Panel Discussion
2
CPD
Ahead of Waitangi 2026, join IoD & Tupu Tonu in Paihia to hear how experienced directors built their governance careers.
Stepping into governance is an important milestone, whether you are beginning your journey or looking to deepen your contribution.
We are excited to partner with Tupu Tonu to deliver a First Break in Governance panel discussion and networking event at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
Facilitated by Ripeka Evans MInstD, learn from Tania Simpson ONZM CFInstD, Mark Trigg and Julian Smith CMInstD, on how they approach governance, got their first roles, and developed their careers.
Tupu Tonu is an independent Crown-owned investment company, whose purpose is to establish and manage an investment portfolio which is intended to support any future agreements between Ngāpuhi and the Crown in historical Tiriti o Waitangi settlement negotiations.
In 2025, Tupu Tonu launched Te Uranga Anamata – a leadership programme aimed at building Ngāpuhi governance capacity and capability. Te Uranga Anamata is being delivered in partnership with IOD to create a pipeline of future Ngāpuhi directors ready to serve across commercial and asset holding boards of post-settlement governance entities.
CFInstD
Tainui, Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tahu
Tania Te Rangingangana Simpson is an experienced director with a distinguished career in governance, public policy and Māori development. She currently serves on the boards of Auckland International Airport, Meridian Energy and Waste Management New Zealand, and was previously a director of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, where she was the first Māori director and Deputy Chair.
Tania is the first ever woman Chair of the Waitangi National Trust, and a continuing member of the Waitangi Tribunal, where she has contributed to inquiries for more than 15 years. She is also a member of Global Women and was previously the Chair of the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge and member of the Deep South National Science Challenge Governance Group.
Her leadership has been formally recognised with several honours: she is an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to Māori and governance, a Commander in the Order of the Taniwha (a tikanga-based honour established by Kīngi Tūheitia), and a Dame Commander in the Order of St Lazarus.
Tania holds a Master of Mātauranga Māori from Te Wānanga o Raukawa, is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors, and founded Kowhai Consulting, a Māori consultancy that has operated for more than 30 years in the Waikato-Maniapoto region.
In 2024, she became the first woman appointed Chair of the Waitangi National Trust since its establishment in 1932, a historic milestone that reflects her long-standing commitment to Treaty partnerships, governance excellence and empowering Māori voices in leadership.
Mark is Chair of Northpower and has been a Company Director with extensive industry experience with a career in the energy sector encompassing asset management, operations, strategy, market trading and portfolio management, and large-scale project management. He has also held roles in the financial markets industry.
Mark’s current directorships include Liquigas, Ngāti Tūwharetoa Holdings Limited and subsidiaries.
CMInstD
Julian is an independent director and currently sits of the boards of Watercare Services Limited, Northport Group Limited, MetService and the Look Good Feel Better Trust. He chairs the Institute of Directors (IoD) committee for Te Tai Tokerau and is the Group Secretary for the Northland Corporate Group.
Julian has 16 years governance experience in technology, infrastructure and NFP sectors with specialist skills in digital/business transformation, customer management and corporate affairs. He is a chartered member of the IoD and has recently completed a certificate in cybersecurity with Harvard university.
Throughout his executive career, Julian held senior executive roles in the utilities, internet/digital, financial services, telecommunications, and government sectors. He has worked in a range of international markets across Asia, the Middle East, the Uk and Australasia.
MInstD
Ripeka Evans is Deputy Chair of Television New Zealand Limited and a director of Tupu Tonu, Wellington Regional Council Holdings Limited and Greater Wellington Rail Limited. She is Chair of the Courageous Conversation Aotearoa Foundation and a trustee of Tai Tokerau whenua trusts. She was a director of Te Aupōuri Fisheries and a trustee of Te Rūnanganui o Te Aupōuri. She was a director and Chair of NorthTec Limited, Deputy Chair of Toi Ohomai Limited, and a member of the Te Ao Māori Panel of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.
Ripeka is a member of the Super Diversity Board Ready Chairs and Directors and a lead claimant and Chair of the Join Research Committee for the Mana Wāhine Kaupapa Inquiry to the Waitangi Tribunal. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Massey University and is a member of the Australian Institute of Corporate Directors. Ka mua, Ka muri – Ancient values, contemporary idiom is a whakataukī that aligns with her intentions.
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.
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 — $50.00
Non-members — $75.00
