Independent Chair and Member

• Audit and Risk Committee
• Two positions
• Three-year fixed-term position

 
Wellington City Council’s Te Kura o te Waka | Audit and Risk Committee has responsibility for overseeing the work of the Council in discharging its responsibilities in the areas of risk management, statutory reporting, internal and external audit and assurance, and monitoring of compliance with laws and regulations, including health and safety.
 
On behalf of Council, we are seeking two people with appropriate expertise and experience to serve as external members of this Committee, one being the Chair. External members provide objective advice and assurance, helping the committee to maintain its level of independent perspective to support Council’s management of community assets and resources. The Independent Chair will provide strategic leadership and oversight and maintain order in the facilitation of committee meetings, ensuring effective governance and constructive debate.
 
To be considered for either position, you must have proven senior governance experience (preferably within local Government or the public sector), with an understanding of accountability, regulatory and funding environments. In addition, you will have senior credibility in audit, assurance, and strategic risk and experience of audit and risk governance processes, high financial literacy with a focus on sustainability and prudence, with an understanding of governance-level health and safety responsibilities, legislative change relating to risk, assurance and financial decision-making. You will have an understanding of te Tiriti o Waitangi and the importance of relationships with mana whenua, and be a person who is independent thinking with an exceptional level of judgement.
 
The Chair will also need to be a person who has experience developing effective working relationships with Elected Members and can facilitate discussions underpinned by an understanding of standing orders and protocols relating to local Government.
 
For either position, you will have leadership experience in large complex organisations and have a strong financial background and/or be CA qualified. Your fiercely independent view, sound objective judgement, and willingness to bring constructive intellectual challenge to discussion, is critical.
 
The full terms of reference and delegation for the committee is available here: https://wellington.govt.nz/-/media/your-council/meetings/tor-2025-2028/2025-11-24-terms-of-reference-and-delegations-2025.pdf
 
Te Kura o te Waka | Audit and Risk Committee meets quarterly and as required. Preparation time of 10-12 hours per meeting will be required, as well as attendance at occasional workshops or briefings as needed. The next meeting is scheduled for 26 May 2026.
 
Preference will be given to candidates based in the wider Wellington region.
 
 
 
APPLICATIONS CLOSE:  Wednesday, 22 April 2026
APPLY OR VIEW THE POSITION DESCRIPTION:  www.jacksonstone.co.nz
REFERENCE:  BH-11616
 
FURTHER ENQUIRIES: Simon Boyes or Donna Williams