Top 5 Issue: The geopolitical climate

Overview

Trade, regulation and security now weigh as heavily on strategy as demand itself. Boards are navigating an environment where geopolitical alliances directly affect cost structures, market access and risk exposure. Global settings linked to climate, nature and resource resilience are evolving faster than domestic policy, requiring directors to govern with agility, foresight and discipline.

This session explores what the changing geopolitical climate means for New Zealand boards in practice and how collaboration can help.

Drawing on extensive governance experience across agribusiness, energy and infrastructure, Rob Hewett CFInstD will offer some deep insights on how NZ exporters can (and are) looking to collaboration to face these geo-political issues.

Join us for this breakfast event designed to support boards to govern confidently and collaboratively in an increasingly complex global context.

This event is sponsored by PwC Napier:

Rob Hewett

CFInstD

Rob is the Chairman of Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited, New Zealand Woolscours Limited (Woolworks), Agrizero Limited, Fern Energy Limited, Hilton Haulage Limited, Rewiring Aotearoa and Pioneer Energy Limited, as well as a Director of T&G Global Limited and Woolcorp Limited. 

Rob is immediate past Chair and Director of Silver Fern Farms and Silver Fern Farms Co-operative Limited (Stepped down May 2025), a past Councillor of Lincoln University and previous Chair of the Strong Wool Action Group (now Wool Impact). He is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors and a graduate of Lincoln University, holding an M.Com (Hons) (Marketing) and a B.Com (Ag) (Economics).

Rob farms 10,000 sheep and beef stock units on a carbon-negative breeding/finishing and forestry farm of 1020ha in Manuka Gorge, South Otago. Rob won the Deloitte Top 200 Chair of the Year award in 2023, and the Co-operative Business New Zealand Outstanding Contribution Award in 2019.

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.

Contact

Jill Dawson
Wellington Branch Manager

+64 27 278 8814
+64 4 470 2673
jill.dawson@iod.org.nz

Our sponsors

The Wellington branch acknowledges the generous support of

The East Coast region also thank

The Manawatu region also thank