Governance and leadership
Learn out about our governance structure and senior leadership. Find our board meeting schedule and how you can participate.
The IAWAI Board of Directors
From 1 July 2026, IAWAI will have a six-person Board of Directors with a combination of financial, technical, governance, and cultural expertise to provide strong oversight as we move into our first year of operation and the long decade of infrastructure investment ahead of us.
Kevin Lavery (Chair)
Dr Kevin Lavery is an experienced chief executive with a background across public and private sectors, specialising in strategy, transformation, and infrastructure. He has held senior roles across consulting, the NHS, and major organisations, and has led three local authorities in the UK and New Zealand. Kevin currently serves as Chair of IAWAI Flowing Waters, Chief Executive of the Tauranga / Western Bay of Plenty waters entity, and a board member of Sanctuary Group.
Tim Manukau
Tim Manukau is an experienced board member who brings a strong community and cultural perspective to IAWAI. He is an accomplished waka paddler, reflecting deep connections to te ao Maaori and a commitment to stewardship of natural resources. Tim contributes to the board’s focus on sustainable water management and outcomes that support both people and place.
Dave Chambers
Dave Chambers is the former Chief Executive of Watercare Services and former Managing Director of Progressive Enterprises (Countdown/Woolworths New Zealand), bringing more than 40 years’ experience leading large, complex and customer-focused organisations. He is also a Director for Central Districts Water.
Hinerangi Raumati-Tu'ua
Hinerangi Raumati-Tu'ua brings deep financial expertise as a former CFO and a fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, combined with extensive governance experience across complex, regulated sectors including energy, water, and fisheries. She also contributes strong commercial acumen, a track record in infrastructure-adjacent organisations, and a valuable Te Ao Maaori perspective, all of which support IAWAI’s strategic direction.
Jennifer Kerr
Jennifer Kerr (Ngāti Mutunga/Ngāti Tama) is Pro Vice-Chancellor of Te Raupapa – Waikato Management School at the University of Waikato. An experienced board Chair and governor, she brings deep expertise in transformation, AI, people and safety, built over a global HR and leadership career spanning North America, Europe, the UK and Aotearoa New Zealand.
Tim Gibson
Tim Gibson is an experienced executive and governance leader with extensive expertise in New Zealand’s three waters sector and Council Controlled Organisations. He has held senior leadership roles, including Chief Executive of Citycare Water, where he oversaw nationwide water infrastructure operations and performance. Tim has significant governance experience, serving as Chair of Apex Water Ltd for a decade and currently as President of Water New Zealand, contributing to national policy, industry leadership, and sector capability development.
The IAWAI Forum
Shareholder councils, through the IAWAI Forum, exercise ownership of IAWAI, including setting expectations, monitoring performance, and appointing the Board of Directors. Waikato Tainui, is also a member of the IAWAI Forum, reinforcing the strong partnership approach taken.
The Forum ensures that IAWAI operates in a manner that reflects the priorities, statutory responsibilities, and long-term interests of its shareholding councils, iwi and communities.
Members of the IAWAI Forum:
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Hamilton City Council
Deputy Mayor Geoff Taylor, Councillor Rachel Karalus, CE Lance Vervoort.
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Waikato District Council
Mayor Aksel Bech, Deputy Mayor Eugene Patterson, Councillor Lisa Thomson.
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Waikato-Tainui
Jaydene Kana (Chair), Norm Hill, Julian Williams.
The IAWAI Executive Leadership Team
Peter Winder | Chief Executive
Peter Winder is Chief Executive of IAWAI, leading the organisation responsible for delivering a long-held vision for integrated water services across the Waikato region.
He brings extensive leadership experience spanning local and central government and the private sector, including Chief Executive roles at Auckland Regional Council, Local Government New Zealand and Te Pūkenga. He has also contributed at a national level through his appointment to the Three Waters National Transition Unit Board, and most recently served as Programme Director for Hamilton City Council’s Waters CCO development.
Peter combines strategic leadership with deep sector insight to guide transformation at scale. He is focused on delivering sustainable, regionally aligned water services that create long-term value for communities and support the health of the Waikato environment.
Jo‑Ann Pass | Chief Digital Officer
Jo‑Ann Pass is Chief Digital Officer at IAWAI, leading digital strategy for a modern, data‑enabled utility. With over 25 years’ global experience, she specialises in digital transformation and technology leadership, with a strong focus on people‑centred outcomes that improve services and deliver value for communities.
Nathan King | Chief Financial Officer
Nathan King is Chief Financial Officer at IAWAI, overseeing financial strategy, investment and performance. With a background in corporate finance and infrastructure, he takes a disciplined approach to balancing value, risk and resilience, delivering sustainable outcomes and fair pricing for communities.
Andrew Parsons | GM Growth & Delivery
Andrew Parsons is General Manager Growth and Delivery at IAWAI, overseeing planning and infrastructure delivery. With 35+ years’ experience, he specialises in large‑scale capital programmes and sustainable, future‑ready infrastructure that supports regional growth and community outcomes
Maire Porter | GM Operations (Hamilton City)
Maire Porter is General Manager Operations at IAWAI, leading water services delivery across Waikato. With 30+ years’ experience in three waters, she specialises in operational leadership, building capable teams and ensuring reliable, high‑quality services that meet regulatory and community expectations.
Keith Martin | GM Operations (Waikato District)
Keith Martin is General Manager Operations at IAWAI, overseeing operational performance and service delivery. With 20+ years’ experience, he specialises in infrastructure operations and asset management, with a focus on reliability, resilience and strong stakeholder relationships.
Amomai Pihama | Pou Aronui, GM Communications, Engagement and Maaori Partnerships
Ko Ngaati Mahanga me Ngaati Korokii‑Kahukura ngaa hapuu, ko Waikato te iwi.
Amomai Pihama is Pou Aronui and General Manager Maaori Partnerships, Communications and Engagement at IAWAI, leading relationships and engagement with iwi, communities and stakeholders. She focuses on building trust, strengthening partnerships and supporting inclusive, future‑focused outcomes.
Becca Brooke | Executive Director Transformation & Business Services
Becca Brooke is Executive Director Transformation and Business Services at IAWAI, leading transformation and organisational performance. With extensive government experience, she specialises in governance, business management and large‑scale change, with a focus on clear, practical outcomes and sustainable impact.
Natasha Yarrall | Executive Director Governance & Government Relations
Natasha Yarrall is Executive Director Governance and Government Relations at IAWAI, specialising in governance, strategy and government engagement. With a background across central and local government, she brings a strategic, big‑picture approach to aligning interests and supporting confident decision‑making for community outcomes.
Meetings
The Board of Directors and its Committees meet on alternate months.
The Board is focused on making strategic decisions, including approving the Water Services Strategy and annual budget, and receiving assurance on IAWAI performance. It’s responsible for decisions where it involves significant investment, changes to core assumptions, pricing or funding impacts, or material risks to service, compliance, or customers.
Committees review these areas in more detail, focusing on risks, trade-offs, and impacts, and make recommendations to the Board.
Upcoming meetings
Date
Time
Location
19 November 2026
9.30am
Committee Room 1, Waikato District Council Offices, 15 Galileo Street, Ngaaruawaahia
10 February 2027
10:30am
Committee Room 1, Waikato District Council Offices, 15 Galileo Street, Ngaaruawaahia
8 April 2027
9.30am
Committee Room 1, Waikato District Council Offices, 15 Galileo Street, Ngaaruawaahia
17 June 2027
9.30am
Committee Room 1, Hamilton City Council, 260 Anglesea Street, Hamilton
Livestream
Watch meetings live on our YouTube channel
Agendas and minutes will be posted below when available.
Agendas and minutes
17 September 2026 IAWAI Board Meeting
16 July 2026 IAWAI Board Meeting
1 July 2026: Written resolution approving DC policy
The Board of IAWAI confirmed the IAWAI Development Contributions Policy by written resolution on 1 July 2026. Read the resolution here: 1 July 2026 Development Contributions Policy minutes
Pre-July 2026: Establishment agenda and minutes
These agendas and minutes relate to the establishment phase of IAWAI Flowing Waters and pre-date the commencement of the current governance arrangements on 1 July 2026.
Meeting guidance
- Please email governance@iawai.co.nz at least 24 hours before the meeting, to register to speak. We’ll confirm your presentation time before the meeting.
- If you are speaking, you will have up to 5 minutes to present your views (with the public forum up to a maximum of 30 minutes total).
- The Board and management may not respond during the meeting, but you’ll receive a written reply within 7 days, unless otherwise advised.
- No filming or recording is allowed unless you’ve received approval in advance.
Official information requests
Our website holds a range of publicly available information including our six-monthly reports, strategies, policies, board papers and media releases. If information that we hold isn't on the website, you can formally request it.