Leadership in Governance Mentor Programme 2026
The Leadership in Governance Mentoring Programme is back! This is a nine-month mentoring programme designed to strengthen governance leaders across Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes. It supports people in board and committee roles within community organisations through focused, one-on-one mentoring relationships.
The programme is delivered by huddl in partnership with the Mentoring Foundation of New Zealand, using a proven mentoring model that builds capability, connection, and confidence.
If you’re currently in a governance or committee role and want to grow your effectiveness as a leader, this programme could be exactly what you’re looking for.
Each mentee is carefully matched with an experienced not-for-profit governance mentor whose skills align with their development goals. All mentors and mentees are supported throughout the programme by the Programme Coordinator, Fiona Reeve from huddl.
What are the benefits?
As a mentee, you will:
- Build confidence, knowledge, and effectiveness in your governance or committee role
- Receive tailored one-on-one mentoring support aligned to your development priorities
- Strengthen your local networks and be part of a supportive peer learning community
- Gain access to a proven mentoring framework that helps you get the most from the relationship
- Receive ongoing guidance to stay focused on your goals over the six-month programme
HOW DOES IT WORK?
- Mentees register their interest for the programme, specifying their personal development goals. Mentees are then shortlisted and interviewed to confirm final selection and numbers.
- Mentors are sourced from across the community and are matched with mentees based on goals and experience.
- Mentees and mentors receive training, orientation and six months of support, including setting development goals.
- For mentees, if we are able to match you with a mentor on the programme, there will be a participation fee of $90 (including GST). This fee helps cover the programme's costs. If the fee poses a barrier for you, huddl also offer scholarships for the programme. Please contact hello@huddl.nz for more information.
What's the Commitment?
- The programme will run from March 2026 to November 2026, with a minimum of 6 x mentoring sessions (1-2 hours in length).
- Mentees and mentors attend learning and networking meetings to strengthen the connections between all participants. Commencing with an orientation session at the end of March, a midpoint session in July, and a final wrap-up session in November. Please note that it is a requirement of the programme that you can attend all three sessions.
LEADERSHIP IN GOVERNANCE MENTOR PROGRAMME FEEDBACK
The Leadership in Governance Mentor Programme is a proven model delivering real value. Feedback from past participants has been overwhelmingly positive. In the 2025 cohort survey:
- 100% of mentees were “Very Satisfied” with their mentor match and the programme.
- 100% Strongly Agreed that they feel more confident and capable in their governance role after completing the programme.
What participants say:
“It fostered self-growth and helped me understand my new role better. I felt I had a sounding board for ideas. It fostered confidence in my abilities and gave me tools to tackle those challenging conversations.”
“It's been incredibly beneficial to have someone with such a wealth of understanding to bounce ideas off and seek guidance in tricky or unknown situations. The group sessions helped to make you feel like you weren't alone, to network and to start tapping into the meaning of governance.”
WHO SHOULD REGISTER FOR THE PROGRAMME?
- MENTEES: Anyone currently sitting on a governance board or committee with a community organisation who wants to grow and develop their effectiveness and confidence in their governance role.
- MENTORS: Community members with strong not-for-profit governance experience and skills, with a passion for sharing their knowledge to benefit our local community organisations.
How to Register?
If you have any questions or need further information please don't hestiate to reach out to Fiona the programme lead at hello@huddl.nz
