How to become a Board member

The role of The Board

The Board is a Responsible Authority appointed by the Minister of Health under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (the Act).

The primary responsibility of the Board is to protect the health and safety of the public, not to represent the chiropractic profession. The Board ensures this by implementing mechanisms ensuring chiropractors are competent and fit to practise.

The Board sets the strategic direction and priorities, policies, identifies and manages risk, monitors and evaluates organisational achievements in order to exercise its accountability to the organisation and its stakeholders.

The role of the Board member

The appointment process is managed through the Ministry of Health with Board members ultimately being responsible to the Minister of Health.

Board member duties include:

• Acting in the best interest of the health and safety of the New Zealand public concerning chiropractors.
• Developing a working knowledge of the HPCA Act and ensuring that the Act is being complied with.
• Attending Board meetings fully prepared and ready to engage in discussion and decision-making.
• Being part of a Board Committee
• Respect confidentiality, be aware of any conflicts of interest and accepting collective responsibility for decisions.

Commitment, development and remuneration

Being a member of the Board is a significant responsibility and is not confined just to meetings.

Members need to ensure they have the time and the ability to prepare for key issues, events, meetings, read Board documentation and do committee work.

The Board meets four times a year with project and committee work in addition to this time. For Board meetings, members need to plan for approximately four hours of preparation time to ensure they are familiar with the agenda and supporting documentation.

All Board members go through an induction and training.

The Board pays Board members a daily and/or hourly rate for all Board related activities (including but not limited to) – Board meeting preparation, decision making relating to Committee work and Board paper readings.

Travel to/from Wellington and accommodation is arranged, booked, and paid for by the Board.