What does it really mean to lead with heart in the boardroom?

In this episode of Board Talk: Off the Cuff, we hear from directors Natasha Harvey and Susan Henson with insights into navigating difficult conversations, balancing empathy with accountability, and the importance of staying true to your values.

Natasha reflects on finding her voice as a leader — what it means to challenge expectations, embracing directness, and the importance of creating space for authentic, courageous dialogue. While Susan delves into her long-standing commitment to Pillars, an organisation supporting children with a parent in prison. The Christchurch-based director explains why a personal connection to an organisation's purpose can help sustain your drive when the going gets tough, and why it makes a board role all the more meaningful.

Insights from these stories, highlight the emotional complexity of governance—where decisions affect real lives, tensions can run high, and why strong leadership requires both clarity and compassion.

For access to governance resources including free board tool kits, or to find out more about courses head to: iod.org.nz

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Cyber risk is no longer an IT issue, but a boardroom one. The question is: how should boards navigate what is largely unknown territory? 

As breaches escalate and regulators sharpen their focus, cyber incidents now carry serious financial, legal and reputational consequences.

In this episode, we examine why cyber security has become one of the most urgent governance risks facing boards and directors across New Zealand. You'll find out what boards should be asking, what separates organisations that recover fast from those that spiral into crisis, and the daunting and emotional toll of dealing with a cyber attack in real-time. 

In this episode: Patrick Sharp, General Manager - Aura Information Security discusses global trends and the vulnerabilities that lead to attacks, Susan Cuthbert, Principal Advisor – Governance Leadership Centre (IoD) explains the measures that need to be put in place to ensure regulatory measures leave appropriate room for directors to make the best decisions for their organisations. And company director Shayne Hunter recalls what it was like to assist in a cyber response, in what was labelled as the worst ever ransomware attack New Zealand has ever seen. 

For more information or access to board tool kits and free resources head to iod.org.nz

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In Aotearoa’s boardrooms, power has long looked and sounded the same. But with Pasifika communities making up a growing share of our population — and bringing deep cultural governance experience with them — the call for change isn’t just timely, but overdue.

This episode of Board Talk – Off the Cuff, explores the rise of Pasifika voices in governance: why boards need them, the invisible barriers standing in their way, and how cultural intelligence could transform the future of decision-making in Aotearoa.

Featuring powerhouse director Mele Wendt, alongside emerging leaders and experts from the Institute of Directors' Tautua Pasifika Mentoring Programme and its new Pacific Directors Connect series.

The conversations in this episode capture the unfiltered voices of what it means to be bold, to stand out, and to lead with wisdom, authority and integrity in a Pakeha dominated world where various forms of discrimination continue to be perpetuated within organisations -- including at the board table -- reinforcing the need for greater for greater diversity in the decision making process, that will empower organisations for years to come.

Participants include: Mele Wendt, Litia Brighouse-Fuavao, Jill Steffert, Bev-Anne Jennings and Greg Dearsly.

Host/ Producer: Sonia Yee

For more information about governance and for access to board kits tools and resources head to iod.org.nz

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How should a board deal with tension, or create positive change in an organisation without creating divisions? And how can individual authenticity lead to positive collective purpose?

This episode explores boardroom dynamics, and goes deep on the bigger issues at play. 

Eileen Basher discusses what it means to make hard decisions when times are tough, how to give voice to the quieter people in the room, and why reflecting on the board's performance is integral to building governance capability.

The Institute of Directors’ Wayne Church explains why board evaluations can illuminate blind spots and elevate the board’s performance for future success. 

And last-but-not-least, Professor Johannes Karl delves into the psychology, socio-cultural, political and environmental factors that inform decision making, from how we choose our leaders, why the Kiwi style of communicating can be challenging for the migrant communities, and the key ingredients to building ‘cohesive group dynamics’ that lead to successful collective outcomes.  

If you want to find out more about governance, courses, or to access free board tools and resources, head to iod.org.nz 

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In this episode, host Sonia Yee continues the exploration of the Top Five Issues for Directors in 2026. 

Independent director Helen Robinson shares tips on the evolving relationship between chairs and CEOs and how leadership dynamics shape organisational success.

Louise Broekman explains why advisory boards and committees help to de-risk the decision making process and boost agility, and Charles Finney outlines the geopolitical pressures boards that directors need to monitor in 2026—including shifting supply chains, friend‑shoring, trade tensions, and the ongoing balancing act between major markets like the U.S. and China. 

Listen to the episode for practical tips and future-focused perspectives to guide your strategy and sharpen your mindset in 2026 and beyond. 

For more governance tools and resources, or to access the Top Five Issues for 2026 head to the Institute of Directors.

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Over the next two episodes, we explore the Top Five Issues that directors need to be aware of in 2026, including governing for growth, the rise of advisory boards and committees, the changing nature of the stakeholder environment and why the Chair-CEO relationship is pivotal for the success of any organisation, and much, much more.  

This episode includes:  

Nick Tuffley, Chief Economist, ASB  

Suse Reynolds MInstD, Independent Director  

Hinerangi Raumati Tua ONZM, Chair and Director  

For more about governance, including information about courses, access to articles and resources, head to iod.org.nz

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Knowing yourself could be your make or break, if you want to make an impression at the board table

This pilot episode explores 'value proposition' - what it looks like, how to attract opportunities, why knowing yourself - and understanding your skill set - will make you a strong candidate for a board role, the importance of diversity as Aotearoa New Zealand's demographics evolve, and much more. 

This episode features voices from diverse sectors including finance, social purpose and commercial enterprise.

Special thanks to all of the participants in the podcast and to IoD sponsor Marsh.

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Forget fireside chats, Board Talk: Off the Cuff is a new podcast with real people talking about the issues affecting their organisations in the boardroom and beyond.

Brought to you by the Institute of Directors in New Zealand, the series is produced and presented by international award-winning producer Sonia Yee who brings to light the issues that are top of mind for directors - and the challenges and opportunities they face now, and into the future.

Listen to the trailer for a taste of what's to come - subscribe to the podcast for notifications.

Episodes drop monthly.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.