Panel Discussion
Limited spaces available
2
CPD
Join us for an inspiring discussion on how women are strengthening governance across NZX-listed companies, public sector boards and boardrooms across the country.
Women on boards bring diverse perspectives, strengthen decision-making and help boards better understand the communities they serve. Across listed companies, public sector entities, not-for-profits and private organisations, women directors are helping shape stronger, more future-focused governance for Aotearoa New Zealand.
Building better boards requires deliberate action to grow the pipeline of women and other under-represented leaders, remove barriers, and support diverse governance talent into board roles.
Hosted by the Manatū Wāhine Ministry for Women and the Institute of Directors, this event brings together senior leaders and experienced governors to discuss women’s leadership in the boardroom and practical ways to build more inclusive, representative and effective boards.
The Minister for Women, Hon Nicola Grigg, will deliver the keynote address, introduced by Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche, outlining current priorities and action to support women’s leadership in governance.
Traci Houpapa MNZM, CFInstD will then lead a panel discussion with experienced directors, including Institute of Directors’ Chief Executive Kirsten (KP) Patterson MNZM, CMInstD, Dr Chelsea Grootveld MinstD, and Sophia van Zijl MinstD. The discussion will explore women’s contribution to governance, what effective boards look like, and how organisations can better support women into board roles.
Nicola Grigg is the Minister for the Environment, Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Minister for Women and Associate Minister for ACC. Nicola has been the MP for Selwyn since 2020.
Nicola was born and raised on the family sheep and beef farm in Mt Somers, and studied at the New Zealand Broadcasting School, graduating with a Degree in Broadcast Communications and Diplomas in Television and Radio News.
Nicola has worked as a reporter and newsreader and was a press secretary for Sir Bill English during his tenure as Minister of Finance, and Prime Minister. Following that, Nicola worked with a wide range of agri-businesses in export marketing and business development.
Sir Brian is the Public Service Commissioner and Head of Service. He also leads the Government Digital Delivery Agency and holds the system lead role of Government Chief Digital Officer (GCDO). Before joining the Commission, Sir Brian was Chair of the Cyclone Recovery Taskforce from 2023 to 2024 and Chair of New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi from 2019 to 2022. He was the Chief Executive of New Zealand Post from 2010 to 2017 and a Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) from 1987 to 2009.
CFInstD
Traci Houpapa MNZM is an award winning business leader, company director, and trusted advisor to Indigenous peoples, government, and industry. Named among the BBC’s 100 Most Influential Women, she is widely respected for her professionalism, pragmatic leadership, and commitment to building sustainable wealth and prosperity for women, Indigenous communities, and the wider economy. A Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors, Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, and Justice of the Peace, Traci is recognised globally for her integrity, collaborative approach, and enduring impact across Indigenous, industry, and government sectors.
CMInstD
Kirsten Patterson MNZM (known as KP) is the Chief Executive of the Institute of Directors and is a Chartered Member of the IoD. In 2025 she was awarded the New Zealand Royal Honour, Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to governance and women. She is a qualified lawyer and a Distinguished Fellow of the Human Resources Institute of New Zealand, a former chair of the Global Network of Directors Institutes (GNDI), and a member of the New Zealand External Reporting Advisory Panel (XRAP). She serves on the Boards of the mental health charity, Voices of Hope, is Chair of the Brian Picot Ethical Leadership Advisory Board at Victoria University in Wellington and an Ambassador for the Wellington Women’s Homeless Trust.
A strong advocate of diversity, KP is a member of Global Women New Zealand and was one of the founding members of Global Women’s ‘Champions for Change’, a group of senior executives and directors who commit to diversity in the workplace. KP was the founder and is Executive Sponsor for Chapter Zero New Zealand – the New Zealand Chapter of the World Economic Forum’s Climate Governance Initiative - hosted by the IoD NZ to mobilise, connect, educate and equip directors and boards to make climate-smart governance decisions, thereby creating long term value for both shareholders and stakeholders.
(Ngāi Tai, Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau a Apanui, Whakatōhea, Tūhourangi, Dutch)
MInstD
Chelsea is a respected wāhine Māori leader in education, kaupapa Māori research and governance. She holds a PhD in Education from Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington and is the founder of an indigenous research and evaluation company dedicated to advancing Māori aspirations.
Chelsea brings deep governance expertise, currently serving on the boards of High Performance Sport NZ, Taumata - Ihi Aotearoa Sport NZ, Tātai Aho Rau - CORE Education, International Funders For Indigenous Peoples; as Chair of the JR McKenzie Trust, Deputy Chair of Ngāitai Iwi Authority and Iti Kōpara Public Governance Aotearoa.
She is a member of the Institute of Directors and a former Chair of the Hato Pāora College Board of Trustees. In 2019, she was recognised with a Women in Governance award and served as a Future Director on the Sport NZ Board.
Proud māmā to Kahuroa and Mihi-Terina, and wife to Timoti, Chelsea has transitioned from triathlon and trail running to crossfit, yoga and netball coach of the PIC ‘aunties’. Her mahi is grounded in whakapapa, whanaungatanga and creating spaces where whānau thrive.
MInstD
Sophia van Zijl is the Chief People Officer at NZX, a Non-Executive Director of Armillary Private Capital, and an Advisory Board member of the Leadership & Governance Collective.
Drawing on a career spanning finance, capital markets, strategy and transformation roles in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom, Sophia brings a practical and commercial perspective on leadership, performance and governance. Her work focuses on helping organisations get the best from their people, and helping people get the best from their careers.
Through her executive, governance and mentoring roles, Sophia has seen first-hand how diverse perspectives strengthen decision-making, improve outcomes, and help organisations better understand the customers and communities they serve. Passionate about broadening pathways into leadership and governance, Sophia mentors emerging leaders and is particularly interested in how organisations identify, develop and sponsor the next generation of directors.
Should you have any 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.
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.
Litia Brighouse-Fuavao
Diversity Programmes Manager
+64 274 447 371
Litia.Brighouse-Fuavao@iod.org.nz
The Institute of Directors acknowledges the generous support of national partners and sponsors
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Members — $0.00
Non-members — $0.00
