Applications for Disputes Panel members under the Retirement Villages Act

The Retirement Commissioner invites applications from suitably experienced and qualified adjudicators to be approved and listed as eligible for appointment as members or chairs of disputes panels.

For disputes under the Retirement Villages Act 2003, retirement village operators must appoint on contracts for services one or more independent persons from the approved list to form the disputes panel. The disputes panel is responsible for making all arrangements for conducting the dispute resolution, including the hearing and writing and notifying the decision.

The role is suitable for professional adjudicators with extensive experience in independently conducting dispute resolution of commercial and consumer disputes. We are looking for people with excellent communication skills and the ability to effectively address the needs of parties who may be disadvantaged by the dispute resolution process. Certain disputes require a minimum panel of three members, chaired by a retired Judge or a barrister or solicitor who has held a practising certificate for at least seven years.

Approved persons must be available to accept appointment as a member of a disputes panel from 13 February 2025.

Applications are due at Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission by Monday 27 January 2025. The role description is available at: https://retirement.govt.nz/retirement-villages/complaints-and-disputes/disputes-panel-members-and-agencies

If further information is required enquiries may be made by emailing rv@retirement.govt.nz.