Co-op Leader Conversations

Leading cooperative scholars Professor Dionne Pohler and Dr Marc-Andre Pigeon discuss what enables co-operatives to thrive across generations, exploring governance, capital, member engagement and the leadership practices that help member-owned businesses remain relevant, resilient and future-focused.

Carl Taylor discusses how a small group of builders created a rapidly growing cooperative that now supports more than 2,100 building trade members in New Zealand and Australia through collective buying power, advocacy, member ownership and consistent storytelling.

Susannah Batley of Sharesies Business discusses how technology is reshaping the co-operative ownership experience, from shareholder communication and mobile-first access to liquidity, succession and long-term member engagement.

HRV is New Zealand’s leading home ventilation system and a household name, with more than 500,000 New Zealanders living in a home with at least one HRV product. In this episode of Co-op Leader Conversations, we speak with CEO Norman Woods about why this established Kiwi business chose to convert from a traditional company structure to a co-operative — and what that ownership shift means for its fu...

What New Zealand could learn from Australia’s housing co-ops. Australia’s CEHL proves housing co-ops can scale: a specialist owner (CEHL) holds the assets; local co-ops govern and manage; rents sit around social-housing affordability settings; and registration gives lenders comfort. New Zealand’s blockers are known - no dedicated tenure, immature lender products, and land access -so the question i...

Seasonal Solutions co-op was one of the founding entities of the current RSE scheme, and brings in over 1,100 seasonal workers each year to share labour across its diverse members. The co-op has recently worked through a multi-year shareholder-member engagement and share buy-back process. Craig describes their approach and the resulting benefits they are now experiencing as a co-op.

Listen as Luc explores in detail the drivers of change in Belgian horticultural cooperatives over his 35+ year career. We learn the striking similarities between co-ops in Belgium and New Zealand.

Listen as we explore lead indicators for cooperative success and failure; the role of a cooperative board in keeping focus; the differences in capital requirements of co-ops and investor owned firms and how to keep co-ops thriving for the coming decades. Professor Fulton references his research paper published on the Centre for the Study of Co-operatives at the University of Saskatchewan, linked h...

Listen as Cooperative Business NZ Emerging Leader of the Year 2024 Ashleigh Buchanan shares how she was motivated to join Southern Cross initially as a means to serve her community, how her role has evolved over time and how her progression into senior leadership roles has shaped her vision and approach as a leader.

In this episode we talk with MG (Market Gardeners Ldt) CEO Peter Hendry about the co-operative and, in particular, how they are navigating Covid-19 and ensuring they keep their shareholders engaged.

Sustainability is a key pillar for any co-operative. Mitre 10 has ensured this is front and centre for their co-operative with the implementation of their sustainability charter. Roz Henry speaks with Grant Fraser, Chief Legal and Property Office/Executive Sponsor for Sustainability, on the suite of initiatives they have implemented.

During the first few weeks of the August 2021 lockdown, we spoke with Rob Sharkie, Group CEO of Ruralco about the co-operative; the current challenges they face and how they're combating these; engagement with their customers/members; and how they are future proofing themselves (particular with Covid in the mix). Ruralco has a long history of being experts in agriculture and ensuring NZ farming fa...

Listen to our conversation with Dr Harley Aish , Chair of ProCare Network Ltd about the co-operative, their role within the healthcare landscape of New Zealand, how they're tackling challenges (particularly Covid) head on, and how they keep their shareholders engaged.

Hear from Lindsay Esler who is currently working as CEO with New Zealand Truffle Association on the process of becoming a co-operative. Hear his vision for the co-operative, current challenges and collaboration opportunities, and words of wisdom for others in the co-operative start-up phase.

We sat down with Keith McLaughlin (Managing Director of Centrix) to discuss the importance of credit reports and the role they can play in a co-operative's operations.

Roz Henry discusses the importance of project portfolio governance with Chris Harrop, General Manager of Digital Transformation at Pareto Toolbox . They also touch on general digital transformation and supply chain topics relevant to co-operative business in particular.

In Episode 8 of the Co-op Leader Conversations, Roz sat down with David Chin , CEO of LIC ( Livestock Improvement Corporation ) to discuss everything about the benefits of being a co-operative, David’s journey into his current role, how intrinsic agri co-ops are to New Zealand’s economy and more. David also touched on how LIC are future-proofing themselves, the importance they place on their peopl...

Hear from Prof Maryline Filippi on how European and French co-operatives are facing the global challenges arising from climate change and gain insights into the delivery of their sustainability responsibilities to achieve ESG and SDG requirements. In Episode 9 of our Co-op Leader Conversations Series, Roz Henry is joined by Prof Maryline Filippi ( ICA Global and ICA Europe Board Member ).

Listen as we discuss bioeconomy initiatives in Ireland and the role of cooperatives with John Brosnan, Bioeconomy Executive, Irish Cooperative Organisation Society (ICOS). Ireland has a rich history of cooperatives, with ICOS representing 130 commercial co-ops contributing €14 billion in turnover. The bioeconomy offers opportunities for co-ops to address climate challenges and create new value str...

David touches on the main benefits of being a co-operative, what type of organisations are Capricorn’s members across Australia and New Zealand; and the challenges those members are facing in 2024.

In Episode 10 of Co-op Leader Conversations, Cooperative Business NZ CEO Saya Wahrlich sat down with Tanya Houghton, CEO of Farmlands , to discuss her vision for the co-op given the current economic challenges in the rural sector, and how Farmlands are adapting to advancements in technology. Tanya also touches on their relationships with other cooperatives, how they work together and advice for ne...