Director
As a Chartered Accountant with 10 years’ experience as a director, Nurain holds a portfolio of roles in investment and finance, construction and project management, and philanthropy including various advisory board roles. Nurain is the Founder of Kandūfā Foundation, and Founder of Authenticity Aotearoa, an award-winning charity empowering women of colour. She is also the Founder of Rehendhi Consulting, a global social enterprise innovating executive leadership coaching and consulting with multinational corporations on their equity strategies.
Present roles
Hotels and Resorts Investment Pvt Ltd | Group Vice Chair | 2022 - Present
Hotels and Resorts Investment Maldives (HARIM) is a multi-industry business with a portfolio spanning hotels and resorts, construction technology, and marine products. HARIM is the exclusive dealer for Al Dhaen boats in the Maldives. In this role, Nurain leads the operations and investment execution for the Group across HARIM operations in Asia, Middle East, and Europe.
Kandūfā Foundation | Founder | 2024 - Present
The Kandūfā Foundation is dedicated to driving systemic change globally through its core focus areas: leadership development, preservation of cultural heritage, and climate action. With a particular emphasis on women and young people, the foundation embraces an intersectional approach to philanthropy, aiming to address the root causes of social and environmental issues. Headquartered in the Maldives, the Foundation works globally.
Aotearoa NZ Code of Practice for Online Safety and Harms (The Code) | Advisory Board Member, Oversight Committee | 2023 - Present
A global first, the Aotearoa New Zealand Code of Practice for Online Safety and Harms commits technology companies such as Google (YouTube), Meta (Facebook and Instagram), TikTok, Twitch, and Twitter to reducing the risk of harmful online content. The Code provides a governance framework that aims to enable the Administrator, a multitude of relevant stakeholders, as well as the public to hold Signatories to their commitments. Although voluntary, digital platforms who become Signatories commit to being held accountable.
National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women (NACEW) | Member | January 2023 - Present
NACEW advises the Minister for Women on employment issues for women, including how New Zealand organisations can have fair and inclusive workplaces. NACEW is also the national advisory group on pay transparency and will provide advice to the Minister for Women and the Associate Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety on what a pay transparency system that is fit-for-purpose for New Zealand could look like.
Authenticity Aotearoa | Founder & Trustee | 2016 - Present
Authenticity Aotearoa is a 7-year-old charity working to empower women of colour by offering leadership and mentoring programmes. New Zealand’s first Women of Colour Conference hosted by Authenticity Aotearoa had 150 attendees from across the country, and speakers representing business, philanthropy, arts, and public service. Authenticity Aotearoa was awarded the 2022 Waitematā Local Board’s Good Citizens Community Award.
Past roles
Foundation North | Trustee | 2021 - 2024
Foundation North is a philanthropic impact investor looking after approximately $1.2bn fund on behalf of our communities. Foundation North has a globally diversified investment portfolio with considerable assets, or pūtea, that are held on behalf of the communities of Auckland and Northland. This comes from the sale of the community’s shares in what was previously the Auckland Savings Bank. That endowment enables millions of dollars in grants each year to focus areas of impact in Auckland and Northland, New Zealand. Funding focus areas are increased equity, regenerative environment, social inclusion, and community support. Nurain served as a member of the Investment Committee, and the Audit, Finance, Risk, and Compliance Committee
Belong Aotearoa (formerly Auckland Regional Migrant Services) | Board Member | September 2019 – March 2022
Belong Aotearoa is a non-profit innovation and social change hub working to address systemic barriers to drive transformational change to improve inclusion, belonging and wellbeing to refugee-background and migrant communities. Nurain served as a member of the Finance and Risk Committee, Fundraising and Social Enterprise Committee, and Treaty of Waitangi Committee.
UpsideDowns Education Trust | Trustee | September 2018 – May 2021
UpsideDowns provides access to life-changing speech and language therapy for kids with Down syndrome across Aotearoa. Funding up to 100% of the cost of any NZSTA-registered therapist, UpsideDowns has a short waitlist for funding of around 3-4 months, supporting children with Down syndrome from 0 to 21 years of age.
Junior Chamber International (JCI) | Member assigned to Europe, Advocacy Committee | January – December 2020
Junior Chamber International (JCI) is an international non-governmental organisation of young professionals spanning 124 countries. JCI holds consultative status with the Council of Europe, with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and with UNESCO. Nurain was appointed as the Member Assigned to Europe in the Advocacy Committee, which created the blueprint for effective grassroots and high-level advocacy training programmes across Europe.
350 Aotearoa | Trustee (Treasurer & Chair, Finance & Risk Committee) | February 2019 – November 2020
350 Aotearoa is the New Zealand arm of the international climate movement 350.org, which aims to unite the world around climate change solutions. 350 Aotearoa coordinates local and national campaigns by providing education, practical tools, and support for community leadership. Nurain served as Treasurer, and Chair of the Finance and Risk Committee.
JCI Aotearoa New Zealand Inc. | National President | January – December 2018
JCI Aotearoa New Zealand Inc, established in 1932, is the national body for young professional members in New Zealand as part of Junior Chamber International (JCI), an international non-governmental organisation of young professionals spanning 124 countries with national and regional chapters. JCI holds consultative status with the Council of Europe, with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and with UNESCO. Nurain was elected as the National President in 2018 having served as Treasurer previously. She was the Chief Delegate representing New Zealand at the 2018 World Congress in India, and New Zealand’s selected candidate for the 30th JCI Leadership Academy held in Kumamoto, Japan.
New Zealand Junior Chamber Trust Board | Trustee | January 2018 – December 2021
The Trust Board was formed to oversee the funds accumulated over the long history of JCI Aotearoa New Zealand Inc. and support the growth of the membership body.
Waitematā Youth Collective | Co-Chair | March 2015 – July 2016
The Waitematā Youth Collective was the youth voice providing consultation, advice, and activations reporting to the Waitematā Local Board, ensuring young people’s voices were heard in the urban planning and community activation sphere. The Collective designed and launched a map to showcase key locations and services in the city catering specifically for young people. Nurain served as the inaugural Co-Chair of the Collective.
National Youth Panel, New Zealand Red Cross | Member | March 2012 – July 2014
The National Youth Panel of the New Zealand Red Cross is an elected advisory board for the National Board of the New Zealand Red Cross, advising on local programmes and international campaigns.
Auckland University Students’ Association | Executive Member | January – December 2012
Formed in 1981, Auckland University Students’ Association is the voluntary student association representing and advocating for students at the University of Auckland, as well as running engagement events, and providing a range of support services. Nurain was elected to the Executive Board as the International Students’ Officer, and subsequently appointed onto the inaugural AUSA Welfare Trust Board.