What fee increases have been proposed or approved since 27 November 2023 for any chair, deputy chair, member, presiding member, or other appointed role on any Crown entity board, committee, authority, tribunal, or other statutory body within their ministerial portfolio, broken down by (a) the name of the entity and the specific role; (b) the fee (annual, daily, or per-meeting rate as applicable) immediately prior to the increase and the date that fee was last set; (c) the new approved fee and the effective date of the increase; (d) the percentage increase; (e) whether the increase was approved by them as the responsible minister or referred to the Cabinet Appointments and Honours Committee, and if the latter, the date of that approval; (f) whether the increase was made pursuant to the Cabinet Fees Framework changes of July 2025 or on another basis; (g) the primary justification recorded for the increase; (h) whether the proposed increase was approved, declined, or scaled back, and if declined or scaled back, the reasons recorded for that decision; (i) whether any part of the increase was applied backdated and if so to what date; (j) the total annual cost to the Crown of all increases approved within their portfolio; and (k) whether each review was initiated by them as the responsible minister, the entity itself, or the Public Service Commission?

Answer

I am advised that, since 27 November 2023, fee increases have been proposed or approved for only one statutory body within my portfolio as Minister of Conservation. The responses to your further questions follow: a) The fee increases were for the members, Deputy Chair, and Chair of the Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve Board (the Board). b) The annual meeting fees, immediately prior to the increase, were $7,245 for members, $8,694 for the Deputy Chair, and $21,735 for the Chair. These fees had been in place since the Board’s previous review, in 2018. For the members and Deputy Chair, these fees are based on 30 days’ work or pro rata for fewer days. For the Chair, the fees are based on 50 days’ work or pro rata for fewer days. c) The annual fees were increased to $8,694 for members, $10,432 for the Deputy Chair, and $24,995 for the Chair, in April 2025. d) The new fees represented a 20 percent increase for members and Deputy Chair, and 15 percent increase for the Chair. e) The increase was referred to the APH and approved on 4 March 2025. f) The increase was made pursuant to the Cabinet Fees Framework documented in Cabinet Office Circular CO (22)2. g) The primary justification for the increase was a review of the Board’s classification level, in relation to the Cabinet Fees Framework, aligning with an appointment round. h) The proposed increase was approved. i) The increase was not backdated. j) The increase was cost neutral for the Crown, as Board member fees and expenses are paid out of the revenue generated from the Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve. k) The review was initiated by the Department.