Effective health and safety governance: an Australian perspective for New Zealand leaders
CEO breakfast in Auckland, 10 September
With the recent landmark appeal decision and proposed legislative changes sharpening the focus on Officer due diligence, an organisation's ability to demonstrate effective, defensible health and safety governance is becoming increasingly critical.
Drawing on current Australian experience and its relevance to New Zealand, we are pleased to host two highly regarded Australian experts who bring both governance and operational insight.
Greg Smith, an Australian workplace relations lawyer, will bring a legal and governance perspective on what robust, defensible Officer due diligence looks like in practice, while Andrew Barrett (Baz), Founder and Head Coach of Safety on Tap, will provide the operational reality - how organisations translate leadership intent into consistent, on-the-ground performance.
Together, they will offer a pragmatic view that connects boardroom expectations with frontline delivery.
Event Details
Thursday 10 September 2026
7:30am - 9am
Deloitte Auckland (Level 20, Deloitte Centre, 1 Queen Street, Commercial Bay)
A light breakfast will be included. Please email info@forum.org.nz for any dietary requirements.
A 90-minute session designed specifically for Officers and board directors:
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Clarify what you should - and should not - be concerned about as an Officer
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Define what "good" governance looks like in practice
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Explore how to bridge the gap between governance and operations
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Strengthen your ability to gain meaningful assurance over health and safety performance
We encourage you to bring a member of your board to this event.
About the speakers
Greg Smith
Greg is an international award-winning author, qualified lawyer, and workplace health and safety expert with more than 30 years' experience.
He advises organisations on safety governance, legal obligations, and risk management, drawing on leadership experience in law, oil and gas, transport, and mining.
Greg is the author of several influential books on safety, including Management Obligations for Safety and Health, Paper Safe: The triumph of bureaucracy and safety management, and Proving Safety: wicked problems, legal risk management and the tyranny of metrics.
Andrew Barrett (Baz)
Andrew is a well-known specialist coach for health and safety professionals. He works with safety leaders and their teams to ensure health and safety is valued by stakeholders, integrated into operations, and effective in improving work outcomes.
He is a sought-after keynote speaker and trusted adviser to major organisations across infrastructure, construction, energy, and local government in Australasia.
Andrew is known for challenging conventional thinking and identifying practical ways to create healthier, safer, and more productive workplaces.