Election Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
DHB election frequently asked questions and answers about DHB election processes and results, and candidate, voting and DHB membership information.
FAQ Category:
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General
What is a DHB?
District Health Boards are Crown entities responsible for providing, or funding the provision of, publicly funded health and disability support services for the population of a specific geographic area.
How many DHBs are there in New Zealand?
20.
How long have we had DHBs?
Since 1 January 2001.
What do DHBs do?
DHBs’ statutory objectives include:
- improving, promoting and protecting the health of communities
- promoting the integration of health services, especially primary and secondary care services
- promoting effective care or support of those in need of personal health services or disability support
- promoting the inclusion and participation in society and independence of people with disabilities
- reducing health disparities by improving health outcomes for Maori and other population groups
- fostering community participation in health improvement, and in planning for the provision of health services and for a significant changes to the provision of services
- exhibiting a sense of environmental responsibility by having regard to the environmental implications of their operations.
How many members are there on a DHB?
Up to 11 members sit on each board – 7 of these are elected while up to 4 are appointed.
Who appoints the appointed members?
The Minister of Health.
In making appointments, the Minister looks at each board’s elected membership and any gaps in skills, expertise, experience and representation that may exist. The Minister then seeks to appoint people who can fill these gaps.
How are the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson decided?
The Minister of Health appoints members to these positions and they may be elected or appointed members.
When do current elected board members relinquish their positions?
When the new elected members assume their roles. The new board members take up their role 58 days after election day.
How soon after the election are people appointed by the Minister?
Usually at the same time as elected members, or as soon after this as possible.
How long is the term of an elected DHB board member?
3 years. Elections as held every three years at the same time as the council elections.
How long is the term of an appointed DHB board member?
Up to 3 years but they may be appointed for a shorter time. The Minister can appoint them for further terms but they can only serve a maximum of 3 consecutive terms (ie 9 years).
What do board members do?
They are responsible for the governance of the DHB. They must work in financially responsible way, and in the best interest of the health of the whole population of the DHB.
Governance is the strategic oversight of the DHB, to ensure that the DHB’s management implements the strategic vision developed by the board.
Board members do not manage the DHB. That is the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who is appointed by the board and staff who report to the CEO.
Who runs these elections?
The DHB appoints an Electoral Officer (the DHBEO) to run the DHB election. The DHBEO must be the Electoral Officer for one of the councils in the DHB district.
Who pays for the DHB Election?
The DHB pays for its share of the election costs. Because the DHB election is run together with the council election(s), many of the costs are shared between the parties on an agreed basis.
When are the elections this year?
They are the same day as the council elections. Voting documents will be posted out between 17 and 22 September and they must be back with the Electoral Officer by noon on 9 October when the election closes.
Can the public attend DHB meetings?
Generally yes but, as with council meetings, there may be some publicity excluded matters discussed from time to time. The grounds for excluding the public are the same as for withholding information under the Official Information Act 1982.
Does the DHB board appoint staff members?
No. The board appoints the Chief Executive Officer who has full responsibility for staff appointments.
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Candidates
How much are DHB members paid?
This varies according to size and an assessed complexity of the DHB.
Members are also reimbursed for actual and reasonable expenses incurred in carrying out their DHB duties (eg mileage allowance for attending meetings).
Who is eligible to stand for the DHB?
Most people qualify as candidates at an election of a DHB if they are registered as a New Zealand parliamentary elector and are a New Zealand citizen. It is not necessary to live within the DHB district to stand as a candidate for election to that DHB.
Some people, such as those who are undischarged bankrupts and people convicted of offences punishable by imprisonment of 2 years or more (and who have served their sentence) are not eligible to sit on DHB boards (more details can be found in Clause 17 of Schedule 2 to the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000).
Do you have to be resident in the DHB area to stand for that board?
No you don’t, but the people who nominate you must be.
How many boards can I stand for?
Only one.
I work for a DHB. Can I stand?
Yes, the legislation allows staff members to stand for their DHB board (Clause 7 of Schedule 2 to the New Zealand Public Health Disability Act 2000).
When do nominations open?
They open on 23 July and close at 12 noon on 20 August.
How much can I spend on my campaign?
There is a campaign expenditure limit based on how many people live in the DHB’s district.
How are candidates’ possible conflicts of interest handled?
Many people in the community who have an interest in health services are already engaged in some way in health services or organisations which may do business with DHBs.
Every person who stands as a candidate for election to a DHB is required to make a declaration as to conflicts of interest.
The conflict of interest statements are included in the material made available to electors.
All conflicts of interest declared by successful candidates will be included in the DHB’s interests register (to which all members, elected and appointed, contribute) and members are obligated to keep this up to date.
Members cannot be involved in any DHB decisions where they have a conflict of interest.
A member who has failed to declare an interest maybe removed from office.
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Voting
Is there any information available to all electors about the people who are standing
Candidates are entitled to complete a 150 word (maximum) profile statement about themselves.
This and the conflict of interest statement will be published in a booklet with information about all candidates and sent out with voting documents. It should also be available on the DHB’s website.
Who is eligible to be an elector?
Registered New Zealand Parliamentary electors may vote for members of the board in the district in which they live.
I have more than one property in different board districts. Can I vote for a member in each of those DHBs?
No, you can only vote for the DHB where you are resident and on the parliamentary electoral roll.
What method of voting is used?
All DHBs elections use a Single Transferable Voting (STV) system. Under STV, voters mark their preferences with numbers instead of ticks.
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Members
How much time would I need to spend on DHB work if I was elected?
It does vary depending on the DHB but members should expect a commitment of around 5 days a month, which includes preparation for board and committee meetings, and community liaison. The rule of thumb is for every hour of board/committee meeting allow at least the same amount of time for preparation.
Do I need any special skills to be a board member?
No, not necessarily. All boards need a mix of skills, backgrounds and experience. This includes people with governance and financial experience, but also community-oriented people who are passionate about health and disability services in their area.
What are DHB advisory committees?
There are 3 required under the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000. They are:
- Community and Public Health Advisory Committee
- Disability Support Advisory Committee
- Hospital Advisory Committee
The DHB may establish others in addition to these three committees (eg audit, risk and finance committees).
How are the members of these committees decided?
The DHB appoints members to these advisory committees. In addition to board members, other members may be co-opted to these committees from outside the board.
Are there any provisions to ensure that the DHB board membership is representative of the various ethnic groups in New Zealand?
The New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000 requires the Minister to …”endeavour to ensure that:
- a) Maori membership of the board is proportional to the number of Maori in the DHB’s resident population (as estimated by Statistics New Zealand); and
- b) In any event, there are at least 2 Maori members of the board”.
The Crown Entities Act 2004 requires the Minister to “take into account the desirability of promoting diversity in the membership of Crown entities” when making appointments.
People from all backgrounds are encouraged to stand and the STV form of voting is considered to give better representation for minority groups.
What about women board members?
There are no specific provisions around gender balance in the legislation but women are encouraged to stand – around 45% of current DHB board members are women.
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Results
When will the results be known?
As soon as possible after voting closes at 12 noon on 9 October. The DHBEO will collate the results and then provide a progress and/or preliminary result. Final results will not be known until later in the week after the election when special votes have been counted following confirmation of a voters’ eligibility to vote.
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Last Updated 26/07/2010