Sectors & perspectives news content | IoD NZ

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 14/11/25

Beyond the permission slip: How boards can govern outdoor learning safely

Beyond the permission slip: How boards can govern outdoor learning safely

School boards aren’t risk managers, but they are accountable. Fiona McDonald explains how to govern EOTC safely.

Health and safety
Schools

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 14/11/25

How we got to the board table

How we got to the board table

Eight directors across Aotearoa share the stories and lessons that shaped their path to the board table – and what drives them today.

Diversity & inclusion
Leadership
Member profiles

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 24/10/25

Better together: The governance case for mergers and collaboration

Better together: The governance case for mergers and collaboration

When purpose matters more than pride, collaboration can move boards from fragile to future-ready.

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 13/10/25

Beyond business as usual: how boards govern reform

Beyond business as usual: how boards govern reform

Change demands new skills, stronger alignment and clarity of role as directors guide entities through complex public sector reform.

Public sector

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 06/10/25

Staying curious: Erica Seville on the art of governance

Staying curious: Erica Seville on the art of governance

The Public Sector Director of the Year 2025 shares how she approaches trust, leadership and learning in the boardroom.

Public sector
Purpose

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 06/10/25

Trust deficit: what it means for directors in government

Trust deficit: what it means for directors in government

Public trust is declining and boards are under scrutiny. Directors must govern not only for performance, but also for credibility.

Public sector
Transparency

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 03/10/25

What shifting gender attitudes mean for your boardroom

What shifting gender attitudes mean for your boardroom

Slipping equality in leadership risks shrinking the talent pipeline – hurting boards’ competitiveness if action isn’t taken.

Diversity & inclusion
Leadership

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 09/09/25

Governing with integrity: John Ryan on public sector challenges

Governing with integrity: John Ryan on public sector challenges

The former Auditor-General says boards are accountable not only for performance but for maintaining the public’s trust.

Accountability
Public sector
Stakeholders

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 02/09/25

Our success is in our succession

Our success is in our succession

Recruitment and renewal sit at the heart of NFP boards. Succession must go beyond shoulder-tapping to keep organisations future fit.

Not-for-profit governance
Succession Planning

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 06/08/25

Rakon board battle shows growth in shareholder activism

Rakon board battle shows growth in shareholder activism

Shareholder unrest is a reminder that the value of governance is in leading growth, not just overseeing it.

Shareholders
Stakeholders

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 30/07/25

Fee range widened for Crown entity boards

Fee range widened for Crown entity boards

The Government has increased the fee ranges for the boards of Crown entities and related organisations.

Public sector

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 29/07/25

KPMG

How to swim: Governance lessons for new water boards

How to swim: Governance lessons for new water boards

As water reforms roll out, new CCO boards face immediate pressure to govern funding, compliance and infrastructure risks.

From our sponsors
Public sector

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 29/07/25

Agility, values and purpose drive good public sector governance

Agility, values and purpose drive good public sector governance

Experienced in water services, energy and forestry governance, Brendon Green shares how boards can help deliver ‘Local Water Done Well’.

Public sector
Purpose

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 11/07/25

What public sector boards can teach emerging directors

What public sector boards can teach emerging directors

Navigating risk, reputation and accountability – Ange Nash MInstD shares what she’s learned from working with experienced directors.

Member profiles
Public sector

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 10/07/25

A seat at the water table

A seat at the water table

Water is too important to leave to chance. It demands clarity, consistency and competence – and that starts at the governance table.

Decision making
Leadership
Public sector

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 12/06/25

Ethics on the edge: How New Zealand directors can lead with integrity

Ethics on the edge: How New Zealand directors can lead with integrity

Leading with conscience, not just compliance – governance must evolve to keep pace with today’s ethical risks.

Diversity & inclusion

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 09/06/25

Time to recognise the invisible asset

Time to recognise the invisible asset

One million Kiwis volunteer each year – yet many boards still don’t quantify or track their contribution. That needs to change.

Not-for-profit governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 28/05/25

Why independent chairs matter for water governance

Why independent chairs matter for water governance

Independent chairs bring expertise and impartiality to in-house water business units, strengthening governance and public trust.

Chairing
Public sector

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 14/05/25

Public sector governance: Balancing purpose and pressure

Public sector governance: Balancing purpose and pressure

Why public boards must lead with clarity, resilience and long-term vision in a shifting political landscape.

Public sector
Purpose

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 14/05/25

Fields of change: Governing sport for climate resilience

Fields of change: Governing sport for climate resilience

As climate change disrupts sport across New Zealand, boards ensure adaptation strategies do not deepen existing inequalities.

Climate change
Diversity & inclusion
Not-for-profit governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 01/05/25

Target, Costco, Marriott: Global lessons for New Zealand directors

Target, Costco, Marriott: Global lessons for New Zealand directors

When diversity becomes a business decision, outcomes vary. NZ directors can learn from global boardroom responses.

Diversity & inclusion

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 30/04/25

Charity governance reviews: A requirement and an opportunity

Charity governance reviews: A requirement and an opportunity

Governance reviews are now mandatory for registered charities, but more importantly, they can strengthen leadership, resilience and impact.

Not-for-profit governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 22/04/25

Kiriwaitingi Rei-Russell: Guided by the past to walk towards the future

Kiriwaitingi Rei-Russell: Guided by the past to walk towards the future

Kiriwaitingi Rei-Russell was reluctant to join her first board but hasn't looked back. She's among a new group of young Māori changemakers.

Board composition
Decision making
Future-proofing

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 06/03/25

Multiplying the impact

Multiplying the impact

Could collaboration ease the pain in the for-purpose sector? Suzanne Cookson believes it can and that change can be multiplied by doing so.

Board meetings
Chairing
Not-for-profit governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 27/02/25

KPMG

Tax reforms stir debate among NFP directors

Tax reforms stir debate among NFP directors

Proposed changes to the treatment of unrelated income, donor control and mutuality may reshape tax compliance for the not-for-profit sector.

Compliance
Not-for-profit governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 13/01/25

Climate as a purpose

Climate as a purpose

Strategies to help NFPs integrate climate considerations without overextending capacity.

Climate change
Not-for-profit governance
Purpose

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 04/12/24

Te Rika Temara-Benfell: “A path has been laid for us”

Te Rika Temara-Benfell: “A path has been laid for us”

Young Māori leaders are carving out a path for the next generation – IoD’s Aspiring Māori Director Awardee is one of them.

ESG
Future-proofing
Leadership

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 07/10/24

Nurain Janah: “We cannot visualise the path ahead”

Nurain Janah: “We cannot visualise the path ahead”

The weight of the concrete ceiling is confounding for women leaders of colour. Find out more about the obstacles that block the path ahead.

Board composition
Board dynamics

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 27/09/24

MEMBERS ABROAD

Sam Hill: Adaptation required to stay ahead

Sam Hill: Adaptation required to stay ahead

Behind in the climate challenge, but ahead in technology. Find out why governance in Singapore requires change at the board table.

Digital transformation

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 06/08/24

Scholarships support NFP sector governance

Scholarships support NFP sector governance

The IoD has awarded governance scholarships to directors in a range of NFP sectors including health, education and primary industries.

Not-for-profit governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 30/07/24

Why New Zealand could move faster on board diversity

Why New Zealand could move faster on board diversity

Could New Zealand be falling behind the rest of the world in gender equity on boards? Find out what your board needs to do.

Board composition
Decision making
Leadership

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 30/07/24

Motherhood and leadership: Is the juice worth the squeeze?

Motherhood and leadership: Is the juice worth the squeeze?

Women directors can face obstacles when they want to have children. Three women explain why the 'motherhood penalty' is real.

Director duties
Diversity & inclusion

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 16/05/24

Surbhi Luthra: “I found my inner voice”

Surbhi Luthra: “I found my inner voice”

Scholarship fund recipient Surbhi Luthra sits on a health sector board and fell into governance but says it’s her way of giving back.

Board composition
Diversity & inclusion
Not-for-profit governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 24/04/24

More than good intentions

More than good intentions

Scholarship recipient and Chair of Pregnancy Help, Rachel Vicars MInstD, says finance course gave her confidence to ask questions.

Director duties
Not-for-profit governance
Reporting

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 19/04/24

Governance wisdom from Australia

Governance wisdom from Australia

Australia’s governance challenges differ from ours and their context is changing. A recent visit provided some new insights.

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 16/04/24

Insights from Māori directors

Insights from Māori directors

Is progress being made on fair remuneration for directors in the Māori economy?

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 04/04/24

Lessons from a listed company director: Susan Peterson

Lessons from a listed company director: Susan Peterson

There are always surprises says Susan Peterson, who is on the boards of Vista, Mercury, Xero, Craigs Investment Partners and Arvida.

Board meetings

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 19/03/24

Watene Hema: Scholarship ignites drive and purpose

Watene Hema: Scholarship ignites drive and purpose

Find out why Watene Hema came away from the Risk Assessment course with a greater understanding of what risk really means.

Not-for-profit governance
Purpose

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 07/03/24

Match Made - Mentoring for Diversity

Match Made - Mentoring for Diversity

The role of diversity has been pivotal to discussions in and out of the boardroom.

Diversity & inclusion

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 13/02/24

Embrace diversity because the ‘tipping point’ is close

Embrace diversity because the ‘tipping point’ is close

Demographer Paul Spoonley says a great transformation is under way in New Zealand.

Diversity & inclusion

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 25/01/24

Shareholder activism

Shareholder activism

Shareholder activism isn’t a black swan; it is a risk that must be managed alongside any other corporate risk.

Shareholders
Stakeholders

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 14/12/23

Are you new to not-for-profit governance?

Are you new to not-for-profit governance?

A new book about New Zealand’s not-for-profit sector offers advice to directors, trustees and committee members.

Not-for-profit governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 24/11/23

Are boards asking the hard questions about disability?

Are boards asking the hard questions about disability?

How can businesses and boards benefit by employing disabled people and what are the wider impacts on company culture? Find out more.

Board composition
Purpose

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 22/09/23

Lessons from a leading director: Governance outtake

Lessons from a leading director: Governance outtake

Want to learn from a leading director? Try this 2023 IoD Leadership Conference outtake.

Digital transformation
Future-proofing
Not-for-profit governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 19/09/23

Launch of Charities Healthcheck guides

Launch of Charities Healthcheck guides

New guides prompt board discussions on people, policies, assets and governance.

Not-for-profit governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 11/09/23

Who do your people trust?

Who do your people trust?

NFP boards need to understand who has their ear if they want to build a broad sense of trust in their communities.

Board composition
Not-for-profit governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 25/08/23

Implications of OECD responsible business conduct guidelines for NZ directors

Implications of OECD responsible business conduct guidelines for NZ directors

OECD guidelines on responsible business conduct for multinationals may catch small NZ entities through supply chain, or other, relationships

Not-for-profit governance
SME governance
Trade

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 21/08/23

Growing Pacific Peoples in Governance

Growing Pacific Peoples in Governance

Free workshops aim to understand the gaps in governance and support the growing need for Pacific voices on boards.

Board composition
Diversity & inclusion

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 31/07/23

IoD Scholarship Fund - First round of recipients announced

IoD Scholarship Fund - First round of recipients announced

SWR Group impressed with the high calibre of applicants for IoD’s new Scholarship Fund. Find out who the recipients are for 2023.

Not-for-profit governance
Purpose

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 31/07/23

More features added to IoD’s Hautū App

More features added to IoD’s Hautū App

New features now available on Hautū - IoD’s cultural intelligence tool. Find out more.

Digital transformation
Innovation
Māori governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 11/07/23

Family businesses are focused on purpose

Family businesses are focused on purpose

Branching out, building up and giving back are the trends revealed in global survey of family businesses.

Family business
Purpose

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 27/06/23

Embracing stakeholder capitalism: Governance outtakes

Embracing stakeholder capitalism: Governance outtakes

Engaging with, and delivering for, key stakeholders, and understanding their needs, is crucial for long-term sustainability.

Future-proofing
Leadership
Stakeholders

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 16/06/23

Initiative supports women in governance

Initiative supports women in governance

A new network for female IoD members will provide more opportunities to hear from, and share with, other women in governance.

Diversity & inclusion

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 02/06/23

New scholarship fund will support building not-for-profit governance capability

New scholarship fund will support building not-for-profit governance capability

IoD’s new Scholarship Fund will create opportunities and support for directors in the not-for-profit community.

Not-for-profit governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 23/03/23

Faith, hope and...choice: Larry Fink’s latest chairman’s letter to investors

Faith, hope and...choice: Larry Fink’s latest chairman’s letter to investors

Blackrock chair's long-awaited annual letter is here. Here are the highlights.

ESG
Shareholders
Stakeholders

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 09/03/23

Navigating the tightrope: Managing conflicts of interest in not-for-profits

Navigating the tightrope: Managing conflicts of interest in not-for-profits

Boards face the challenge of managing conflicts of interest. Good governance practice helps to navigate these successfully.

Not-for-profit governance
Transparency

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 09/03/23

Future of local governance

Future of local governance

Dame Kerry Prendergast gives her views on governance issues raised in the IoD submission on the Future for Local Government draft report.

Public sector

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 19/12/22

Bad listening may play into disadvantage and inequality

Bad listening may play into disadvantage and inequality

The third episode of Across the Board, presented by Kirsten Patterson and Sonia Yee.

Diversity & inclusion

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 13/12/22

This board will not get bored

This board will not get bored

The directors of our new public media company will face a fascinating set of challenges.

Public sector
Purpose

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 13/12/22

CCO governance during transition

CCO governance during transition

The absence of trust or transparency should be a warning sign to CCO boards and to councillors.

Public sector
Purpose

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 12/12/22

The trickle-down effect of diversity and inclusion

The trickle-down effect of diversity and inclusion

The second episode of Across the Board, presented by Kirsten Patterson and Sonia Yee.

Board composition
Diversity & inclusion

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 08/12/22

IoD submission on the Charities Amendment Bill 2022

IoD submission on the Charities Amendment Bill 2022

Our submission addresses three key areas.

Accountability
Director duties
Not-for-profit governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 10/11/22

The all-male board is making a swift comeback in Australia

The all-male board is making a swift comeback in Australia

Four mining firms recently added to the S&P/ASX 200 have zero women on their boards.

Board composition
Diversity & inclusion

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 04/10/22

Breaking new ground

Breaking new ground

Award-winning director Meleane Burgess has forged a governance career path that others may follow.

Diversity & inclusion
Leadership

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 27/09/22

Tuakana Teina progress update

Tuakana Teina progress update

Hear from our Tuakana and Teina on how their journey has been progressing in 2022

Māori governance
Not-for-profit governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 20/07/22

OPINION

The power of a single action

The power of a single action

How to turn changing customer expectations into business advantage through meaningful, small actions.

Climate change
ESG
SME governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 05/07/22

Unifying force

Unifying force

Dr Jim Mather CMInstD on the new Kotahitanga – Principles of Māori Governance course.

Board composition
ESG
Māori governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 28/06/22

Teen at the table

Teen at the table

At 19 Hunaara Waerehu is our youngest member.

Diversity & inclusion
Māori governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 16/06/22

Māori leader Amokura Panoho led negotiations with Crown over Parihaka invasion

Māori leader Amokura Panoho led negotiations with Crown over Parihaka invasion

Tribal leadership is defined not only by whakapapa but by the obligation of those in leadership roles to look after their people.

Future-proofing
Māori governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 14/06/22

Taurua Grant - stepping into governance

Taurua Grant - stepping into governance

Taurua Grant MInstD is the recipient of the Te Moana a Toi – Kaitohu-Taura Award 2022.

Māori governance
Not-for-profit governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 09/06/22

IoD Chartered Members are forward thinking

IoD Chartered Members are forward thinking

The importance of inclusion, cultural diversity and New Zealand’s commitment to biculturalism is at the forefront of thinking across…

Board composition
Diversity & inclusion

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 27/05/22

An informal climate public private partnership

An informal climate public private partnership

The Budget signalled a policy of collaboration with New Zealand’s business leaders.

Climate change
Public sector

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 26/05/22

Governance in our time

Governance in our time

Kirsten Patterson on the stakeholder v shareholder panel discussion at the 2022 Leadership Conference.

Shareholders
Stakeholders

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 21/04/22

Unprecedented increase in women on US boards

Unprecedented increase in women on US boards

But still a long road to gender parity.

Board composition
Diversity & inclusion

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 08/04/22

The mentoring experience

The mentoring experience

"Gender, ethnicity, people or experience. The end result is, it is important to get diversity around the board table”.

Diversity & inclusion

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 08/04/22

Mentor to mentee

Mentor to mentee

Amit Prasad and Mark Tume discuss the value of the Mentoring for Diversity programme.

Diversity & inclusion

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 15/02/22

Creating space for possibility

Creating space for possibility

‘Access citizens’ – the term used by the Global Centre for Possibility to describe those from the disability community – are often seen…

Diversity & inclusion
Human rights

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 15/02/22

OPINION

Twelve recommendations for accessible governance in Aotearoa

Twelve recommendations for accessible governance in Aotearoa

Twelve powerful recommendations to ensure accessible governance becomes a reality in Aotearoa.

Diversity & inclusion

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 15/02/22

Paula Tesoriero: "Our society discriminates against a million people in Aotearoa"

Paula Tesoriero: "Our society discriminates against a million people in Aotearoa...

Moral issues businesses and boards should consider around access and disability.

Diversity & inclusion
Human rights

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 31/01/22

OPINION

The battle for talent is now a (corporate) culture war

The battle for talent is now a (corporate) culture war

Sustainably superior businesses almost certainly have motivated and high-performing teams.

Future-proofing

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 26/01/22

Stakeholder capitalism defended in BlackRock’s 2022 CEO letter

Stakeholder capitalism defended in BlackRock’s 2022 CEO letter

Larry Fink challenges companies to adapt to the changing world or risk being left behind.

CEOs
ESG
Stakeholders

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 16/11/21

Six questions with Paula Hellyer MInstD

Six questions with Paula Hellyer MInstD

We caught up with Paula to discuss her intern role on the board of the RNZRSA.

Board composition
Not-for-profit governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 09/11/21

The right to be ordinary

The right to be ordinary

Paul Curry MInstD on boards and organisations becoming "disability confident".

Board dynamics
Diversity & inclusion

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 02/11/21

Wakatū chair Paul Morgan saw his parents invest in people — so he did the same

Wakatū chair Paul Morgan saw his parents invest in people — so he did the same

Paul Morgan is shaping the future by investing in current Māori leaders and training the next generation.

Future-proofing
Leadership
Māori governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 28/10/21

Knocking down ivory towers

Knocking down ivory towers

Arts sector income takes a hit, but creativity still thriving say Anne Rhodda.

Board composition
Not-for-profit governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 19/10/21

Putting the community back into business: what te ao Māori can teach us about sustainable management

Putting the community back into business: what te ao Māori can teach us about su...

Māori approaches to business and management can be equally enlightening. By giving us a glimpse of how to tackle troubling issues like…

Māori governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 19/10/21

Insights on the health of the for-purpose sector

Insights on the health of the for-purpose sector

New report analyses the environment in which charities and not-for-profit organisations operate.

Not-for-profit governance
Purpose

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 13/09/21

Hinerangi Raumati-Tu’ua on leadership

Hinerangi Raumati-Tu’ua on leadership

The value of elders, cultural values and making room for Māori to be part of leadership.

Diversity & inclusion
Māori governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 19/08/21

OPINION

Three critical brand mistakes

...that your trademark attorney and brand strategist are unlikely to tell you about.

SME governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 13/08/21

Rural governance essentials

Rural governance essentials

Governance challenges and opportunities for the sector.

ESG
Family business

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 26/07/21

Governance work a chance to grow

Governance work a chance to grow

Previous EDA winners talk about their governance careers and offer advice to aspiring directors.

Diversity & inclusion

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 21/07/21

BlackRock's expectations go higher

BlackRock's expectations go higher

BlackRock has released its 2021 investment stewardship annual report.

ESG
Shareholders
Stakeholders

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 14/07/21

Thinking out loud: Innovating for impact

Thinking out loud: Innovating for impact

Three perspectives on innovation in the NFP sector.

ESG
Innovation
Not-for-profit governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 21/06/21

Indigenous business full of possibility

Indigenous business full of possibility

Te Ōhanga Māori is vibrant, growing and is based on values that will be close to directors’ hearts.

Future-proofing
Leadership
Māori governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 26/01/21

Investing with impact

Investing with impact

A summary of the Overview of Impact Investing in Aotearoa report released November 2020 by the Centre for Social Impact.

Accountability
ESG
Shareholders

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 28/12/20

Literally moving mountains

Literally moving mountains

Leading public sector governance has been recognised in the Public Service Commission Spirit of Service Awards.

Diversity & inclusion
Public sector

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 16/11/20

Will we ever be post-COVID?

Will we ever be post-COVID?

Community Trust leaders look at the impact of COVID-19 through a lens that may be useful for directors across many organisations.

Not-for-profit governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 09/11/20

OPINION

Local government: A case for governance repair

Local government: A case for governance repair

Peter McKinlay, strategic public policy consultant, provides a view on local government governance and how it can be strengthened.

Leadership
Public sector

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 03/11/20

A new model for charities

A new model for charities

We talked with Amy Carter, chief executive of the Christchurch Foundation to find out more about the organisation's approach to governance…

Not-for-profit governance

type: Sectors & perspectives
date: 16/10/20

Community Trusts explained

Community Trusts explained

NZ's community trusts are governed by people from their local community, investing their community’s capital prudently, and tailoring their…

Not-for-profit governance
Purpose