Co-op Leader Conversations

Cooperative Business New Zealand
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In this series, we get to know our co-operative leaders and hear them share their knowledge and insights on the co-operative model during informal conversations with CEO Saya Wahrlich. nz.coop | LinkedIn

  1. Co-op Leader Conversation: Susannah Batley, GM, Sharesies Business

    MAR 30

    Co-op Leader Conversation: Susannah Batley, GM, Sharesies Business

    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.

    33 min
  2. Co-op Leader Conversation: Norman Woods, CEO HRV

    FEB 24

    Co-op Leader Conversation: Norman Woods, CEO HRV

    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 future.

    31 min
  3. Co-op Leader Conversation: Liz Thomas, Managing Director Common Equity Housing Ltd

    11/19/2025

    Co-op Leader Conversation: Liz Thomas, Managing Director Common Equity Housing Ltd

    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 isn’t if housing co-ops work, but when we’ll let them. Liz Thomas walks us through the playbook.

    44 min
  4. Co-op Leader Conversation: Craig Erasmus, CEO Seasonal Solutions Cooperative

    06/08/2025

    Co-op Leader Conversation: Craig Erasmus, CEO Seasonal Solutions Cooperative

    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.

    32 min
  5. Co-op Leader Conversation: Luc Vanoirbeek, General Secretary, Verbond van Belgische Tuinbouwcooperaties (VBT)

    05/21/2025

    Co-op Leader Conversation: Luc Vanoirbeek, General Secretary, Verbond van Belgische Tuinbouwcooperaties (VBT)

    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.

    42 min
  6. Co-op Leader Conversation: Professor Murray Fulton, Fellow in Cooperatives and Public Policy, University of Saskatchewan

    04/04/2025

    Co-op Leader Conversation: Professor Murray Fulton, Fellow in Cooperatives and Public Policy, University of Saskatchewan

    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 here 'When big co-ops fail'. Also mentioned, Canadian co-op Federated Co-operatives Limited.

    35 min
  7. Co-op Leader Conversation: Ashleigh Buchanan Operations Manager - People Capabilities, Southern Cross Health Society

    12/12/2024

    Co-op Leader Conversation: Ashleigh Buchanan Operations Manager - People Capabilities, Southern Cross Health Society

    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.

    19 min
  8. Co-op Leader Conversation: Peter Hendry CEO, MG

    09/30/2024

    Co-op Leader Conversation: Peter Hendry CEO, MG

    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.

    24 min
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In this series, we get to know our co-operative leaders and hear them share their knowledge and insights on the co-operative model during informal conversations with CEO Saya Wahrlich. nz.coop | LinkedIn

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