Where governance, creativity, and community meet – that’s where I do my best work
Linda Potauaine 2026
Ko wai au? Who I am, and why I do this work
Ko wai au? Who I am, and why I do this work
When decisions are made about our communities – where money goes, what services look like, how change happens – real people feel the impact. Our kids, our kaumātua, our neighbours. That’s what has always mattered most to me.
I’m Linda Potauaine, and for many years I’ve been sitting in the rooms where these decisions are made – on boards, forums, and governance groups across Aotearoa. My work is about making sure those decisions stay grounded in people, place, and kaupapa, not just paperwork.
How I found myself in governance
I didn’t wake up one day and decide, “I want to be on boards.” My journey grew out of community life – listening to whānau, working alongside schools and services, and noticing where systems were helping and where they were getting in the way.
Over time, that led me into elected and appointed governance roles in education, health, social services, and community development. I’ve:
• Sat around tables where we decide how to support whānau better
• Helped shape strategies so organisations can actually live their values
• Worked with people from government, community, and the frontline to find a way forward together
What I bring into those spaces is pretty simple: I listen, I ask hard questions kindly, and I don’t forget who isn’t in the room.
Non‑violence, restoration, and resilience
One of the strongest threads running through my journey is a deep commitment to non‑violence and restorative practice. I’ve served in governance roles for programmes that:
• Help people deal with conflict in safer, more respectful ways
• Build skills in listening, empathy, and communication
• Strengthen connections so communities are more resilient when challenges come
I believe real change doesn’t just sit in policies and plans. It shows up in how we talk to one another, how we handle mistakes, and how we bring people back in rather than push them out.
We never get it perfect. It’s a journey, and we all falter sometimes. What matters is how we get back up and how we stand alongside those who are struggling, offering support and hope.
Linda Potauaine
How I like to lead
I’m not interested in leadership that’s all about titles or being the loudest voice at the table. For me, good governance feels like this:
• Clear decisions – Everyone understands what we’re deciding, why it matters, and who will be affected.
• Good process – People know what to expect. Things are transparent, fair, and we follow through.
• Strong relationships – We can have honest conversations, even tough ones, without breaking trust.
• Community at the centre – We don’t just tick boxes; we think about real people and long‑term outcomes.
A lot of the work I do is complex – different agencies, tight budgets, high needs, lots of opinions. I’m comfortable in that space. I’m used to holding different views, weighing up tricky information, and still bringing the group back to the core questions: Is this right for our people? Will this help, not harm, in the long run?
Where I’m focused now
These days, my energy is still in the same place it’s always been: supporting better decisions for our communities across New Zealand.
Sometimes that looks like chairing a meeting and keeping a board focused. Sometimes it means slowing things down so we can listen properly; it could also mean full belly laughs until you have tears in your eyes. Sometimes it means standing alongside others as they step into their own leadership roles.
Underneath it all is a simple drive: to help build systems and decisions that honour people, respect place, and leave things better for those who come after us.
That’s who I am, and that’s the heart I bring into every governance role I hold.
That’s who I am, and that’s the heart I bring into every governance role I hold.
Linda Potauaine
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