Board Trustee
Reconnect Trust Board
CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
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Executive Summary
THE OPPORTUNITY
Reconnect Trust is a purpose-led charitable organisation committed to improving the health, wellbeing and long-term outcomes of rangatahi, whānau and communities. Through its stewardship of Reconnect Family Services Te Ope Pirita (RFS-TOP) and related initiatives, the Trust supports young people experiencing complex challenges across care and protection, youth justice, therapeutic support, mentoring, housing and community wellbeing.
Reconnect's kaupapa is grounded in the belief that lasting change comes through connection – strengthening rangatahi, whānau and communities and creating environments that are culturally grounded, mana-enhancing and future-focused. Its work is underpinned by the Pou of Manaakitanga, Whānaungatanga, Kaitiakitanga and Kotahitanga.
As a Trustee, you will join a governance Board responsible for the strategic stewardship and long-term sustainability of the Trust. The Board provides oversight of organisational performance, financial sustainability, risk, contractual obligations and stakeholder relationships, while ensuring Reconnect remains focused on its purpose, values and the communities it serves.
This is an opportunity to contribute to meaningful and lasting social impact, helping shape the future direction of an organisation supporting some of Aotearoa New Zealand's most vulnerable rangatahi and whānau. Trustees play an important role in bringing independent judgement, diverse perspectives and strong governance to ensure Reconnect continues to evolve, remain sustainable and deliver positive outcomes for the communities it serves.
THE ROLE
As a member of the Board, the Trustee shares collective responsibility for the governance, stewardship and long-term success of Reconnect Trust. Trustees provide strategic oversight and exercise their legal, fiduciary, ethical and financial responsibilities in the best interests of the organisation and its beneficiaries.
Key responsibilities include:
- Contributing to the development and oversight of the Trust's strategic direction, organisational purpose and culture.
- Appointing, supporting and monitoring the performance of the Chief Executive.
- Reviewing and overseeing annual plans, budgets, organisational goals and performance measures.
- Providing governance oversight of risk management, policy frameworks, delegations and organisational controls.
- Ensuring appropriate health and safety oversight for employees and those supported through Reconnect's services.
- Protecting and enhancing the Trust's financial sustainability and ensuring contractual obligations are met.
- Supporting high-quality relationships and engagement with stakeholders, partners and communities.
- Participating in Board committees and contributing to collective decision-making, informed debate and constructive challenge.
THE CANDIDATE
The successful candidate will be a values-driven governance professional who brings sound judgement, integrity and a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for rangatahi, whānau and communities. They will understand the responsibilities of trusteeship and contribute strategically and independently while working collaboratively within a high-performing Board environment.
You will demonstrate:
- Governance experience gained through trusts, charitable organisations, community entities or other complex organisations.
- Strategic thinking, independent judgement and the ability to contribute effectively to collective governance decisions.
- A strong understanding of governance responsibilities, fiduciary duties and best-practice Board processes.
- A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application within governance through partnership, participation, protection, equity and support for Māori aspirations.
- The ability to maintain clear governance boundaries while constructively supporting and holding management to account.
- Excellent communication, relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills.
- A collaborative, inclusive and purpose-led approach, with the time and commitment required to actively participate in Board activities.
The Board is seeking to maintain a complementary mix of skills and perspectives across its membership, with strong IT, digital and technology experience a particular priority for this appointment. Candidates with the ability to contribute strategic governance insight across areas such as digital enablement, technology investment, information systems, data, cyber risk and technology-related organisational transformation will be particularly welcomed. Complementary expertise may also include governance and stewardship, finance and audit, risk management, investment and asset management, youth wellbeing, social services, public sector relationships, property, legal and regulatory matters, philanthropy, fundraising or stakeholder engagement.
Candidates must be Auckland based and have the capacity to actively participate in Board meetings, committee activities and other governance responsibilities as required. Diversity of experience, perspective and lived experience is highly valued, alongside a commitment to Reconnect's kaupapa and the communities it serves.
Reconnect welcomes conversations with potential candidates about any accessibility requirements or reasonable adjustments that would enable them to participate fully in the recruitment process and, if appointed, in the Trustee role. Candidate information can also be made available in alternative accessible formats on request.
For a confidential discussion, please get in touch with:
We invite you to discuss this exceptional leadership opportunity with David Price from the HardyGroup. M. +64 (0)21 0239 2211 | E. dprice@hardygroupintl.com
Reconnect
About Us
Reconnect is a not-for-profit organisation, working to empower and connect rangatahi, their whānau, and the community. The Reconnect Group includes the Reconnect Trust Board (RTB) and its operational delivery arm, Reconnect Family Services Te Ope Pirita (RFS-TOP).
The Reconnect Trust Board is the sole owner of its subsidiary, RFS-TOP, which provides services to children and young people through various programmes. The role of Reconnect Trust Board includes effectively representing and promoting the interests of the Trust with a view to sustainably developing and promoting its charitable purposes. RTB directs and supervises the management of the business and the affairs of the Trust, including but not limited to compliance, assets, acquisitions, and investments.
RFS-TOP provides care for young people entering Oranga Tamariki’s Youth Justice or Care & Protection systems. Our highly trained mentors, youth workers, residential carers, home-based caregivers, and clinical case managers help youth make positive choices, reintegrate back into education and training, rebuild relationships with their whānau and set goals for themselves. They go the extra mile for their young people.
Our Pou
Reconnect’s success is built on four key pillars, or Pou. These Pou are at the heart of everything we do as an organisation. They are woven through each of our programmes, which are designed to help youth reconnect in positive ways with whānau, community, and society.
Manaakitanga - Respect, generosity and care for others
Ko te manaakitanga o te aroha ki te tangata te mea nui ki a mātou
Showing respect, providing care and acting with generosity are of paramount importance to us.
Whānaungatanga - Relationships
Ka hono mātou ki ngā whānau me ngā roopu, kia pai ai te mahitahi
We develop relationships with whānau and organisations to work well together.
Kaitiakitanga - Guardianship
Kei te pumau mātou ki te tiaki pai i ngā iwi.
We are committed to taking good care of our people.
Kotahitanga - Unity
Ahakoa i ngā rereketanga o te tangata, ka mahitahi mātou i roto i te Kotahitanga.
Regardless of the differences of our people, we work together in unity.
Role Specification
The purpose of Reconnect Trust Board, as a registered charity, is to:
- provide for the health and wellbeing of at-risk young people whose care, protection and youth justice rehabilitation needs cannot be adequately met from family/whānau support, or who require a supportive therapeutic programme;
- provide an environment for the purposes of rehabilitating people of all ages but more particularly children and young people back into family/whānau and society in general;
- assist family/whānau with housing needs through the acquisition and management of properties; and
- promote such other charitable purposes as the Trustees may decide.
The Trust fulfils its purpose through strategic stewardship, governance oversight, prudent resource management ownership of Reconnect Family Services Te Ope Pirita and other activities that advance the wellbeing and long-term outcomes of at-risk young people.
- As a Board member, the Trustee has a duty of care and individual legal responsibility to oversee the Trust’s affairs, including legal, ethical, fiduciary and financial matters.
- The Trustee maintains current knowledge of relevant legislation, compliance expectations and sector obligations, and understands how these apply to the Trust’s governance responsibilities, contractual obligations, policies, plans and priorities.
- The Trustee demonstrates this understanding through informed debate, constructive challenge and active participation in the Board’s collective responsibilities.
Governance philosophy
The Board governs the Trust in a manner consistent with recognised good-governance practice.
The Board’s approach emphasises:
- strategic issues rather than administrative detail
- outward vision rather than inward concern
- encouraging diverse opinions and views
- collective rather than individual decision making
- a future rather than present focus
- a clear distinction between Board and Chief Executive roles
- pro-activity rather than reactivity
- open and proactive communication internally and externally
- modelling desired behaviours.
The Board also:
- ensures the organisation is well managed without managing day-to-day operations itself
- accepts collective responsibility for Board decisions and performance 2
- promotes a positive board culture where inquiry, independent opinion, constructive challenge and relevant insight are encouraged
- demonstrates commitment high standards of governance
- governs through clear policies that reflect the Board’s values and long-term focus
- ensures no individual, officer or committee prevents the Board from fulfilling its
Governing responsibilities
The Trustee contributes to the Board’s collective responsibilities, including:
- setting and overseeing strategic direction, determining the organisation’s purpose and culture
- appointing, supporting and monitoring the performance the Chief Executive
- reviewing the annual plan and budget, including organisational goals, key result areas and performance measurement targets
- overseeing governance delegations, risk management and policy settings
- ensuring effective health and safety oversight for employees and people supported by Reconnect(clients).
View the full scope of these in the Position Description.
Key Trustee skills, experience, and attributes
The Board seeks a balanced mix of trustee attributes and collective capabilities that support best-practice governance. This section distinguishes between the core expectations, conduct, judgement and governance responsibilities expected of every Trustee, and the specialist capabilities the Board seeks to maintain collectively across its membership.
Core expectations for every Trustee
- Acts with integrity, sound judgement, honesty and good faith, and understands the legal, fiduciary and ethical duties of trustees.
- Demonstrates commitment to Reconnect’s purpose, values and the wellbeing of vulnerable young people, whānau and communities.
- Maintains a clear distinction between governance- and management boundary, supporting the Chief Executive while holding management to account through informed, independent oversight.
- Contributes strategic, future-focused thinking and independent judgement while working constructively as part of a collective Board.
- Applies Te Tiriti o Waitangi in governance through partnership, participation, protection, equity and support for Māori aspirations.
- Prepares for meetings, participates actively, keeps in reasonable contact between meetings and has sufficient time to fulfil the role.
View the full scope of these in the Position Description.
1. Governance Leadership, Judgement and Stewardship
Demonstrated governance experience within a trust, charitable, community, public sector or other complex organisation, with a strong understanding of legal, fiduciary and ethical responsibilities. Brings sound judgement, integrity and independence, with the ability to contribute strategically, exercise constructive challenge and support effective collective Board decision-making. The ability to bring complementary professional, sector, governance or lived experience that strengthens the collective capability and diversity of the Board will also be valued.
2. Strategic Oversight, Performance and Organisational Sustainability
Proven ability to contribute to long-term strategy and organisational direction, with experience overseeing organisational performance, annual plans, budgets and key outcomes. Able to think strategically and future-focused, balancing purpose, impact, opportunity and sustainability while maintaining an appropriate distinction between governance and operational management.
3. Financial, Risk and Governance Acumen
Strong understanding of organisational stewardship, including financial sustainability, risk, assurance, compliance and effective governance controls. Able to critically assess information, identify emerging risks and opportunities, and contribute to robust oversight of organisational resources, contractual obligations and long-term sustainability.
4. Commitment to Purpose, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Community Outcomes
A strong alignment with Reconnect’s charitable purpose and commitment to improving outcomes for at-risk and vulnerable young people, whānau and communities. Demonstrates an understanding of, and commitment to, applying Te Tiriti o Waitangi within governance through partnership, participation, protection, equity and support for Māori aspirations.
5. Stakeholder Relationships, Collaboration and Board Contribution
Highly developed communication, relationship-building and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage constructively with fellow Trustees, management and key stakeholders. Brings an inclusive and collaborative approach while exercising independent judgement, contributing to informed debate and maintaining clear governance boundaries. Demonstrates the commitment and availability required to prepare for and participate actively in Board and committee activities.
6. Digital, Technology and Organisational Enablement
Demonstrated senior-level experience in IT, digital or technology-enabled organisations, with the ability to apply this expertise strategically within a governance environment. Brings strong understanding of areas such as digital enablement, technology investment and transformation, information systems, data and cyber risk, and the opportunities and risks associated with emerging technologies. Able to contribute informed governance oversight and challenge while maintaining a clear distinction between governance and operational technology management.
To be discussed with the Principal Consultant.
Service Location: Auckland - Head office in Manukau
The closing date for applications is Wednesday, 16 September 2026
The reference number to include in your application is H26_5567
Note: Please use the online platform to submit your application. It will not be accepted via email.
If you require assistance in submitting your application online, please get in touch with Executive Search Coordinator, Aldie Zuñiga: M: +61 (0)494 101 082 / E: azuniga@hardygroupintl.com
Your application must include:
- Cover letter addressed to the Principal Consultant;
- A written response addressing the key selection criteria; and
- An up to date copy of your Curriculum Vitae.
It Is standard practice for HardyGroup to acknowledge receipt of your application no later than the next business day. We request that if you do not receive the acknowledgement, you contact the search coordinator listed above as soon as possible after the 24-hour business period and arrange to resend your application if necessary.
For a confidential discussion, please contact:
David Price
HG National Manager, New Zealand
M. +64 (0)210 2392211
E. dprice@hardygroupintl.com
ABOUT US
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Our synergistic business model of Executive Search and Recruitment integrated with Executive Leadership and Learning is our unique point of difference.
It ensures our clients can count on us for the lifecycle of their organisations leadership journey and why we are regarded as the leading trans-Tasman partner agency by clients.
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