Petrina Togi-Sa'ena is an aspiring director who has spent the past year on the NZ On Air Board through our Future Directors® Diversity Programme.
The Future Directors® Diversity Programme allows organisations to expand diversity within their Board, whilst also supporting and contributing to the governance journey of future directors.
The programme aims to provide aspiring directors the opportunity to experience first-hand what it means to be a public sector Board director and to further develop their skills.
Kathrin Strati, NZ On Air Board Secretary, says the programme supports effective governance education and helps bring diversity to the Board table in so many ways.
"Petrina’s time with us on the Board has been invaluable and she has been able to offer genuine insight into the young, Pasifika story in Aotearoa, New Zealand. We would recommend her as a Future Director on any other Board and wish her all the best for her governance journey, and whatever the future may hold."
Petrina Togi-Sa'ena
Here Petrina Togi-Sa'ena reflects on her experience as a Future Director on the NZ On Air Board.
"I have valued the opportunity to be part of the Future Directors Diversity Programme.
"My working history has been in the music industry and arts community. I believe in the value and importance of the arts – firstly to the creators, and then to their audience and community – and how the arts can positively impact our communities and our country.
"Being part of this programme provided a supported way to take the next steps with my governance journey. It was and is important to represent my community at the Board table. Being present allowed me to in particular to advocate for music, the arts, Pacific creatives, women in the sector; and also share my views and voice at the table.
"To purely observe the Board would have been a great learning experience; but with the nature of the Future Director role and also the Board I was part of, I was allowed to be an active Board member. Whilst you are not able to vote, you are able to be at the table, be present at Board meetings, have access to all the Board papers and information, be involved in discussions and conversations, and overall contribute as much as you can.
Having diversity at the table is positive for all, with diversity of thought, of experience and expertise leading to expanded conversations, sound processes and supported informed decision making; which positively contributes to the outcomes achieved.
"This meant I was able to have a genuine Board experience in real time. I was able to observe and learn how the Board operates, how they manage multiple priorities, how they engage with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team, how they navigate challenges and how decisions are made.
"The experience has given me a clearer understanding of the Board's role and how it functions in practice. I also have a real sense of the time commitment involved with being on the Board – such as the reading of the papers in advance of each meeting; and the comms/information shared between meetings – and the care and commitment needed for the sector.
"I acknowledge the challenging time that I was part of for the Board, with significant sector changes proposed, as well as the change in government, which impacted the work of the organisation and Board. There was also a change in Chair and Board members. This landscape provided was great to observe and witness; and contributed to my learning.
"Alongside the Board meetings, I was given other opportunities for development as a Board member and able to participate in other activities of the organisation, alongside both Board and staff. I believe I am in a much better position and are more equipped for the next Board role I undertake. It has been a great experience and I hope I have the opportunity to continue my governance journey either with this organisation or another one in the near future.
"The programme allows organisations who are looking to expand their diversity within their Board, whilst also supporting and contributing to the governance journey of future directors. I hope the programme is beneficial for organisations as well and is a way to accelerate their own development. Having diversity at the table is positive for all, with diversity of thought, of experience and expertise leading to expanded conversations, sound processes and supported informed decision making; which positively contributes to the outcomes achieved."
About our Future Directors® Diversity Programme
The Future Directors® Diversity Programme allows organisations to expand their diversity within their Board, whilst also supporting and contributing to the governance journey of future directors.
The programme aims to provide aspiring directors the opportunity to experience first-hand what is means to be a public sector board director and to further develop their skills.
We work closely with nomination services within Ministry for Pacific Peoples, Ministry for Women, Ministry for Ethnic Communities, Te Puni Kōkiri and Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People to fill the roles.
For more information about the Future Directors® Diversity Programme, contact cerc@publicservice.govt.nz.
