Home » Nominations » Government board nominations » FAQ - Governance and boards
Answers to some common questions about nominations and governance appointments are set out below. If you have a question that is not listed here, please contact us at nominations@mpia.govt.nz
This depends on the board in question. It is common for boards to meet for a half or a whole day once a month. Preparation time might add another one to two days work per month.
Most appointment terms are for three to five years.
Some positions on boards pay meeting fees, and most positions will reimburse travel and expenses. It is important to consider the financial cost of an appointment before you agree to it.
A conflict of interest occurs when:
Note:
If the conflict of interest occurs only occasionally, it is possible for it to be managed as long as you have declared it. For example, you could absent yourself from discussions regarding any other organisations you are involved with. Always clarify any questions regarding possible conflicts of interest with the appointing agency before taking up a role.
A lay member is someone who is chosen to sit on a board, although they are not directly linked with the profession or sector in question, because they can provide a community view and add an outsider's perspective. For example, the Nurses' Council board has some members who are nurses and some lay members who are appointed specifically because they are not nurses.
It depends on how well your skills and experience match that of the position. A single vacancy can attract as many as 100 nominations. Several government agencies may provide nominations, as well as non-governmental organisations. Some positions are also advertised in newspapers inviting people to apply directly to be appointed.
It is important to be realistic, patient, and determined when seeking an appointment to a board.
Not always. You might be appointed to a board or a lower level committee without governance experience if you have any of the following: extensive voluntary or community experience specific expertise or highly specialised skills.
There are many ways you can go about improving your governance skills and effectiveness as a board member. Some suggestions are:
The information on your form is stored in our database.
When the Ministry nominates you for a role, we send a copy of your details to the appointing agency. Officials from appointing agencies, and possibly MPs and Cabinet Ministers who are involved in the appointment process, may see your information.
Contact us as soon as the information on your CV changes, but particularly if your contact details change, otherwise we cannot contact you if a suitable position becomes available.
Yes. We are always happy to hear from people on our database who express an interest in a particular role. This information helps us identify suitable vacancies for you.
Public servants are not usually appointed to government boards and committees, unless they have specialist skills that cannot be found in a candidate outside the public service. However, you can be appointed to boards outside the public sector, so we may still wish to accept your application.
Other government agencies which run nominations services have information which may be useful. The following websites provide information about governance:
Governance courses:
Board membership courses:
We are one of several government agencies who nominate people for positions on government boards. Others are:
For further information, contact:
Senior Advisor, Nominations
Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs
P O Box 833
WELLINGTON, New Zealand
Tel: (04) 495 0028
Fax: (04) 471 2282
email: nominations@mpia.govt.nz
