New Zealand Acts

HUMAN ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT 2004 - SECT 34

34 Appointment of members

1 The Minister may appoint any person to be a member or chairperson of the advisory committee and must, before doing so, consult any persons who, in the Minister's opinion, are able to provide advice on prospective appointees who have the required expertise and the ability to reflect relevant perspectives and concerns, including, without limitation, the perspectives and concerns of women.

2 The Minister may, by written notice, terminate the appointment of a member or chairperson of the advisory committee.

3 Each member of the advisory committee is appointed on any terms and conditions (including terms and conditions as to remuneration and travelling allowances and expenses) that the Minister determines by written notice to the member.

4 The advisory committee must include—

a) 1 or more members with expertise in assisted reproductive procedures; and

b) 1 or more members with expertise in human reproductive research; and

c) 1 or more members with expertise in ethics; and

d) 1 or more Māori members with expertise in Māori customary values and practice and the ability to articulate issues from a Māori perspective; and

e) 1 or more members with the ability to articulate issues from a consumer perspective; and

f) 1 or more members with expertise in relevant areas of the law; and

g) 1 or more members with the ability to articulate the interests of children.

5 Any person appointed by virtue of subsection (4)(g) must at the time of his or her appointment hold the office of Children’s Commissioner or be a representative or employee of the person who holds that office.

6 At least half the members of the advisory committee must be laypersons.

7 For the purposes of subsection (6), a layperson is a person who, at no time during the person's membership of the advisory committee or in the 3 years before becoming a member of the committee,—

a) is a health practitioner within the meaning of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 ; or

b) is involved in health research; or

c) is employed by or associated with, or has a pecuniary interest in, a provider.

History: Section 34(5): amended, on 1 August 2025, by section 25 of the Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 34).