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CHAIR AND DIRECTORS, Tāwhiri Board

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Tāwhiri Limited Board of Directors as Chair or a Trustee.

Tāwhiri is an award-winning charitable company that produces some of the Wellington region’s key creative events. Established in 1986 (as New Zealand International Festival of the Arts) Tāwhiri’s current suite of events includes the country’s largest celebration of cutting-edge culture the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts; the annual Wellington Jazz Festival; and the biennial Lexus Song Quest opera singing competition. It also runs a sets and staging construction and hire workshop in Upper Hutt, delivers one-off events such as Digital Nights and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and is currently fundraising to turn a warehouse into a much-needed 500 seater creation, development and pop-up performance space in Newtown, Wellington. As well as developing and presenting artistic events, Tāwhiri manages accessibility and education programmes, work experience and is a passionate advocate for the arts and culture sector.

Tāwhiri is looking for the right people to join its team in the roles of Chair (1 vacancy) or Director/s (1 to 2 vacancies). They should come with existing governance experience, extensive professional networks, and a strong belief in the value of arts, culture and creativity in Aotearoa.

The Chair of the Board will be an experienced trustee with strong leadership skills. They will be able to be an effective ambassador for Tāwhiri to key stakeholder communities including central and local government, the philanthropic and business communities.

Te Kaupapa o Tāwhiri
Manaakitanga: uplifting the mana of all people through care, nurture and respectful relationships.
Tāne te Wānanga: the pursuit of excellence in all our endeavours.
Whanaungatanga: weaving together a team to create strength, trust and flexibility.
Kotahitanga: standing together with shared purpose and values.

Particular skills/Competencies
Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications/experience/skills:

• Demonstrated success as a board member (and board chair, for applicants of the chair role)
• A commitment to and understanding of the Tāwhiri vision, mission and values, and to guiding and supporting organisational creativity and leadership.
• Experience working under the principles and commitments of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and a commitment to inclusivity and equity
• Strong existing connections and networks in central and local government; national business/corporates; and the philanthropic community.
• Savvy diplomatic skills and a natural affinity for cultivating relationships and persuading, convening, facilitating, and building alignment to a vision and direction.
• Collaboration; strategic thinking/planning; teamwork; communication; interpersonal skills.
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, seeing things through, a sense of humour and courage.
• You will be an effective and enthusiastic ambassador for the company and its activities

Commitment required

For the Chair role: 10-12 hours per month for governance meetings, engaging with the Executive Director and working alongside them to connect with key stakeholders in central, local, business and philanthropic communities. Attending Tāwhiri events and functions and hosting stakeholders. From time to time you will be asked to welcome guests through speeches or short addresses.

For the Director role/s: 3 – 6 hours per month for governance business. Attending Tāwhiri events and functions and hosting stakeholders. From time to time you may be asked to be part of subcommittees to deliver particular outcomes.

Term
Four years, with an option to be renewed for a second term.

Remuneration
These are volunteer roles, reasonable expenses will be met

Apply
For more information please email reception@tawhiri.nz
To register your interest please send an Expression of Interest (cover letter and governance CV) by Wednesday 17 August.