Remuneration Authority - Member (Remuneration specialist)

About the Board

The Remuneration Authority (the Authority) is established under the Remuneration Authority Act 1977. The Authority’s role is to set the remuneration, fees, certain allowances and (for some) superannuation for:

• the Governor-General
• Members of Parliament, including the Prime Minister and Ministers
• Judicial officers from the Chief Justice to Community Magistrates
• Local government elected officials, including Mayors, Chairpersons, Councillors, community and local board members
• Independent statutory officers, where the holders of the office are required to exercise a high degree of independence, as set out in the Fourth Schedule of the Remuneration Authority Act 1977, and members of Independent Crown Entities as specified in the Crown Entities Act 2004, and others specified within other Acts.

The Authority also sets:

• annuities for former Governors-General
• annuities and travel services for former Prime Ministers
• accommodation allowances and reimbursement for Members of Parliament and travel entitlements for members’ families.

The key roles and responsibilities of the Authority are set out in the Remuneration Authority Act 1977. A number of other Acts further define the Authority’s role in relation to specific groups and individuals including:

• Governor-General Act 2010
• Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Services) Act 2013
• Local Government Act 2002.

The Authority issues (mainly annual) determinations on salaries, allowances and superannuation in all of these areas. In order to make these determinations, the Authority researches, receives submissions and analyses remuneration and terms and conditions including developments in other jurisdictions

Determinations must be legislatively compliant as many of the Authority’s’ determinations are secondary legislation, and the others are administrative instruments that must be implemented according to their tenor.

The Authority has the ability to conduct formal hearings but very rarely operates in that manner.

Person specifications

Specific skills required at this time

Roles on the Authority are not simply governance focussed but have a substantial operational work commitment. There are only two staff so much of the detailed work is undertaken directly by the Chair and members.

Candidates for the Remuneration Authority member role are required to have the following:

• Understanding and experience of remuneration setting and management
• Numerically competent and experienced with complex spreadsheets.
• Attention to detail in complex technical work, ensuring strict adherence to legislative requirements.

General skills relevant to members of the Authority

The Authority, by its nature, is sensitive, technical and potentially controversial. It is desirable for members to have:

• pragmatism and flexibility
• judgement, tact and discretion
• knowledge of central and/or local government systems and processes
• awareness of remuneration-fixing processes, and superannuation schemes.

The Authority needs to maintain a balance of skills across its members. Ideally, the three members (including the Chair) will bring one of the skill sets of:

1. remuneration management expertise
2. senior local government and/or public sector experience; or 
3. statistician

MBIE is recruiting for the Remuneration Specialist role.

All members must understand parliamentary processes. Each member (including the Chair) is expected to lead work relating to a specific portfolio of the Authority’s clients.

Time Commitment and Remuneration

The Chair and members’ fees are set in accordance with the Cabinet Fees Framework. The daily rate for members is $990. Allowances and expenses are paid in accordance with the Fees and Travelling Allowances Act 1951.

The position is based in Wellington and currently requires a time commitment of 2.5 days per week on average over the year.  The work requirement is sometimes extensive, requiring near full time involvement, whereas other periods require substantially less time commitment. The peak period occurs in June with a lesser peak in September.

More information

Please refer to the position description for more details.

Applications close on Thursday 12 February 2026.

For enquiries about the position, please contact boardappointments@mbie.govt.nz.