Build your governance capability

Workshop

Speaker(s): Mark Trigg, Jane Hindle, Julian Smith
Date: 12:00pm — 3:30pm, 27 February 2026
Venue: Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Location: Tau Henare Drive, Waitangi
Price members: $75.00 incl GST
Price non-members: $129.00 incl GST

Overview

This session is designed to assist the development of emerging directors by an introduction to governance. On completion, participants will have a sound fundamental understanding of governance best practice which should boost confidence to undertake more formal director training such as the Essentials one-day courses for aspiring and new directors.

Drinks and canapés will be served.

Objective
The objective of the session is to build governance awareness in an interactive environment. Experienced directors will guide discussions around the Four Pillars of Governance Best Practice.

Preparation
A workbook will be emailed two weeks prior and it is expected that each participant will familiarise themselves with the reading and exercises around each of the Pillars (please bring your workbook – either electronic or hardcopy – to the session). Additional online reading will be recommended, and it will be assumed you have read and considered this also.

Book prize
A book prize will be given to the person who best answers the questions around Pillar Four.

Who should register?
The workshop is ideally suited for mid to senior-level executives and new directors on commercial, not-for-profit (NFP) and Crown-owned boards. It will provide a unique opportunity to learn from a number of New Zealand’s senior director practitioners, share experience and network with other like-minded business people. You should ideally have some governance experience but not have completed any of the IoD governance development courses.

Size
The session is limited to 28 participants, working with four senior directors as facilitators.

Mark Trigg

Mark brings extensive industry experience with a career spanning the energy sector and financial markets. His expertise encompasses asset management, operations, strategy, market trading and portfolio management, as well as large-scale project management.

He currently serves as Chair of Northpower Limited and Northpower Fibre Limited, and is also Chair of Ngāti Tūwharetoa Geothermal Assets Limited. In addition, Mark holds directorships with Liquigas Limited, Ngāti Tūwharetoa Holdings Limited, and its subsidiaries.

Following a successful career in financial markets and the electricity industry, Mark is now a professional director and a strong advocate for the role that large organisations like Northpower can play in driving regional economic development.

Jane Hindle

CMInstD

Jane Hindle has had a varied working life both in the UK, Europe and in Aotearoa New Zealand. Her first career was in information technology, with a career in ICT and telecommunications including working for CLEAR Communications setting up their Data Services division. She moved to Tai Tokerau Northland in 2000 and took on a new role in tourism with the tall ship R. Tucker Thompson. This involved creating a succession plan to transfer the asset into a Charitable Trust, operating youth development programmes and tourism sailings. She stepped down as Executive Trustee in 2022.  

In parallel Jane has had a governance career serving on the boards of the Telecommunications Users Association, the Northland Economic Development Agency, the Regional Tourism Organisation, as well as seven years on the Northtec Council including the role of Chair. She was on the National Co-ordinating Committee of Tuia 250 and was co-chair of Te Au Mārie, the Trust leading out Tuia 250 in Tai Tokerau. She has served on boards for several community organisations including the Russell Museum, the Te Ahu Establish Board.

Jane is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors and currently holds the role of Community Board member for Kororāreka Ōpua with the Far North District Council. She is  presently mentoring an NFP Chair as a means of supporting good governance.

Julian Smith

CMInstD

His executive career saw him hold a number of senior executive roles in the utilities ,internet/digital, financial services, telecommunications sectors as well as central government.

Julian is a chartered member of the Institute of Directors, an independent director for Watercare Services Limited in Auckland and is a board trustee for The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and for the Look Good Feel Better cancer charity. He also sits on the advisory board for Vadacom Limited a NZ based software developer and telco.

A strategy and customer experience expert with extensive marketing and corporate affairs credentials, Julian is an adept communications and digital services expert and has worked in a range of international markets across Asia, Australasia, the Middle East and the UK. He holds an LLB and BCom from the University of Auckland.

Julian is especially interested in emerging governance trends and development around climate change, Te Mana o te Wai, Agile governance, complex business transformation and capital project oversight.

Additional information

Should you have any dietary, mobility, cultural or other requirements, you can let us know on the registration form.

By registering for this event you are confirming that you agree to adhere to our event terms and conditions.

Branch event cancellation policy

Regrettably, registration fees cannot be refunded when cancellations are received within two working days prior to any branch event. See our standard terms and conditions for more information.