New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology (Chair)
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On behalf of the Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, the Ministry is seeking candidates who wish to be considered for appointment to the New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology (NZIAT) Board.
About the Board
NZIAT will be a dedicated public research organisation (PRO) driving economic growth through advanced technology development and commercialisation.
NZIAT will first be incubated within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) before becoming an independent entity, and will take on PRO status when legislation comes into effect in July 2026.
Objectives and functions
NZIAT will fill a gap in the current system by providing leadership and coordination in New Zealand’s advanced technology research and creating stronger pathways to commercial outcomes. It will be New Zealand’s centre of expertise on advanced technology:
- Connecting world-class research teams across universities, PROs, and private sector research partners.
- Transforming technological breakthroughs into commercial success.
- Building New Zealand's knowledge and foresight capability in critical emerging technologies.
- Linking New Zealand's expertise into global technology networks and markets.
- Connecting researchers and industry to solve difficult problems.
Person specifications
Specific skills
At this time, the Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology is seeking candidates for the Chair role that possess the following skills and experience:
- Proven governance experience in public and/or private sector Chair roles.
- Strong leadership, strategy, and stakeholder management skills.
- Significant organisational transition experience.
- Deep interest in maximising the value of advanced technology for New Zealand’s economic prosperity.
Additional skills, experience, and attributes
In addition to the required skills, the following would be advantageous:
- Business and commercial acumen, including industry connections.
- Commercialisation and innovation experience.
- Financial acumen, including audit and risk management expertise.
- Media and public relations experience.
- Knowledge of public accountability, machinery of government, and New Zealand’s science, innovation and technology system.
Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand.
Board membership
Role of the Chair
The Chair is expected to:
- Provide effective leadership and direction to the board and entity, consistent with the purpose of the entity and Ministers’ expectations.
- Ensure effective accountability and governance of the entity, consistent with the requirements of relevant legislation.
- Ensure the long-term benefit of the entity’s work, maximising commercialisation and economic outcomes, while delivering critical public good knowledge and services.
- Ensure the entity delivers on Government priorities for science innovation and technology.
- Maintain transparency between public funding and activity within the entity, including developing and implementing appropriate cost recovery models.
- Work collaboratively with the other PROs to prioritise, avoid unnecessary duplication, resolve trade-offs, and support consistency and coordination.
- Seek opportunities to boost research capability and knowledge production through consortia approaches and co-investment.
- Develop and maintain sound relationships with Ministers and their advisors including:
- Leading any formal entity discussions with Ministers, particularly on budget and planning cycles, including the Statement of Intent and Letter of Expectations.
- Signing off on formal governance documents (Statement of Intent, Annual Report, others), generally in conjunction with the Deputy Chair (if appointed).
- Acting as spokesperson for the board to ensure that Ministers and other key stakeholders are aware of the board's views and activities, and that Ministers' views are communicated to the board.
- Ensuring that Ministers are kept informed under the 'no surprises' obligations.
- Act as the leader of the entity, including presenting the entity's objectives and strategies to the public. Represent the entity to government and stakeholders, including attending any select committee appearances by the entity.
- Chair board meetings, including:
- Setting the board agenda.
- Ensuring there is sufficient time to cover issues.
- Ensuring the board receives the information it needs and that contributions are made by all board members.
- Assisting discussions towards the emergence of a consensus view and summing up so that everyone understands what has been agreed.
- Ensure appropriate policies and structures are in place to support the board.
- Take the lead, often in conjunction with the monitoring department, in providing comprehensive tailored induction for new board members.
- Ensure that the development needs of individual board members are identified and addressed and, where necessary, deal with underperformance by board members.
- Ensure that an annual performance evaluation is conducted of the board as a whole, and of the Chair and members individually.
- Participate in the recruitment process for new board members. This is likely to include maintaining a view on the desired composition of the board, considering succession planning for members and the Chair, and supporting Ministers and the monitoring department in appointing and reappointing board members.
- Oversee the employment of the Chief Executive, including considering succession planning, and organising induction for a new Chief Executive.
- Provide guidance and support to the Chief Executive to ensure the entity is managed effectively. This includes establishing and maintaining an effective working relationship with the Chief Executive while also taking an independent view to challenge and test management thinking.
- Represent the board in formal assessments of the Chief Executive's performance with respect to Chief Executive terms and conditions at time of appointment and performance reviews.
- Ensure that appropriate interest registers are in place and that members' conflicts of interest (including those of the Chair) are dealt with appropriately.
Collective duties
The collective duties of directors are to ensure that the entity acts consistently with its objectives, and that the functions of the entity are performed efficiently, effectively, in a manner consistent with the spirit of service to the public, and in a financially responsible manner.
The duties of directors are described in the Companies Act and the Crown Entities Act. In addition, directors should demonstrate strong personal integrity and ethics that will enable them to meet their obligations as a director.
Directors are expected to adhere to the board conduct principles outlined in the Treasury’s Owner’s Expectations(external link) Manual, and the Public Service Commission’s code of conduct(external link).
Further information on the relationships between Crown entities, Ministers, and departments can be found at It Takes Three: Operating Expectations Framework for Statutory Crown Entities(external link).
Remuneration and time commitment
The indicative rate for the Board Chair is $73,618 per annum. Note that this may be subject to change as the entity is established and a final fee is set.
The expected time commitment of a Chair is 40 days per year. The Board is expected to meet on average ten times a year, with the majority of those meetings in person. However, the Board should expect to meet more often leading up to and during the establishment of the entity. Additionally, the Chair is also expected to spend additional time preparing for each meeting, and on other Board matters.
Disclosure of interest
Before a person is appointed as a Director of a Crown entity, the person must complete a disclosure form informing the shareholding Ministers the nature and extent (including monetary value, if quantifiable) of all interests that the person has at that time, or is likely to have, in matters relating to the Crown entity company.
For enquiries about the position, email: boardappointments@mbie.govt.nz