Aspiring Maori Director Award 2025 - Canterbury

The Canterbury Branch of the Institute of Directors are inviting applications for its inaugural Aspiring Māori Director Award. The focus of this award is to identify individuals with potential, and to foster the dedication of good governance through the attainment of practical and theoretical knowledge, in addition to creating opportunities for future governance growth to support Māori. This award is open to both members and non-members in the early stages of their governance career. 

We invite applicants who meet the following application criteria:-

• whakapapa Māori
• be in the early stages of their governance career, i.e. with fewer than five years’ governance experience in an independent and/or non-executive role.

You must reside in Waitaha Canterbury and/or the rohe of the following rūnanga:

• Arowhenua
• Kaikōura
• Koukourarata
• Makaawhio
• Ngāi Tūāhuriri
• Ngāti Waewae
• Ōnuku
• Rāpaki
• Taumutu
• Waihao
• Wairewa

Applicants cannot be:-

• a previous recipient of an Emerging Director Award 
• a current mentee participating in IoD’s Mentoring for Diversity programme, Tautua Pasifika mentoring programme and/or an appointed Future Director currently observing on a Host Board.  

To apply, you must:-

• Demonstrate a commitment to developing your governance skills
• Have skills and experience that would be useful to a board
• Have at least three years’ experience in a senior management role; or as a professional business advisor; or from growing your own business; or a small company board.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of sound governance
• Have not held a significant governance role to date. For example, roles as a school trustee or officer in a local sports, school or community organisation or club do not exclude you from applying
• Association with the Aspiring Māori Director Award sponsor, an Emerging Director Award sponsor and/or any local branch sponsor must be disclosed.

To submit your application, please have ready the following:-

Complete the Aspiring Māori Director Award online application form

Attach the following to your application:

• Your Governance CV
• A cover letter addressing each of the following subjects (no more than 500 words per subject)

1. What motivates you to aspire to pursue a governance journey?
2. What value do you believe you will bring to a board?
3. What steps have you taken towards your journey in governance?

Application close date

Applications close 5pm Monday 11 August 2025.

To apply

Click on the Apply Now button to complete your application.

For further information

If you require further information please contact Megan Beveridge, by emailing megan.beveridge@iod.org.nz, or your Branch Manager.