Bring Your Skills to Our Board: Applications Open
- Aug 7
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 21
Te Whare Āniwaniwa is looking for new Trustees to join our Board.
We are creating a home for Tāmaki Makaurau’s rainbow communities: a place where organisations, services, activities and people can come together under one roof.
Our first physical whare is opening as a pilot, with anchor organisations working across health, wellbeing, identity and culture. It is a chance to build something useful for our communities now, while learning what a larger and more permanent Te Whare Āniwaniwa could become.
As we enter this next stage, we’re strengthening the Board and looking for several new Trustees.
Who we're looking for
We want to build a Board with a strong mix of skills, experience and perspectives. We're looking for new trustees who share our kaupapa and can bring knowledge, experience and perspectives that strengthen the Te Whare Āniwaniwa, including:
Māori and takatāpui leadership
Leadership, lived experience and perspectives that can strengthen how Te Tiriti and te ao Māori are reflected in our governance and development.
Advocacy and public systems
Understanding of local or central government, public policy, civic systems or community-led advocacy.
Safety and wellbeing
Experience in areas such as safeguarding, trauma-informed practice, cultural safety, complaints, conflict resolution or restorative approaches.
Legal and risk
Knowledge of leases, contracts, health and safety, compliance, privacy, employment, property or organisational risk.
Financial sustainability
Experience in fundraising, social enterprise, earned income, responsible growth or other forms of mission-aligned revenue.
Property and infrastructure
Experience in property governance, capital planning, facilities, construction, accessibility or the community-centred design and operation of shared spaces.
You don't need experience across every area. Board appointments consider the whole person: kaupapa alignment, judgement, integrity, lived experience and the ability to work collectively.
Previous Board experience is welcome but isn't essential for every position.
How our governance works
The Board is responsible for the governance, strategy and long-term sustainability of Te Whare Āniwaniwa.
Alongside the Board, our Community Advisory Committee provides a way for wider rainbow communities to contribute perspectives and advice, while our Tenant Advisory Committee provides a voice for organisations and groups using the whare.
That means we're not expecting individual Trustees to somehow represent the whole rainbow community. We want Trustees who can listen to those perspectives, bring their own knowledge and judgement, and make good decisions collectively.
Individual Trustees are not responsible for the day-to-day running of the Collective. However, Te Whare Āniwaniwa is a small organisation with a small Board, and some operational tasks remain the responsibility of the Board alongside our contractors.
What's involved?
This is an active governance role, but we've designed the meeting schedule to be manageable.
You should expect:
One-hour online Board meetings every 2–4 weeks.
Some preparation and email correspondence between meetings.
Occasional attendance at Community Advisory Committee or Tenant Advisory Committee meetings.
Occasional workshops or in-person meetings in central Auckland.
The position is Trustee. It is a voluntary, unpaid position.
Interested?
To apply, email us kiaora@tewhareaniwaniwa.co.nz and include a cover letter and CV for consideration.
Applications close 5th September.
