Community Governance Aotearoa (CGA) is proud to announce a new partnership with the Institute of Community Directors Australia (ICDA) to deliver the Certified Community Directors course in Aotearoa New Zealand. This collaboration brings world-class governance training to the heart of our communities, tailored for the unique needs of Aotearoa’s not-for-profit and community sector.
In Aotearoa, we have over 115,000 not-for-profit organisations and more than 28,000 registered charities across the motu, flaxroots and grassroots organisations are at the heart of our community. Our community sector is powered by hundreds of thousands of volunteers and community leaders who give their time, energy, and expertise to causes that matter. Yet, many of these organisations face increasing complexity, compliance demands, and funding pressures.
“Strong governance is essential for thriving communities” says Rose Hiha-Agnew, CEO of Community Governance Aotearoa, “We sought a reputable, values-aligned partner to help us deliver practical, accessible training that reflects both global best practice and the unique context of Aotearoa. ICDA brings decades of experience and a proven track record in governance education.”
The Certified Community Directors course is designed for board members, trustees, CEOs, and senior staff working in the not-for-profit space. The online course includes seven self-paced modules covering governance fundamentals, financial oversight, risk, strategy, and more.
Institute of Community Directors Australia (ICDA) own course ‘The Certified Community Director’ units have been completed over 3,000 times by Australian community board members. We have adapted the course content specifically for governance members of community organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand (we ditched the Aussie accent, but kept the name Community Director)!
This initiative is part of Community Governance Aotearoa’s broader mission to continue to develop governance capability across the sector, from flaxroots whānau-led groups to national organisations. All toward ensuring that every community organisation has access to the tools and knowledge to govern well.
Certified Community Directors Course Aotearoa
- Certified pathway: Complete all 7 modules to earn your Certified Community Directors credential
- Pay-as-you-go: Enroll in modules one at a time or the full course, 100% online
- 12-month access: Revisit materials anytime to refresh your knowledge
- No hidden costs: No membership fees or annual fees
Course Outline
Unit 1: Foundations in Governance
Unit 2: Understand and Cultivate Culture through Recruitment
Unit 3: Strategic Planning and Change Management
Unit 4: Managing Your Funds
Unit 5: Effective Communication for Board Members
Unit 6: Conflict Resolution and Negotiation Techniques for Boards
Unit 7: Finding Funds
The prices (full price, not sale) for Certified Community Directors are NZ$315 for the first large module, NZ$155 for each of the remaining modules, NZ$1090 to purchase the whole package, meaning the last module is free.
To celebrate, we have an exclusive 15% discount off the full course for the first 500 event registrations.
The full Certified Directors Course will be available from 27th of August 2025.
Ngā mihi
Rose Hiha-Agnew
Chief Executive | Tumu Whakarae
Community Governance Aotearoa
