The Hutt City Emergency Response Team Trust is seeking several new trustees who believe in community emergency response and want to make a meaningful contribution to its future.
About the Hutt City Emergency Response Team Trust
The Trust governs and supports the Hutt City Emergency Response Team (HCERT), Hutt City’s local Civil Defence emergency and disaster response team. In conjunction with other emergency services, HCERT provides a resilient, 24-hour on-call emergency response capability for the Hutt City community.
The team carries the national registration number NZRT-18 and has been closely connected with Hutt City Council since it was established in 2003.
HCERT is a volunteer organisation. Its members give their time to maintain high levels of training across urban search and rescue following earthquakes and other disasters, technical rope rescue, flood response, swift water rescue, medical and trauma care, communications and welfare.
Although primarily responsible for supporting the Hutt City community during disasters and emergencies, the team also responds throughout the Wellington Region and nationally when required.
As the Trust looks to the future, we want to strengthen the skills and experience around our Board table. We are seeking trustees who can help ensure the organisation remains safe, well governed and financially sustainable while continuing to grow its capability and service to the community.
An active governance role
This is an active trustee position. We are looking for people who can contribute regularly, prepare for and participate in meetings, and take ownership of an area where their experience can add value.
The Board plans to meet monthly to review the Trust’s operations, finances, safety, risks and performance. Meetings will also provide time to look ahead, consider emerging opportunities and make decisions that support the Trust’s long-term sustainability.
Trustees will provide sound governance and constructive challenge while maintaining a clear distinction between the Board’s responsibilities and the operational leadership of the response team. Some involvement between meetings will also be required, particularly where a trustee leads a specific area of responsibility.
The experience we are seeking
We are seeking several trustees and are particularly interested in people who can contribute in one or more of the following areas:
• Safety, Risk and Assurance: Someone who can help the Board maintain appropriate oversight of health and safety, organisational risk, operational assurance and volunteer wellbeing. Experience in safety-critical operations, emergency management, risk, audit or assurance would be valuable.
• Treasurer and Financial Governance: Someone with the financial capability to serve as Treasurer and oversee budgeting, reporting, financial controls, assets and organisational risk. This person will help the Board make informed decisions and ensure the Trust’s funds and resources are managed responsibly.
• Relationships, Iwi and Community: Someone who can strengthen the Trust’s relationships across Hutt City, including with iwi, community organisations, local government, emergency services and other partners. We are looking for a person who understands the importance of trust, collaboration and meaningful community connection.
• Fundraising Lead: Someone who can develop new funding, sponsorship and partnership opportunities. The Fundraising Lead will work closely with the Treasurer to ensure fundraising supports the Trust’s priorities and remains financially responsible. Experience with grants, sponsorship, donor relationships or community fundraising would be particularly useful.
Who we are looking for
Previous governance experience would be helpful, but it is not essential. More important is that you believe in the Trust’s purpose, bring sound judgement and are willing to participate fully.
You will need to be comfortable asking constructive questions, working collaboratively and supporting collective decisions. Good governance involves more than attending meetings. It requires preparation, follow-through and a genuine commitment to helping the organisation succeed.
Trustees serve in a voluntary capacity and must be eligible to act as an officer of a registered New Zealand charity.
If you want to use your skills to make a practical difference to Hutt City’s emergency response capability, we would welcome the opportunity to hear from you.
To express your interest, please send a short introduction outlining your experience, the area you are interested in and why you would like to contribute to the Trust to Brandon Robins, Chairperson, at [email protected]