Networking Event & Panel Discussion
While there has been a significant improvement in the number of women represented on public sector boards, women continue to be underrepresented on boards across New Zealand. Women working in the accounting, finance, investments and legal sectors have valuable skills to contribute to governance roles.
Following the success of last year’s event, Women on Boards New Zealand, CPA Australia Women’s Business Committee, CFA Society NZ and Auckland Women’s Law Association are again excited to invite you to join us for an informative evening about Unlocking Your Board Potential.
This networking event is for aspiring directors, those looking for career transition, and those new to governance who are interested in finding out more about getting on boards and how to share professional skills in a governance context.
Hear from our panel of experts who will share their knowledge about getting on boards, board recruitment processes, their own governance journey and provide tips to develop your governance career. Topics covered include:
- Professional career skills and how these translate to a governance context
- Which board role is right for me
- Where to look for board roles and the dos and don’ts for preparing an application and governance CV and the recruitment process
- Real life experiences shared from experienced board directors, how they got started
Don’t miss this event, we have all the experts together to answer your questions and there will be plenty of time to network, talk to our panellists and hear top tips to develop your governance career.
Date: Thursday 13 August 2026
Time: 5.30pm – 7.30pm, arrival from 5.00pm. Panel Discussion starts at 6.00pm
Canapés and beverages served
CPD: 1 CPD Hour
Venue: CPA Australia, New Zealand office, Aon Centre, Level 9/29 Customs Street West, Auckland Central
Meet The Panel
Facilitator: Julie Hardaker, Chair Women on Boards
Julie Hardaker has chaired Women on Boards since 2017 and has practiced law for 30 years. She is a Chartered Fellow of The Chartered Governance Institute and former President of Chartered Governance Institute New Zealand. Julie is an experienced professional board director holding public, private and charities roles. Julie was the Mayor of Hamilton from 2010 – 2016.
FAmy Tea, Amy Tea Consulting
Amy Tea is the founder and director of ATCL Search, an executive search firm that specialises in government, kaupapa Māori and NGO appointments. Amy has over 15 years’ experience in governance appointments across a wide range of entities such as the Climate Change Commission, Workforce Development Councils, Te Ohu Kaimoana, Ngāti Whatua Orakei, Emerge Aotearoa, Aktive Sport and Recreation, Eastland Group Ltd and many others.
Ainsley McLaren MInstD, Independent Director, Associate Member CFA Society NZ
Ainsley is a Trustee on the Melanesian Mission Trust Board and an Independent Director of Whai Rawa Fund Limited. She has over 25 years’ investment management experience in a number of senior executive roles, including at Harbour Asset Management, First State Investments (NZ) and ASB Group Investments. Ainsley holds a B.Com in Economics and previously served on the Boards of the Financial Markets Authority, the Government Superannuation Fund Authority and Hohepa Auckland Regional Board.
Ziena Jalil, Deputy Chief Executive – Strategy and Executive Operations, Hato Hone St John
Ziena is a former New Zealand diplomat and Trade Commissioner to Singapore and has a long association with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. She is an experienced board director and is currently a board member of the Asia Advisory Board at Auckland Chamber of Commerce and International Advisory Board Member at the Waikato University School of Management. Ziena’s board roles have included Education New Zealand, the Asia New Zealand Foundation, DNA, UNITEC, Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake, and ATEED. Prior to her current role, she was Deputy Chief Executive, Te Pūkenga. Ziena is a member of New Zealand Institute of Directors, Global Women and Asia 21 and a regular speaker on leadership, Asia business, international education, and diversity, equity and inclusion.