15 September 2021
LB
[FYI request #16555 email]
Dear LB
Official Information Request
Our Ref: 2021-0119
I refer to your official information request received on 29 August 2021 for:
1) Outline the activities undertaken so far this year in seeking a new Chief Executive for Oranga
Tamariki.
2) Provide the number of candidates considered so far, along with
a) a demographic breakdown,
b) a summary of the reasons appointments have no been made (e.g. the number who
applied who did not have appropriate experience, the number who have been made an
offer and turned it down), and
c) the phase of the recruitment process that candidates  reached (e.g. number
shortlisted, number interviewed).
3) If any candidates did reach either negotiation or offer, either (appropriately anonymised)
please provide documents outlining why an appointment was not made, or provide a summary
of the recol ection of the people involved of why the appointment was not made (if no written
record has been made to date or if the written record does not capture the ful  explanation).
4) Al  documents which support an understanding of the process undertaken to date. Including,
for examples, briefs provided to executive search firms, descriptions of the role and key criteria
provided to candidates.
Our Response
In January  2021,  the Public Service Commissioner appointed  Sir Wira Gardiner as Acting Chief
Executive for Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children.   The vacancy for the position of Secretary for
Children and Chief Executive Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children  is currently advertised with
applications closing on the 19 September 2021.

Information publicly available
The information listed in the table below is covered by your request and is publicly available on the
Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission website at the link provided for in the table.
Item
Document Description
Website Address
1
Position Description
Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission
Accordingly,  we  have refused your request for the documents under section 18(d) of the Official
Information Act 1982 (OIA) on the grounds the information requested is publicly available.
We are also refusing parts two, three and four of your request under section 18(e) of the OIA on the
grounds the information does not exist.  Please note once an appointment is made, the appointment
related information will be proactively released on the Commission’s website at Appointments | Te
Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission.
If you wish to discuss this decision with us, please feel free to contact
[email address].
You  have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision.
Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz  or
freephone 0800 802 602.
Please note that we intend to publish this letter (with your personal details removed) on the
Commission’s website.

Yours sincerely

Nicky Dirks
Manager – Ministerial and Executive Services
Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission

Document Outline