upskill with cooperative business nz

our education programmes

WHATEVER AGE OR CAREER STAGE 

Best in class education offerings

Learning is a life-long process. Whether you’re a secondary student or decades into your career, we’re pleased to deliver a range of education offerings that enhance the capabilities of New Zealand’s current and future co-operative leaders and governors.

Mike Brown Profile

Ready to take the next step?

Governance & Leadership Education

By partnering with some of New Zealand’s leading governance and education specialists, we are able to deliver best-in-class governance and leadership education programmes.

Governance is a critical piece of the co-operative puzzle, and our rolling calendar of programmes are designed to specifically target and enhance the work of those operating within co-operative environments.

These include a mix of short courses, in-person workshops, and virtual learning environments. Whether you’re an aspiring, new, or seasoned director or board chair, there will be a programme that suits your current governance and leadership needs.

New Zealand landscape

Governance Development Programme

A six-month intensive programme comprised of residential workshops, 1-to-1 coaching and online mentoring. Facilitated by leading New Zealand directors.

Next course: November 2023

Register now >

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Introduction to Co-operative Governance

A one-day workshop for aspiring or new directors looking for an overview of co-operative governance.

Next course: July 2023

Register now >

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Governance Accelerator Programme

Two-day workshop for new or existing directors looking to deepen their understanding of best practice governance and enhance their Board contribution.

Next course: October 2023

Register now >

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Chairing the Co-operative Board

Half-day programme to prepare co-operative directors for the role and additional responsibilities of Chair. It also serves as a time-efficient and stimulating refresher for existing chairs, or experienced chairs who are new to co-operatives.

Next course: Early 2024. Keep an eye out!

New Zealand landscape

Future Director's Programme

The Future Director’s Programme is run by the Institute of Directors. It provides those with governance potential and ambition to participate on a Board. We are proud to routinely have a Board Observer on the Cooperative Business NZ Board. 

Availability: Get in touch to discuss

New Zealand landscape

Board Reviews

Good boards will continuously review their performance and make up through evaluation and benchmarking. Regular Board reviews go hand-in-hand with best practice governance.

Availability: We hope to bring this initiative to members in 2023

TESTIMONIALS

dON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT

“I thought it was a really good programme. Richard presents an excellent learning experience.”

Sir David Carter KNZM

“Another outstanding workshop. The content was excellent and served as a great refresher course on governance. Overall, I am a stronger governor for being here.”

“The course absolutely fulfilled my needs as a newbie to directorship and board behaviour. I have a good grasp on best practise going forward.”

Tertiary Education

Co-operative learning at tertiary level

There is currently limited education on the co-operative model at tertiary and post-graduate levels. We’re working closely with academic partners, tertiary institutions and the Government to change that.

By incorporating papers and learning about the model into tertiary courses and master’s programmes around law, accounting and commerce, graduates entering the future workforce will do so with a deeper understanding of the business model and its intricacies.

In 2022, Cooperative Business NZ established an MOU with Massey University, incorporating co-operative learning into its business programmes.

Get in touch if you work in academia and want to learn more.

Massey University

Post-graduate studies

Massey University is now offering a post-graduate course Cooperative Governance and Management.

The course is an advanced study of the theory and practices of co-operatives and mutuals. Emphasis is placed on the governance and management of co-operatives and their subsequent performance in meeting the demands placed on them through shareholder/supplier or shareholder/buyer complexities. The competitiveness of co-operatives in a global environment is explored through appropriate case studies.

SECONDARY EDUCATION

We are currently exploring how we can work more regularly with secondary schools and relevant partners such as the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES). Watch this space!