Board Chair and Trustee

Perinatal Wellbeing Canterbury is a dedicated charitable trust committed to supporting the mental health of families during one of life's most significant transition periods. Our mission is to encourage and support parents who are experiencing a decline in mental wellbeing relating to, or resulting from, pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting within the first 2,000 days (from pregnancy to 5 years). Perinatal mental distress is a critical community health issue; statistically, one in four mothers and one in ten fathers are diagnosed with clinical depression and/or anxiety during pregnancy or after birth.

To address this, we deliver on three primary purposes:

Support: We provide free support for parents through peer led Wellbeing Groups, online and telephone support, and individual peer support sessions.

Advocacy: We actively assist parents in accessing appropriate clinical and community support systems.

Awareness: We deliver community education sessions to raise awareness and understanding of perinatal mental wellbeing.

Where Our Organisation Stands Today

This is an exceptional time to join our governance team. Backed by a passionate operational staff and a team of dedicated volunteers, the trust has recently achieved major strategic milestones:

• Proven Local Impact: We enrolled 305 parents last year (achieving a 99% recommendation rate) and successfully established a permanent support group specifically for fathers.
• Modernised Governance: In late 2025, we completely updated our Trust Deed to ensure full legislative compliance and introduce structured terms of office for our board.
• Financial & Operational Security: We are backed by secured multi-year funding from major grant providers and have streamlined our daily operations using the newly implemented Apricot client management system.

The Opportunity

Perinatal Wellbeing Canterbury Trust is seeking an experienced governance professional or an inspiring leader to join our Board of Trustees and step into the crucial role of Board Chairperson. As Chairperson, you will lead a collaborative board that currently includes specialised finance, clinical and human resource advisors. You will work with our operational leads to champion our strategic direction and guide the trust into its next chapter of growth. Looking ahead to 2026–27, our strategic focus centres on securing sustainable funding, building key operational partnerships, and launching targeted public awareness campaigns, all while sustaining our high standard of core service delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Convene and chair regular board meetings, lead strategic planning initiatives, and ensure the trust remains aligned with its core mission and future goals.
• Governance & Compliance: Oversee compliance with the trust's newly updated Trust Deed, legislative mandates, and non-profit best practices.
• Strategic Governance: Ensure clear alignment between board strategy and operational execution through high-level oversight of the core operational team.
• Financial Oversight: Work alongside our board finance advisor to monitor financial performance, manage grant dependencies, and ensure long-term sustainability.
• Stakeholder Relations: Represent Perinatal Wellbeing Canterbury in public spaces, maintaining strong relationships with health providers, community partners, and key funding bodies.

What We Are Looking For

• Previous experience in a governance role (prior experience as a chairperson, deputy chair, or sub-committee lead is highly desirable).
• Strong leadership, meeting facilitation, and long-term strategic thinking capabilities.
• Exceptional communication skills to successfully connect with staff, trustees, volunteers, and external sector partners.
• A deep empathy for and commitment to community mental health, perinatal wellbeing, and the voluntary sector.
• Familiarity with the New Zealand non-profit sector and grant-funding mechanisms is an advantage.

Time Commitment

• This is a voluntary, unpaid position.
• The board meets bimonthly for 2 hours in Christchurch to review progress, governance, financial summaries, and ongoing strategies.
• There may be an additional 1-4 hours required between meetings if matters arise that need governance or chair input, or to meet with funders and other stakeholders.

How to Apply

If you are ready to use your leadership skills to give back to the Canterbury community and make a life-changing difference for new parents, we welcome your application. Please send your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your governance experience and alignment with our mission to:

Email: ***email_hidden***

Website: perinatalwellbeing.org.nz

Office Address: Unit 1, 175 Roydvale Avenue, Burnside, Christchurch 8053

Join us in building a community of mentally healthy parents!