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2026 Programme

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08:00–09:00Registration, coffee, networking
09:00–09:05

Welcome

 

  About Te Radar  

 

09:05–09:45

“Widening the Gate” – What do we mean by workplace equity
Gail Pacheco, Kaihautū Ōritenga Mahi | Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner, Te Kāhui Tika Tangata | New Zealand Human Rights Commission

Understanding what equity really means, the current state of workplace in equity in New Zealand and why addressing it matters. 


   About Gail Pacheco  

 

 

Live Audience Pulse: Where Are We Still Narrowing the Gate?

Table discussion.

 

 

09:55–10:35

Equity in an AI-shaped workplace: avoiding a new digital divide
Maretha Smit, CEO, Te Uru Tāngata Centre for Workplace Inclusion 

As workplaces become increasingly digital, not everyone is keeping pace - and the gap is widening. 
Maretha will lead a discussion exploring the growing digital divide and what it means for equity and opportunity in Aotearoa's workplaces today.

From the cost of connectivity and uneven access across our regions, to skills gaps, cultural barriers and the needs of disabled employees, our panellists will unpack the real-world factors that leave people behind - and what organisations can do about it.


   About Maretha Smit  
 

10:35–11:05

Morning tea

Time to take a break, visit our expo, recharge and reconnect.

 

 

11:05–11:45

Recruitment as the first gate: designing fair selection in an algorithmic era
Olivia Dyet, Founder, empathix

A deep dive into recruitment as a key “gate” where inequity shows up—covering ATS filters, automated screening, and practical interventions (human review, structured criteria, bias testing, transparency).

   About Olivia Dyet  

 

11:45–12:25

Equity in the New Zealand labour market today and what this means for the future
Cameron Bagrie, Bagrie Economics

A closer look at NZ’s future demographic and what this means for our workplaces. How should we interpret labour market and workforce statistics, where are the current inequities and why addressing these are important to future productivity of New Zealand Inc.

   About Cameron Bagrie  

 

12:25–13:25

Lunch + Expo

Time to take a break, visit our expo, recharge and reconnect.

 

 

13:25–15:25

Big Bloom Hackathon: Harnessing Collective Intelligence to Prototype Equity Solutions
Facilitated by Gergana David, APAC Lead, Big Bloom, and Louisa Dellabarca, Big Bloom Co-Lead

An immersive Big Bloom Collective Intelligence experience where participants tackle real workplace equity challenge, rapidly generate ideas, build testable prototypes, and leave with practical solutions ready to trial in their own organisations.

     About Gergana David        About Louisa Dellabarca  

 

15:25–15:55

Afternoon Tea + Expo

Time to take a break, visit our expo, recharge and reconnect.

 

 

15:55–16:30

Belonging First: The Missing Link Between Culture, Performance and Diversity
Charlotte Ward, Chief People Officer, Kiwibank

Creating a diverse workforce is important, but diversity alone does not create high-performing organisations.

Drawing on Kiwibank's experience embedding culture, leadership and performance initiatives, Charlotte explores why belonging must be intentionally designed into culture, leadership and everyday experiences. She will share practical lessons from a purpose-led organisation that aims for people feel seen, heard and able to contribute, and how this becomes the foundation for stronger inclusion, better performance and more sustainable diversity outcomes.

This session will challenge traditional approaches to DEI, explore common pitfalls, and provide practical ideas for creating workplaces where people can thrive and organisations can perform at their best.

   About Charlotte Ward  

 

16:30–17:10

Governance and accountability: keeping equity “on the table”
Steven Moe, Partner, Parry Field Lawyers Limited

Steven examines how boards and executives can set expectations, ask better questions, and prevent equity commitments from being deprioritised when they become “unfashionable.” Includes governance levers, risk, and reporting.

   About Steven Moe  

 

17:10–17:20

Closing reflections and next steps
Te Radar, Master of Ceremonies 

 


 

17:20–18:30

Networking Function

Enjoy the famous Pullman Platters and drinks and continue the conversation with fellow delegates and exhibitors.