Board practices news content | IoD NZ

type: Board practices
date: 23/02/26

What decisions are we comfortable delegating to machines?

What decisions are we comfortable delegating to machines?

Rei Ishikawa MInstD urges boards to focus on real problems, not just technology, and ensure tech choices reflect organisational values.

AI

type: Board practices
date: 20/02/26

When pressure grows, double down on purpose

When pressure grows, double down on purpose

Boards should respond to stakeholder pressure by reaffirming their organisational purpose, according to our latest Pulse Check of members.

Stakeholders

type: Board practices
date: 19/02/26

Boardroom Premium

Cyber breaches happen – but governance choices matter

Cyber breaches happen – but governance choices matter

With no functioning board at the time of the cybersecurity incident, Manage My Health prompts reflection on accountability and oversight.

Cyber security

type: Board practices
date: 17/02/26

Boardroom Premium

Problem solvers, not decision-makers: the advisory board distinction

Problem solvers, not decision-makers: the advisory board distinction

Governance is shifting from a single table to a connected system.

Board-management relationship

type: Board practices
date: 17/02/26

Modern slavery legislation arrives: directors come into scope

Modern slavery legislation arrives: directors come into scope

Passive disclosure is ending. The new regime proposes enforceable reporting and personal accountability for directors.

Human rights

type: Board practices
date: 11/02/26

Boardroom Premium

Learning as a governance responsibility

Learning as a governance responsibility

Directors don’t know what they don’t know. That’s why learning must be deliberate and continuous at the board table.

Leadership

type: Board practices
date: 05/02/26

Boardroom Premium

Warbirds over Wānaka: holding the flight path on governance

Warbirds over Wānaka: holding the flight path on governance

Good governance is not about avoiding politics, but about disciplined decision-making anchored in mandate, purpose and statutory duty.

Director duties
Not-for-profit governance
Purpose

type: Board practices
date: 05/02/26

Boardroom Premium

Abstaining in the boardroom: myth or governance reality?

Abstaining in the boardroom: myth or governance reality?

Saying “I abstain” rarely removes responsibility. Directors must dissent or step aside to avoid being treated as supporting a decision.

Decision making
Director duties

type: Board practices
date: 03/02/26

OPINION

Boardroom Premium

IMHO: What the Manage My Health breach reveals about board oversight

IMHO: What the Manage My Health breach reveals about board oversight

A high-profile cyber incident exposed deeper failures in accountability, leadership and organisational responsibility.

Accountability
Cyber security
Privacy

type: Board practices
date: 02/02/26

KORDIA

Get cyber smart now

Get cyber smart now

Stakeholders now view ineffective response to a cyber incident as evidence of governance and management failure.

Cyber security
From our sponsors

type: Board practices
date: 27/01/26

Governing trust under pressure: what not-for-profit boards need in 2026

Governing trust under pressure: what not-for-profit boards need in 2026

Trust now lies where strategy, culture, risk and relationships meet – a test of governance discipline, not just reputation.

Not-for-profit governance

type: Board practices
date: 23/01/26

Boardroom Premium

When the numbers smile and the projects frown: restoring oversight

When the numbers smile and the projects frown: restoring oversight

Long term contracts need hard evidence. Boards must trace claims from project files to accounts and test them against facts.

Audit

type: Board practices
date: 23/01/26

Boardroom Premium

Sir Rob McLeod leads Sanford surge in Boardroom Table rankings

Sir Rob McLeod leads Sanford surge in Boardroom Table rankings

Chair jumps 11 places amid record results as three directors enter the top 20 and primary sector boards evolve ahead of record exports.

type: Board practices
date: 22/01/26

Boardroom Premium

Trust, trade and turbulence: what boards must govern for now

Trust, trade and turbulence: what boards must govern for now

In a low-confidence economy, trust underpins trade resilience, workforce stability and long-term performance for New Zealand organisations.

Trade

type: Board practices
date: 12/01/26

Ethics at the edge: a new framework for leadership in the boardroom

Ethics at the edge: a new framework for leadership in the boardroom

Boards are full of smart people. So why is doing the right thing often the hardest part?

Decision making
Ethics

type: Board practices
date: 19/12/25

Top 5 issues for directors in 2026: are you ready?

Top 5 issues for directors in 2026: are you ready?

Boards face rising pressure on performance, trust and judgement. These are the five key themes shaping governance in the year ahead.

type: Board practices
date: 12/12/25

Confidence isn’t capability: why director development matters

Confidence isn’t capability: why director development matters

Many directors lean on experience over structured training, and the skills gap starts long before they join a board.

Director duties
Future-proofing

type: Board practices
date: 12/12/25

Boardroom Premium

Batterton moves into second as Boardroom Table rankings shift

Batterton moves into second as Boardroom Table rankings shift

Strong gains at Scales and Briscoes lift Tony Batterton, as changes at Rakon and a new Warehouse Group appointment reshape the landscape.

Leadership

type: Board practices
date: 11/12/25

Boardroom Premium

Budget blind spots and risky decisions: a warning for every board

Budget blind spots and risky decisions: a warning for every board

School audits reveal universal governance risks for every board – whether in a school, a startup or a listed entity.

Audit
Schools

type: Board practices
date: 10/12/25

Backing the call: sand, safety and a board’s response

Backing the call: sand, safety and a board’s response

Faced with potential asbestos exposure, the school principal acted fast – supported by a board confident in the process.

Crisis management
Health and safety
Leadership

type: Board practices
date: 09/12/25

Boardroom Premium

The board’s new mandate: smarter oversight, stronger results

The board’s new mandate: smarter oversight, stronger results

Independence, challenge and self-review: five ways New Zealand directors can future-proof their governance.

Accountability

type: Board practices
date: 04/12/25

Boardroom Premium

Board fees in Australia: scale drives pay gaps in private and NFP sectors

Board fees in Australia: scale drives pay gaps in private and NFP sectors

From unpaid charity roles to six-figure private company chairs, board fees vary widely as rising expectations challenge traditional models.

Not-for-profit governance
Remuneration

type: Board practices
date: 04/12/25

Boardroom Premium

Fees rise for Australian directors, but expectations rise faster

Fees rise for Australian directors, but expectations rise faster

Despite modest increases in board fees, Australian directors face growing pressure from rising workloads, personal risk and compliance.

Remuneration

type: Board practices
date: 03/12/25

Boardroom Premium

Governing AI: Why internal audit matters more than ever

Governing AI: Why internal audit matters more than ever

As AI reshapes business risk, boards must ensure innovation aligns with ethics, regulation and strategy.

Accountability
AI

type: Board practices
date: 28/11/25

Boardroom Premium

Beyond the headlines: what the BBC crisis teaches directors

Beyond the headlines: what the BBC crisis teaches directors

From editorial lapses to poor escalation, the latest controversy shows how fragile governance becomes when culture and transparency slip.

Accountability
Governance failures

type: Board practices
date: 28/11/25

Breaking the board evaluation stigma

Breaking the board evaluation stigma

Board evaluations aren’t a sign that something is wrong – they’re one of the clearest signs a board is focused on doing things right.

Board evaluation

type: Board practices
date: 28/11/25

Boardroom Premium

Representation isn’t enough: Prudence Walker on power and participation

Representation isn’t enough: Prudence Walker on power and participation

Why disabled voices on boards must go beyond tokenism to real influence.

Diversity & inclusion
Stakeholders

type: Board practices
date: 27/11/25

Boardroom Premium

Boards under pressure: Navigating rising investor demands

Boards under pressure: Navigating rising investor demands

Directors face a new reality: diverse investor priorities and active enforcement of governance standards.

Stakeholders

type: Board practices
date: 21/11/25

Boardroom Premium

Biggest mover in Datamine’s new director rankings revealed

Biggest mover in Datamine’s new director rankings revealed

Freightways and Auckland Airport director David Grant Devonport rises 26 places into the top 20 in the Boardroom Table.

Accountability
Board evaluation
NZX

type: Board practices
date: 14/11/25

MARSH

When familiar risks become blind spots

When familiar risks become blind spots

Chartered Members join Marsh to explore key risks where directors may be underestimating the speed, complexity or convergence of change.

From our sponsors

type: Board practices
date: 14/11/25

Boardroom Premium

From honey to high-tech: boards at the centre of New Zealand’s M&A wave

From honey to high-tech: boards at the centre of New Zealand’s M&A wave

With deals such as Xero-Melio and Comvita-Florenz, boards must lead with discipline, from due diligence to integration.

type: Board practices
date: 14/11/25

DENTONS

Employee ownership trusts: a potential solution for family business succession

Employee ownership trusts: a potential solution for family business succession

EOTs can help ensure the long-term prosperity of our SMEs.

Family business
From our sponsors
Succession Planning

type: Board practices
date: 14/11/25

Boardroom Premium

Did I get it right? Looking back to lead forward

Did I get it right? Looking back to lead forward

Boards haven’t kept pace with a changing world. To lead effectively, directors must embrace greater curiosity, accountability and courage.

Future-proofing

type: Board practices
date: 14/11/25

Boardroom Premium

One system, one vision: New Zealand Football’s bold governance overhaul

One system, one vision: New Zealand Football’s bold governance overhaul

Reforms replace elections with appointments to better align board capability with strategic priorities.

Board composition
Succession Planning

type: Board practices
date: 14/11/25

HSE GLOBAL

The strategic value of business continuity in the boardroom

The strategic value of business continuity in the boardroom

Boards must take a strategic view – shifting the question from ‘How would we respond?’ to ‘How can we anticipate?’

From our sponsors

type: Board practices
date: 12/11/25

Why the softening of DEI won’t derail meaningful change

Why the softening of DEI won’t derail meaningful change

Organisational structures are essential for productivity, but could yours be limiting growth for future leaders and diverse stakeholders?

Diversity & inclusion
Leadership

type: Board practices
date: 12/11/25

What’s your business really worth? The role of governance in valuation

What’s your business really worth? The role of governance in valuation

Good governance drives confidence, continuity and value – and it matters more than ever when planning your business exit or succession.

SME governance
Succession Planning

type: Board practices
date: 31/10/25

New platform ranks NZX directors by performance and reputation

New platform ranks NZX directors by performance and reputation

Drawing on more than 200 data points, The Boardroom Table tracks how directors affect shareholder value and public perception.

Leadership
NZX

type: Board practices
date: 31/10/25

Tō tātou waka, tō tātou huarahi

Tō tātou waka, tō tātou huarahi

A taonga marks a shared journey in governance, where kaupapa Māori and mainstream leadership move forward together.

Māori governance

type: Board practices
date: 22/10/25

How far is too far? Balancing ambition and culture in the boardroom

How far is too far? Balancing ambition and culture in the boardroom

Bowen Pan’s call to “execute relentlessly” at the IoD conference sparks debate on driving performance without compromising culture.

Leadership

type: Board practices
date: 21/10/25

DENTONS

Value for money at heart of Government Procurement Rules

Value for money at heart of Government Procurement Rules

The fifth edition of the Government Procurement Rules has been published and the new Rules come into effect on 1 December 2025.

From our sponsors
Public sector

type: Board practices
date: 15/10/25

The road ahead: reform, risk and resilience for boards

The road ahead: reform, risk and resilience for boards

Economic fragility and regulatory change dominate – directors must lead with foresight and confidence.

Compliance

type: Board practices
date: 24/09/25

School boards are teams, not personal agendas

School boards are teams, not personal agendas

New school board members need a clear induction, shared goals and collective decision-making to govern effectively.

Board meetings
Schools

type: Board practices
date: 22/09/25

Leadership Conference

David Kirk: leading a board of strangers

David Kirk: leading a board of strangers

Inside New Zealand Rugby’s governance reset: building trust, setting board values early and balancing community with commercial.

Board composition
Leadership

type: Board practices
date: 10/09/25

Better a good vacancy than a bad appointment

Better a good vacancy than a bad appointment

The sudden and very public departure of Nestlé CEO Laurent Freixe highlights the importance of getting the appointment right.

CEOs
Governance failures

type: Board practices
date: 27/08/25

From trend to transformation: the rise of advisory boards

From trend to transformation: the rise of advisory boards

Advisory boards are helping reshape governance. The Certified Chair™ Executive Program builds capability to lead this transformation.

type: Board practices
date: 08/08/25

Building future-ready boards

Building future-ready boards

Governing bodies must lift their capability to meet rising risks. Here’s why they should invest – and what’s standing in their way.

Board evaluation

type: Board practices
date: 06/08/25

Too many hats, too few heads?

Too many hats, too few heads?

In the quest for specialists, don’t lose sight of your broader governance literacy and collective board responsibility.

Board composition

type: Board practices
date: 01/05/25

When the problem is around the table

When the problem is around the table

What to do when a director’s performance is affecting the board.

type: Board practices
date: 11/03/25

Walking on broken glass

Walking on broken glass

Calling out poor behaviour is the first step towards avoiding broken glass and having to walk away from toxic behaviour in the boardroom.

Board dynamics
Diversity & inclusion

type: Board practices
date: 16/01/25

Practical considerations for board succession planning

Practical considerations for board succession planning

Succession planning is a critical component of effective governance for any board.

Succession Planning

type: Board practices
date: 29/10/24

Courage and speaking up in board meetings

Courage and speaking up in board meetings

A culture of asking questions in board meetings, respectfully, is essential for effective governance.

type: Board practices
date: 09/10/24

Obstacles real for Pasifika leaders

Obstacles real for Pasifika leaders

Unconscious bias and ignorance could be blocking diversity on boards. Find out more about the obstacles faced by directors.

Board composition
Board dynamics

type: Board practices
date: 07/10/24

Board dynamics and the power of three

Board dynamics and the power of three

Women’s perspectives add value to boards but also contribute to investment efficiency, according to new research from Lincoln University.

Board composition
Board dynamics
Diversity & inclusion

type: Board practices
date: 07/10/24

Building the foundation for Pasifika leaders to thrive

Building the foundation for Pasifika leaders to thrive

Pacific voices needed on boards as Aotearoa’s cultural landscape evolves. Find out more about the IoD’s Pacific Advisory Group.

Board composition
Diversity & inclusion

type: Board practices
date: 18/09/24

Awareness of others creates safety in the boardroom

Awareness of others creates safety in the boardroom

Directors need to navigate risk and identify opportunities, but if board members aren’t listening, will this be lost? Find out more.

Board dynamics
Board meetings

type: Board practices
date: 04/09/24

Avoiding dysfunction at the board table

Avoiding dysfunction at the board table

A dysfunctional board will disempower, create a lack of transparency, and an imbalance of power. Is there a way to avoid or repair this?

Board dynamics
Purpose

type: Board practices
date: 03/05/24

GNDI board performance evaluation guidelines

GNDI board performance evaluation guidelines

The GNDI Board Performance Evaluation Guidelines provide global insights that boards can use when approaching their next board evaluation.

Board evaluation

type: Board practices
date: 21/03/24

Diversity and the arc of influence

Diversity and the arc of influence

Boards need to more closely reflect the makeup of Aotearoa, Pasifika event hears.

Board composition
Diversity & inclusion

type: Board practices
date: 19/02/24

Elections - getting the right people on board

Elections - getting the right people on board

Election outcomes dominate the media, but not so for the many companies and not-for-profit organisations that have elections each year.

Board composition
Diversity & inclusion
Not-for-profit governance

type: Board practices
date: 07/11/23

New ideas

New ideas

Nigel Smith MInstD brings a focus on directors’ wellbeing and a long-term perspective to the boards he chairs.

Board dynamics
Health and safety
Purpose

type: Board practices
date: 22/09/23

You had one job – appointing the CEO

You had one job – appointing the CEO

BP CEO Bernard Looney has resigned suddenly, raising questions about the board’s process when appointing him.

CEOs
Governance failures

type: Board practices
date: 21/09/23

The power of agreeableness

The power of agreeableness

Finding a way to agree is a superpower of successful boards.

Board dynamics

type: Board practices
date: 20/09/23

Dr Tania Graham: recruiting directors for their agile mind-set

Dr Tania Graham: recruiting directors for their agile mind-set

An agile mind-set is an essential tool for directors in a changing world.

Board dynamics
Board meetings

type: Board practices
date: 27/07/23

Independent company directors: A lonely road?

Independent company directors: A lonely road?

Do independent directors add value? The evidence is mixed.

Board composition
NZX

type: Board practices
date: 27/07/23

Conflict in the boardroom

Conflict in the boardroom

Detect signs of conflict early and address them for board effectiveness.

Board dynamics

type: Board practices
date: 11/07/23

Moving, seconding … but why?

Moving, seconding … but why?

Moving and seconding motions are common boardroom practices but what if anything is the legal basis for this?

Board dynamics
Board meetings

type: Board practices
date: 22/03/23

Three actions to support effective decision-making for your board

Three actions to support effective decision-making for your board

Governance boards can bring increased cognitive diversity and higher quality decisions to complex problems involving the "unknown unknowns".

Diversity & inclusion

type: Board practices
date: 07/12/21

Using Design Thinking Governance in the boardroom

Using Design Thinking Governance in the boardroom

Third article in a series looking at the role of design thinking in a governance setting. Design thinking or user-centric design is a lens…

Innovation

type: Board practices
date: 01/12/21

OPINION

Board and management dynamics in action

Board and management dynamics in action

How human behaviour can drive governance and management decisions.

Board dynamics
Board-management relationship

type: Board practices
date: 18/11/21

Preparing for Design Thinking Governance

Preparing for Design Thinking Governance

Thinking beyond the board papers to prepare for your next board meeting.

Board meetings
Innovation

type: Board practices
date: 05/11/21

Design thinking governance

Design thinking governance

First in a series of articles exploring Design Thinking Governance and introducing practical tools for directors.

Board meetings
Innovation

type: Board practices
date: 01/11/21

Brand under fire - saving face when your reputation is on the line

When a business comes under attack, it is imperative for directors to act

type: Board practices
date: 21/10/21

Realising your board’s diversity of thought - Effectiveness

Realising your board’s diversity of thought - Effectiveness

Board chairs share their practices that can help build your board culture.

type: Board practices
date: 21/10/21

Realising your board’s diversity of thought - Recruitment

Realising your board’s diversity of thought - Recruitment

Board chairs share their practices that can help build your board culture.

type: Board practices
date: 08/10/21

Realising your board’s diversity of thought - Independence

Realising your board’s diversity of thought - Independence

Board chairs share their practices that can help build your board culture.

type: Board practices
date: 08/10/21

Realising your board’s diversity of thought - Psychological safety

Realising your board’s diversity of thought - Psychological safety

Board chairs share their practices that can help build your board culture.

Board dynamics
Chairing
Diversity & inclusion

type: Board practices
date: 24/09/21

Realising your board’s diversity of thought - Inclusion

Realising your board’s diversity of thought - Inclusion

Board chairs share their practices that can help build your board culture.

Board dynamics
Chairing
Diversity & inclusion

type: Board practices
date: 04/08/21

OPINION

The impact of advisory boards

The impact of advisory boards

Advisory boards provide advice but do not make decisions and have no authority to govern.

CEOs
SME governance

type: Board practices
date: 08/10/20

California mandates ethnic diversity and LGBT representation on boards

California mandates ethnic diversity and LGBT representation on boards

Last month, California became the first state in America to require boards of public companies to include directors from underrepresented…

Board composition
Compliance
Diversity & inclusion

type: Board practices
date: 09/09/20

Improve board performance – Suggestions from experienced directors

Improve board performance – Suggestions from experienced directors

A new Productivity Commission report presents findings from in-depth interviews with 22 IoD members. The discussions explored the role of…

Decision making
Innovation
SME governance

type: Board practices
date: 01/07/20

Creating a better boardroom

Creating a better boardroom

Divergent and critical thinking is needed to solve difficult challenges, and creatives are well-placed because they have the innate ability…

Board composition
Diversity & inclusion
ESG

type: Board practices
date: 11/05/20

Trends in board appointments

Trends in board appointments

Boards are not only thinking more about the make-up of their board, they are implementing sound systems and processes in order to get the…

Board composition
Board evaluation
Diversity & inclusion

type: Board practices
date: 08/04/20

Virtual board meetings during Covid-19 - and beyond

Virtual board meetings during Covid-19 - and beyond

We discuss four key areas to help boards conduct effective online meetings during lockdown.

Board meetings
Digital transformation

type: Board practices
date: 24/03/20

Virtual board meetings

Virtual board meetings

On line, or “virtual” board meetings, are now becoming more popular, thanks in part to the improved platforms (Zoom, Go to Meeting etc…

Board meetings

type: Board practices
date: 01/11/19

Ready, set, NGO

Ready, set, NGO

A report on New Zealand’s NGO sector identifies governance training and support as critical to the success of charities, not for profits…

Board composition
Not-for-profit governance