Two Cantabrians receive highest governance honour

This June, the Canterbury Branch of the Institute of Directors’ (IoD) has awarded its top honour of Distinguished Fellow (DistFInstD) to two of its members – Jane Huria (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāi Tūāhuriri) and Brian Wood, in recognition of their significant contribution to business and society in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Jane Huria has more than 30 years’ governance experience and is currently a director of Naylor Love, Pegasus Health, Te Kaha Project Delivery Ltd, Nurse Maude, ScreenSouth Ltd, Paenga Kupenga Ltd, and Canterbury Cricket Trust; and Professor of Practice, Governance and Industry with the University of Canterbury Business School.

A commitment to ‘shared purpose’ has seen her in previous directorship roles across the charities, electricity, dairying, Crown, Iwi, health and sport sectors. Post-quake, Huria served on the Red Cross Christchurch Earthquake Commission; she was chair of the advisory board of the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust, and a member of the Christchurch District Replacement Plan, which saw her recognised in 2012 with a Companion of the NZ Order of Merit for her significant contribution to governance.

Professional director and infrastructure specialist, Brian Wood, also made a significant contribution to Canterbury following the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes and was involved in significant governance rebuild projects such as the Lyttelton Port Company, Canterbury Linen Services – an essential service for the hospitals – and chaired steering groups for the Christchurch Public Library, the Christchurch Town Hall, and the Oversight Group for the North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery (NCTIR) Ministry of Transport rebuild of the Picton to Christchurch state highway and rail network, and is currently chairing a steering group for the construction of a MainPower wind farm at Mount Cass. 

The Institute of Directors’ CEO Kirsten Patterson said the Canterbury community is made stronger with the likes of Huria and Wood who remain committed to a governance path despite its many challenges. 

“Brian and Jane have been recognised for their drive and commitment in leading change for the organisations they serve, leading to greater resilience – it is an honour to present them with our highest accolade, “Patterson said.  

Lloyd Mander CFInstD, Chair of the IoD’s Canterbury Branch says the awardees have demonstrated unwavering dedication throughout their combined 60-plus years of service to the governance community. 

“These directors sit at the core of what governance means to society. It is our turn to acknowledge them for their stamina, high-level strategic thinking and compassion, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to their organisations, with far reaching impacts for Canterbury,” Mander says. 

Huria and Wood will receive their awards at an official ceremony on 17 June at The George in Christchurch.  

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For more information, please contact:

Sonia Yee
Senior Media and Communications Advisor
Mobile: 022 354 6417 
Email: sonia.yee@iod.org.nz

About the IoD: The IoD is New Zealand’s leading organisation for directors and at the heart of the governance community. We believe in the power of good governance to create a strong, fair and sustainable future powered by best practice governance. Our role is to drive excellence and high standards in governance. We support and equip our members who lead a range of organisations from listed companies, large private organisations, state and public sector entities, small and medium enterprises, not-for-profit organisations and charities.