Source: Ministry for the Environment
The Ministry for the Environment is seeking nominations for the Environmental Legal Assistance Advisory Panel. There are currently five Panel member positions to be filled from July 2020.
The Environmental Legal Assistance (ELA) Fund provides financial assistance to not-for-profit groups to advocate for environmental issues in resource management cases being considered by the Environment Court, higher courts or a Board of Inquiry.
Applications are assessed every 6–8 weeks by the ELA Fund Panel (the Panel). This independent advisory panel is made up of seven expert advisers who are appointed for their knowledge of environmental law, resource management issues and of community groups and iwi. The core function of the Panel is to assess funding applications against the ELA funding criteria and provide independent recommendations to the Ministry for the Environment.
The appointment terms of five Panel members are due to expire on 30 June 2020, therefore nominations are currently being sought for these positions.
It is desirable that candidates have a mixture of the following competencies.
- Understanding of proceedings in the Environment Court
- Experience in Resource Management Act (RMA) cases
- Up to date knowledge and experience of case law
- Understanding of iwi/hapū environment issues and tikanga knowledge
- Preparation and presentation of material as an expert witness
- Involvement with environmental community groups
- Understanding of likely costs for a case/ hearing
- Experience of funding schemes
- Breadth of perspective (ie. primarily National or Local)
- Economics/Understanding of the Business Environment
- Experience in sitting on boards/panels.
For further information see the Information sheet [PDF, 196 KB]
The Ministry acknowledges the COVID-19 environment we are working in and would like to reassure you we will pursue these appointments in a safe way at all levels of the COVID-19 alert system. Our people are working from home and any engagement with potential candidates will be in a contactless way.
To make a nomination
- Please complete the Nomination form [PDF, 94 KB] and ensure all nominees have been informed of their nominations.
- Forward your nominations with attached CV and cover letter to ela.fund@mfe.govt.nz by 5pm Friday 15 May 2020.
Consideration will be given to the composition of the Panel including the mix of skills and backgrounds.
