MAF off the record - Transparency New Zealand

7}.·•Tom DidovichFrom:Sent:To:Subject:Neil Wells[SMTP:newells@cybernet.co.nz]Thursday, 22 October 1998 14:14 PMTom Didovich (E-mail)FW: Animal Welfare Bill and Approved Organisations -Reply***************************************************************N E Wells & Associates ·P 0 Box 60 208, Titirangi, Auckland 1230, New ZealandTel: +64 9 811 8020- Fax: +64 9 811 8010Mobile: 025 578 458- Res.: +64 9 811 8722E-mail newells@cybernet. co. nz***************************************************************-----Original Message-----From: Mark Neeson [SMTP:neesonm@maf.govt.nz]Sent: Thursday, October 22, 1998 8:50 AMTo: newells@cybernet.co.nzSubject: Animal Welfare Bill and Approved Organisations -ReplyThanks for the info and the opportunity to comment.Off the record: I see no reason why the concept should not be promoted. Mymain concern would be that it it is not seen as a vehicle for the wee andleft at that stage of development. To do so would mean that the title wouldbe misleading. I would assume that you would have all the legal nicietiestied up!More detailed comments are:1 Need to ensure that the principal purpose is to promote animal welfare.This may be the biggest "hurdle" any organisation will have to meet. Needto ensure that the trust deed and the process for the appointment oftrustees makes this very clear. Will also need to ensure that it does notbecome a vehicle for animal rights /liberation activity(in addition, MAFwould pick this up in its audits and could revoke the appointment ofinspectors).2 The organisation, should if possible, have aims and objectives thatenable it to operate across the country. This will not be essential as theBill provides for inspectors to be appointed for "particular areas" andpurposes.3 The financial robustness of the organisation is another importantcriterion. How will the AWINZ be funded to ensure continuity of operations?4 Following from point (3) I am not clear on the relationship between theWaitakere ee and the AWINZ. Who is paying I employing the inspectors andauxiliary officers?5 Is it appropriate that the wee appoints the original trustees? Althoughthe trustees can appoint other trustees presumably there will be a maximumnumber. If the AWINZ operates outside of the wee area, perhaps in otherlocal authority areas or more generally (even in "competition" with theRNZSPeA), how will the trust board be structured to accommodate broader Iwider community interests? For example, how will interests in Southland,Gisborne, individual memebers etc be managed and taken into account? Thisseems to be one of the biggest gaps in the information you attached.I suggest that the proposal needs to ensure that the future developments Igrowth of the institute is accommodated.Page 1

6 Again, will membership be open to individuals etc much like the RNZSPCA?7 I would assume would favour an organisation that was unified across thecountry so that it had one central office which, in turri, would beresponsible for branches, individuals etc. The RNZSPCA member societystructure would not be favoured.8 Timeline: I have a healthy respect for Murphy's Law so we are working ona timeline for passage between may and June 1999. There may be an interimperiod to allow for implementation, training etc with the Bill coming intoeffect in Oct. 1999. This would allow the AWINZ to apply for approvedstatus immediately after passage and be "approved" as from the date ofcommencement.If you feel this is to long a timeframe please raise it with the S. Cttee.We (MAF) are open on the lead in time (Note; following our phone discussionyou seem to be happy with the commencement date).9 Is the AWINZ to be primarily operationally focused or will it have otherprincipal purposes such as research? If the latter is going to be a keyaspect then the tilte may need to be changed to reflect the situation. Thecurrent name would not preclude though what I would call "operationalresearch": research done to improve the day to day operations of theinstitute as distinct from the more "pure" research undertaken by theAWBRCentre.Hope these comments assist. Please let me know if you need further info.MarkPage2