Board Talk: Off the Cuff

Polycrisis isn't a scary word, but it is shaping how directors and leaders think.

What happens when boards are no longer dealing with one challenge at a time, but multiple crises simultaneously?

In this episode of Board Talk: Off the Cuff, Sonia Yee speaks with Institute of Directors General Manager of the Governance Leadership Centre, Herman Visagie, about what a polycrisis means for directors, including why a ‘set and forget’ strategy is no longer good enough, and the need to remain sharp when when we have greater access to information than ever before, yet far less certainty.

And Helen Potoki IoD’s Principal Advisor, Māori Governance provides an insight into the shift taking place across Māori governance and why succession planning and training needs to take place now to ensure New Zealand boards are equipped with a strong and effective talent pool of directors in the future.

For more information about the Institute of Directors, including events, courses, and access to free tools and resources: iod.org.nz

This September the Institute of Directors is holding the 2026 Leadership Conference in Wellington -- an event not to be missed and a chance to meet and greet directors from around the country and hear from local and international thought leaders on the important issues shaping governance now and into the future.

Click here to see the full programme.

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From the Olympic track to the boardroom, we meet former New Zealand Olympic runner, Anne Hare, who explains what it's like to compete and train under pressure to become a world class athlete who transitioned to boards in the hopes to create change.

In this episode, Anne provides a vital insight into why boards need to listen to their stakeholders -- the players and athletes who put their bodies on the line and push them to the limits -- and why various forms of abuse and governance failures slip beneath the radar, including through a fear of reporting.

You'll hear Anne's thoughts on why a deep knowledge of sport and an understanding of what it takes to compete at the highest level will equip sports boards to better support and protect their athletes, as she challenges boards to rethink their duty of care and consider what still needs to change, and why an imbalance of power within sports and on sports boards can be dangerous for athletes.

This series is produced and presented by Sonia Yee.

To find out more about governance, courses, board tools and resources head to iod.org.nz
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it really mean to lead with heart in the boardroom?

In this episode of Board Talk: Off the Cuff, we hear from directors Natasha Harvey and Susan Henson with insights into navigating difficult conversations, balancing empathy with accountability, and the importance of staying true to your values.

Natasha reflects on finding her voice as a leader — what it means to challenge expectations, embracing directness, and the importance of creating space for authentic, courageous dialogue. While Susan delves into her long-standing commitment to Pillars, an organisation supporting children with a parent in prison. The Christchurch-based director explains why a personal connection to an organisation's purpose can help sustain your drive when the going gets tough, and why it makes a board role all the more meaningful.

Insights from these stories, highlight the emotional complexity of governance—where decisions affect real lives, tensions can run high, and why strong leadership requires both clarity and compassion.

For access to governance resources including free board tool kits, or to find out more about courses head to: iod.org.nz

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cyber risk is no longer an IT issue, but a boardroom one. The question is: how should boards navigate what is largely unknown territory?

As breaches escalate and regulators sharpen their focus, cyber incidents now carry serious financial, legal and reputational consequences.

In this episode, we examine why cyber security has become one of the most urgent governance risks facing boards and directors across New Zealand. You'll find out what boards should be asking, what separates organisations that recover fast from those that spiral into crisis, and the daunting and emotional toll of dealing with a cyber attack in real-time.

In this episode: Patrick Sharp, General Manager - Aura Information Security discusses global trends and the vulnerabilities that lead to attacks, Susan Cuthbert, Principal Advisor – Governance Leadership Centre (IoD) explains the measures that need to be put in place to ensure regulatory measures leave appropriate room for directors to make the best decisions for their organisations. And company director Shayne Hunter recalls what it was like to assist in a cyber response, in what was labelled as the worst ever ransomware attack New Zealand has ever seen.

For more information or access to board tool kits and free resources head to iod.org.nz

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Aotearoa’s boardrooms, power has long looked and sounded the same. But with Pasifika communities making up a growing share of our population — and bringing deep cultural governance experience with them — the call for change isn’t just timely, but overdue.

This episode of Board Talk – Off the Cuff, explores the rise of Pasifika voices in governance: why boards need them, the invisible barriers standing in their way, and how cultural intelligence could transform the future of decision-making in Aotearoa.

Featuring powerhouse director Mele Wendt, alongside emerging leaders and experts from the Institute of Directors' Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme and its new Pacific Directors Connect series.

The conversations in this episode capture the unfiltered voices of what it means to be bold, to stand out, and to lead with wisdom, authority and integrity in a Pakeha dominated world where various forms of discrimination continue to be perpetuated within organisations -- including at the board table -- reinforcing the need for greater for greater diversity in the decision making process, that will empower organisations for years to come.

Participants include: Mele Wendt, Litia Brighouse-Fuavao, Jill Steffert, Bev-Anne Jennings and Greg Dearsly.
Host/ Producer: Sonia Yee

For more information about governance and for access to board kits tools and resources head to iod.org.nz

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.