Title: Commissioner 

Appointed by: Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister of Climate Change. 

Time Commitment: Quarterly board meetings, with sufficient flexibility to respond to ad hoc duties. 

Term: Up to 5 years 

Remuneration: Annual rate, set by the Remuneration Authority. 

Location: Mix of virtual and in person board meetings, occasional travel will be required. 

Call for nominations 

The Nominating Committee for the Climate Change Commission (Nominating Committee) seeks nominations for up to three new Board members for the Climate Change Commission (the Commission). 

Appointments to the Commission are made by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister of Climate Change. The Minister can only recommend candidates for appointment who have been nominated by the Nominating Committee. 

Background 

The Commission is an independent Crown entity with advisory and monitoring functions. It currently has a staff of around 65 FTEs. Its purpose is to provide expert advice to the New Zealand Government on climate policy in relation to both emissions reduction and adapting to the effects of climate change in accordance with the Climate Change Response Act 2002 (CCRA) and the Paris Agreement, which seeks to limit the global average temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The Commission’s advice will help the Government set targets, monitor progress towards goals, prepare policies and plans to reduce emissions, adapt to climate change and increase climate resilience. 

In fulfilling this objective, the Commission’s priorities are to:

·         advise on the appropriate level of New Zealand’s emissions budgets.

·         advise on the direction of policy required to meet emissions budgets.

·         monitor and review the Government’s progress towards its mitigation and adaptation goals.

·         publish progress reports annually and carry out a review following the end of each emissions budget period.

·         prepare the National Climate Change Risk Assessment (every 6 years).

·         monitor and evaluate implementation of the National Adaptation Plan and prepare a report (every 2 years).

·         respond to requests by the Minister of Climate Change under section 5K of the CCRA.

·         provide annual advice on Emissions Trading Scheme settings.

Skills and experience sought in new Commission Board member 

Candidates should bring experience in the following areas:

·         Climate, science, mitigation and adaptation expertise

·         An understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi and Te Ao Māori.

To complement this experience, it would be desirable if candidates have relevant knowledge and skills across the following:

·         Finance, audit and risk.

·         Understanding of the social, economic and distributional impacts of Climate Change.

 Collectively, the Commissioners will bring the following skills and experiences as outlined in the CCRA:

·         an understanding of climate change mitigation and adaptation, including the likely effects of any responses to climate change.

·         experience working in or with local and central government.

·         knowledge of the process by which public and regulatory policy is formed and given effect to.

·         technical and professional skills, experience, and expertise in, and an understanding of innovative approaches relevant to:

·         the environmental, ecological, social, economic, and distributional effects of climate change and climate change policy interventions

·         the Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi) and Te Ao Māori (including Tikanga Māori, Te Reo Māori, Mātauranga Māori, and Māori economic activity)

·         a range of sectors and industries, at regional and local levels.

Role of Commissioners 

Collectively, the Commissioners provide governance and strategic advice to the Commission as well as guidance over the Commission’s research, policy plans, advice, monitoring and reporting. 

Key responsibilities include:

·         being responsible for fulfilling the Commission’s functions set out in the CCRA including:

o             presenting reports and advice to the Government.

o             financial oversight and risk management, including ensuring that the Commission’s financials are systematically accounted for, audited and publicly available.

·         health, safety and legal obligations, including that all the legislative requirements of Board members and entities are met.

·         where appropriate and as agreed consulting and collaborating with a network of stakeholders, as well as involving cross-government networks to achieve the Commission’s purpose.

Remuneration and location 

Remuneration is set by the Remuneration Authority. Actual and reasonable travel and other expenses incurred carrying out the role of the Commissioner may be paid in accordance with the Cabinet Fees Framework.

Meetings will be held virtually and in person. Travel may be required in order to consult widely; However, the Commission is expected to seek to minimise non-essential travel as much as possible. 

Term of appointment 

Under section 32(1)(b) of the Crown Entities Act 2004 (CEA), a member of an independent Crown entity may be appointed for up to five years or any shorter period. 

An appointee can resign from office at any time by written notice to the responsible Minister. The Governor-General can remove members of the Commission prior to the expiry of their term from the Commission with “just cause”, on the responsible Minister’s advice after consultation with the Attorney-General. 

Appointment considerations 

In making appointment recommendations to the Governor-General, the responsible Minister is guided by criteria set out in both the CEA and the CCRA. 

Candidates must be aware of the importance of personal integrity and the need to declare conflicts of interest, either potential or actual. Further information can be found here: Code of conduct and conflicts of interest. 

Please refer to Section 30 of the CEA for a list of persons who are disqualified from being members. 

Current composition of the Commission Board 

The Commission’s Board is currently made up of a Chair, Deputy Chair and six other members. The Board size can be between five and nine members, including the Chair and Deputy Chair. 

For further information on the Board composition, please refer to the below link:

Our Board and Chief Executive :: Climate Change Commission

To apply, please send your cover letter and CV to [email protected]

Applications close at 5pm on 10 November 2026