Webcast
1
CPD
Ports of Auckland, board accountability, and the next wave of reform.
Director accountability for health and safety is not new, but the signals around enforcement, legislation, and governance practices are shifting. In this follow‑up session, we unpack what directors need to know from the Ports of Auckland prosecution appeal outcome and proposed changes to Director liability under Health and Safety legislation.
The session unpacks the findings of the appeal and looks ahead to the proposed legislation amendments, particularly the amendments to officer duties and management of critical risks. We will explore how these developments would reshape expectations of board oversight, assurance, and evidence of due diligence.
Greg is a Partner in Dentons employment team. He is a highly experienced specialist with over 25 years in practice advising central and local Government, private enterprise and not-for-profit organisations on all aspects of employment and health and safety issues. Greg works with HR and health and safety advisors, in house counsel, senior management teams and boards of directors. He carries out and advises on investigations, and regularly appears before the courts.
Greg is recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading health and safety lawyers and assists clients with investigations into serious incidents, and represents them in WorkSafe investigations and prosecutions. Greg has provided extensive advice and training on the legal implications of the Health and Safety at Work Act, including advising on governance, contractor management, and PCBU interactions.
Greg is recommended by Chambers Asia Pacific and Legal 500. He is frequently approached by the media for comment on topical issues, and regularly speaks at conferences and seminars.
Phil has extensive experience in governance, executive leadership and regulatory compliance activities. He focuses on improving delivery of operational excellence, alongside environmental and safety outcomes. He has worked in multiple international jurisdictions with experience in local, state and federal government. Phil’s leadership and governance education includes executive programmes at Melbourne Business School and INSEAD as well as the IOD Company Directors Course.
Phil was the Chief Executive of WorkSafe New Zealand, the country's primary workplace health and safety regulator from 2019 to 2023. As Chief Executive, Phil was responsible for leading the organisation in its mission to ensure that New Zealand workplaces are safe, healthy, and compliant with relevant laws and regulations. Phil was with WorkSafe from its creation in 2013 in a variety of executive roles, contributing to a significant national reduction in fatalities and serious injuries.
Prior to this, his career included executive positions at the New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority. Here, he introduced an environmental management regime for offshore activities in the Exclusive Economic Zone and oversaw nationwide environmental regulation of chemicals.
His early career was in local government in the UK, where he completed an Honours Degree in Environmental Health and a Masters degree in Environmental Management.
MInstD
As General Manager of the Governance Leadership Centre and Registrar, Herman leads the organisation’s research, advocacy, policy agenda, and governance support for directors and boards.
Prior to joining the Institute, Herman held executive level and governance roles across the private, not-for -profit, and public sectors. Previous roles include CEO of Telecommunications Dispute Resolution Limited, General Counsel at the Real Estate Authority, and Executive General Counsel, Chief of Staff, and Company Secretary roles at TSB Bank.
He has held a number of governance roles, including Chair of the Finance, Audit, and Risk Committee for the Law Society of New Zealand, and has supported a governance education and improvement processes for organisations in NZ and the wider region in the areas of strategy, risk management, and organisational design.
Amy McNicol
National Sponsorship and Events Manager
+64 27 265 5824
Amy.McNicol@iod.org.nz
