New Zealand Trade and Enterprise – Member
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About New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
As the Government’s international business development agency, NZTE’s purpose is to grow companies internationally — bigger, better, faster — for the benefit of New Zealand. NZTE works to increase New Zealand companies’ international success by helping them boost their global reach and build capability, as well as attracting investment that benefits New Zealand. It does this using its knowledge and international connections. For more information about NZTE and the Board see their website.
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise(external link) – nzte.govt.nz
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.
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 $24,500 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.
Person specifications
We are seeking expressions of interest from experienced governors motivated to contribute to building of a more prosperous and sustainable economic future for New Zealanders with the following skillsets:
Skillset one: Innovation and technology
- 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.
Skillset two: Strategic financial acumen
- Proven governance experience of high performing entities
- A genuine interest in the work of NZTE and its economic importance for New Zealand
- Demonstrated strategic financial leadership within a complex business, ideally with an international focus
- Finance professional experience – able to interrogate the financials and evaluate spending and investment opportunities, audit and risk experience. Ideally a current or former Chartered Accountant.
Skillset three: International investment experience
- Proven governance experience within the international arena
- Demonstrated leadership experience within a multi-national investment environment which has supported growth of businesses through leveraging global strategic opportunities
- Extensive domestic and international industry connections and networks
- Demonstrated ability to successfully facilitate partnerships within the global venture capital ecosystem
Additional skills, experience and attributes sought
- Strategic agility, vision and ambition
- Proven business and commercial acumen
- Connections to the primary sector industry
- 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.
Additional information
For further enquiries about the position, email: boardappointments@mbie.govt.nz