The term of appointment of the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) Chair expires on 31 October 2022. This creates a vacancy for a new chair. This is a high-profile voluntary role, providing an opportunity for someone with demonstrated senior governance and leadership experience, deep knowledge of the machinery of government, and appropriate policy and regulatory expertise, to make a contribution to animal welfare leadership in New Zealand.

NAWAC is established under the Animal Welfare Act 1999 to advise the Minister on:

• the welfare of animals in New Zealand
• animal welfare research needs
• legislative proposals
• codes of welfare
• regulations
• traps and devices
• hunting and killing animals in a wild state.

Chair appointments are made, for a maximum term of three years, by the Associate Minister of Agriculture, who is required to ensure that the committee has knowledge and experience in certain relevant areas.  

There are at least four meetings a year, usually but not exclusively in Wellington. It is anticipated that there would be a day's preparation required for each meeting. In addition, Chairs are called upon to lead the committee work programme as well as to participate in various working groups or subcommittees which would involve additional meetings. Appointees are entitled to reimbursement of travelling expenses and a daily fee of $550 for meeting attendance and meeting preparation