Radio New Zealand Board of Governors

Radio New Zealand Board of Governors

Dr Jim Mather

Chair of the Radio New Zealand Board of Governors

Dr Jim Mather is of Ngāti Awa, Ngāi Tūhoe and English descent. He grew up in the communities of Te Teko, Ōtara and Māngere

He was appointed Chair of the Radio New Zealand Board of Governors in May 2018.

Previously Jim was the Chief Executive of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa for five years.This followed nine years as Chief Executive of Māori Television, and prior to that he was Chief Executive of the Pacific Business Trust for almost three years.

He holds a Masters of Business Administration from the Henley Business School in England and a Bachelor of Business Studies. He also completed a PhD in Māori economic development through AUT University in 2014 and is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Directors.

With business management experience spanning 25 years, and a qualified accountant by profession, Jim has held a variety of private sector roles including General Manager of a marine engineering business and Financial Controller for a local subsidiary of a Swiss multinational.

Aligned with his commercial background, Jim is also a former officer in the New Zealand Army, and was awarded the Sword of Honour in recognition of his distinguished achievements in Officer training.

He currently holds governance roles with the following organisations:

• Chair of Radio New Zealand
• Chair of Ngāti Awa Group Holdings Limited
• Independent Director of Southbase Construction
• Independent Director of Tonkin + Taylor
• Managing Director of Mather Solutions Limited

Jim is passionate about Māori development, the media sector and the importance of education.

Dr Mather's term with RNZ will be three years from 1 July  2023.

Brent Impey

Radio New Zealand Board of Governors

Brent Impey was appointed Director to the RNZ Board in 2024. Brent is a professional director and runs his own consultancy business which works alongside a diverse range of New Zealand corporate clients. His current positions are Chair Fiji Drua, Chair Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting (Pasifika TV), Chair Thompson Spencer Advertising, Director and Chair of Remuneration Committee Devon Funds Management Limited / JMI Wealth, Chair Te Korowai O Waiheke and Trustee K.I.W.I.K.A.R.E Ukraine.

Brent has a wealth of experience in board, consultancy and chief executive positions, having most recently served as either Chair or Director for the New Zealand Rugby Union, SANZAAR, Remuneration Committee Yellow Pages Group, Hutchwilco Ltd and Finzsoft Solutions Limited.

Brent has been a media consultant and professional mentor, served as Chief Executive Officer at Mediaworks for 11 years and previously practised law specialising in media.

Gracie MacKinlay

Radio New Zealand Board of Governors

Gracie MacKinlay has over 20 years of experience in media and retail, with a focus on digital and technology. Originally from China, Gracie has lived, studied, and worked across Asia, Europe, and North America before settling in New Zealand.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business and Management from Hanze University in the Netherlands, a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from AUT, and a Master’s degree with Distinction in Applied Computing from Lincoln University. She is also a member of the Institute of Directors.

Gracie previously served as the CEO of Mighty Ape, a leading e-commerce company, where she led the business through significant growth and transformation. Her global perspective and extensive leadership experience contribute to her governance responsibilities at RNZ.

Irene Gardiner

Radio New Zealand Board of Governors

Irene Gardiner is a long-time television producer, with particular expertise in the area of factual programming. She ran TVNZ's internal production unit from 1995 to 2001, before becoming TVNZ's Head of Commissioning in 2002.

Irene was also the founding Content Director for the NZ On Screen website from 2009 till 2016.

Irene is President of the NZ screen producers' guild Spada, and a board member for Chamber Music NZ, and Able (Media Access Charitable Trust).

Irene began her career as a journalist working at the Dominion and Evening Post in Wellington. She then moved into television as a publicist before taking up a role as a trainee director. 

She is also a frequent commentator on screen and media matters on radio and television.

Irene's term with RNZ will be three years from 1 July 2023.

Jane Wrightson

Radio New Zealand Board of Governors

Jane Wrightson is serving her second term as Retirement Commissioner.

She came to the role from her position as the longstanding chief executive of NZ On Air, the public media funding agency.

Prior to that, she was the chief executive of the Broadcasting Standards Authority, chief executive of the Screen Producers Association, and was New Zealand’s first woman Chief Censor.

She began her career with a 10-year stint at TVNZ. She’s held various governance positions, and is currently Chair of Experience Wellington, a CCO.

She holds an MBA with Distinction, a BA in literature, and is a chartered member of the Institute of Directors.
Jane's term with RNZ will be three years from 1 July 2023.

She chairs the Editorial Standards Committee and the Audit and Risk Committee.

Mads Moller

Radio New Zealand Board of Governors

Mads Moller brings over 30 years of experience as a technology entrepreneur and CEO of his tech startups, along with C-suite leadership roles at companies such as IBM, Broadcom, Vodafone, and Google. He has over three decades of experience in governance, serving as a director or chair across companies in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the UK, and the USA.

Currently, Mads serves as an independent director or chair for: Quotable Value Ltd, OrbViz Ltd, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, FuseIT Ltd, Yärken Ltd, Multorum Ltd, Vertical Group A/S (Norway), VMC Ltd and his own companies.

Mads holds an MBA in International Marketing Strategies from Copenhagen Business School and another in International Strategy and Corporate Finance from London Business School.

Mihimaraea Parata Gardiner

Radio New Zealand Board of Governors

Mihimaraea joins the RNZ Board as part of the State Services Commission’s Future Directors programme. The programme gives talented people the opportunity to observe and participate on a board for a period of 12 to 18 months.

Mihimaraea Parata Gardiner is of Ngāti Porou descent with links to Mataatua, Te Arawa and Ngāi Tahu. She speaks Te Reo Māori and French, holds a BCA in Marketing, International Relations and Political Science, and has worked in both private and public sector organisations. She was Communications Coordinator for Te Matatini Kapa Haka National Festivals in 2017 and 2019.

Sina Wendt

Radio New Zealand Board of Governors

Sina Wendt has 25 years working in governance and executive leadership roles across the commercial, public and not-for-profit sectors. Her experience includes Chief Executive roles at Leadership New Zealand Trust and National Pacific Radio Trust Inc, the first national Pan-Pacific radio broadcasting network which connects Pacific communities across New Zealand. Sina’s term with RNZ is two years from 1 July 2023.