If sustainability were a flower blooming in Kirsten Patterson’s life, it would be a resilient native kōwhai, its golden blossoms reaching out to the world with hope and regeneration. Like this vibrant tree, sustainability in Kirsten’s world is nurtured by deep connections to people, the environment, and the values that guide us. For Kirsten, it is not just about the environment but also about relationships - “how we uplift each other and leave a legacy of manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga”.

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Kirsten, or KP as she’s affectionately known, is a woman whose career has been built on championing governance, diversity, and sustainability. As the Chief Executive of the Institute of Directors (IoD), a Distinguished Fellow of the Human Resources Institute of New Zealand, and a passionate advocate for women in leadership, Kirsten has become a pillar in New Zealand's governance landscape. Her dedication to driving change is reflected in her leadership of Chapter Zero New Zealand — a platform dedicated to mobilising and educating boards to make climate-smart decisions for long-term value creation.

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For Kirsten, sustainability is deeply personal, grounded in values that transcend business practices. "He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata," she often quotes — "What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people." This whakataukī serves as a guiding mantra, reminding her that sustainability isn't just about environmental impact, but also about fostering healthy, thriving communities, and leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.

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Her journey toward advocating for climate governance and sustainability was shaped by a pivotal moment: the establishment of Chapter Zero New Zealand. This initiative, aimed at putting climate change firmly on the boardroom agenda, marked a shift for Kirsten, pushing the abstract challenges of climate change into the realm of urgent, personal responsibility. "It made the abstract urgent and the global personal," she recalls.

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However, leading change comes with its challenges. Kirsten highlights that one of the biggest obstacles in driving sustainability within the governance community is the overwhelming complexity of interconnected issues, from climate risk to technological disruption. "We need greater support in bridging divides — political, generational, ideological," she says. "Sustainability can’t succeed in silos. It requires common ground, courageous conversations, and the ability to hold complexity with compassion."

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In Kirsten’s view, Aotearoa New Zealand’s superpower in creating a sustainable future is its unique sense of place — the deep connection to the land, to each other, and to the values of manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga that form the bedrock of Māori culture. "That, combined with the mana we hold internationally as a principled, innovative nation, gives us a unique platform to lead," she affirms.

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Her work is shaped by the long-term thinking that defines many Indigenous practices, particularly in Aotearoa. "Thinking intergenerationally calls us to consider the impact of our decisions not just for today, but for future generations," she explains. This perspective aligns seamlessly with her advocacy for governance models that prioritise sustainability and long-term value.

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As a champion for diversity, Kirsten is also deeply committed to the power of people. "Back yourself. You don’t need to have all the answers to start. Stay curious, listen deeply, and surround yourself with people who challenge and champion you," she advises those starting their journey toward meaningful change. For her, sustainability is about small shifts that accumulate over time, a ripple effect that transforms organisations, communities, and society.

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Her advice to others is simple: "Explore the free resources from Chapter Zero New Zealand — and share them with a board or organisation you’re involved with. It’s free to join, and the tools are designed to help directors and leaders take meaningful action on climate governance, starting today. Small steps, shared widely, can spark big change."

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Kirsten’s commitment to sustainability is not just a professional mission but a deeply held belief that every action, no matter how small, can create ripples of positive change. Through her leadership, advocacy, and wisdom, she is fostering a culture of sustainability and collaboration that will continue to grow for generations to come.

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BLOOMING  Sustainability Questionnaire

Name: Kirsten (KP) Patterson

Company & Title: Chief Executive, Institute of Directors

Website & LinkedIn Profile: https://www.iod.org.nz/#  https://www.chapterzero.nz/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/pattersonkirsten/

 

* Guiding Values | Kaupapa 

If sustainability were a flower blooming in your life, what would it look like? What nurtures it?  

It would be a resilient native kōwhai — vibrant and visited often by curious minds like the tūī. Its golden blossoms represent hope and regeneration. It’s nurtured by courageous conversations, intergenerational wisdom, and small everyday acts of care for people and planet.

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A quote, personal motto or whakataukī that reflects your vision:  

“He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.”

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What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people. This reminds me that sustainability is not only about the environment, but also about relationships — how we uplift each other and leave a legacy of manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga.

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If you could mentor a rising change-maker in Aotearoa, what advice would you share?  

Back yourself. You don’t need to have all the answers to start. Stay curious, listen deeply, and surround yourself with people who challenge and champion you. Remember, systems change begins with small shifts — your influence is greater than you think.

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* Leading Change | Arataki

A key moment in your journey that shaped your path:  

A pivotal moment for me was the establishment of Chapter Zero New Zealand. It marked a shift — putting climate change firmly on the boardroom agenda and empowering directors to lead from the front. It made the abstract urgent and the global personal.

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What’s the main challenge you face in driving sustainability within your sector? 

The governance community is grappling with an overwhelming range of complex, interconnected issues — from climate risk to social equity, technological disruption to regulatory change. One of the biggest challenges is helping boards prioritise and act decisively, especially when the future is uncertain and traditional models no longer apply.

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An area you need more support with:

We need greater support in bridging divides — political, generational, ideological — to build a shared commitment to meaningful action. Sustainability can’t succeed in silos. It requires common ground, courageous conversations, and the ability to hold complexity with compassion.

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An Indigenous perspective you admire and want people to be mindful of:  

I deeply admire the Indigenous practice of thinking long-term and intergenerationally. This worldview aligns beautifully with sustainability — it calls us to consider the impact of our decisions not just for today, but for future generations. That mindset isn’t just good for the planet — it’s good business.

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Your best approach for engaging stakeholders in meaningful dialogue about ESG:  

I start by understanding what long-term value looks like from their perspective. Everyone — investors, employees, communities — has a different driver. When we listen first, we can tailor conversations in ways that are relevant, respectful, and grounded in shared purpose.

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What do you think is Aotearoa’s superpower in creating a sustainable future?  

Aotearoa New Zealand’s superpower is our deep sense of place and connectedness — to each other, to the land, and to the values we hold dear. That, combined with the mana we hold internationally as a principled, innovative nation, gives us a unique platform to lead.

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​ * Surfing the Green Wave | Kakariki

Books, podcasts, courses or other resources that profoundly shaped your approach to sustainability:  

Jonathan Porritt’s work, especially Hope in Hell, helped me see both the urgency and opportunity in front of us and the book Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take by Andrew Winston and Paul Polman helped me think about different business models. The Chapter Zero Climate Governance Essentials course grounded my understanding of the director’s role, and their webcasts continue to be an invaluable source of insight, connection, and challenge.

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Events in Aotearoa or globally that you think are must-attend:  
Chapter Zero events! They bring together governance leaders, climate experts, and business decision-makers to have the real conversations we need. Insightful, practical, and always future-focused.

A sustainable initiative or project in Aotearoa that deserves more attention: 
Rewiring Aotearoa is doing incredibly important work. They’re reshaping the narrative around clean energy, electrification, and the role of innovation in getting us to a low-emissions future. It deserves far more national visibility. 

If your work could plant one seed of change for the future, what would it be?  
That governance makes the difference. Boards have the power — and responsibility — to drive sustainable change. If we get governance right, everything else becomes more possible.

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The leader(s) you endorse for a future edition of Blooming Sustainability:

Mike Casey, founder of Rewiring Aotearoa. He’s visionary, grounded in science, and relentlessly solutions-focused. A true changemaker for our times.

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* One actionable takeaway for our readers to make a change today for a brighter tomorrow:

Explore the free resources from Chapter Zero New Zealand — and share them with a board or organisation you’re involved with. It’s free to join, and the tools are designed to help directors and leaders take meaningful action on climate governance, starting today. Small steps, shared widely, can spark big change.