19 January 2024
C175976
John Luke
[FYI request #24889 email] Tēnā koe John
Thank you for your request of 27 November 2023 to the Department of Corrections – Ara
Poutama Aotearoa (Corrections), requesting information about nominations and
applications for the Community Impact Forum. Your request has been considered under the
Official Information Act 1982 (OIA).
In order to establish a new corrections facility (Auckland South Corrections Facility),
Corrections was required, under the Resource Management Act 1991, to lodge an
application to amend the existing planning designation in the Manukau City District Plan to
allow for a men’s prison to be built. The application for the amendment to the designation
was publicly notified.
In granting approval, the Board of Inquiry imposed a number of conditions that Corrections
had to comply with which included the requirement to establish the following three
committees to address possible social and cultural effects on the local community as a result
of the establishment of the Auckland South Corrections Facility (ASCF) and the presence of
the Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility (ARWCF):
• Community Impact Forum (CIF)
• Tangata Whenua Committee (TWC)
• Social Impact Fund Allocation Committee (SIFAC).
These three committees are linked and work alongside each other to identify and manage
the effects on the community as a consequence of the two prisons ASCF and ARWCF being
in close proximity in Wiri, South Auckland. These committees play a key role in enabling
Corrections to work with the community and ensure concerns regarding the prisons are
addressed.
One of the conditions imposed by the Board of Inquiry is the membership of the CIF, and
where that membership can be invited from – please see paragraphs 41(a) and (b) of the
report published on the Environmental Protection Authority’s website:
https://www.epa.govt.nz/assets/FileAPI/proposal/NSP000011/Boards-
decision/548ddc6880/Wiri-Draft-decision-volume-2-Conditions.pdf
NATIONAL OFFICE, WELLINGTON
Mayfair House, 44 – 52 The Terrace, Wellington, 6011, Private Box 1206, Wellington 6140,
Phone +64 4 460 3000
www.corrections.govt.nz
2
You requested:
I noted from this Ministry of Women's response, - MW DOIA- 23-24-0010, You have
recently sought nomination for the Community Impact Forum
May I ask how you called for public nomination and on what platform you have call
for public nominations for the Community Impact Forum, e.g. govt.jobs website. Also,
how many applications you have received from the public and how many you have
received from other nominating agencies such as TPK or Ministry of women etc with
you most recent call for nomination. Also, can you please supply the term of
appointment and member's pay rate.
Corrections previously extended the timeframe of our response in accordance with section
15A(1)(b) of the OIA.
The purpose of the CIF is to provide a forum for community and stakeholder involvement
through which any issues of community interest or concern can be raised and responded to.
The key focus for the CIF is to consider the effects that ASCF and ARWCF may have on the
community.
The chairperson position for CIF is a ministerial appointed role. Applications can be received
through recommendations from relevant government agencies and Auckland Council.
Applications from individual members of the public are not considered.
The most recent call for nominations for the CIF and SIFAC chairperson position was made
on 1 July 2022. In 2022, four nominations for the CIF chairperson position were received by
nominating agencies, which included Ministry for Women, Ministry for Ethnic Communities,
Te Puni Kōkiri and Department of Corrections.
The Minister of Corrections has the responsibility of appointing an independent Chairperson
in consultation with the Minister for Māori Development and the Auckland Council to serve
on the CIF and the SIFAC. The Chairperson will serve a term of three years, at the end of
which, they may be reappointed if available, and at the discretion of the Minister. The
Chairperson has a daily fee of $600 for chairing the CIF.
Other CIF members are appointed after being invited to join the forum by the appointed
Chairperson and may be from one of the groups mentioned in paragraphs 41(a) and (b),
previously linked in this response. The CIF members can be appointed for a term of two
years, at the end of which, they may be reappointed if available, and agreed to by their
respective organisation. They receive an honorarium of $325 (on a pro rata basis), to cover
reasonable expenses to attend meetings.
3
I trust the information provided is of assistance. I encourage you to raise any concerns
about this response with Corrections. Alternatively, you are advised of your right to also
raise any concerns with the Office of the Ombudsman. Contact details are: Office of the
Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143.
Ngā mihi
Kerry-Leigh Dougall
Deputy Chief Executive Māori
