Jul 5, 2024
SAP/NZDFA - Update on NZDFA Appointed DINZ Board Representative
The NZDFA Selection & Appointments Panel (SAP) consists of eight members: the current four
members of the NZDFA Executive Committee duly elected by its members, and four non-Executive
Committee members elected by NZDFA members from the wider deer farming community. In essence,
this means that all SAP members have been elected by deer farmers and collectively represent a wide
and valued understanding of the industry.
A key responsibility of the SAP is the selection of NZDFA’s representatives to the Board of Deer Industry
New Zealand (DINZ), each with a term running to 30 June in the third year after the year in which they
were appointed. The SAP carries out the selection process in accordance with the NZDFA Constitution
and the Deer Industry New Zealand Regulations 2004 (Regulations). In summary, the SAP interviews
each candidate and selects from the nominees as many representatives as are required to fill the
available vacancies on the DINZ Board.
This year a single representative director’s term expired. The SAP received two nominations for the
position of that directorship for the upcoming term. The candidates were interviewed in mid-June
2024 and the SAP made its selection after the interviews. John Tacon was selected with majority
support from the SAP to fill the vacant director position from 1 July 2024.
In accordance with the NZDFA Constitution, the SAP regulates its procedures through an Operating
Code of Practice. The Operating Code of Practice allows for an appeal against the SAP process within
ten working days of the SAP selection. The SAP does not make a formal announcement as to the
results of the selection process until the ten working day time frame for making an appeal has lapsed.
Within that ten working day timeframe, the SAP has received notice of an appeal. In accordance with
the Operating Code of Practice, the appellant now has a further ten working days to provide the
particulars of their appeal to the SAP. Once received, the SAP will consider and determine the appeal.
In the meantime, the director position will remain temporarily vacant until the appeal has been
considered and determined. In accordance with the Regulations, the powers of DINZ are not affected
by a vacancy in its membership. The SAP and the NZDFA Executive Committee are confident that the
DINZ Board will continue to lead the industry and support interim CEO Rhys Griffiths in the meantime.
