Wānaka's water guardians need new board member

A Wānaka not-for-profit helping land owners and locals look after the health of waterways is on the look out for someone to join its governance group.

WAI Wānaka's governed by a board of voluntary trustees, and it has a vacancy.

The charitable trust's on a mission to "accelerate local action" for fresh water by empowering communities to understand the natural world of their big backyards and their impact on them.

"So that we can achieve our common goals for healthy ecosystems and community wellbeing," a spokesperson says.

The role's a good fit for someone passionate about the environment and looking for an opportunity to gain board experience in the not-for-profit sector.  

The group's keen to "bring diversity to its board while providing a development opportunity to a future environmental leader".  

WAI started as a group of passionate volunteers in 2016 and is now a bustling workplace of more than 30 people.

"All of us care deeply about the work we do, collaborating and connecting with others and contributing to our larger WAI vision."

The role:

• This opportunity would suit a driven and accomplished individual in the early stages of their career who is looking to gain board exposure and learn about the role of governance in the environmental non-profit sector
• You will be provided with opportunity to participate as a board member for a term of 12 months
• It is a voluntary position which requires six to eight hours’ time commitment every six weeks to attend a two-and-a-half hour Board of Trustees meeting in Wānaka and complete pre-reading from the board pack

It may suit:

• This opportunity is open to any person from the environmental, water, science and/or management fields who is looking for a chance to progress into a governance role
• You will bring energy, insight, and diligence to the role in addition to a range of knowledge and experiences that should include some of the following: 
  • Environmental policy, conservation and ecology
  • Water and/or environmental management
  • Interests in the farming, agriculture and /or tourism industries
  • Community – led environmental work
  • Local and central government relationships
  • Te Tiriti o Waitangi, treaty partnerships and relationships and Te Ao Māori, tikanga principles and Matauranga Māori
• WAI recognises true innovation comes from diversity and therefore someone who’s knowledge and experiences contribute further to those of our existing Board Members is desirable. 

Keen to know more about WAI Wānaka's environmental programmes and mahi, and the Board of Trustees and wider WAI team? Visit its website www.waiwanaka.nz.  

To apply for the role, send an expression of interest to [email protected] by Friday, February 10. Expressions of interest should include a summary of career to date, range of knowledge and experiences and how these would benefit the board's decision making.