Economic Shifts and the Future of Work 

Speaker: Christina Leung, Deputy Chief Executive, NZIER 

Christina Leung provided a clear and practical overview of the economic forces influencing New Zealand’s labour market. She spoke about changing workforce expectations, evolving workplace design and the realities of operating in a period of economic uncertainty. 

A major focus of her session was the rising complexity of hybrid work. Christina highlighted the strategic importance of designing workplaces that support productivity while also addressing potential bias, inequity and cultural challenges that can emerge when teams operate across both physical and virtual environments. 

Click here to read the full summary of Christina’s insights
 

AI Governance and the New Expectation for Boards 

Speaker: Helen van Orton, Board Director and Chair 

Helen van Orton encouraged leaders to take a more intentional and informed approach to artificial intelligence (AI). She raised concerns about the growing gap between the pace of AI development and the level of preparedness within many boardrooms. 

Helen described the need for directors to move beyond viewing AI as a technical issue. She emphasised that AI capability, risk, opportunity and ethics are now core governance responsibilities that require active understanding and oversight. 

Click here to read the full summary of Helen’s insights