Taraia Brown

About Me

“I am an experienced senior executive, governance professional and strategic leader with more than 25 years of experience across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. My professional background spans executive leadership, organisational strategy, governance, risk and assurance, financial stewardship, health and safety, workforce wellbeing, organisational transformation and social impact. I have held senior leadership positions with Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, Oranga Tamariki, Orion New Zealand and WorkSafe Victoria, leading complex national programmes, multidisciplinary teams and significant organisational portfolios. I currently serve as a Board Trustee of Te Puawaitanga ki Ōtautahi Trust and recently been appointed as a Board Trustee of Aviva Women’s Refuge in Ōtautahi Christchurch. I am also Chair of the Network for Survivors of Faith-based Abuse in Care Te Waipounamu, providing strategic leadership and advocacy to support survivor wellbeing, system accountability and meaningful change. As a Māori leader of Waikato-Tainui descent, with whakapapa to Ngaati Mahuta and Ngaati Hikairo, I bring a strong commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, culturally responsive governance and the integration of mātauranga Māori into organisational decision-making. My governance approach is grounded in manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, tika and pono, alongside sound commercial judgement, integrity and accountability. I hold a Master of Business from Deakin University, postgraduate study in Organisational Psychology through the University of Canterbury, and advanced training in Health and Safety Governance through the Institute of Directors. I bring a thoughtful, independent and collaborative approach to the boardroom, balancing strategic oversight, constructive challenge, organisational performance and the wellbeing of people and communities. I am particularly interested in governance opportunities where I can contribute to sustainable organisational performance, strong leadership, effective risk management, equity, social outcomes and long-term community wellbeing. ”