NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE, No. 93 — 13 OCTOBER 2016

1. I declare service in:

   • the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the air space above it on or after 1 December 2001 to be operational service for the purposes of the Act, until declared otherwise.

2. This declaration supersedes:

   • the declaration of operational service made under the Veterans’ Support Act 2014 for service in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the air space above it between 1 December 2001 and 31 December 2016 (inclusive), made by me on 14 January 2016.

3. This declaration covers:

   • members of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) serving with the NZDF;
   • members of the NZDF on secondment with the armed forces of other nations; and
   • any person seconded to the NZDF with the permission of the Chief of Defence Force.

4. The persons covered by this declaration shall have access to the entitlements and services specified in the Act and the Veterans’ Support Regulations 2014.

5. I am satisfied that there is a significant risk of harm to those that undertake this service, as required by the Act.

Dated this 13th day of October 2016.

HON CRAIG FOSS, Minister of Veterans’ Affairs.

2016-go5841

Notice of Appointment of a Crown Observer to the Kaipara District Council

Pursuant to section 258B of the Local Government Act 2002, the Associate Minister of Local Government gives notice of her appointment of

Barry Spence Harris

as Crown Observer to the Kaipara District Council ("Council").

The role of the Crown Observer is to provide guidance and advice to elected Council members, collectively and individually, on matters of governance. The Crown Observer may also provide advice and guidance to the Council Chief Executive and senior management team on how best to support elected Council members. The Crown Observer does not have a decision-making role and will not be involved in decision-making, other than offering guidance or advice.

Terms of Reference for a Crown Observer (Under Section 258B of the Local Government Act 2002)

Background

On 30 May 2016, Cabinet agreed to the appointment of a Crown Observer to support the Council when it returns to elected governance in October 2016.

A Crown Observer is being appointed to provide advice and guidance to the newly elected Council members following 8 October 2016 local elections. The elected Council will meet for the first time after the local elections to provide local governance for the Kaipara community. The newly elected Council members will need time to develop and settle into their new roles. They will need to learn to work together and with the Council Chief Executive and senior management team in order to provide effective governance for the community. They will also need to build good working relationships, establish effective systems and determine future strategies and policies to move the Kaipara District forward. The Crown Observer will help ensure newly elected Council members are well supported when the Council returns to elected governance.

The Associate Minister of Local Government considers that the support of a Crown Observer is important to the success of newly elected Council members in providing effective governance for the Kaipara community. Pursuant to section 258B(1)(a) of the Local Government Act 2002, and in accordance with the Minister of Local Government’s delegation of all matters relating to the Council, the Associate Minister of Local Government appoints a Crown Observer to support the Council.

Extent of Authority

The Crown Observer will provide guidance and advice to elected Council members, collectively and individually, on matters of governance. The Crown Observer may also provide advice and guidance to the Council Chief Executive and senior management team on how best to support elected Council members. The Crown Observer does not