William Tait Email and Phone Number

In the Air Navigation System Review Secretariat, I supported the successful delivery of two independent reports on the current and future challenges and opportunities facing the NZ aviation and air navigation sectors. I was responsible for:- supporting an independent, Ministerially appointed review panel with technical advice and analysis of the system's policy and regulatory, institutional and funding settings- managing key relationships with aviation and air navigation system stakeholders, as well as procurement contracts - leading the establishment of, and relationship with, an independent Maori advisory group to support the review's incorporation of indigenous perspectives, rights and interests.Prior to leaving New Zealand, my efforts were recognised with a secondment to the Cyclone Recovery Unit, where I briefly led a small team to deliver advice to Cabinet Ministers and senior officials on funding and investment requirements for repairing damage to the state highway and local roading networks.

In the Health and Disability Transition Unit's Funding and Finance team, I was primarily responsible for research and analysis on the use of financial incentives and risk management approaches to support the implementation of integrated care commissioning and contracting models, as part of the Government's vision for broadscale health system reform.I also supported the Director-General and policy managers with advice at pace, and under significant scrutiny by the opposition government and general public, to:- develop proposals for multi-year budget funding and planning models and accountability mechanisms- design and operationalise a new public health operating model, including a shift to regionalised secondary healthcare, locality-based primary care delivery and a dedicated Maori Health Authority to address ethnicity-based health inequities - develop and scrutinise budget initiative bids to meet system reform objectives.

As part of the Welfare System and Income Support group, I led advice to Ministers and senior leadership and delivered key projects related to welfare system overhaul and income support policy, including in response to social development and employment challenges arising in the context of the global pandemic. My key responsibilities included:- leading advice on a general review and key changes to health and disability benefit-related settings- problem solving and managing interagency relationships to deliver joint advice on income, employment and housing support for non-residents during the pandemic- coaching and mentoring junior staff and supporting capacity and capability-building across the wider policy group- stakeholder engagement and relationship management, including with the Ministry's operational policy and service delivery arm and community and advocacy groups.

In this role I was responsible for: - leading delivery of complex technical and strategic advice on agricultural greenhouse gas emissions policy in a sensitive coalition government environment- building and managing key relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including public presentations and engagement with agricultural sector representatives and farming communities- coaching and mentoring junior staff to improve individual and team capability and support effective commissioning processes.

I supported climate change policy advice to help achieve the Government's vision for a net-zero emissions future through the enactment of a Zero Carbon Bill, including:- managing key relationships and processes towards developing a cross-government framework to support decision-making and public consultation on the Bill;- presenting and engaging with the public on the Bill's proposals throughout public consultation;- leading the establishment and appointment of an Interim Climate Change Committee (precursor to the independent Climate Change Commission since established by legislation); and- leading preparation of technical evidence and analysis (including economic analysis and modelling) as lead author of several Cabinet papers and the Bill's Regulatory Impact Statement.

I trained in international trade and environment and sustainable development policy as a member of the Ministry's International team, where I was responsible for:- contributing to New Zealand's strategic foreign policy and trade objectives and developing policy positions on global and transboundary environmental issues including the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals;- leading analysis, advice and delivery of policy measures and regulatory interventions to meet New Zealand's obligations under international environmental treaties and conventions (the Montreal Protocol, UNFCCC and BRS Conventions);- representing and advancing New Zealand's strategic interests in a range of bilateral, regional and multilateral fora, including engagement in regional UN Environment Programme meetings and the global UN Environment Assembly;- managing key relationships with foreign counterparts to implement joint collaboration projects, manage public-private partnerships and meet responsibilities under Environmental Cooperation Agreements and Multilateral Environmental Agreements; and- organising and hosting delegation visits and preparing briefings for Ministers and senior officials.

I conducted research into New Zealand media content for a range of public and private sector clients. I was responsible for collating quantitative and qualitative research data for these clients using a number of sophisticated media portals, which were tailored to specific communications briefs on a monthly or quarterly basis. My report writing covered a variety of clients' industries and their respective media strategies, providing quality insights and feedback on key performance indicators. I managed simultaneous projects to deadlines and also provided administrative support, which included liaising with clients more directly and other ad-hoc requirements.

I was a language assistant at the bilingual school Pablo Sarasate, aiding teachers in the English classroom, which included the Science and Arts curriculum. My own experience in second language learning worked to give students insights and confidence in studying English, while I also tutored 6th grade students in preparation for their final PET and KET examinations. My responsibilities as an assistant extended to taking part in faculty meetings, making class presentations and participating in extra-curricular activities.