New Zealand Trade and Enterprise – Member

About New Zealand Trade and Enterprise

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise’s (NZTE) purpose is to contribute to New Zealand’s economic transformation by growing companies internationally – bigger, better, faster – for the good of New Zealand. NZTE has an important role alongside other New Zealand organisations to contribute to the Government’s goal of doubling the value of exports in the next decade. For more information about NZTE and the Board see their website.

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise(external link)

NZTE as a Crown entity

NZTE is a Crown agent under the Crown Entities Act 2004. The Crown Entities Act provides a framework for Crown entity governance and accountability, including responsibilities of board members, disclosure of interests, and the roles of Ministers. As a Crown agent, NZTE can be directed to give effect to government policy that relates to the entity’s functions and objectives.
The Minister for Economic Development and the Minister for Trade are the responsible Ministers for NZTE. 

Person specifications

On behalf of the Minister for Economic Growth and the  Minister for Trade and Investment, we are seeking expressions of interest from experienced governors with the following skillset for a member role on the Board:

• Proven governance experience across a range of technological sectors including a track record of successfully operating within international markets.
• A genuine interest in the work of NZTE and its economic importance for New Zealand.
• Demonstrated experience in developing high-value commercial ventures, preferably with a background in high value manufacturing, technology or weightless exports. 

Additional skills, experience and attributes sought

• Strategic agility, vision and ambition.
• Proven business and commercial acumen.
• Stakeholder and relationship management experience.
• Understanding of public accountability.
• Proven track record in the trade and export arena.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand.

Board membership

The NZTE Board has a strategic management function and is not expected to conduct the day-to-day affairs of NZTE. The Board’s role is to focus on the critical strategic and operational issues by which the overall success of NZTE in achieving its objectives will be measured.

NZTE Board responsibilities

• Setting and monitoring the strategic direction of NZTE.
• Setting the culture and tone of NZTE as an organisation.
• Taking decisions that it has reserved for itself under the delegations policy.
• Appointing a Chief Executive.
• Monitoring the performance of NZTE and its Chief Executive.
• Maintaining appropriate relationships with the Ministers, Parliament, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the public.
• Ensuring the entity has financial sustainability and manages risk appropriately.
• Complying with the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Act 2003, the Crown Entities Act, and other relevant legislation.

Collective and individual duties of Board members

The collective duties of Board members are to ensure the Board’s functions are performed efficiently, effectively and consistently in the spirit of the public service, and in a financially responsible manner.

The individual duties of Board members are:

• To act with honesty and integrity.
• To act in good faith and not at the expense of the entity’s interests.
• To act with reasonable care, due diligence and skill.
• Not to disclose, or make use of information that would otherwise not be available to them.
• To disclose any interests that they have, or are likely to have, in matters relating to the entity.

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).

Board members’ term of appointment

Members are appointed for terms of up to three years. Board members continue in office despite the expiry of their term until they are reappointed, their successor is appointed, or the member is informed that they are not to be reappointed and that no successor is to be appointed at that time.

Members of the NZTE Board may resign by written notice to the responsible Ministers. The responsible Ministers may, at any time and entirely at their discretion, remove any members of the Board. This removal must be made by written notice.

Remuneration and meetings

The current remuneration for an NZTE Board member is $41,364 per year. The Board member positions are part-time. Full Board meetings are held bimonthly, or otherwise as required, including at least one annual strategic planning meeting. In addition, Board members will also have committee responsibilities and attend additional meetings for those purposes. The expected time commitment is approximately 25 days a year.

Additional information

For further enquiries about the position, email: boardappointments@mbie.govt.nz