Without doubt, good governance is a central theme for corporate performance and can be a driver for sustainable performance. New Zealand has a history of a frank and open dialogue to better understand ways to create pathways to good governance.

Initiated by Sandy Maier (Company Director) and Jens Mueller (former Chair/CEO of global firms), a number of corporate leaders, their firms, as well as trade/professional groups and government agencies have combined resources to survey New Zealand's managers, directors and investors.

In this large national survey in New Zealand, combined with benchmark work in other countries, the Directions team investigates whether the current system for matching directors to firms works; whether directions are effective as drivers of strategy in their Boards; and whether investors have sufficiently transparent information and input, into the governance of the firms in which they invest. With more than 2,000 responses in New Zealand alone, this work is authoritative and compelling.

We believe the results of this work can assist firms in New Zealand with the development of better governance structures, and increase competitiveness on the world markets. In the first phase, this review is undertaken in New Zealand, followed by the same survey being distributed in Germany, Australia, Singapore, India, US, China/Hong Kong, and other countries.

Based on the New Zealand material as well as overseas data, we will construct a "Maier/Mueller Index" for good governance. Executives and investors will be able to use this simple score value to determine the performance of their firm(s) relative to that of other, comparable business. In addition, the team will develop a match-making system to electronically connect shareholders and managers with suitable independent director candidates available locally.

We thank you for your interest.