Trustees (up to two)

Who we are

Touch Compass is Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading professional arts organisation whose work is disability-led. We deliver high-quality performances and art events, youth and community classes, workshops, and professional development.

Founded in 1997, we have performed nationally and internationally, and collaborated with a wide range of creatives from diverse backgrounds. 2026 marks our 30th year — and we’re marking the milestone by launching Tipua | Toa | Tihi: Crip. Bold. Leading., our bold new strategy for 2026–2030.

Touch Compass provides a platform for disabled artists, choreographers and production crews to advance their skills and capabilities to create, produce and deliver innovative and authentic creative experiences face-to-face and online for local, national and international audiences. Through Touch Compass, individuals and organisations can grow their disability consciousness and awareness, and champion diversity and access.

For more information see the Touch Compass website.

What we’re seeking

Our Board of Trustees is responsible for providing effective governance of the organisation including contributing to the vision, values and kaupapa, and strategic and artistic direction.

Trustees need to support our vision and be prepared to apply their skills, talents, and experience to support our kaupapa by providing effective guidance and decision-making.

We seek values-led people who bring diverse experience and are keen to support a vision that foregrounds disability leadership and supports the intersectionality of multiple voices and perspectives, including Māori and Pacific.

We’re seeking up to two new trustees

As we step into this new strategic phase, we’re particularly keen to hear from people with legal expertise (for example governance, contract, employment or charities law) and/or experience in revenue diversification — commercial partnerships, fundraising, philanthropy or new income generation.

What is important to us is:

●      An interest in the arts and a strong desire to support our vision and new 2026–2030 strategy

●      Values-led leadership — integrity, manaakitanga, and a genuine commitment to disability leadership

●      The capacity to contribute your time, energy and mahi to Touch Compass

●      The ability to work collaboratively and constructively as part of a team

What’s involved

The Board meets formally every 6-8 weeks. We vary between online meetings and meetings in person at Touch Compass’ Mt Albert base in Auckland. Trustees are expected to participate in conversations and working groups in between Board meetings and may attend additional meetings if they agree to support specific Board initiatives (e.g. a recruitment or donor campaign). Trustees are also encouraged to attend Touch Compass events.

While our Trustee positions are voluntary (unpaid) there are many benefits to working with us:

●      Membership of the Institute of Directors

●      Periodic governance and disability/cultural awareness training

●      The opportunity to attend Touch Compass events

●      The opportunity to support our fantastic people and kaupapa. 

We ask Trustees to commit to a 3 year term, with the option of a further 3 year term by mutual agreement. The time commitment varies, but as a rough guide we estimate Trustees need to commit up to 5 hours a month.

Please submit your expression of interest by sending a cover email/letter and a short CV highlighting relevant skills and experience to the Board Co-Chairs, Andrew McMillian and Beckie Lockhart at: beckie@touchcompass.org.nz

In your cover email/letter, please explain briefly what interests you about working with Touch Compass and outline the relevant skills and experience you would bring to the Board.