Join our Board
Help shape the next decade of women and girls in sport
We're looking for two new Board members to help lead Women in Sport Aotearoa into its next chapter - including our 10-year anniversary in March 2027. If you care about a fairer future for women and girls in sport, and you've got the skills to help govern and grow a small but mighty national organisation, we'd love to hear from you.
Board Member Position Description
Background
Women in Sport Aotearoa, Ngā Wāhine Hākinakina o Aotearoa (WISPA) is Aotearoa's champion for gender equity in sport and physical activity. WISPA was founded in 2016 by a group of women leaders from across Aotearoa New Zealand's sport and recreation system, motivated by a determination that all wāhine/women and kōhine/girls be given equity of opportunity to participate, compete and build careers in sport and active recreation. WISPA launched publicly on International Women's Day, 8 March 2017, and marks its 10-year anniversary on 8 March 2027.
WISPA is currently a lean, volunteer-led organisation. Following a deliberate move to a sustainable model, the mahi is delivered by a volunteer Board of up to eight, supported by a part-time Governance and Operations Coordinator and a part-time communications contractor. This is very much a working board - as well as governing, members roll up their sleeves and deliver, contributing hands-on through working groups and projects. It is a rewarding role, but a genuinely time-committed one. The Board is skills-based and Te Tiriti-inspired, and holds an aspiration of balanced wāhine Māori and Pākehā representation.
- Vision: Aotearoa as the world's most equitable sport system, Te Tiriti inspired.
- Mission: to transform society through leadership, advocacy and evidence, so all women and girls gain equity of opportunity to participate, compete and build careers in sport.
WISPA's work is guided by its Statement of Strategic Intent, built on three strategic pillars: Mātauranga / Knowledge, Kōkiri / Voice, and Mahi Tahi / Collaboration.
You can read the Statement of Strategic Intent here.
Board members are expected to know it well and to help bring it to life.
The opportunity
WISPA is seeking to appoint two new Board members ahead of, and following, its Annual General Meeting on 1 October 2026, with finance and/or governance leadership experience. These vacancies arise as the current Chair and Deputy Chair step down after a planned governance transition. Appointments are made by the Board on the recommendation of an Appointments Panel, in accordance with the constitution.
We warmly welcome expressions of interest from people who share WISPA's kaupapa and want to help shape the next decade of gender equity in sport in Aotearoa. Applications are welcome from candidates of all genders who bring the skills, commitment and mana the Board is looking for.
A particular priority this round is financial expertise. We wish to strengthen the board's financial oversight and our Audit and Risk Committee, so we encourage candidates with a background in finance, accounting or audit to put their names forward.
Under WISPA's constitution, the Board elects its Chair and Deputy Chair from among its members at the first Board meeting following the AGM. With both roles becoming vacant, the Board is also particularly keen to hear from candidates who bring governance-leadership experience and who may, in time, be willing to serve as Chair or Deputy Chair.
Chair experience is not a requirement for appointment as a Board member, and identifying who chairs the Board is a decision for the incoming Board. But candidates with a track record of leading a board well - facilitating robust discussion, holding a group to sound governance, and representing an organisation externally - are especially encouraged to apply.
What we are looking for
WISPA is looking for candidates who, through what they have done and what they stand for, have the mana, credibility and ability to connect with and positively influence those WISPA needs to support, and those whose support WISPA needs.Board members will bring:
- a demonstrably strong commitment to gender equity for women and girls;
- a demonstrably strong commitment to the principles and provisions of Te Tiriti o Waitangi;
- personal integrity, trustworthiness, and the courage of their convictions;
- empathy for others, including a commitment to diversity and inclusiveness in governance;
- sound judgement and the ability to contribute constructively to collective decision-making;
- a good understanding of governance in a not-for-profit environment;
- a willingness to support fellow directors, the Coordinator and WISPA's contractors to do their roles well; and
- a willingness to give sufficient time to properly discharge the responsibilities of the role.
We are building a balanced, skills-based board. We seek someone with financial expertise (finance, accounting, audit or risk), and alongside that, we seek governance leadership experience, and strengths in fundraising and philanthropy, legal, and networks across the sport, government and community sectors.
Term and time commitment
- Board members are appointed for a term of three years and are eligible for reappointment, to a maximum of three consecutive terms (nine years), in accordance with the constitution.
- This is a voluntary, unremunerated role.
- WISPA is a working board, so this is a hands-on commitment well beyond attending meetings. As well as formal Board meetings (held online) and committee involvement (for example the Audit and Risk Committee), members lead and contribute to working groups and projects between meetings, plus reading and preparation. Please come in expecting to give meaningful, regular time - in the order of several hours each week - not just a monthly meeting.
Appointment process
WISPA appoints Board members through a Board Appointments Panel established by the Board, which considers candidates and recommends appointments to the Board. Following the AGM, the incoming Board elects its Chair and Deputy Chair from among its members.
To express your interest, please complete the Expression of Interest (EOI) form here by Friday 4 September.
We are happy to have an informal conversation with anyone considering the role - please email info@womeninsport.org.nz.
