From compliance to confidence: governing charities and societies for the future

Webinar

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Speaker(s): Steven Moe, Judene Edgar
Date: 4:00pm — 5:00pm, 2 March 2026
Venue: Online
Location: Online
Price: $0.00 incl GST

Overview

Governance of not-for-profit organisations is not just about purpose — essential though that is — but about building organisations that are resilient, trusted and fit for the future. Recent legislative changes have sharpened expectations on boards and committees while also creating a timely opportunity to strengthen governance practice, build confidence and position organisations for long-term success.

New requirements under the Charities Act 2005 now require registered charities to formally review their governance procedures at least every three years, while the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 requires all existing societies to re-register by 5 April 2026 if they wish to continue operating. For many boards, these changes can feel like another compliance burden. Yet approached well, they provide a powerful catalyst for renewal.

This session explores how boards can move beyond a narrow compliance mindset and use these legislative milestones to lift governance quality, strategic clarity and organisational resilience. Rather than simply asking “what do we need to change to comply?”, directors are encouraged to ask deeper questions: are our structures still fit for purpose? Do our rules support good decision-making and accountability? Does our board composition reflect the skills and perspectives we need for the future?

Join Steven Moe MInstD, a leading expert in charity and not-for-profit law with a strong background in governance, and Judene Edgar MNZM CMInstD, Institute of Directors’ Principal Governance Advisor and an experienced not-for-profit governor, for a practical discussion linking legal obligations with effective governance leadership. Together, they will explore how boards can turn legislative change into an opportunity to govern with confidence and set their organisations up for long-term success.

Steven Moe

MInstD

Steven is a partner at Parry Field Lawyers working across the country in corporate law providing advice to companies as well as for purpose organisations. He is also the host of “Board Matters” podcast on governance for the IOD.

After three years working at a national law firm in Wellington, Steven spent 11 years overseas working for an international law firm in Tokyo, London and Sydney before returning to New Zealand at the start of 2016. He is a director of several entities and is chair of Community Finance which has raised $400 million for social housing. He is a member of the Edmund Hillary Fellowship, XRB Advisory Panel and hosts Seeds podcast with 465+ episodes on governance, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

He thinks good governance can help organisations develop strategy and engage in long-term thinking which will help benefit us all.

With four young children, Steven is often found providing a taxi service for their sports, ballet, gym, and music classes.

Judene Edgar

MNZM, CMInstD

Judene is a Principal Governance Adviser with the Institute of Directors’ Governance Leadership Centre and Chapter Zero NZ lead providing best practice advice, guidance and advocacy for directors. She is also chair of the Nelson Historic Theatre Trust, deputy chair of the Rātā Foundation, and a trustee for the Network Tasman Trust.

Prior to joining the IoD she ran her own consultancy for over 20 years, specialising in governance, policy, strategy and communications working across a wide range of sectors, including housing, health, solid waste, aviation, energy, not-for-profit and infrastructure.

Judene was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to governance, local government and the community in the 2026 New Year Honours. She was a local government elected member for 12 years and a director on a range of private and public entity boards. She has a background in behavioural science and communications and is a Chartered Member of the IoD.