49134 (2025). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister of Defence

49134 (2025). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister of Defence: What is the proposed remuneration, if any, broken down by board and title, for crown appointees in the Minister's departments, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, for the 2025-26 financial year?

Hon Judith Collins: The Ministry of Defence currently has no crown appointees. For the New Zealand Defence Force, the Veterans’ Entitlements Appeal Board is categorised as a Group 2 body within the Cabinet Fees Framework, and the Veterans’ Advisory Board and the Veterans’ Health Advisory Panel are categorised as Group 4 bodies. The fee range (daily rate) for Group 2 bodies is between $415 and $990, and for Chairs the range is $525 to $1,550. The fee range (daily rate) for Group 4 bodies is between $215 and $1,240, and for Chairs it is between $295 and $1,645. Following the issuing of new guidance in July 2025 on the fees framework for Board remuneration, the remuneration of all three veteran boards is to be reviewed. Payments will fall within the appropriate ranges as specified by the Cabinet Fees Framework. The Territorial Force Employer Support council, commonly referred to as the Defence Employer Support Council, budgeted for up to $14,000 for meeting and activity fees in FY 2025/26. Fees are under review because of the updated Cabinet fees framework.