Transitional Deed Governance Group

The Transitional Deed Governance Group was formed following the first signing of the GIA Deed in May 2014. It replaced the Interim Governance Body. In January 2016, the group formally became the Deed Governance Group.

The membership of the Deed Governance Group includes a representative from each of the Deed Signatories and the four other members in an advisory role. 

Current members of Group are:

• Alan Pollard, Chief Executive, Pipfruit NZ - representing the pipfruit sector that grows fresh pipfruit for consumption
• Barry O’Neil, Chief Executive, Kiwifruit Vine Health  - representing the kiwifruit sector
• Geoff Gwyn, Director, Intelligence, Planning and Coordination, MPI - representing MPI
• Linda Calkin, General Manager, NZ Pork - representing commercial pork producers
• Trish Pearce, Executive Advisor, New Zealand Equine Health Association - representing the equine industry
• Mick Ahern, Chief Executive,Onions NZ - representing onion growers 
• David Rhodes, Chief Executive, Forest Owners Association, representing commercial plantation forestry sector
• Jen Scoular, CEO, New Zealand Avocado
• Stephen Odgen, Chief Executive, New Zealand Citrus Growers Inc

The advisors are:

• Richard Palmer, Biosecurity Manager, Horticulture NZ - representing horticulture industries
• Chris Claridge, CEO, Potatoes NZ Inc 
• Alasdair MacLeod, Chairman, Tomatoes NZ Inc
• John Seymour,  Senior Business Manager, Vegetables New Zealand Inc

Interim Governance Body 

The Interim Governance Body provided leadership and guidance to government and industry to facilitate the development and adoption of the GIA including supporting frameworks for implementation of the Deed.

The Interim Governance Body was an interim body only, with its members being both voluntary and representational. It represented the interests of potential GIA Signatories in the absence of the formal arrangements that were established when the Deed was first signed. 

The Interim Governance Body was established in 2012. It was initially charged with recruiting the Manager of the GIA Secretariat. It continued to function as an oversight group, representing the interests of potential Deed Signatories in the development and implementation of the GIA Deed, and providing direction to the Secretariat.  It operated until Kiwifruit Vine Health and MPI signed the Deed in May 2014.

Membership

• David Hayes, Director, Preparedness and Partnerships, MPI (Chair)
• Lindsay Burton, Dairy Companies Association New Zealand  (representing the animal sector)
• Peter Silcock, CEO, Horticulture New Zealand Chief Executive (representing the plant sector)

Terms of Reference

1. To act as a focal point for government and industry to facilitate the development, adoption and transition to operation of the GIA. 

2. To identify issues and possible solutions to progress the development and adoption of the GIA.

3. To provide leadership and guidance to the Secretariat as it establishes its role and work program in order to:

• ensure the independence of the Secretariat
• direct the annual work plan of the Secretariat through priority and budget setting/resource allocation, and reporting, and
• direct and advise on policy and communications

4. To provide advice to the GIA Joint Working Group on policy issues arising from the development and implementation of the GIA Deed. 

5. To provide oversight and guidance of GIA actions in moving from the MOU phase to the Deed. 

6. To review the governance arrangements when the Deed is signed, by government and at least one industry organisation, and provide recommendations to the Deed Governance Group on the transition of interim to formal governance arrangements under the Deed.

7. To provide continuity until the Deed Governance Group is fully operational.
 

Deed Governance Group

The Deed Governance Group have oversight of Deed processes and give direction to the GIA Secretariat. Each Deed Signatory is entitled to appoint one person to represent its organisation on the Group. 

The Group's primary responsibilities are to:

• Approve the annual work plan and budget for the GIA Secretariat
• Monitor the delivery of the GIA Secretariat annual work plan, and review the budget and finances
• Approve policies and procedures that are developed by the GIA Secretariat
• Consider and recommend to Deed Signatories any amendments to the GIA Deed
• Appoint and monitor the performance of the GIA Secretariat

The Deed Governance Group will set its operational rules including the processes for decision-making outside of consensus and procedures for amending their rules.  The rules make provision for subgroups and an executive committee that may be delegated specific responsibilities.  The Deed Governance Group has no role in technical matters including biosecurity response and Operational Agreements and is primarily focussed on oversight of Deed implementation and administration.

The Deed Governance Group endorse final policies for the implementation and operation of the GIA Deed.