The Styx Living Laboratory Trust is seeking a new Board Chair to guide our governance team and champion the future of the Pūharakekenui / Styx River catchment in north-east Ōtautahi Christchurch.
For over two decades, we’ve been at the heart of local river care - delivering environmental education, citizen science, restoration projects, and community engagement. Established to create a “living laboratory” for learning and research, we are proud custodians of the Styx Vision 2000-2040.
This is a pivotal leadership role, offering the chance to make a lasting impact on the health of our river and its communities.
Provide strategic leadership and ensure effective, future-focused governance.
Chair Board meetings, ensuring agendas, papers, and decisions are clear and well-structured.
Work with Trustees to oversee strategy, risk, finance, and organisational performance.
Build strong relationships with key partners - including Christchurch City Council, ECan, mana whenua, funders, community groups, and environmental organisations.
Mentor and support Trustees, fostering good governance practice and a positive team culture.
Collaborate constructively with staff and contractors, maintaining clear boundaries between governance and operations.
We’re seeking someone who brings most of the following:
Proven experience chairing a board or governance group (or senior board experience ready to step up).
Strong facilitation skills - able to build consensus and lead decision-making.
Strategic vision - seeing the bigger picture and setting clear priorities.
Solid understanding of governance, finance, and risk in a charitable or not-for-profit context.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with confidence to represent the Trust externally.
A genuine commitment to the health and restoration of the Pūharakekenui / Styx River.
Desirable (but not essential):
Experience in environmental, ecological, or freshwater management.
Community development or governance.
Fundraising, philanthropy, or donor relationships.
Partnership work with mana whenua and/or local government.
You’ll join an engaged Board and a passionate operational team. Full induction and handover support will be provided.
Appointments are in line with the Trust Deed, typically for an initial three-year term.
To express interest, please email: contact@thestyx.nz with:
A short cover note outlining why you’re interested in the Chair role.
A brief CV or summary of your governance and leadership experience.
Any connections you have with the Styx catchment, north-east Ōtautahi, or relevant sectors.
We’re happy to have an informal, confidential conversation before you apply.
The Styx Living Laboratory Trust (SLLT), is a local river care group, which was established in
2000 to achieve Vision 3 (Develop a "living laboratory" that focuses on both learning and
research) of the CCC`s, `Styx Vision 2000 – 2040.’ The Trust has since encompassed a role of
guardianship and advocacy for the waterway and the biodiversity of the surrounding land as a
living part of the Canterbury landscape.
We, the trustees and volunteers, are advocates for maintaining water quality and other values
(including drainage, ecology, landscape, culture, recreation, and heritage values) in the river. We
care deeply about our water and want it to remain clean, healthy, biodiverse and available for
future generations to use and enjoy.