Research Funding New Zealand - Board members

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Research Funding New Zealand - Board members

Date : 14 Oct 2025

Location : Wellington, NZ, 6011

About Research Funding New Zealand

The Government is making changes to New Zealand’s research, science, innovation, and technology system to clarify priorities, lift economic outcomes, and harness advanced technology for a more prosperous future. These changes will maximise the value of public investment in the system, ensure it responds to priorities, and keeps pace with technological advances.

Research Funding New Zealand (RFNZ) Board (the Board) is the cornerstone for these changes, established as an independent board for the purpose of translating Government science priorities into investments that make a difference for New Zealanders.

Specific skills and experience sought

The Minister is seeking candidates for Board membership who can, in combination with other members, provide a mix of the following skills and experience :

Leadership and strategy, including :

• demonstrated leadership experience
• strategic thinking
• understanding of good governance practice.

Science, innovation, and technology expertise, including :

Technical and functional expertise in one of more of the following fields :

Industry and commercialisation, including :

Ideally, at least one Board member will be based overseas, with strong international networks and expertise in international science systems, research funding models and developments in science, innovation, and technology.

Board members are appointed as individuals to deliver on their collective responsibilities and not as representatives of particular sectors or interest groups. Diversity of experience and background of members across the Board is a key consideration.

Member responsibilities

RFNZ Board members will work with the Chair and other members to :

Collective and individual duties

Board members must ensure the Board operates efficiently, effectively, consistently with public service values, and manages finances responsibly. Members must exemplify the highest standards of governance by :

The Board is likely to meet monthly, with a greater time commitment during its establishment phase.

Members are entitled to receive remuneration at a rate determined by the Minister in accordance with the Cabinet Fees Framework.

Members will receive an annual fee of $31,200 for their governance responsibilities. An additional daily fee of $669 may be claimed for approved advisory work, with claims monitored by the secretariat to ensure alignment with Board remuneration policies.

Board members are also entitled to reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred while carrying out Board duties.

Further information

Candidates with conflicts that cannot be properly managed will not be appointed. This includes people in senior leadership or governance roles at New Zealand public research organisations and universities.

Please note that applications close 27 October at midnight .

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