Spectrum Foundation has a clear vision: an Aotearoa in which all disabled people have equal opportunity to live good lives.
As the parent entity of the Spectrum Group, alongside Spectrum Care and Homes of Choice, the Foundation works to break down barriers that prevent disabled people and their whānau from achieving equitable outcomes across health, housing, education, employment and self-determination.
Spectrum Foundation is now seeking a new Trustee who brings lived experience of disability, strong connections across disability communities and the wider disability sector, and established relationships with iwi, particularly across the North Island.
This is an opportunity to bring your lived experience, perspective and relationships to the governance table and help influence decisions that affect disabled people and their whānau. The Board recognises the value that lived experience brings to its thinking and decision-making and wants this perspective to contribute meaningfully to its priorities, relationships and future direction.
As a Trustee, you will join a collaborative Board committed to good governance, inclusion and creating positive and lasting impact. You will have the opportunity to contribute to the strategic direction of a respected organisation working across disability support, housing, community wellbeing and philanthropy.
THE ROLE
As a Trustee, you will share responsibility with other Board members for the governance and stewardship of Spectrum Foundation.
The role is strategic rather than operational. Trustees work collectively to set direction, ask questions, consider opportunities and risks, oversee organisational performance and ensure the Foundation remains focused on its purpose and the people and communities it exists to serve.
As a Trustee, you will contribute to:
- Shaping the Foundation’s strategy, priorities, values and long-term direction.
- Bringing lived experience and the perspectives of disabled people and disability communities into Board conversations and decision-making.
- Strengthening the Foundation’s understanding of, and relationships with, disability communities, iwi and other key stakeholders.
- Overseeing organisational performance, financial sustainability, investment and risk.
- Supporting and constructively challenging the Chief Executive and executive leadership.
- Ensuring strong governance, accountability and compliance.
- Participating actively in Board and relevant committee meetings and contributing your own perspective while working collaboratively with fellow Trustees.
The Board wants to remain connected to the aspirations, experiences and changing needs of disabled people and their whānau, and to strengthen its relationships with the communities it serves. This appointment provides an important opportunity to bring lived experience, sector connection and relationships into the governance of Spectrum Foundation.
THE CANDIDATE
Spectrum Foundation is particularly interested in hearing from people who bring personal lived experience of disability, together with strong relationships and credibility within disability communities and the wider disability sector, particularly across the North Island.
You will also bring an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and established relationships with iwi across the North Island, enabling you to contribute to the Foundation’s relationships, understanding and commitment to equitable outcomes for Māori.
Your leadership and contribution may have developed through advocacy, community leadership, disability organisations, advisory groups, governance, professional roles or other settings. You may already have Board or Trustee experience, but this does not necessarily need to have come through a traditional governance pathway.
What is important is your ability to bring your lived experience, perspective, relationships and judgement to strategic conversations and contribute constructively as part of a Board.
You are likely to bring:
- Personal lived experience of disability and an understanding of the experiences, aspirations and opportunities of disabled people and their whānau.
- Strong relationships, networks and credibility within disability communities and the disability sector, particularly across the North Island.
- Established relationships with iwi across the North Island and an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its relevance to governance and organisational leadership.
- A commitment to disabled people having greater choice, voice, independence and opportunities to live good lives.
- The ability to think strategically, consider different perspectives and contribute to collective decision-making.
- Confidence to ask questions, offer different perspectives and constructively challenge thinking when needed.
- Strong relationship and communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with people from different backgrounds and experiences.
- Integrity, sound judgement and a strong commitment to the purpose and values of Spectrum Foundation.
Previous Board or Trustee experience would be valuable but should not be seen as a barrier to expressing interest. The Board is interested in the lived experience, perspective, relationships and contribution you can bring, as well as any formal governance experience.
Spectrum Foundation welcomes conversations with potential candidates about any accessibility requirements or reasonable adjustments that would enable them to participate fully in the recruitment process and, if appointed, in the Trustee role. Candidate information can also be made available in alternative accessible formats on request.
For a confidential discussion, please get in touch with:
David Price
National Manager, New Zealand
M. +64 (0)21 0239 2211 | E. dprice@hardygroupintl.com
HOW TO APPLY
The closing date for applications is Thursday, 3rd September 2026
The reference number to include in your application is H26_5557
