Kiwibank has announced the appointment of Anne Haira to its board as part of the Institute of Directors’ (IOD) Future Directors program, marking the bank’s first appointment under this initiative. Haira, who currently serves as Deputy Secretary of Partnerships, Investments, and Enablement at the Ministry of Environment, brings her experience in climate change policy, external affairs, and Māori strategy to her new role.
Anne Haira has held leadership positions at the Ministry of Environment since 2019, where she has made significant contributions to climate change policy, data and evidence, and external affairs. Prior to this, she played a pioneering role in developing Fonterra’s Māori Strategy and worked as a senior lawyer at Kensington Swan, advising iwi and hapū on Te Tiriti o Waitangi settlement negotiations and post-settlement issues.
As a Future Director, Haira will actively participate in Kiwibank’s Board and Committee meetings as a non-voting participant, gaining valuable governance experience while contributing her expertise to the bank.
Expressing her enthusiasm for the appointment, Haira stated, “This appointment provides me with the opportunity to learn from governors with wide-ranging sectoral experience. I’m looking forward to contributing my experience in climate change and sustainability and experiencing first-hand the challenger culture that the bank is known for.”
Kiwibank Board Chair Jon Hartley welcomed Haira, saying, “This is an exciting opportunity for both Kiwibank and Anne. Her background, experiences, and enthusiasm align closely with our purpose of Kiwi making Kiwi better off. We welcome Anne in her role as a Future Director of the bank and look forward to working together.”
Haira’s career began in government, where she held policy roles at the Ministry of Economic Development and Te Puni Kōkiri (Ministry of Māori Development). She has also worked internationally including in positions with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community in New Caledonia and the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs in Vancouver, Canada.
Anne Haira’s whakapapa traces back to Te Arawa, Ngāti Kahungunu, and Rangitāne, and she currently resides in Wellington.