Position Description:
Chair of Sport NZ
June 2025
On behalf of the Minister for Sport and Recreation, we are seeking candidates who
are interested in being considered for the Chair role on the Sport and Recreation
New Zealand – Ihi Aotearoa (Sport NZ) Board.
Kōrero mō te tūranga | About the role
Being the Chair of a Crown entity is rewarding and challenging. You will be leading
the board in setting strategic direction and priorities, developing board policies and
expectations for management, identifying and managing risks, and monitoring and
evaluating the performance of the organisation.
In this role, your focus will be to:
• provide effective leadership of the governance of Sport NZ, consistent with
the Minister’s expectation and requirements under the Crown Entities Act
2004.
• act as the spokesperson for Sport NZ, applying sound judgement to board
leadership, acting with integrity, and actively engaging in high trust
relationship models with the Minister, stakeholders and the public.
• have a strategic and long-term perspective, ensuring the board is future-
focussed and leveraging all board member perspectives and experiences.
• maintain an effective working relationship with the Chief Executive while also
taking an independent view to challenge and test management thinking.
Sport NZ has published guidance on the role of the board chair on its website:
The
role of the board chair | Sport New Zealand - Ihi Aotearoa
The board typically meets approximately seven times per year, by way of either
physical meetings or video conferencing. Meetings require adequate preparation, and
some matters are considered by committees and members outside of these meetings,
as required. The Chair fee for the board is $32,000 per annum.
Kōrero mōu | About you
Ideal candidates to be considered for the Chair appointment will specifically draw
from the following capabilities:
• Experienced in governance: able to operate with a strategic and future-
focussed perspective with strong commitment to accountability, delivering
results and achieving outcomes.
• Ability to ensure great board performance: a strong leader with proven
governance board chair capabilities, able to foster diverse views, collaboration
and consensus decision-making.
• Understands how to lead as part of the public service: has political nous and
understand the board’s role as part of a unified public service, understands
the high-trust and integrity environment on stewarding the public interest.
Te Kawa Mataaho has developed a maturity matrix to highlight key attributes to be
successful in the role
: Personal qualities and attributes maturity matrix for high
performing Crown entity board chairs and members
Ko wai mātou | Who we are
Sport NZ is a Crown agent established by the Sport and Recreation New Zealand
Act 2002, to promote, encourage, and support physical recreation and sport in New
Zealand. Want to know more about Sport NZ? Visit the
Sport NZ website.
The Board is the governing body of the organisation. It consists of between six and
nine members and is responsible for setting the strategic direction of Sport NZ and
monitoring its performance.
Name
Term expiry
Region
Raewyn Lovett (Chair)
31 October 2025
Auckland
Duane Kale (Deputy Chair)
31 July 2026
Wellington
Megan Campbell
31 July 2027
Hamilton
Robyn Cockburn
31 July 2025
Wellington
John Fiso
31 July 2027
Wellington
Kathryn Irving
31 July 2027
New Plymouth
Ken Laban
31 December 2026
Wellington
Manatū Taonga supports Ministers to appoint and maintain effective boards of
entities across Aotearoa New Zealand’s art, heritage, media and sport sectors. We
work to promote a confident and connected culture and to support more New
Zealanders to connect with the culture and heritage of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Me pēhea te tono | How to apply
If you are interested in being considered for appointment to this position, please
complete an expression of interest form and provide your CV for consideration:
Expression of Interest Form for board appointments
Background checks will be undertaken for shortlisted applicants. Your personal
information will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020.
If you have any questions, please conta
ct [email address].
Please ensure we have received your application no later than
5pm on 30 June 2025.
