Why does water organisation governance matter?

Overview

In the coming months, directors and boards of Water Services Organisations will be navigating a rapidly evolving governance landscape, driven by new legislation. In this dynamic 60-minute session, you’ll explore the key features of the Water Services Entities Bill, compare potential governance models—from in-house teams to council-controlled organisations and consumer trusts—and understand the critical roles of board accountability, council collaboration and independent oversight. Presented by leading legal and infrastructure experts and facilitated by the IoD Governance Leadership Centre, this webinar combines concise presentations, a panel discussion and moderated Q&A to equip you with practical insights for building public trust, enhancing efficiency and positioning your organisation for success under the new local water done well framework. 

Linda Clark

MInstD

Linda is a Partner in Dentons Public Law and Dispute Resolution team based in Wellington. She specialises in judicial review, public law disputes and processes, investigations and defamation. She has appeared in the Court of Appeal, High Court, District Court, Coroner’s Court and a range of tribunals, including the Human Rights Review Tribunal. She is also experienced in mediations. 

Linda is regularly engaged as an independent reviewer. She has led reviews into privacy breaches at ACC and Oranga Tamariki, code of conduct breaches by local councillors, and was a member of a three person panel in 2023 reviewing breaches of editorial standards at Radio New Zealand.

Linda Robertson

CFInstD

Linda is professional company director with over 25 years governance experience, combined with 30 years senior financial management experience having worked in both the banking and energy sectors in New Zealand.

Linda has been a full-time company director since 2015. Linda’s governance experience spans many industries such as banking, funds management, electricity generation, retail and distribution; co-operatives, local authority owned and state-owned entities and charities. Linda has a Bachelor of Commerce Degree and a Diploma in Banking.  She also holds a Sustainability and ESG Designation; a Climate and Biodiversity Certificate and is a member of Chapter Zero New Zealand. Linda is a Distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Finance Professionals New Zealand (INFINZ), a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Charted Governance Professional and a Certified Fellow of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand.

Linda is currently chair of Crown Irrigation Investments and Central Lakes Trust. She is a director of the Local Government Funding Agency,  Horizon Energy Group, Invercargill City Holdings, Kordia and SBS Bank. Linda is also a member of the Capital Markets Advisory Committee and the Risk and Audit Committee of The Treasury; and a member of the Audit and Risk Committee of the Office of the Auditor General.

Sam Broughton

Sam Broughton is the President of Local Government New Zealand and the Mayor of Selwyn. A biker, lawn bowler, and guitarist, Sam believes that “life is given to us to give away,” and he is passionate about the community he calls home. He enjoys the sense of change and growth that comes with the increasing number of people moving to Selwyn, bringing energy for the future and a willingness to embrace innovation.

For Sam, local government provides the framework for enabling informed, community-level decisions. 

Sam is a strong advocate for more sustainable funding tools, greater collaboration on large-scale projects, and ensuring local communities have influence over the decisions that shape their towns and neighborhoods. He believes local government thrives when people who care deeply for their communities and places are involved—those who listen, are willing to change their minds, and make bold, informed decisions that benefit Aotearoa for the long term.

Guy Beatson (facilitator)

CMInstD

Guy is an experienced leader with governance and leadership expertise across public, private, and not-for-profit sectors in New Zealand and internationally. As General Manager of the Governance Leadership Centre and Registrar, he leads the organisation’s research, advocacy, policy agenda, and governance support for directors and boards. 

Guy also serves as Chair of Youthline Wellington, Trustee and Board member of Youthline Auckland, Chair of the Youthline National Helpline National Chairs Forum, and Trustee of Youth Search and Rescue. His previous senior roles include Deputy Chief Executive, Strategy and Organisation Performance at Te Puni Kōkiri, and Deputy Secretary Natural Resources Policy at the Ministry for the Environment.  He has also supported senior executives in a diverse range of consulting assignments. 

 

Additional information

Event cancellation policy

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

Contact

Gemma Fellowes
National Projects & Events Executive
+64 9 365 2736
Gemma.Fellowes@iod.org.nz