Scholarship Board appointments: Call for applications

The Board is a public entity funded by an annual appropriation through Vote: Education. The primary function and purpose of the Board is to provide assistance to Māori in education through the annual provision of a nationwide essay competition and scholarships programme. The role of the Board is to administer the fund in accordance with the provisions of its legislation and to develop strategies and plans to support the purpose of the fund.

A total of seven positions are available to those that are:

• past members of the Armed Forces and are Māori (4 vacancies) 
• past recipient of the Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship (1 vacancy), and 
• non-Māori (2 vacancies).

Members will have knowledge of the role of governance in public sector organisations, accompanied by strategic and dynamic thinking ability. Strong relationship management and communication skills are essential. Applicants are also expected to have knowledge and understanding of the 28th (Māori) Battalion actions and accomplishments, an interest in Māori education and an understanding of Māori protocols, practices and perspectives.

A description of the competencies required of a new member is available below or by contacting Lheanna Kent on 04 463 8957 or lheanna.kent@minedu.govt.nz. [no spam]

Expressions of interest, including Curriculum Vitae, should be sent to Lheanna Kent, Group Māori, PO Box 1666, Wellington 6140 by midday Wednesday 14 October 2009.

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Position profile

Introduction

The Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund Act 1945 (“the Act”) was enacted after World War II to commemorate the services of Māori. The fund was setup to particularly recognise the 28th (Māori) Battalion and the award of the Victoria Cross to Second Lieutenant Te Moananui a Kiwa Ngarimu – the first Māori to achieve this distinction.

The Act established the Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund Board to administer the fund in accordance with the provisions of its legislation. The primary function and purpose of the Board is to provide assistance to Māori in education. The Board is a public entity funded by an annual appropriation through Vote: Education.

The Minister of Education, as the responsible Minister of the Act, is seeking expressions of interest from people with excellent governance skills to fill eight vacancies on the Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund Board.

The Board

There are 17 members on this Board including the Minister of Education (Chair and Minister responsible for the Act), Minister of Māori Affairs, Members of Parliament that represent the Māori Electorates, and the Secretary for Education (Deputy Chair). The remaining members of the Board are ministerial appointees that are eligible to represent the following groups:

• Four ex-armed forces Māori members
• One Māori nominated by descendants of Hamuera and Maraea Ngarimu 
• One ex-scholarship recipient 
• No more than two non-Māori.

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Position purpose

Members will be responsible for assisting the Chair (Minister of Education) in carrying out the primary function of the Board. Members may also be required to serve on sub-committees delegated with powers to exercise any of the Board’s functions, duties or powers.

The Board currently provides assistance to Māori in education through the annual provision of a nationwide essay competition and scholarships programme. The Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund Board is responsible for:

• meeting statutory responsibilities under the Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund Act 1945
• development of strategies and plans to support the purpose of the Fund
• ensuring appropriate procedures and processes are in place and effectively undertaken.

In carrying out its functions and duties, the Board must ensure that it:

• has a clear understanding of its own role, the role of the Ministers (Minister of Education and Minister of Māori Affairs),and government officials
• is well informed about the entity it governs and its legislation
• does not act outside its powers and functions and only delegates activities responsibly and as permitted by law
• takes appropriate advice
• reviews its own performance.

The Board, taken as a whole, requires coverage of the general governance skills of leadership and strategy. In the current fiscal environment, financial management skills, and an understanding of performance management and performance improvement, are also increasingly important.

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Skills profile

A member of the Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund Board will be expected to possess all or most of the following:

1. Knowledge and experience

• A working knowledge of the role of governance in public sector organisations.
• An understanding of effective governance and strategy with an ability to operate at all levels of the business.
• Experience and knowledge in a professional discipline.
• Awareness of Government policy and processes.
• Knowledge of te reo Māori desirable.
• Knowledge and understanding of the 28th (Māori) Battalion actions and accomplishments.

2. Skills and attributes

• Strategic and dynamic thinking ability.
• Experience in an area applicable to the business of the Board such as education, financial management, human resource management, strategic management, community services, Māori students’ needs.
• Strong relationship management skills.
• Ability to build and maintain effective professional working relationships.
• Highly developed written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with all Board members.

3. Professional qualities

• Integrity, strong sense of ethics.
• Demonstrable commitment to providing assistance to Māori in education.
• Understanding of Māori; tikanga Māori; and, cultural protocols, practices and perspectives.

4. Public sector principles

All members of the Board must be aware of the importance of personal integrity and the need to declare conflicts of interest, either potential or actual. Members must also have the desire, interest and enthusiasm needed to effectively contribute to the performance of the Board throughout the term of membership.

5. Time commitment and obligations

The time commitment for all Board members will be sufficient to enable members to professionally discharge their obligations to the business of the Board and participate effectively in sub committee work.

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Term of appointment

Members may hold office for a term not exceeding three years but may be reappointed.

Remuneration

The fee payable for the position will be set by the Minister according to the guidelines set by Cabinet. Additionally, all Board members are entitled to be paid, out of the Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund, reasonable and actual allowances for travelling and other expenses relating to the performance of members’ duties and responsibilities as a Board representative.

Expressions of interest, including Curriculum Vitae, should be sent to Lheanna Kent, Group Māori, PO Box 1666, Wellington 6140 by midday Wednesday 14 October 2009.