Trustee

MEET THE NEED — TRUSTEE OPPORTUNITIES

Help us ensure no one in New Zealand goes hungry or unnourished.

New Zealand produces some of the world’s best food. Yet every day, families in our own communities struggle to put nutritious food on the table.

Meet the Need exists to help bridge that gap.

We are a farmer-founded, charity connecting quality New Zealand protein with food banks and community organisations supporting people experiencing food insecurity.

Our vision is simple and ambitious: no one should go hungry or unnourished in New Zealand.

Since Meet the Need was established in 2020, farmers, processors, supporters and community organisations have come together behind that vision, turning the generosity and capability of rural New Zealand into practical support for communities across the country.

Last year, Meet the Need provided 1.2 million meals through more than 130 food banks each month. Since 2020, we have helped provide more than 4.2 million meals to New Zealand communities.

Help govern our next chapter

As demand for food support grows, we want to make the supply of nutritious protein to communities more consistent, resilient and sustainable.

That means strengthening our organisation, partnerships and funding model while protecting the simplicity, trust and farmer-led values that have made Meet the Need successful.

We are seeking two to three new Trustees to join our Board and help shape this next chapter.

This is an opportunity to contribute your governance experience to an organisation delivering practical, tangible impact throughout New Zealand — and to help determine how we grow that impact responsibly and sustainably.

As a Trustee, you will help shape our strategic direction, strengthen our long-term financial resilience, build relationships across the food system and explore opportunities to extend our reach. We are looking for people who are willing to draw on their experience, connections and networks to open doors, build partnerships and help create new opportunities for Meet the Need.

These are voluntary governance roles for people who want to use their skills, experience and networks to make a meaningful difference.

What you will help us do

As a Trustee, you will help Meet the Need:

• Protect and advance our charitable purpose.
• Strengthen our long-term financial sustainability and resilience.
• Build enduring relationships across farming, food processing, distribution, community organisations and government.
• Ensure our growth is supported by strong governance, accountability and risk management.
• Increase the consistency and impact of nutritious protein reaching communities in need.
• Challenge our thinking, identify opportunities and help us make sound decisions for the future.

Who we are looking for

As part of our ongoing Board skills matrix review, we are particularly seeking experience in:

• Public sector — including an understanding of government, public policy or the wider public sector environment.
• Governance and compliance — including risk management, accountability and good governance practice.
• Agribusiness and farming — with an understanding of the people, businesses and systems that underpin New Zealand’s food production sector.

You will also bring:

• Strong governance experience, strategic thinking and sound judgement.
• The confidence to ask difficult questions and constructively challenge the status quo.
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative approach with fellow Trustees, our team and partners.
• The ability and willingness to use your professional experience and networks to support Meet the Need’s development.
• A genuine commitment to addressing food insecurity in New Zealand.

We value people who can see the bigger picture, bring different perspectives to the table and balance ambition with the practical realities of running a charity.

The commitment

Trustee positions are voluntary and unpaid. We recognise that our Trustees contribute valuable time, expertise and experience, and we are committed to making that contribution count.

The commitment includes:

• 10 Board meetings each year, with approximately three held in person and seven online.
• Additional involvement in Board subcommittees and correspondence between meetings.
• Attendance at Meet the Need events where possible, helping connect with and champion the farmers, partners and communities behind our work.

Reasonable, approved expenses incurred in carrying out Trustee duties will be reimbursed.

Appointments are for a three-year term, with eligibility for reappointment in accordance with the Trust Deed.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and walks of life who share our purpose and can bring valuable experience and perspective to our Board.

Interested?

We’d love to hear why Meet the Need’s purpose matters to you, what you could bring to our Board and how you could help us create greater impact for New Zealand communities.

Please send a covering letter outlining your interest and relevant experience, along with your governance CV, to hello@meettheneed.org.nz.

Applications open: 4 November 2026

Applications close: 3 December, 5pm

For further information, visit www.meettheneed.org.nz or contact:

Nick Fisher
Chair, Meet the Need
nick@meettheneed.org.nz 
021 383 474

Please send a covering letter outlining your interest and relevant experience, along with your governance CV, to hello@meettheneed.org.nz.