IMHO | IoD NZ

type: IMHO
date: 14/11/25

OPINION

Boardroom Premium

IMHO: Why Bitcoin isn’t just for crypto enthusiasts anymore

IMHO: Why Bitcoin isn’t just for crypto enthusiasts anymore

Bitcoin’s volatility is real – but so is its strategic relevance.

type: IMHO
date: 22/10/25

OPINION

IMHO: 880 million-year-old manufacturer seeks partnerships

IMHO: 880 million-year-old manufacturer seeks partnerships

Nature is your supply chain’s supply chain – and it’s time to invest in your most valuable asset.

type: IMHO
date: 18/09/25

OPINION

IMHO: Rewriting the rules: governing with grace

IMHO: Rewriting the rules: governing with grace

Why are women leaders pushing themselves beyond exhaustion and is it time to face the truth and break the mould?

type: IMHO
date: 17/09/25

OPINION

IMHO: Bringing culture into code – Why AI governance must be culturally competent

IMHO: Bringing culture into code – Why AI governance must be culturally competen...

Embedding Māori perspectives in AI is not optional – it’s essential to trusted, ethical governance in Aotearoa.

AI
Māori governance

type: IMHO
date: 15/09/25

OPINION

IMHO: Anchored by purpose, lifted by community

IMHO: Anchored by purpose, lifted by community

Tautua Pasifika mentees left their first session feeling inspired, equipped – and part of something bigger.

Diversity & inclusion
Health and safety

type: IMHO
date: 08/09/25

OPINION

IMHO: Putting Pacific worker safety on the governance agenda

IMHO: Putting Pacific worker safety on the governance agenda

As a Pacific trailblazer in ergonomics, Dr Kolose is shaping safer workplaces through board leadership.

Diversity & inclusion
Health and safety

type: IMHO
date: 04/09/25

OPINION

IMHO: Demography and destiny – Five strategic imperatives for directors

IMHO: Demography and destiny – Five strategic imperatives for directors

Population trends are reshaping talent, markets and strategy – boards must act with foresight.

Diversity & inclusion

type: IMHO
date: 03/09/25

OPINION

IMHO: When everything looks like a nail – AI and the art of strategic thinking

IMHO: When everything looks like a nail – AI and the art of strategic thinking

The real risk isn’t AI failure – it’s inaction. Culture, not code, drives adoption.

AI

type: IMHO
date: 21/08/25

OPINION

IMHO: If AI becomes everything, what does that mean for governance?

IMHO: If AI becomes everything, what does that mean for governance?

Boards must act now to govern AI as a strategic force shaping risk, value and how organisations adapt.

AI

type: IMHO
date: 23/07/25

OPINION

IMHO: AI in the boardroom: All spin or a brave new world?

IMHO: AI in the boardroom: All spin or a brave new world?

From speeding up reporting to reshaping decision-making, here’s what boards need to know now.

AI

type: IMHO
date: 26/06/25

OPINION

IMHO: What directors need to unlearn

IMHO: What directors need to unlearn

Letting go of operational habits, embracing discomfort and building reflective practice can support a successful shift into governance.

type: IMHO
date: 06/06/25

OPINION

IMHO: Emotion, aggression or just plain talking?

IMHO: Emotion, aggression or just plain talking?

Different styles of communicating can have positive or negative outcomes. Find out why women in leadership face a constant balancing act.

Board dynamics
Leadership

type: IMHO
date: 30/04/25

OPINION

IMHO: Setting an AI risk appetite

IMHO: Setting an AI risk appetite

Boards can empower AI innovation through setting an appropriate risk appetite.

AI

type: IMHO
date: 16/04/25

OPINION

IMHO: How to get your board working as a team

IMHO: How to get your board working as a team

Building trust is essential on a high-performing board.

type: IMHO
date: 15/01/25

OPINION

IMHO: Ensure third parties are safe with your data

IMHO: Ensure third parties are safe with your data

Directors should require ISO/IEC 27001-certified partners for customer data handling.

Cyber security
Supply chains

type: IMHO
date: 25/03/25

OPINION

IMHO: Executives need more support from boards

IMHO: Executives need more support from boards

Boards need to ensure CEOs and managers are well-supported in often stressful roles.

Board-management relationship
Wellbeing

type: IMHO
date: 17/03/25

OPINION

IMHO: The post-war consensus has gone

IMHO: The post-war consensus has gone

The world has fundamentally changed. Business and government must work together to protect the NZ economy.

Supply chains
Trade

type: IMHO
date: 20/02/25

OPINION

IMHO: A short-term focus on survival is exhausting

IMHO: A short-term focus on survival is exhausting

How to switch our thinking from what we feel we lack to what we can offer.

type: IMHO
date: 20/02/25

OPINION

IMHO: Cybersecurity, reputation and tough calls

IMHO: Cybersecurity, reputation and tough calls

New Zealand directors can learn from Australia’s latest boardroom scandal.

Crisis management
Cyber security
Leadership

type: IMHO
date: 03/02/25

Opinion

IMHO: Generative AI in the boardroom – two views into the future

IMHO: Generative AI in the boardroom – two views into the future

Embracing AI in the right way can help boards build trust and enhance governance.

AI
Board meetings
Digital transformation

type: IMHO
date: 04/12/24

OPINION

IMHO: Why individual board members shouldn't direct management

IMHO: Why individual board members shouldn't direct management

Understanding boundaries is important for developing a good relationship between board and management.

type: IMHO
date: 14/11/24

OPINION

IMHO: I don't care where, as long as I'm chair

IMHO: I don't care where, as long as I'm chair

Can a successful director translate their success to another board? Maybe.

Board composition
Board evaluation
Chairing

type: IMHO
date: 25/10/24

IMHO: AI expertise on boards: real growth or skills inflation?

IMHO: AI expertise on boards: real growth or skills inflation?

An increased number of AI experts on boards raises questions about the realities of board composition and the dynamics of skills inflation.

AI
Cyber security
Digital transformation

type: IMHO
date: 17/10/24

Opinion

IMHO: Picking your chair – best player or best captain?

IMHO: Picking your chair – best player or best captain?

Effective board leadership requires qualities beyond professional expertise or industry experience.

Chairing

type: IMHO
date: 17/10/24

OPINION

IMHO: Is governance a team sport or individual sport?

IMHO: Is governance a team sport or individual sport?

A high performing board has a lot in common with a successful sports team.

Board composition
Chairing

type: IMHO
date: 30/09/24

Opinion

IMHO: ‘We need to disrupt ourselves’

IMHO: ‘We need to disrupt ourselves’

When traditional operating models are being challenged, why should NFP boards step outside of their comfort zone? Find out more.

Not-for-profit governance

type: IMHO
date: 21/08/24

OPINION

IMHO: The perils of chairing NFPs

IMHO: The perils of chairing NFPs

Pretending to be dead shouldn’t be the only escape plan.

Chairing
Not-for-profit governance

type: IMHO
date: 07/08/24

OPINION

IMHO: From potty mouths to polished boards: Why governance needs good manners

IMHO: From potty mouths to polished boards: Why governance needs good manners

Four-letter words have been defended as a professional communications strategy. I've got one - what?

Board dynamics

type: IMHO
date: 25/07/24

OPINION

IMHO: Capturing the value of health and safety capacity

IMHO: Capturing the value of health and safety capacity

Health and safety capacity is not just a cost, it is an asset.

Health and safety

type: IMHO
date: 01/07/24

OPINION

IMHO: Benefits of board diversity

IMHO: Benefits of board diversity

Increasing diversity in the governance community bodes well for the success of New Zealand boards and their organisations.

Diversity & inclusion

type: IMHO
date: 30/05/24

OPINION

IMHO: Note to directors – must try harder

IMHO: Note to directors – must try harder

Like any risk, generative artificial intelligence needs consideration at a board level.

AI
Privacy

type: IMHO
date: 09/05/24

OPINION

IMHO: Boards, don’t just wait for the axe to fall

IMHO: Boards, don’t just wait for the axe to fall

Many community organisation board members need to step up their strategic thinking – especially those reliant on government contracts.

Not-for-profit governance

type: IMHO
date: 21/03/24

OPINION

IMHO: New NFP governance book worth your time

IMHO: New NFP governance book worth your time

There are few books written in New Zealand on governance and even fewer have a focus on charities.

Not-for-profit governance

type: IMHO
date: 08/02/24

OPINION

IMHO: Lifting dividends and share value

IMHO: Lifting dividends and share value

March 31 is fast approaching. For most boards, that means work on your FY 2025 budget is already underway.

Shareholders

type: IMHO
date: 31/10/23

OPINION

IMHO: Evaluating your organisation's technology practices

IMHO: Evaluating your organisation's technology practices

A call to action for board directors and executives.

type: IMHO
date: 06/10/23

OPINION

IMHO: Competing values

IMHO: Competing values

Is the social value of full-time employment worth 1kg of carbon emissions?

Climate change
ESG
SME governance

type: IMHO
date: 15/09/23

OPINION

IMHO: Board members, wake up and stop smelling the coffee

IMHO: Board members, wake up and stop smelling the coffee

Has your board spent more time choosing coffee than debating complex agenda items?

Board meetings
Chairing

type: IMHO
date: 12/09/23

OPINION

IMHO: Numbers through a different lens

IMHO: Numbers through a different lens

Are you balancing your stakeholder investments appropriately? Analysing the numbers might surprise you.

Reporting

type: IMHO
date: 05/09/23

OPINION

IMHO: The power of PR and communications professionals at the board table

IMHO: The power of PR and communications professionals at the board table

Experienced communications practitioners can provide boards with a valuable strategic advantage.

Crisis management
Stakeholders

type: IMHO
date: 28/08/23

OPINION

IMHO: New crimes that directors need to monitor – it’s not just AI

IMHO: New crimes that directors need to monitor – it’s not just AI

Risk registers need to take a deep dive into emerging disruptive technologies to minimise potential threats companies may otherwise face.

Cyber security
Digital transformation

type: IMHO
date: 06/09/23

OPINION

IMHO: Seven steps to build alignment between your board and executive team

IMHO: Seven steps to build alignment between your board and executive team

When it comes to implementing strategy, many companies struggle with building the necessary alignment between directors and executives.

Board dynamics
Board-management relationship

type: IMHO
date: 25/08/23

OPINION

IMHO: The five key roles of the board chair

IMHO: The five key roles of the board chair

At the 2023 Not-For-Profit Chairs Forum, Richard Westlake CFInstD outlined five key considerations when chairing a board.

Chairing
Shareholders
Stakeholders

type: IMHO
date: 04/09/23

OPINION

IMHO: Five reasons charities should think about environmental sustainability

IMHO: Five reasons charities should think about environmental sustainability

Sustainability strategy starts from a commitment to be on the right side of history.

ESG
Not-for-profit governance

type: IMHO
date: 10/08/23

OPINION

IMHO: Who is determining the impact of NFPs?

IMHO: Who is determining the impact of NFPs?

The auditing tail is at risk of wagging the NFP dog if reporting focuses on outputs and excludes ethical storytelling about valuable impacts

ESG
Not-for-profit governance
Reporting

type: IMHO
date: 09/08/23

OPINION

IMHO: Mandate shift – considering the impact from investments, too

IMHO: Mandate shift – considering the impact from investments, too

Trustees should consider the purpose of, and impact, their organisations make, not just grow investments.

Not-for-profit governance

type: IMHO
date: 25/07/23

OPINION

IMHO: Safety through tech

IMHO: Safety through tech

How to harness emerging technologies in health, safety and wellbeing governance.

Digital transformation
Future-proofing
Health and safety

type: IMHO
date: 12/07/23

OPINION

IMHO: Helping shape the future: managing the assets of not for profits

IMHO: Helping shape the future: managing the assets of not for profits

Effective investment governance is crucial for not for profits, writes Forsyth Barr Head of Wealth Management Research Matt Henry, CFA.

Not-for-profit governance

type: IMHO
date: 03/07/23

OPINION

IMHO: Can a board be an intangible asset?

IMHO: Can a board be an intangible asset?

A well-chosen board of directors can boost the value of a company's intangible assets, but people aren’t intangible assets in themselves.

Board composition

type: IMHO
date: 27/06/23

OPINION

IMHO: Why boards need to embrace AI automation

IMHO: Why boards need to embrace AI automation

Kiwi companies that don’t embrace AI and automation may not exist in three years.

Digital transformation
Future-proofing
Innovation

type: IMHO
date: 12/06/23

OPINION

IMHO: Why directors need to pay attention to synthetic data

IMHO: Why directors need to pay attention to synthetic data

Synthetic data is tipped to be the dominant form of data used for AI by 2024, but what is it and what are the impacts for directors?

Digital transformation
Innovation

type: IMHO
date: 11/05/23

OPINION

IMHO: How to govern health, safety and wellbeing through the balance sheet?

IMHO: How to govern health, safety and wellbeing through the balance sheet?

Chris Alderson CMInstD is researching directors’ views on measuring an organisation’s Health and Safety capacity.

Accountability
Health and safety

type: IMHO
date: 02/05/23

OPINION

IMHO: A matter of trust

IMHO: A matter of trust

What boards need to know about Responsible AI.

Digital transformation
Future-proofing

type: IMHO
date: 07/03/23

OPINION

IMHO: Applying the Four Pillars in a public sector setting

IMHO: Applying the Four Pillars in a public sector setting

This is one of three opinion articles published as a package, looking at the issue of political neutrality in the public sector.

Director duties

type: IMHO
date: 07/03/23

OPINION

IMHO: Political neutrality in the public service

IMHO: Political neutrality in the public service

This is one of three opinion articles published as a package, looking at the issue of political neutrality in the public sector.

Director duties

type: IMHO
date: 21/02/23

OPINION

IMHO: ChatGPT light-hearted distraction, all-powerful tool, or cause for panic?

IMHO: ChatGPT light-hearted distraction, all-powerful tool, or cause for panic?

Anthony McMahon MInstD on why Chat GPT may not be as powerful as it’s currently touted to be.

Digital transformation

type: IMHO
date: 10/02/23

OPINION

IMHO: Going “overboard”

IMHO: Going “overboard”

What is the right number of directorships you should take on?

Board composition
Director duties

type: IMHO
date: 30/01/23

Opinion

IMHO: Directors are already ahead of the curve on ESG

IMHO: Directors are already ahead of the curve on ESG

Casting a governance lens over the Companies Amendment Bill it is difficult to see much risk to directors.

Compliance
Director duties
ESG

type: IMHO
date: 12/12/22

Opinion

IMHO: Urutau: weaving te ao Māori into governance

IMHO: Urutau: weaving te ao Māori into governance

New ways of governing are emerging.

Diversity & inclusion
Future-proofing
Māori governance

type: IMHO
date: 01/12/22

Opinion

IMHO: Learning how to kill it in the boardroom

IMHO: Learning how to kill it in the boardroom

Mike O'Donnell MInstD on aspiring drummers and aspiring directors.

Board composition
Diversity & inclusion

type: IMHO
date: 23/11/22

Opinion

IMHO: ESG - where is the love for the ‘S’?

IMHO: ESG - where is the love for the ‘S’?

Time for it to be given equal measure to the E and G at the board table.

ESG
Not-for-profit governance
Reporting

type: IMHO
date: 11/11/22

OPINION

IMHO: Getting on top of supply chain emissions

IMHO: Getting on top of supply chain emissions

Blockchain and the future of supply chains, ESG traceability and reporting.

Supply chains

type: IMHO
date: 02/11/22

Opinion

IMHO: When it comes to innovation, our 'no. 8 wire' approach needs to be retired

IMHO: When it comes to innovation, our 'no. 8 wire' approach needs to be retired

The world’s most innovative organisations continually innovate to remain relevant.

Innovation

type: IMHO
date: 12/10/22

Opinion

IMHO: Top Gun and the boardroom

IMHO: Top Gun and the boardroom

What does Top Gun have to do with the seemingly pedestrian world of corporate governance?

Chairing

type: IMHO
date: 13/10/22

Opinion

IMHO: It’s time to transform board culture and character

IMHO: It’s time to transform board culture and character

Courage, commitment, and culture of the board set the tone for an organisation, but how well are we really doing?

Board dynamics
Board-management relationship
Diversity & inclusion

type: IMHO
date: 30/09/22

Opinion

IMHO: The future of corporate governance: what if the trees had a say?

IMHO: The future of corporate governance: what if the trees had a say?

Four implications of the extension of legal person-hood to living ecosystems which might affect you sooner than you think.

Director duties
Future-proofing
Māori governance

type: IMHO
date: 29/09/22

OPINION

IMHO: Secrets of successful induction for directors

IMHO: Secrets of successful induction for directors

Don’t throw your new director to the wolves.

Board composition

type: IMHO
date: 27/09/22

OPINION

IMHO: Is burnout your blindspot?

IMHO: Is burnout your blindspot?

It may well be your organisation's greatest people risk.

Future-proofing
Health and safety
Wellbeing

type: IMHO
date: 14/09/22

Opinion

IMHO: Life lessons from a Future Director

IMHO: Life lessons from a Future Director

Toni Moyes MInstD on lessons learned as a future director on the Fisher & Paykel Healthcare board.

Leadership

type: IMHO
date: 14/09/22

Opinion

IMHO: We need to place more value on the not-for-profit sector

IMHO: We need to place more value on the not-for-profit sector

They may have a lot to teach business.

Future-proofing
Leadership
Not-for-profit governance

type: IMHO
date: 14/09/22

Opinion

IMHO: Wasted days and wasted bytes

IMHO: Wasted days and wasted bytes

Boards need to get serious about getting value from data.

Digital transformation
Reporting

type: IMHO
date: 01/09/22

Opinion

IMHO: Opening the boardroom door

IMHO: Opening the boardroom door

Should the board meetings of large publicly-funded entities be open to the public?

Public sector

type: IMHO
date: 23/08/22

Opinion

IMHO: Corporations need to act on climate change – but how?

IMHO: Corporations need to act on climate change – but how?

Your organisation' carbon footprint shouldn't be isolated from its social impacts.

Climate change
Director duties

type: IMHO
date: 22/08/22

Opinion

IMHO: Time leadership

IMHO: Time leadership

The role of the board in productivity, people wellbeing, and burnout prevention.

Health and safety
Wellbeing

type: IMHO
date: 11/08/22

OPINION

IMHO: Governing at pace

IMHO: Governing at pace

Kevin Jenkins CMInstD on the risks and benefits to boards which move fast.

Digital transformation

type: IMHO
date: 02/08/22

OPINION

IMHO: Here's why it doesn't make sense for the board chair to also be CEO

IMHO: Here's why it doesn't make sense for the board chair to also be CEO

Governance is a complex thing, but its primary aim is to hire the CEO and hold them to account.

CEOs
Chairing

type: IMHO
date: 22/06/22

OPINION

IMHO: Charities Act reform – where to for social enterprise?

IMHO: Charities Act reform – where to for social enterprise?

Social enterprises sit at the intersection of business and philanthropy.

Not-for-profit governance

type: IMHO
date: 21/06/22

OPNION

IMHO: Charities Act Changes – helpful or hurtful?

IMHO: Charities Act Changes – helpful or hurtful?

The response to proposed changes to the Charities Act has been mixed.

Compliance
Not-for-profit governance
Transparency

type: IMHO
date: 15/06/22

OPINION

IMHO: Is the incorporated societies model right for your organisation?

IMHO: Is the incorporated societies model right for your organisation?

Changes to the Act focus on improving the governance framework of incorporated societies.

Not-for-profit governance

type: IMHO
date: 07/06/22

OPINION

IMHO: Where are the risks in your digital project?

IMHO: Where are the risks in your digital project?

Four areas of risk to consider that are more particular to digital projects.

Digital transformation
Innovation
Purpose

type: IMHO
date: 03/06/22

OPINION

IMHO: Four reasons not-for-profit governance is hard

IMHO: Four reasons not-for-profit governance is hard

NFPs lack crucial feedback loops that are a natural feature of commercial operations.

Not-for-profit governance
Productivity
Purpose

type: IMHO
date: 24/05/22

OPINION

IMHO: How ESG initiatives impact the value of your business

IMHO: How ESG initiatives impact the value of your business

Identify the intangible assets that secure your ESG credentials.

ESG

type: IMHO
date: 26/05/22

OPINION

IMHO: Two risks with advisory boards

IMHO: Two risks with advisory boards

The rise of advisory boards is a boon for growing companies. It also carries risks.

type: IMHO
date: 19/05/22

OPINION

IMHO: Your personal board of directors

IMHO: Your personal board of directors

If you don’t have a mentor and think you can benefit from one, go seek one out.

Board evaluation
Diversity & inclusion
Leadership

type: IMHO
date: 27/04/22

OPIINION

IMHO: It's time for better dashboards

IMHO: It's time for better dashboards

At their worst dashboards can mislead boards into making poor choices.

Reporting

type: IMHO
date: 19/04/22

OPINION

IMHO: You don’t need a digital strategy

IMHO: You don’t need a digital strategy

A company’s vision of where it wants to go should be technology agnostic.

Digital transformation
Purpose

type: IMHO
date: 06/04/22

OPINION

IMHO: Will DAOs disrupt governance in New Zealand?

IMHO: Will DAOs disrupt governance in New Zealand?

Australia has moved to legalise DAO company structure.

Board composition
Digital transformation
Innovation

type: IMHO
date: 23/03/22

OPINION

IMHO: Are you getting the best results from your digital project?

IMHO: Are you getting the best results from your digital project?

Directors need to close the gap between strategy and execution.

Digital transformation
Innovation
Purpose

type: IMHO
date: 02/03/22

OPINION

IMHO: How green is your Budget?

IMHO: How green is your Budget?

Review of Murray Petrie’s Environmental Governance and Greening of Fiscal Policy.

Climate change
Public sector

type: IMHO
date: 02/02/22

OPINION

Fighting inflation and labour shortages in 2022

Fighting inflation and labour shortages in 2022

Inflation and staff shortages will continue to impact New Zealand businesses in 2022.

SME governance

type: IMHO
date: 09/02/22

OPINION

IMHO: Is Covid-19 driving your digital transformation?

IMHO: Is Covid-19 driving your digital transformation?

Transformation needs a strategy, not just new technology.

Digital transformation
Innovation
Purpose

type: IMHO
date: 06/12/21

OPINION

IMHO: Mastering your transition

IMHO: Mastering your transition

Becoming a director is the next logical step for an executive. Isn’t it?

CEOs
Due diligence
Succession Planning

type: IMHO
date: 02/11/21

OPINION

IMHO: Stepping up on diversity, culture and inclusion

IMHO: Stepping up on diversity, culture and inclusion

Lockdowns present new challenges and opportunities to organisations to improve diversity, culture and inclusion in the workplace.

Diversity & inclusion
Wellbeing

type: IMHO
date: 27/09/21

OPINION

IMHO: Looking after our people

IMHO: Looking after our people

Turning health and wellbeing intent into action, from the top down.

Health and safety
Wellbeing

type: IMHO
date: 04/11/21

Mental health in crisis

Mental health in crisis

Learnings for directors in addressing mental health issues resulting from a crisis.

Crisis management
Health and safety
Wellbeing

type: IMHO
date: 06/09/21

OPINION

IMHO: Strategy and foresight

IMHO: Strategy and foresight

It's time to move strategy beyond three-five year timeframes.

Future-proofing
Purpose

type: IMHO
date: 27/08/21

OPINION

IMHO: A vote for blockchain in local body elections

IMHO: A vote for blockchain in local body elections

Our current voting methods are not serving us as well as they used to.

Decision making
Digital transformation
Public sector

type: IMHO
date: 27/08/21

OPINION

IMHO: The future is Māori

IMHO: The future is Māori

Except from Christian Hawkesby's panel remarks delivered to the 2021 IoD Leadership Conference.

Māori governance

type: IMHO
date: 15/07/21

OPINION

IMHO: On board at a young age

IMHO: On board at a young age

How to help young directors deliver value at the board table.

Board composition
Diversity & inclusion

type: IMHO
date: 06/07/21

OPINION

IMHO: The shift to stakeholder primacy - Are you ready?

IMHO: The shift to stakeholder primacy - Are you ready?

We are at the beginning of a significant shift in governance – the shift from shareholder to stakeholder primacy.

ESG
Purpose
Shareholders

type: IMHO
date: 05/07/21

OPINION

IMHO: Design thinking governance

IMHO: Design thinking governance

While design thinking has had a major impact at executive and operational levels, it ssems largely absent from the governance conversation.

Innovation

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