New Zealand Psychologists Board

The Board currently operates four committees (one at the governance level and three at the operational level):

• The Accreditation Committee
• The Audit, Finance, and Risk (AFR) Committee
• The Part 2 Committee
• The Parts 3 & 4 Committee

The Accreditation Committee

This operational committee provides efficient review, consideration, and determination of accreditation matters.The Board has delegated to the committee its powers under s 118(a) of the HPCA Act to accredit (and subsequently monitor) educational institutions and degrees, courses of studies, or programmes. 

The Committee meets quarterly (either in person or by teleconference, with some business also being conducted by mail and email).

The Committee’s membership includes the Chief Executive/Registrar, the Professional Standards Coordinator, the Deputy Registrar (Registration), the Psychology Advisor, two Board nominees, and four external (stakeholder) nominees (one of whom will normally be a current Head of School). Additional expert advice is sought as and when needed. 

The Audit, Finance, and Risk (AFR) Committee

This governance-level advisory committee provides efficient and timely monitoring of financial and non-financial risks, organisational achievement of the Board’s Ends policies, and the Chief Executive’s adherence to the Board’s Executive Limitations policies.

The Committee recommends to the Board the appointment of an external auditor, and liaises with that auditor on behalf of the Board. Committee members review the findings in audit reports and monitor the implementation of the Auditor’s recommendations by the Chief Executive.

The Committee meets monthly (or as required), usually by teleconference. Any sensitive or high risk matters urgently impacting on the work and functions of the Board are reported promptly to the full Board.

The Committee’s membership includes three Board members (the Board Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, and one other member appointed by the Board). The Board Chairperson also chairs this committee. The Chief Executive attends AFR meetings, but has no voting rights. The committee is reconstituted annually.

The Part 2 Committee

Named to reflect Part 2 of the HPCA Act (“Registration of, and practising certificates for, health practitioners”), this operational committee provides efficient processing and determination of complex applications for registration and/or practising certificates. It is advisory to the Registrar. (Note: The Board has delegated to the Registrar all of its functions, duties and powers contained in sections 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29(1,2,3,5,7), 30, 31, 136, 137, 138, 142, 143(3), 146, 147, 149, and 157).

Most of the Committee’s business is conducted by mail and/or email. 

The Committee’s membership includes the Chief Executive/Registrar, the Deputy Registrar (Registration), the Psychology Advisor, and two (Board-nominated) expert advisors.  

The Parts 3 & 4 Committee

Named to reflect Parts 3 (“Competence, fitness to practise…”) and 4 (“Complaints and discipline”) of the HPCA Act this operational committee provides efficient screening, consideration, and determination of complaint, competence, and fitness matters, in accordance with Administrative Law, legislative requirements, and Board policy. 

The Board has delegated to this committee all of its functions, duties and powers contained in sections 35, 36, 37, 38(1,2,4), 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48(1,2,3,4,5), 49(1,2,3,4,5), 50(1,2,3,4,5), 51(1,2,3,4,5), 65, 66, 67, 68 and 81(3). The Board has also delegated to the Registrar all of its functions, duties and powers contained in sections 64, 74 and 75).

Most of the Committee's business is conducted by mail, email and/or teleconference.  Meetings are held when required.

The Committee’s membership includes the Chief Executive/Registrar, the Professional Standards Coordinator, the Psychology Advisor, and three Board nominees. Additional expert advice is sought as and when needed.