Māori Plant Varieties Committee

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Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand

Māori Plant Varieties Committee

Expressions of interest are currently open for membership in the Māori Plant Varieties Committee.

Updated 3 July 2024

The Plant Variety Rights Act 2022 contains a number of provisions that are intended to protect kaitiaki relationships with certain plant species. This includes the establishment of a Māori Plant Varieties Committee, whose role is to assess whether a Plant Variety Right (PVR) may have adverse effects on associated kaitiaki relationships.

Plant Variety Rights Act 2022 – New Zealand Legislation

We are seeking candidates for membership in the Māori Plant Varieties Committee. Potential members must meet a range of expertise and competency requirements. These candidates will be considered by a panel of experts in Māori, government and PVR matters.

Functions of the Māori Plant Varieties Committee

The role of the Māori Plant Varieties Committee is to assess whether the grant of a PVR will have adverse effects on one or more kaitiaki relationships with the plant variety that is the subject of the PVR application. As such, the Committee reviews applications referred by the PVR Office, makes determinations regarding relevant kaitiaki relationships, and provides these determinations and any advice to the PVR Office.

The Māori Plant Varieties Committee also assesses certain Māori elements in PVR applications, such as situations where the use or approval of a proposed denomination may be offensive to Māori. The PVR Office may also seek the Committee’s advice on other matters relevant to the criteria for granting a PVR.

The Committee is also expected to develop and publicly notify its requirements on the making and hearing of submissions. The Committee is responsible for issuing engagement guidelines, providing advice to PVR applicants and kaitiaki, and may also conduct investigations to carry out its functions where appropriate.

Members of the Māori Plant Varieties Committee are appointed for terms of up to 4 years, and are required to review applicable PVR applications on an ongoing basis. Members will also spend time developing committee guidelines and attending committee meetings and hearings. Members may be required to travel to other locations to conduct engagements.

Express your interest for the Māori Plant Varieties Committee

We are currently seeking expressions of interest from persons who wish to be members of the Māori Plant Varieties Committee. We are specifically looking for people who have:

  • A substantial knowledge of mātauranga Māori (Māori traditional knowledge), tikanga Māori (Māori protocol and culture), te ao Māori (the Māori world view), and taonga species.
  • Mana, community standing, skills, knowledge, and experience to carry out the functions of the Committee.

The following complementary competencies would also be beneficial for candidates:

  • Proficiency in te reo Māori.
  • Knowledge and understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
  • Relevant technical expertise such as knowledge of taonga, plant breeding, relevant industries or sciences.
  • Sound decision-making capability.
  • Experience working within Māori-Crown relationships.
  • Legal expertise, particularly relating to the Plant Variety Rights Act 2022, New Zealand law, and/or intellectual property.
  • Governance expertise.

Candidates must disclose any interests that could constitute actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest.

View the complete position description [PDF, 323 KB]

Submit your Expression of Interest

If you are interested to become a member of the Māori Plant Varieties Committee, please download the expression of interest form below and send a completed and signed copy to MPVCappointment@mbie.govt.nz on or before the deadline date.

Expression of Interest for appointment to the Māori Plant Varieties Committee [PDF, 222 KB]

The deadline for expressions of interest is on Wednesday 24 July 2024. We expect to contact all candidates within 2 weeks of this date.

Please direct all questions and clarifications to MPVCappointment@mbie.govt.nz

Recruitment process

After the expression of interest period has closed, a recruitment panel will review all submissions and produce a shortlist of candidates for interviewing. Interviews will be conducted either in-person in Wellington or online.

After all interviews are completed, the recruitment panel will convene to discuss all shortlisted candidates and provide recommendations to the Commissioner for Plant Variety Rights. The Commissioner will then consult the Secretary for Māori Development, and determine the preferred candidates for appointment. We will then send letters of appointment to the successful candidates.

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