How we help with Board appointmentsStrong boards are vital to the success of the various agencies which deliver the Government’s programmes in the arts, culture, heritage, media and sports sectors. We help our ministers make their appointments to 18 boards across the three portfolios. We manage the process to appoint board members on behalf of the relevant minister, following appropriate protocols and guidelines.We follow Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission’s Board Appointment and Induction Guidelines to ensure we are using best practice guidance on how to recruit, appoint and induct board members.Board Appointment and Induction Guidelines (Public Service Commission)We may also support our ministers to establish governance entities, such as ministerial advisory committees. This involves appointments to establishment boards and drafting founding documents such as terms of reference. Appointment criteriaLegal requirementsMinisterial appointments are made in line with the relevant legislation or the entity’s establishment document which usually outline the specific requirements for the process or things to consider in making board appointments. Merit basedMinisters make merit-based appointments, selecting people with the appropriate knowledge, skills and experience to enable the entity to perform and achieve its objectives. As well as meeting the main competencies relevant to their position, board members must appreciate the Crown’s role as the key stakeholder. Ministers also seek to ensure the collective membership of a board has a balance of skills to support the strategic direction and functions of the entity. For this reason, board members are selected for the skills, experience and perspectives they will add to the board’s skillset. Board members do not represent, or promote the views of, a particular interest group. DiversityMinisters also consider the desirability of promoting diversity in the board’s membership. Government policy requires boards to be representative of the diversity and demographic make-up of Aotearoa New Zealand, including gender, ethnicity, age and geographic location. We provide information on the boards’ makeup to the Ministry for Women Manatū Wāhine each year for its annual stocktake of gender and diversity information across all public sector boards. 2022 Stocktake of Gender, Māori, Pacific and Ethnic Diversity on Public Sector Boards and Committees (2023, Ministry for Women).Appointment processWhen a vacancy on a board is coming up — for example, due to a board member’s term expiring or their resignation — we will notify the responsible minister and initiate the process for an appointment to be made to fill the vacancy. Board appointments are usually for a term of three to five years.In preparing our advice, we consider the board’s collective skills and experience and the criteria the board needs to enable the entity to succeed, as well as the need for boards to have diverse perspectives. Identifying candidatesWe may seek board nominations in various ways depending on the board, process and requirements. This may include: contacting government nominating agencies (Ministry for Women Manatū Wāhine, Te Puni Kōkiri, Ministry for Pacific Peoples, Ministry for Ethnic Communities, and Whaikaha Ministry of Disabled People) searching our own database for suitable candidates from expressions of interests or previous appointment rounds socialising upcoming vacancies with relevant community and professional organisations making a public call for nominations including advertising the opportunity publicly.Due diligence checksBefore any appointment, an appropriate and proportional due diligence phase will take place. This may include interviews, background checks, national security screening and/or reference checks. Any proposed appointee to a Crown entity will be asked to:consent in writing to the intended appointmentcertify they are not disqualified to act as a board memberdisclose the nature and extent of any conflicts of interests. ConsultationOnce the minister has made their decision on a proposed appointment, consultation with other ministers or interested parties may be required before the appointment can progress through the Cabinet Appointment and Honours Committee, and the appointment can be made. NotificationMost board appointments and reappointments are publicly notified in the New Zealand Gazette Te Kāhiti o Aotearoa and generally take effect from the date in the Gazette notice unless a later date is specified.Induction and ongoing supportThe appointment process ends with the successful induction of a new board member.We continue to provide guidance and development opportunities to board members in their roles, working across the system to:support professional development in governanceadvise on governance issuesensure members are familiar with their functions and expectations, in line with current best practice expectations and the Code of Conduct for Crown Entity Board members. Code of Conduct for Crown Entity Board Members (Public Service Commission)Interested in serving on a Board?If you’re interested in being considered for appointment to a board of an arts, culture, heritage, media or sports organisation, you can express your interest by adding your name to our register of potential board members: Please complete the expression of interest form, and once complete, send this form with a CV to [email protected]. Keyword: Expression of interest for board appointment form 43.05 KB DOCX Expression of interest for board appointment form Or contact us for a paper form at: [email protected].Upcoming appointmentsIn 2024, we will support ministers to make appointments, which could include reappointments, to the following boards: Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa (Creative NZ) Broadcasting Commission (NZ On Air) Irirangi Te Motu Broadcasting Standards Authority Te Mana Whanonga Kaipāho Eden Park Trust Board Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and the Māori Heritage Council Integrity in Sport and Recreation CommissionMuseum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa National Pacific Media Trust (Pacific Media Network)New Zealand Film Commission Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Te Tira Pūoro o Aotearoa Sport and Recreation New Zealand (Sport NZ) Sports Tribunal of New Zealand.