[FYI request #16525 email]
23 September, 2021
Dear John Luke,
Thank you for your email on the 27 August outlining the queries you have around the Regional
Skills Leadership Groups (RSLGs) appointment process.
Interim RSLGs were formed in June 2020 and have since been replaced by permanent RSLGs,
which were established in August 2021. RSLGs have been established to identify and support
better ways of meeting future skills and workforce needs in our regions and cities.
We trust the information set out below answers your specific queries about the RSLGs
appointment process.
Update on RSLG appointments
Permanent RSLGs were formally established at the end of August 2021, with the majority of
RSLG co-chairs announced in late June 2021. Appointed members have been announced
recently on the MBIE website, you can find them here:
https://www.mbie.govt.nz/businessand-employment/employment-and-skills/regional-skills-
leadership-groups/
RSLG co-chair appointment process
Each of the permanent RSLGs have two appointed co-chairs, with one nominated through an
Expressions of Interest (EOI) process while the other was identified in consultation with
respective iwi/Māori in their rohe. This process was agreed to by Te Puni Kōkiri and Te
Arawhiti. The advertisement calling for EOI for co-chair positions went live on 12 February, and
closed on 7 March 2021. An open, public search process was carried out to identify co-chair
candidates that had not been nominated by iwi. This process included:
•
Advertising on the MBIE website and www.seek.co.nz, LinkedIn and regional
media.
•
Requesting nominations from the Ministry for Women, Te Puni Kōkiri, the
Ministry for Pacific Peoples, the Office for Disability Issues, the Ministry for Youth
Development and the Office of Ethnic Communities.
•
Utilising MBIE and Regional Public Service Leads’ (RPSLs) knowledge of potential
suitable candidates.
•
Inviting industry, regional and union bodies to nominate candidates.
•
Canvassing the Labour caucus and the Green Party and inviting candidate
nominations.
MBIE received 132 applications for the EOI co-chair roles. All applications were reviewed by
regional panels, which included the RPSL and the relevant MBIE RSLG manager. The panels
shortlisted and interviewed 42 co-chair candidates for 14 regions1. Regional panels made EOI
appointment recommendations to MBIE.
MBIE also sought feedback on recommended EOI co-chair appointments by regional panels
from a central panel, consisting of representatives from Business New Zealand, the Council of
Trade Unions, Te Puni Kōkiri, the Tertiary Education Commission. MBIE then considered the
preferred candidates from each of the regional panels, to ensure balance across the RSLGs in
regards to the skills, perspectives and experience the candidates had. Based on this, Cabinet
appointed 29 of the 30 co-chairs, the remaining appointment was delegated to EET co-chairs.
A separate process was undertaken for the iwi/Māori co-chair appointments.
Co-chair appointments
On 29 June 2021, the Minister for Social Development and Employment announced the
appointment of permanent RSLG co-chairs, with two co-chairs listed as to-be-confirmed (TBC).
The reasons for both of the iwi/ Māori co-chair TBCs differ:
• One of the co-chairs, since confirmed, had not yet returned their Letter of Acceptance
at the time of the announcement.
• For the other co-chair role, MBIE officials were still working with iwi/Māori in that
region to identify a co-chair candidate that was supported by iwi/Māori.
Both of the above TBC co-chair positions have now been formally appointed and announced.
Steps and Process to appoint RSLG Members
RSLG members were identified through a more targeted approach. Members of the interim
RSLGs were given first consideration for continued membership. They were asked to express
their interest in doing so in May and June 2021. A targeted search was then undertaken to
identify any additional members required to ensure balanced perspective, in line with the
membership frame agreed in January 2021 by Ministers. Appointed co-chairs and relevant
Regional Public Service Leads were involved in recommending their regions RSLG’s
membership, which were then appointed by the Secretary for MBIE.
1 In respect of Tairāwhiti, Cabinet has agreed that the Commitment, Action and Reciprocity resulting in
sustainable Employment (CARE) Forum will be designated the responsibility for the region’s permanent
RSLG, in line with the RSLG Terms of Reference. Given this, there was no EOI process for Tairāwhiti.
Remuneration of members and co-chairs
The RSLGs are classified as a Group 4 Level 3 Advisory Committee under the Cabinet Fees
Framework. The remuneration for co-chairs has been set at the chair fee rate of $575 per day
and for members it is $395.
Thank you for your interest in Regional Skills Leadership Groups.
Shaun Twaddle,
Manager, Insights and Strategy - Regional Skills Leadership Groups
Employment, Skills and Immigration Policy
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
