3 Personnel costs 2018 $000 2017 $000 6,141 6,162 114 127 Increase/(decrease) in employee entitlements (246) 254 Other32 1,316 1,193 Total personnel costs 7,325 7,736 Salaries and wages Employer contributions to defined contribution plans Personnel costs include the Commissioners and Director of Human Rights Proceedings, who are appointed by warrant of the Governor-General and are therefore not employees. Employer contributions to defined contribution plans include contributions to KiwiSaver. Personnel costs were $411,000 lower than last year due to lower annual leave balances and higher cessation payments in 2017. Note 7 details employee entitlements owing at balance date. 4 Other expenses 2018 $000 2017 $000 458 475 25833 711 Other operating costs 779 729 Total other expenses 1,495 1,915 Operating lease expense Information and communications technology Expenditure on information and communications technology in 2017 included costs to implement an electronic document records management system and intranet. 32 Relates to short-term contractors and professional development. 33 Costs relating to the financial management information system are included in other operating costs. 68 Human Rights Commission