More than 30 community leaders across Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes will be learning about good governance by New Zealand business woman Dr Jo Cribb next week.

Hosted by huddl - a new initiative to strengthen and support community groups and charitable organisations in Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes - the workshop was aimed at enhancing governance capabilities.

Dr Cribb said she was impressed by the uptake of participants looking for more governance training, for a region that still had a small population base.

“That’s a huge level of engagement in the level of interest of governance,” she said.

Recent data from huddl’s recent Community Needs Assessment survey showed that 70 per cent of respondents expressed feeling challenged or in need of help.  

Of those surveyed 44 per cent indicated that they would benefit from governance training.

Held in Cromwell on Wednesday, The Foundations of Good Governance workshop was a two-hour practical session, and Dr Cribb said she was also interested to hear people share their stories.

An accomplished board director, consultant, strategist, and author with extensive experience in the not-for-profit sector, Dr Cribb regularly facilitated for the Institute of Directors and was recognised for her leadership receiving the Not-for-Profit Governance Leader Award from Women in Governance in 2021. 

She would be in Central Otago for a few days - MCing at the inaugural Inspiring Wahine conference in Alexandra as well as talking to the Women in Wine group.

Harvest on a Central Otago vineyard. Governance leader and vineyard owner Dr Jo Cribb will be talking to Women in Wine next week. FILE SHOT

Also the owner of a small vineyard in Martinborough, along with her husband, who is a born and bred Southlander, Dr Cribb said she was looking forward to spending time in the area, and sampling some good pinot noir.

“We are very familiar with Central Otago and we just love it,” she said.

huddl project lead Fiona Reeve said the workshop was tailored for community group leaders and board members who were new to governance or wanted to strengthen their understanding of governance in a non-profit environment. 

"Good governance is essential for community organisations to be sustainable and effectively achieve their objectives, ensuring they have a deeper impact in the communities they serve,” she said.

Dr Cribb said volunteers have taken on a lot of responsibility in challenging times, especially when costs were getting higher.

“In this day and age, isn’t it great that people are still looking out for each other?” she said.

huddl is governed by members from Queenstown Lakes District Council, Central Lakes Trust, Whakatipu Hub, Central Otago District Council, Cromwell and Districts Community Trust, Sport Central, Volunteer South and Alexandra Community House.