WorkSafe New Zealand Board - Chairperson

About WorkSafe

WorkSafe New Zealand (WorkSafe) is New Zealand’s primary workplace health and safety regulator, established under the WorkSafe New Zealand Act 2013.

The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 sets out the principles, duties and rights in relation to workplace health and safety. WorkSafe works collaboratively with other regulators, agencies and parties who have an interest in the health, safety and wellbeing system, to promote good workplace health and safety practices. Further information on WorkSafe can be found at the WorkSafe website.(external link)

Person specifications

Specific skills required

At this time, the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety is seeking candidates who wish to be considered for appointment as Chair of the WorkSafe Board, who can provide one or more of the following skills and experience:

• deep governance experience, specifically in Chair roles, either in the public or private sectors
• proven leadership skills, including demonstrated strategic capability
• proven track record developing and implementing strategy
• knowledge of public accountability and machinery of government
• strong stakeholder management skills, including fronting to the media, and the ability to understand and communication WorkSafe’s role in New Zealand’s health and safety environments
• knowledge of the duties and responsibilities associated with regulatory bodies
• capability navigating complex operating environments.

Foundational skills

• Members of the WorkSafe New Zealand Board are expected to possess knowledge and experience of, and capability in, the following:

• proven experience in governance roles, either public or private, with working knowledge of good governance practice
• financial acumen
• leadership
• strategic ability and thinking
• a clear sense of public accountability and understanding of the relationships between Government and Crown Entities
• interest in New Zealand’s work health and safety environment, including workplace illness and occupational disease
• understanding of, and ability to discuss, technological advancements, trends and uses, both at the Board and organisational level

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.

Individual duties of the Chair

• Chair Board meetings, including
  • Setting the annual board agenda
  • Ensuring there is sufficient time to cover issues
  • Ensuring the board receives the information it needs
  • Ensuring that contributions are made by all board members
  • Assisting discussions towards the emergence of a consensus view
  • Summing up so that everyone understands what has been agreed.
• Participate in the recruitment process for new Board members. This may include:
  • Maintaining a view on the desired composition of the Board
  • Considering succession planning for members and chairperson
  • Supporting Ministers, MBIE and industry stakeholders in appointing and reappointing members
• Oversee the employment of the chief executive, including considering succession planning and organising induction for a new chief executive.
• Undertake formal assessments of the Chief Executive’s performance with respect to the Chief Executive terms and conditions at time of appointment and subsequently agreed KPI’s and performance measures.
• Provide effective leadership and direction to the organisation, consistent with the purpose of the Board and the Minister’s expectations.
• Ensure effective accountability and governance of the Board.
• Delivering on the organisation’s responsibilities regarding the Treaty of Waitangi.
• Act as the leader of the Board, including presenting the Board’s objectives and strategics to the public as and when needed.
• Support and enhance the continuous personal and professional development and guidance of members of the Board.
• Utilise relationship management skills, including working effectively with peers and developing valuable strategic connections with industry, consumers and other stakeholders.
• Provide guidance and support to the chief executive to ensure the organisation is managed effectively. This includes establishing and maintaining an effective working relationship with the chief executive while also taking an independent view to challenge and test management thinking.
• Ensuring that appropriate interest registers are in place, and the members’ conflicts of interest (including those of the chairperson) are dealt with appropriately.

More information

For more information about this role, please see the position description: WorkSafe New Zealand Board Chairperson
Applications close at 11.59pm on 25 May 2025.
For further enquiries about the position, email: boardappointments@mbie.govt.nz