Chair and Board of Directors – Water Organisation

Board of Directors – Water Organisation – Tauranga/Western Bay of Plenty

• Foundation governance leadership opportunities
• Shape a critical new organisation in a fast-growing region
• Strong capacity in fostering whanaungatanga, empathy for ratepayers and community expectations

The Organisation
Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council are establishing a new, standalone Water Services organisation to oversee the delivery of public water services under the Local Water Done Well government framework.
This new organisation will play a critical role in shaping the future of efficient water service delivery with a strong focus on robust financial discipline, cultural integrity, environmental stewardship, community accountability, and strategic collaboration being at the heart of future water services.

The Roles
Both Councils, with input from tangata whenua representatives, are seeking to appoint three experienced independent Directors, of which one will be appointed as Chair to guide the establishment of the Water Organisation. The Board members will guide the Water Organisation through its established phase and early years of operation. The organisation will be operational by 1 July 2027. 

This is a unique opportunity to influence the future of water service delivery at a regional level – providing strong governance foundations for a high performing community focused organisation operating in a complex and demanding environment.

Skills & Experience
You will have extensive experience in governance in highly regulated and complex high-risk sectors, and you will lead at pace alongside the Councils to shape the vision, strategy and operating model.
You will work closely with Council, tangata whenua, communities and regulators providing forward thinking, transparent leadership within a highly scrutinised politically sensitive environment.
 
We are seeking a broad range of skills with particular focus on:

• Strategic thinking, sound judgement, commercial acumen, and an in-depth understanding of governance best practice.
• Strong cultural competency, together with an understanding of te ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• Expertise in infrastructure and asset governance, with experience of large investment decisions and subsequent of overseeing of capital-intensive projects.
• Capability to guide decision‑making where there are multiple considerations balancing service levels, cost, risk and resilience.
• Proven experience in large scale transitions, organisational reform or the establishment of a new entity and driving efficient and effective services.
• Experience in building and maintaining stakeholder relationships through proficient communication and understanding of different drivers.
• An understanding of the Tauranga/Western Bay region and the local government context with the region, experience and knowledge of communities and appreciation of public accountability.

Experience with environments similar to the Bay of Plenty is desirable, especially in relation to rapid growth infrastructure resilience, regulatory reforms and compliance obligations, and working with a range of smaller communities with demanding expectations.

These are significant governance roles building a new organisation that will serve a range of communities for years to come. You will have the opportunity to make a difference. Director appointments are for a three-year term with one Director appointed as the Chair.

Please indicate your preference in either the Board of Director role or the Chair role or both, noting that two further Board members will be appointed at a later date.
 

APPLICATIONS CLOSE:  Monday, 25 May 2026
APPLY OR VIEW THE POSITION DESCRIPTION:  www.jacksonstone.co.nz
REFERENCE:  BH-11649
 
FURTHER ENQUIRIES: Simon Boyes or Donna Williams