There are many reasons why New Zealand would benefit from having more women on boards.

For boards, having more women at the table can:

• offer the opportunity to tap into a rich pool of talented candidates
• bring new voices, experiences and approaches to the decision-making process
• add depth to existing skills and ideas, and
• perhaps most importantly, bring the board closer to properly representing its stakeholders.

For women, serving on a board can:

• provide the ability to influence important decisions
• develop expanded networks
• achieve immense personal satisfaction, and build on or develop new knowledge and skills.

But while women represent 51 per cent of the population of New Zealand, there is still a long way to go before equal representation of women on boards is achieved.

The good news is that more and more New Zealand leaders and decision-makers are keen to address this and are actively working to achieve a better balance in the boardroom.

How many women are serving on boards in New Zealand?

Women tend to have higher participation on boards in the health, education and community sectors, but are under-represented on company boards.  See Gender Stocktake of State Sector Boards and Committees 2009.

Read more about why boards need more women: Women on Boards: Why women on company boards are good for business.