Future Workplaces Forum | Getting Ahead of the Curve - HR Enabling New Opportunities

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As New Zealand’s economy begins its gradual recovery in 2025, HR professionals are uniquely positioned to help organisations navigate both challenges and opportunities. While labour market conditions remain soft, they are expected to improve as economic growth gains momentum throughout 2025 and into 2026.

HR has long been at the forefront of managing disruption, whether responding to COVID, economic downturns, or climate events. But beyond crisis management, HR also plays a critical role in enabling organisations to seize new opportunities and drive sustainable growth.

Ready to get ahead of the curve?
The 2025 Future Workplaces Forum, brought to you by HRNZ in partnership with the University of Auckland Business School, has four powerful themes that reflect the realities—and opportunities—facing HR leaders today. As we navigate demographic change, technological transformation, and shifting economic conditions, these themes provide the lens through which we explore how HR can lead with influence, enable innovation, build resilient organisations, and foster inclusive, purpose-led leadership. Each theme is woven through the day’s programme, with insights, bold ideas, and practical strategies designed to help HR professionals get ahead of the curve and unlock new opportunities in their organisations.

What You’ll Explore at the Future Workplaces Forum

HR as a Strategic Leader
Discover how HR is influencing boards, partnering with CEOs, and driving sustainable business strategy from the top table.

Building Future-Ready Organisations
Learn how to turn disruption into opportunity by strengthening workforce resilience, building capability, and culture fit for the workplace of the future.

Embracing Change, Technology & Innovation
Explore how HR can lead the adoption of emerging technologies, respond to demographic shifts, and design adaptable, multigenerational workplaces that harness the strengths of diverse talent.

Inclusive & Purpose-Led Leadership
Be inspired by leadership grounded in wellbeing, values, and cultural intelligence—designed to build thriving, inclusive, and sustainable organisations.

Programme
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Registration & Networking Breakfast

Arrive, collect your name badge, and connect with fellow attendees + exhibitors over coffee, smoothies and light breakfast.

9:00 AM – 9:20 AM | Welcome & Opening Remarks
Te Radar, Master of Ceremonies

An introduction to the day’s key themes and an overview of what to expect.

9:00AM - 11:00AM | Block One: ANTICIPATE
Seeing what’s coming – economic shifts, governance trends, HR’s strategic positioning

9:20 AM – 9:55 AM | Opening Keynote: The Role of HR in Leading Organisational Growth – A Governance Perspective
Paula Bennett, Chair of Pharmac and Director of Strategic Advisory at Bayleys Commercial and previous Deputy Prime Minister

Join Paula Bennett as she opens the Forum with a powerful keynote exploring how HR leaders can influence boards and executive teams to unlock long-term, sustainable growth. Drawing on her unique experience across politics, governance, and leadership, Paula will delve into the strategic role HR plays in shaping organisational direction, aligning people strategy with business outcomes, and elevating the voice of HR at the highest levels. A must-attend session for HR professionals ready to step into greater influence and impact.

9:55 AM – 10:35 AM | Keynote: Economic & Labour Market Outlook
Shamubeel Eaqub, Chief Economist, Simplicity, author, media commentator and thought leading public speaker.

Renowned economist Shamubeel Eaqub will share his expert insights into the current and future state of the economy and labour market. This session will unpack key economic trends, workforce challenges, and emerging opportunities affecting New Zealand businesses. Gain a sharper understanding of what lies ahead—and what it means for HR and organisational strategy in a rapidly shifting landscape.

10:35 AM – 11:10 AM | Fireside Chat: Building a High-Impact CEO-CPO Partnership
Malcolm Johns, Chief Executive & Claire Walker, Chief People Officer, Genesis NZ

What does it take to create a truly strategic partnership between the CEO and the Chief People Officer? 

In this engaging fireside chat, we’ll explore how aligning leadership at the top can supercharge organisational performance. 

From navigating disruption to driving culture and capability, this session will unpack what great collaboration looks like—and how HR leaders can earn their seat at the table and shape the future of the business. Essential for any HR professional ready to think big, lead boldly, and influence at the highest level.

11:10 AM – 12:20 PM | Early Lunch & Networking

Lunch + Visit the Expo - Rest – Recharge – Reconnect

Enjoy our Reflection Lounge – a comfy space for those introverts to take a break.

Need to check your emails? - Our back to workspace with power outlets for quiet emails.

12:20 PM - 2:20 PM | Block Two: ADAPT
Building capability and resilience for a dynamic world

12:20 PM – 12:55 PM | Panel Discussion: Navigating Organisational Disruption – An HR Perspective

Facilitated by Te Radar, Master of Ceremonies
Panelists: 
Roz Urbahn, Chief People Officer, LIC
Jeanette Kehoe-Perkinson, Chief People Officer & CHRO | Fractional Executive | ‘Globalizer’ | Director | Board Advisor | Leadership Coach

As disruption becomes more complex and less predictable, HR must lead with foresight. In this forward-focused panel, senior HR leaders share how they’re preparing for the next wave of unseen challenges—drawing on hard-won experience to build agile, opportunity-ready organisations. Explore how lessons from past disruptions can fuel future innovation, resilience, and strategic impact.

12:55 PM – 1:35 PM | Future Talent & Capability: Securing Future Talent
Mary De Fraites, Director, PwC

This session unpacks the strategic HR implications of evolving workforce trends and talent shortages across industries and regions. With a focus on demographic change—such as the ageing workforce and shifting immigration patterns—as well as capability gaps in areas like digital fluency, leadership, ESG, and AI, this session equips HR leaders with practical strategies to respond.

This discussion is grounded in future-focused organisational capability, from workforce planning and pipeline building to inclusive talent development and targeted learning.

1:35 PM - 1:45 PM | Table Discussion Brain Break

1:45 PM – 2:30 PM | Indigenous Perspectives on Leadership
Dan Whenua-Walker, Global Co-Chair of Indigenous at Microsoft 

What can Te Ao Māori teach us about leading for the long term? In this thought-provoking keynote, Dan Whenua-Walker explores Indigenous leadership principles rooted in intergenerational thinking, collective wellbeing, and deep connection to purpose. As many organisations struggle with short-term pressures, this session offers a powerful lens for HR and people leaders to reimagine what it means to lead with foresight, resilience, and responsibility. Discover how Te Ao Māori can help future-proof your workplace and guide people strategy in an uncertain world.

2:30 PM - 3:15 PM | Afternoon Tea + Networking
Afternoon tea + Visit Expo + Expo Passport Challenge + Stamp

3:15 PM - 5:00 PM | Block Three: ACCELERATE
Tech, mindsets, and purpose-driven leadership

3:15 PM - 4:00 PM | HR's role in the Tech evolution
Melissa Crawford, Director, Tech with Heart

As technology transforms the workplace at unprecedented speed, HR sits at a pivotal crossroads. This thought-provoking session explores the evolving tech landscape, and the vital role HR must play. Not just in adoption, but in guiding the human shifts that come with it. From unintended consequences to emerging workforce behaviours, you'll gain fresh insights and practical tips to ensure HR leads the way in building a future-ready, human-centred organisation.

4:00 - 4:45 PM | Keynote: Future-Focused Leadership – Cultivating a Growth Mindset & Sustainable Leadership
Joe Davis, Innovation Architect & Transformational Leader

In a world of constant change, future-focused leadership is about more than agility—it’s about mindset. Joe Davis shares lessons in building resilience, leading with values, and fostering sustainable growth—for your people, your organisation, and yourself. Walk away with renewed clarity and commitment for the road ahead.

4:45 PM - 5:00 PM | Prize Draw + Final MC Wrap-up

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Forum Close & Networking Drinks

There is so much to unpack from a day of insights and visions of a well-defined future. Stay for a drink, an amazing spread of Pullman Platters, and continue the conversation with your fellow delegates and thought leaders.

Interactive Moments Throughout:

*Brain breaks to connect and reflect

*A Quiet space for introverts and quiet thinkers

*Recharge stations, courtesy of HiBob so you can stay connected and present

Expo, Prizes & Surprises:

Engage with top HR providers and service partners in our buzzing Expo. Complete your Expo Passport, and you might just take home a fabulous prize in our end-of-day draw.

Who Should Attend:

This forum is designed for HR leaders, people practitioners, and business influencers who are ready to move beyond the status quo, elevate their strategic impact, and lead their organisations into the future with confidence.

Registration FEES