Frequently Asked Questions

About using our Nominations Service and serving on a state board

Will I be paid?
Some positions on statutory boards pay directors' fees, and most positions will reimburse travel and expenses. It is important to consider the financial implications of taking on a governance role before you agree to it.

• The time commitment varies depending on the board in question; however, 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 3-5 years.
  

• you have connections to other organisations that might be in competition with the board you are serving on
• when you, or an organisation with which you are involved, stands to benefit financially from information you acquire while serving on a board.
  For example: if you work for a particular bank, you would not be able to serve on the board of directors of a competing bank.
• You are also a member of a subsidiary board answerable to or funded by the new board you are joining.
  For example:  if you sat on the board of Te Waka Toi, you could not also serve on the Creative New Zealand Council Board. Te Waka Toi is a subsidiary of Creative New Zealand and is funded by the Council, so this would constitute a conflict of interest.

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 work for.

Always clarify any questions regarding conflict of interest with the appointing agency before taking up a role.

What is a lay member?
A lay member is someone who is chosen to sit on a board although they are not directly affiliated with the profession or organisation in question. This is to provide an impartial 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.

Some positions are widely advertised in newspapers inviting people to apply directly to be appointed to a role. A single vacancy can attract as many as 100 nominations. It is important to be realistic, patient, and determined when seeking appointment to a statutory board.

• Become involved in governance roles at an entry level and work your way up.
• There are many opportunities to take on a governance role in local communities and professional associations. For example, you might consider standing for a school Board of Trustees or taking on the presidency of a local branch of your professional association. Taking on roles of responsibility will demonstrate that you are committed to governance.
• Talk to people who have held governance roles so to become familiar with the responsibilities and expectations required.
• Keep an eye out for upcoming appointments that interest you.
• Remember that the Ministry’s Nominations Service can only work with the information you provide.
• It is essential that you submit a comprehensive, professional CV or resume which highlights your key achievements, strengths, experiences, competencies, and interests. If your CV is poorly presented, lacking detail or missing key pieces of information, you may miss out on opportunities.
  

Is governance experience essential?
Not always.  You can be appointed to a board without governance experience if you have any of the following:

• senior executive/management experience
• extensive voluntary or community experience or
• specific expertise or highly specialised skills.

Who else can I register with?

• If you are Maori you can register with Te Puni Kokiri - www.tpk.govt.nz
• If you are of Pacific origin you can register with the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs – www.minpac.govt.nz
• If you have a disability you can register with the Office for Disability Issues – www.odi.govt.nz
• If you are interested in an appointment to a State-Owned Enterprise or Crown Research Institute Board you can contact the Crown Company Monitoring and Advisory Unit (CCMAU) – www.ccmau.govt.nz

How should I present my CV?
You can either use our template or send your current CV.  

The advantage of the template is that it contains guidelines on all the relevant information we need to process your registration and to nominate you for appropriate roles. The template has been designed to capture all the information appointing agencies require.

If using your current CV, then please check with the template, to ensure that you have all of the headings in the template covered.

What happens to my CV?
Your CV is stored electronically in a file created for you on our database.
We also file a paper copy.

When you are nominated for a role, a copy of your CV will be sent to the appointing agency. Please keep in mind that your CV will be viewed by officials from appointing agencies and possibly by MPs and Cabinet Ministers. It is important that your CV is comprehensive and professionally presented in order to maximise your chances of appointment.

When should I update my details?
If your professional situation changes or if you have new qualifications or governance roles to add to your CV, email us with the changes as they occur.

If you change address, phone number, mobile number or email address, please inform us immediately so we can contact you if any opportunities arise.

Should I define my special interests?
Yes. The Nominations Service is always happy to hear from women on our database who express an interest in a particular role. This information helps us identify suitable vacancies for you.

I am a Public Servant. Can I be appointed to a government board?
Public servants are not usually appointed to government boards and committees, unless you 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 the Nominations Service may still wish to register your CV.