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Navigating 2026: A Strategic Forecast

UPDATE

26 February 2026

10am – 12:30pm

For inhouse training of four or more participants more competitive pricing is available.

A hard-hitting economic and socio/political trend analysis for collective bargaining. We analyse the issues which are likely to influence private & public sector union negotiations in the current year.

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Who Should Attend

Business owners, managers and HR professionals who are involved with employee and union matters and agreement negotiations should view this strategy and information session as essential preparation and planning.

Learning Outcomes

Overview

  • Wages
  • Economy
  • Political & Social
  • Unions
  • Strategic ER issues facing employers

Value Adds

  • Customized session available for companies for business planning/strategy development

Key Content

  • Where ER risk is most likely to arise this year
  • What needs attention now versus what can wait
  • How to make defensible, cost-conscious decisions in a tight operating environment
  • Union claims and power play 

Please note: the workshop program may be subject to minor content changes

Speakers

  • David France, Partner at Kiely, Thompson, Caisley — will unpack the major employment law and industrial relations changes announced and how these shall impact management when dealing with ER and union negotiations in 2026
  • Susan Edmunds — well known Finance & Businees Journalist currently with RNZ on the cost-of-living challenges facing employees and businesses. Do we have a crises? What practical solutions exist?
  • Edward Miller, The Centre for International Corporate Tax and Accountability — researcher, with a decade of experience in union strategy and engagement, will discuss economic and socio-political trends that will influence business and employees this year
  • Lisa Oakley — ER/HR professional, shall focus on the low performance, poor productivity conundrum facing NZ employers. Wage costs are on the up, but performance is declining. What practical solutions exist for employers?
  • Fred Adelhelm – shall lead the panel discussion, and present wage settlement trends, union claims and how the November election will influence collective bargaining for employers. 
"There was a good balance of theory with open discussion, with it becoming clear to all participants that the facilitators are experts in their field. The IR risk assessment and case studies helped to shape our discussions and drive future actions, it was a valuable workshop that we will continue to roll out and expand upon to a wider group."
Andrew WattSNR HRM, Avery Dennison