Presentation
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CPD
Explore the skills and practices that define exceptional chairs, from leadership to navigating governance challenges.
While the chair is often described as “first among equals,” the role is rooted in influence, not authority. In an era of increasing governance complexity, stakeholder scrutiny, and global uncertainty, the chair's ability to guide, unify, and lead has never been more critical.
This session explores the evolving expectations of board chairs—from stewarding governance and shaping strategy to fostering trust, collaboration, and resilience. Learn how to navigate boardroom dynamics, build strong CEO partnerships, and lead effectively through challenge and change.
Key themes include inclusive leadership, governance under pressure, and succession planning to future-proof your board.
Join us for a dynamic discussion featuring Craig McFarlane, Rachel Afeaki-Taumoepeau and Earl Rattray, moderated by Natasha Harvey, as they share real-world insights and strategies for impactful chair leadership.
Whether you're an experienced chair or preparing for the role, this is a valuable opportunity to sharpen your governance capability and connect with peers.
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Craig McFarlane is an independent and full-time Professional Company Director (and has been for 15+ years).
He has an MBA from Henley Management College in the UK and is a Chartered Member of the IoD (since 2015). He has extensive offshore commercial experience, and holds (or has held) directorships in: Health, Early Childhood Education, Tertiary Education, Waste, B2B Consultancy, Property Development, Whistle-blowing/Ethical Reporting as well as numerous NFP’s/Community Groups. He is a permanent resident of Waihi Beach.
Past & present businesses/organisations:
Report It Now Global Limited, Volare Bread, Midland Cardio Vascular Services Limited, Beach Pilates Limited, Clements Corporation LP, Ligar Limited, S & L Consultants Limited, Pinnacle Incorporated/Midlands Health Network Ltd, Pinnacle Ventures Limited, Primary Health Care Limited, Anglesea Urgent Care, Demolition Traders Limited, Simply Dental Limited, Habitat for Humanity (locally and nationally), Waste to Energy NZ Limited, C J McFarlane Limited, LearningWorks Limited, Wynvale Trust, Waihi Beach Cycle Trails Charitable Trust, Creators Educational Trust.
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Rachel Afeaki-Taumoepeau is an experienced independent strategic and business director for FaceNorth Promotions, overseeing key relationships in the public and private sectors internationally, including across the Pacific region. Her broad commercial experience includes numerous projects between New Zealand and the Pacific relating to trade and investment promotion and facilitation, international research expeditions, public relations, marketing management, government and NGO advisory.
She is an independent director for Habitat for Humanity NZ, Activate Education Group Ltd, Deputy Chair for Ember Wellbeing Trust and Chair of WEL Energy Trust. Rachel holds various NGO governance roles in the Social Housing, Mental Health and Business and Economic Development spaces and is highly engaged in international global Church governance through the World Evangelical Alliance.
Rachel also delivers consultative management services to a national NGO that addresses family wellbeing, prevention of violence and child abuse across New Zealand and has passion to advance Pacific economic development regionally. Rachel is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors NZ and sits on the Waikato Committee for IoD.
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Earl Rattray is a Charted Fellow of the IoD. Mr. Rattray is currently an independent non-executive board member of several medium sized companies in agribusiness, rural infrastructure construction and agri tech sectors. He is currently serving as independent chairman of Animal Breeding Services (NZ) Ltd and is a non-executive director at Inframax Construction Ltd, Dairy Farms NZ Ltd, Waikato Innovation Park Ltd, and Dairy Farms of NZ.
Mr Rattray holds interests in several medium and large scale dairy farming companies, in New Zealand, Chile, USA, Australia and India. He is managing director at Dairy Link Ltd in New Zealand, a private dairy industry consultancy, specialising in New Zealand and Asia dairy sector insight and analysis. He was a founding board member of Fonterra, and chaired the New Zealand Dairy Companies Association from its establishment in 2003 until 2008. Mr Rattray has previously served as an external monetary policy advisor at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. His professional background is in agricultural economics, farming and agribusiness governance.
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With a diverse career spanning accounting, information systems, commercial finance, and governance, Natasha brings critical insights that challenge thinking, sharpen strategy, and drive value creation. Natasha thrives on supporting and inspiring others—both in the workplace and across the wider community.
Natasha is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors, a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and a graduate of the Institute’s 2017 Mentoring for Diversity programme. Her experience bridges complex commercial environments and the for-purpose sector, underpinned by a commitment to transparency, visionary financial leadership, and practical, solution-focused thinking.
Passionate, driven, and endlessly curious, Natasha asks the right questions—what, so what, now what—to look ahead and challenge the status quo. Natasha thrives in dynamic, high-performing teams, bringing strong financial expertise, commercial acumen, leadership, stakeholder engagement, project delivery, and a talent for aligning cross-functional teams to deliver innovative, collaborative outcomes.
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.
Megan Beveridge
Waikato and Bay of Plenty Branch Manager
+64 21 358 772
megan.beveridge@iod.org.nz
The Waikato branch acknowledges the generous support of
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