The fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, increased social unrest and activism and
macroeconomic and geopolitical movement are having an impact on our organisations and
our people, says Diversity Works New Zealand Chief Executive, Maretha Smit.
“To survive, our public and private sector organisations need the ability to navigate ambiguity,” said Ms Smit.
“And that means having diverse perspectives within your organisation and an inclusive culture, so people feel safe to use their lived experience to deliver innovative solutions to
modern business challenges.”
Ms Smit believes one of the keys to increasing economic and social prosperity in Aotearoa New Zealand is to connect business leaders.
Diversity Works New Zealand is hosting the Whiria Ngā Kaha Workplace Inclusion Aotearoa
international conference in February next year.
The three-day conference in Rotorua will bring together more than 40 international and national speakers and will feature a mix of diversity, equity and inclusion practitioners,
leaders and people who supported vulnerable groups in the workplace during the Covid-19
pandemic.
The conference will also launch the Global Inclusion & Diversity Alliance (GIDA) and Diversity Works New Zealand’s professional accreditation programme.
Diversity champions from Australia, Canada and Hong Kong will bring a global perspective – delegates will hear from Lisa Annese, Chief Executive of Diversity Council Australia, Anne-
Marie Pham, CEO of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion and Janet Ledger, the
Acting Chief Executive Community Business, a not-for-profit organisation working with
dedicated partners and consultants across Asia, Europe and the Americas.
The three-day programme includes presentations from across the public and private sectors, case studies, panel discussions, breakout sessions and hands-on workshops.
Early bird registration is available until 16 December.
