E ai ki te hua o te rengarenga me Whakapakari ki te hua o Te Rau Kawariki - Te Rau Kawariki / Associate Director programme to be relaunched

Ensuring PKW continues to serve Rau Titikura / Shareholders well into the future is the kaupapa behind the relaunch of the PKW Associate Directorship Programme / Te Rau Kawariki.

The programme has already proved its worth, with a number of previous and current Board members former Associate Directors (e.g. PKW Trust chair Hinerangi Edwards, Anne-Marie Broughton, Aroha Hohaia, Claire Nicholson, Daniel Harrison, Tama Potaka and also our current Te Rau Matomato, Aisha Ross).

“Comprehensive and effective succession planning is a key part of our strategic approach to the future management and governance of the Incorporation, and the Associate Director Programme is a fundamental element of that,” says Anne-Marie Broughton, Chair of Te Rau Mataora / PKW Human Resources Committee. “The programme doesn’t only benefit PKW either, as it is effectively an apprenticeship for future full board membership and enables us to actively contribute to growing governance capability of our Taranaki whānau.”

Associate Directors develop their skills by participating in and contributing to regular governance meetings as though they were a fully elected member. Although they do not hold voting rights, they are expected to take part in Board discussions, represent the Incorporation with external stakeholders, develop positive working relationships with other Board members and PKW kaimahi, and ensure the organisation meets its strategic goals.

But the most important aspect of the role is to listen and learn.

“While another perspective around the Board table is always welcome, we want our Associate Directors to really endeavour to learn about our organisation and businesses, and understand the context in which we work, how vital tino rangatiratanga is for our people, and how best to serve our owners and their whānau,” says AnneMarie. “We are looking for people who want to grow and develop their existing leadership skills and understanding in this space and have a commitment to both PKW and Taranaki Māori for the future.”

The Programme has been reviewed at various times over the last 15 years and is still fit for purpose. In 2016 the Incorporation reset its strategic priorities, which led to a need to review the governance structures and arrangements across the business. A decision was made to place the Associate Directorship on hold until that work was completed, and changes had been implemented.

Now the review is complete, and governance changes have been in embedded across the PKW Group, it is time to re-instate the Associate Directorship Programme.

“While from our perspective this position has been created to benefit the Incorporation and the development of our owner whānau, it is also a real opportunity for whānau already in a senior leadership position to take the next step and gain valuable experience in the Te Ao Māori governance space for a large multi-entity organisation,” says Anne-Marie. “The potential for professional growth and development is considerable, as Associates not only sit on the Committee of Management, but also gain insight into the various investments within the PKW Group investment portfolio, especially our active entities — PKW Farms LP, PKW Miraka Hipi LP and the PKW Trust.”

The successful candidate will hold the position for two years, aligning with the electoral terms of other Board Members. A recruitment campaign will run over the next few months, with onboarding timed for the Annual General Meeting in November.

Applicants must be a PKW shareholder or descendant of a PKW shareholder and have proven knowledge, skills and experience or demonstrated potential to develop in one or more areas of governance: Strategic Planning and Innovation, Communication, Business Acumen, Technology, Leadership, Tikanga Māori and Regional Māori Politics, Networking and/or Human Resources.

A commitment to the vision, mission, values, and behaviours of the Parininihi ki Waitōtara Incorporation is essential.

More information about the application process will be available soon.