GST), as determined by
the Cabinet Fees Framework. This is set out on the Public Service Commission’s website here:
www.publicservice.govt.nz/guidance/guidance-for-statutory-crown-entities/remuneration-and-
expenses-for-board-members.

How many you have shortlisted and how many you have interviewed.

Only two applications were received (one for each role), and these were determined to have the
requisite expertise, therefore no shortlisting was undertaken.

Also, can I request to view the appointment letter if there is one sent to the Stephanie
Murphy, Mark Ayson and Terry Brown. I am happy for you to remove all the personal
information.”

Terry Brown (border control) was re-appointed for a second 3-year term therefore, no
advertisement was required on this occasion.

Appointment letters to the three candidates listed are attached and itemised in Appendix 1.
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.

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
Ministry website at: www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases/responses-official-
information-act-requests.

Nāku noa, nā

Chris James
Group Manager
Medsafe

Page 2 of 3

Appendix 1: List of documents for release

#
Date
Document details
Decision on release
1
9 December 2025    Advertisement for Appointments  Released in full.
to EACD

2
26 March 2026
Appointment letter to Stephanie
Some information withheld
Murphy
under section 9(2)(a) of the
Act to protect the privacy of
natural persons.
3
26 March 2026
Appointment letter to Mark


Ayson


4
26 March 2026
Appointment letter to Terry

Brown

Page 3 of 3

Document 1
Job Hub Ad
The Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora (the Ministry) is seeking candidates who wish to be
considered for appointment to the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs (EACD).
The EACD, established by the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Act 2000, provides expert advice to the
Minister of Health on drug classiﬁcation issues.
The functions of the EACD are set out under section 5AA of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975.
Information is also available on the Ministry’s website.
In summary, the key functions are:
(a) to carry out medical and scientiﬁc evaluations of control ed drugs, and any other narcotic or
psychotropic substances, preparations, mixtures, or articles; and
(b) to make recommendations to the Minister on —
i.
whether and how control ed drugs or other substances, preparations or mixtures should
be classiﬁed; and
ii.
the amount, level, or quantity at and over which any substance, preparation or mixture is
to be presumed to be for supply.
The Committee comprises members with expertise in pharmacology, toxicology, drug and alcohol
treatment, psychology, community medicine; and up to 3 people employed in the public service with
expertise in public health, the appropriateness and safety of pharmaceuticals and their availability to
the public, as well as members from border control, Police, Ministry of Justice and a representative
of consumers of drug treatment services.
This role (s) – Kōrero mō te tūranga
We are seeking candidates for the public health and/or the appropriateness and safety of
pharmaceuticals.  Previously these two roles have been served by one member, however it can also
be served by two diﬀerent members.
Members are appointed by the Director-General (delegated from the Minister of Health) for a term
of three years which can be renewed for a further term.
The Committee general y meets once or twice a year, although more meetings may be held if
under the Official Information Act 1982
required (online or face-to-face).  The time required by members is variable but wil  not likely exceed
a few days a year.
About you – Kōrero mōu
All applicants must be employed in the public sector and have expertise and experience in public
Released
health and/or appropriateness and safety of pharmaceuticals and their availability to the public.
How to apply – Me pēhea te tono
Applications should be sent to [email address] by close of business on 11 January 2026 and
include a covering letter, and a current CV. Also please specify which role(s) you are applying for.
If you would like to obtain further information or clariﬁcation, please contact us at
[email address]