Governance and leadership
Our governance structure ensures strong leadership, integrated decision-making, and accountability for balancing the delivery of safe and compliant water and wastewater services, responding to growth, and driving affordability for our communities, in line with shareholder and iwi expectations.
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 – Flowing Waters Forum are:
Hamilton City Council: Mayor Tim Macindoe; Deputy Mayor Geoff Taylor; CE Lance Vervoort
Waikato District Council: Mayor Aksel Bech; Deputy Mayor Eugene Patterson; Councillor Lisa Thomson
Waikato Tainui: Jaydene Kana (Chair); Norm Hill; Julian Williams
Key reports
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.
Meetings
The Board of Directors, and from 1 July 2026, it’s Committees, will 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.
Our next meetings are on
- 16 July 2026, 9.30am, Committee Room 1, Hamilton City Council
- 17 September 2026, 9.30am, Location TBC
- 19 November 2026, 9.30am, Location TBC
Agendas and minutes will be posted when available.
Meeting guidance
-
Please email info@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.