Company Directors' Course Kaupapa Māori

The Company Directors' Course (CDC) is the benchmark for directors and senior leaders reporting to boards. It is also a pre-requisite to becoming a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors. 

Over five and a half intensive days, you’ll explore the roles and responsibilities of directors alongside your peers. Through daily boardroom simulations and case studies, you’ll experience the realities of governance – from unpredictable business challenges to the human dynamics of decision-making. This hands-on approach strengthens your judgement, broadens your perspective and builds the confidence to contribute effectively at the board table.

However, the value of CDC extends far beyond skill-building. Participants frequently describe the course as a turning point in their governance journey, citing personal growth, lasting networks across the governance community and accelerated career opportunities.

The Waiwhetū Marae option offers the full Company Directors’ Course delivered within a setting rich with tikanga, whakapapa, and wairua. Anchored in the mana of the marae, you’ll engage in the same intensive boardroom simulations and governance learning, while gaining the powerful benefit of stepping into a culturally grounded environment. Many participants find that combining world-class content with the depth of a marae-based experience opens new perspectives, strengthens relationships, and deepens connections through shared kaupapa, kōrero, and whakawhanaungatanga.

Accommodation

Accommodation is provided at Sebel Lower Hutt, with an optional noho marae on the final night.

Accommodation for five nights is included in the course fee. The advantage is a full immersion course with the chance to continue discussions and networking with other participants in the evenings and prepare for the following day. 

If you have specific accessibility requirements or would like to discuss alternative arrangements, please contact Juanita Hudson juanita.hudson@iod.org.nz. 

The CDC is a simulated board exercise. On a given day, you work with 4-5 other board members addressing a scenario such as company solvency. In the afternoon, you test your assumptions and decisions with the full group and compare to New Zealand case studies on solvency. 

Topics covered during the course include:

Best practice corporate governance

• Corporate governance principles, rules and protocols
• Governance skills

Strategy in the boardroom

• Strategy and strategic thinking
• Board and strategy development
• Monitoring and reviewing implementation
• Refreshing strategy and innovation

Finance and the board’s role

• High-level meaning in financial statements and reports
• Interpreting reports
• Financial planning
• Making investment appraisals
• Understanding company valuations

Directors and the law

• Directors' legal obligations, liabilities and mitigating legal risks
• Directors’ and officers’ insurance

Board dynamics and culture

• Board role in developing culture, ethics and values
• Corporate social responsibility
• Board dynamics
• Leadership and CEO succession
• Board and CEO review

Risk governance

• Risk management concepts
• Risk appetite

Residential investment

Members: $10,840.00 incl GST
Non-members: $13,240.00 incl GST

Directors and senior executives with at least one to five years' experience of working on or with boards, and a sound knowledge of business finance.

If you are unsure whether you meet the prerequisites for the Company Directors’ Course or have any other questions, please call our team on 0800 846 369 or contact us on governancedevelopment@iod.org.nz