IoD coffee connect - Oamaru

Networking

Speaker(s): Gillian Blythe, Clare Kearney
Date: 2:00pm — 3:00pm, 19 June 2026
Venue: Oamaru Opera House
Location: 94 Thames Street, Oamaru, 9400
Price members: $0.00 incl GST
Price non-members: $250.00 incl GST

Overview

Join us for a relaxed IoD Coffee Connect in Ōamaru and meet Gillian Blythe CMInstD, Chief Executive of Water New Zealand. Gillian will be in Ōamaru on 19 June and is keen to catch up with local members for an informal conversation about water governance, leadership and the issues shaping the sector. Hosted by committee member Clare Kearney CFInstD, this is a great opportunity to enjoy a coffee, connect with fellow directors and share ideas and insights.

Gillian Blythe

CMInstD

Originally from the UK, Gillian came to NZ to work on electricity reform in the mid 1990s. Gillian worked on the design of competitive wholesale market, the split of ECNZ, and then spent 20 years at Meridian Energy in senior leadership positions across strategy and regulatory affairs. Gillian joined Water New Zealand in July 2020.

Clare Kearney

CFInstD

Clare has a background in agriculture. She has had a 30 + year involvement in governance, starting, as many do, with a school board of trustees.

Based in Oamaru, Clare has held positions on a variety of boards, including Chair of Network Waitaki and Sport Otago, President and Chair of the New Zealand Alpine Club.  Currently, she is on the board of the Observatory Village Group and has just stepped down from SouthPort.

Clare welcomes the opportunity to join the Otago Southland Branch Committee and support the professional organisation that has provided her with so much.

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.