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Annual nursing leader event - Nurses that want to become exceptional leaders

Aotearoa Nursing Leaders' Summit

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23 - 24 February 2026 | Grand Millennium, Auckland

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Deep dive into New Zealand Nursing's most vital priorities

The Nursing Leaders’ Summit returns in 2026, bringing together the sector to shape the future of healthcare. We explore the sector’s role in driving quality, equity, and innovation, from safe staffing and workforce resilience to digital transformation, policy influence, and culturally safe care.

Through inspiring keynotes, practical sessions, and thought-provoking discussions, we explore the best-in-class delivery of exceptional care and set a bold agenda towards a stronger, more responsive, and sustainable healthcare system for all.

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Join this event to:

Gain practical strategies via interactive sessions

Explore workforce resilience, safe staffing & digital care. Explore innovations like AI, digital tools & integrated care models.

Learn local and global lessons

Insights from Australian nursing leadership and reform. Learn how to embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi in nursing leadership.

Connect with peers, leaders & policymakers nationwide

Discover nurse-led solutions advancing equity & access for all communities. Build resilience: wellbeing, mental health & sustainable workforces

Who should attend?

  • Nurse leaders & managers driving change
  • Nurse Practitioners & Prescribers shaping care pathways
  • Community, primary & aged-care nurses at the frontline of health
  • Policy influencers & healthcare decision-makers
  • Clinical leaders & educators mentoring the next generation
  • Allied health professionals working in collaborative care
  • Researchers & innovators in digital health and AI
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KEY SPEAKERS FOR 2026

Our 2026 key lineup brings together thought leaders, trailblazers and expert practitioners in nursing. Check out more today.

View speakers

Frances Rice

Chief Nursing Officer

Australian College of Nursing

Rebekah Mitchell

System Safety Advisor

Health Quality & Safety Commission

Kate Weston

Executive Director
 
College of Nurses Aotearoa (NZ)

Supporting organisation

We’re super excited to have the College of Nurses Aotearoa as a supporting organisation for this conference.

If you’re a member of the College of College of Nurses Aotearoa get in touch with them to get a discount (code) on the current pricing.

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Venue

The location and how you can get there.

Address

Grand Millennium Auckland
71 Mayoral Drive, Cnr Vincent Street, Auckland 1010

Agenda

8:30

Registration and Coffee

8:45

Mihi whakatau

9:00

Welcoming remarks from the Chair

Kate Weston, Executive Director, College of Nurses Aotearoa

9:10

The heart of healthcare: Honouring the vital role of nurses in New Zealand’s health system   

  • Recognising nurses as the foundation of Aotearoa’s healthcare, working across hospitals, primary care, aged care, mental health, and community services

  • Highlighting how their expertise, leadership, and compassion improve patient safety, recovery, and overall wellbeing

  • Celebrating their contributions during challenges, workforce pressures, and health system reforms

  • Exploring how nurses extend their influence beyond direct care to shape policy, lead innovation, and guide the future of healthcare in New Zealand


9:50

Embedding Te Tiriti principles in Nursing practice and policy

  • Understanding the relevance and responsibility of nursing leadership in upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi within Aotearoa’s health system

  • Exploring the three key principles of partnership, protection, and participation and how they translate into everyday nursing practice

  • Highlighting examples of culturally safe care models that honour Māori health perspectives and improve equity

  • Examining how Te Tiriti principles can shape nursing policy, workforce planning, and health service delivery

  • Discussing strategies to embed Te Tiriti in organisational governance, leadership decisions, and clinical guidelines

  • Recognising the role of nurse leaders in advocating for Māori health outcomes and reducing inequities across communities

Brenda Close , Independent Consultant

10:30

Morning break

11:00

Strategic leadership - Nurse leaders’ engagement with national health policies

  • Understanding why nurses are disengaged from policy developments

  • Considering fixed ideas, social positioning and occupational devaluation.

  • The advantages of nursing understanding feminism.

  • Where is policy work happening ? And how can nurse leaders get involved?

Dr Liz Manning RN, PhD, FCNA(NZ), National Strategic Workforce Lead- Nursing, Te Whatu Ora | Health NZ

11:40

Nurse Leaders Panel: Shaping the future of nursing in Aotearoa

  • Exploring the current landscape and future vision for nursing leadership in Aotearoa

  • Highlighting strategies to strengthen workforce resilience, retention, and growth

  • Discussing how nurse leaders can influence health policy, equity, and system transformation

  • Sharing lived leadership experiences to inspire the next generation of nursing leaders

Bel Macfie, Director of Nursing and Clinical Services, Hospice Waikato

Brenda Close , Independent Consultant

Monica Goldwater ,Chief Nursing Officer, Southern Cross Healthcare

12:30

Lunch

13:30

Transforming Nursing leadership practices - Safeguarding and leading into the future

  • Presenting research exploring how nursing leadership currently occurs in hospital wards in Aotearoa

  • Defining safeguarding leadership practices in nursing and the impact on teamwork and nursing care

  • Distinguishing safeguarding leadership practices from traditional leadership approaches

  • Discussing why safeguarding leadership practices are critical in future healthcare environments

Dr Natalie Lindsay, RN, PhD , Lecturer, School of health, Victoria University of Wellington

14:10

The role of nursing leadership in expanding Nursing’s influence across health systems

  • Defining nursing leadership and its scope of influence across clinical, organisational, and policy levels

  • Building leadership capability to strengthen decision-making, communication, and system thinking

  • Demonstrating leadership’s role in shaping workforce culture, care models, and service delivery

  • Linking nursing leadership to measurable improvements in patient outcomes and service quality

Bel Macfie, Director of Nursing and Clinical Services, Hospice Waikato

14:50

Afternoon break

15:10

Smart care: Using AI to improve access, accuracy, and outcomes

  • Introducing the role of artificial intelligence in modern healthcare and its potential to enhance nursing practice

  • Exploring how AI-powered tools can improve patient access to timely care through virtual triage, remote monitoring, and predictive analytics

  • Highlighting ways AI can support nurses in making more accurate assessments and clinical decisions

  • Showcasing case studies where AI integration has improved patient outcomes in both acute and community settings

  • Discussing ethical considerations, data privacy, and the importance of maintaining a human-centred approach to AI use in healthcare

  • Examining how AI can help optimise workflows, reduce administrative burdens, and free nurses to focus on direct patient care

Emma Collins, Senior Lecturer, University of Otago

15:40

Building and supporting high-performing teams through nursing leadership

  • Exploring the link between effective nursing leadership and high-performing teams

  • Identifying leadership behaviours that foster trust, collaboration, and accountability

  • Supporting workforce wellbeing and resilience to sustain performance under pressure

  • Strategies for developing team capability and nurturing emerging leaders

  • Showcasing examples of successful high-performing nursing teams in practice

Monica Goldwater ,Chief Nursing Officer, Southern Cross Healthcare

16:20

Guardians of safety and compassion: The role of nurses in aged care

  • Recognising the central role of nurses in ensuring safety, dignity, and high-quality care for older adults in aged care facilities and retirement villages

  • Exploring how nurses build trust and meaningful relationships with residents, whānau, and care teams

  • Highlighting approaches to balancing clinical care with emotional support and companionship

  • Showcasing strategies for preventing harm, managing chronic conditions, and responding to changing health needs in aged care settings

  • Discussing culturally safe practices that honour the diversity and individual values of residents

  • Addressing workforce challenges in aged care and the importance of leadership in building strong, supportive teams

 Dr Isabella Wright, Nurse Practitioner / Director, 5th Dimension Health Limited

17:00

Summary remarks from the Chair & Networking Drinks

Kate Weston, Executive Director, College of Nurses Aotearoa

8:50

Registration and Coffee

9:00

Welcoming remarks from the Chair

Kate Weston, Executive Director, College of Nurses Aotearoa

9:10

Leading change globally: Lessons from nursing leadership from Australia

  • Showcasing how Australian nurse leaders have driven impactful reforms in healthcare delivery, workforce development, and policy influence

  • Exploring innovative models of care, safe staffing strategies, and community engagement approaches that have achieved measurable results

  • Highlighting cross-border collaborations and shared challenges between New Zealand and Australia in nursing leadership

  • Examining how Australian leadership initiatives have advanced equity, improved patient outcomes, and strengthened the nursing profession

  • Discussing how these lessons can be adapted and applied to the New Zealand context to address local healthcare priorities

  • Inspiring nurse leaders to think globally, act locally, and champion transformation in their own communities

Frances Rice, Chief Nursing Officer, Australian College of Nursing

9:50

Healing, learning, and leading through harm: Strengthening nursing leadership in adverse events

  • Understanding the National Adverse Event Policy (2023): Healing, learning, and improving from harm

  • Applying the Learning Review methodology in nursing leadership practice

  • Leading with empathy: Meeting the needs of workforce, consumers, and whānau after harm events

  • Supporting team and personal wellbeing: Leadership strategies for recovery and resilience

Karyn Bousfield- Black, Chief Nurse - Te Tumu Matatapuhi, Te Whatu Ora Hawke’s Bay

Gillian Allen , Chief Nurse, Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora Te Pae Hauora o Ruahine o Tararua | MidCentral

10:30

Morning break

11:00

Preventing burnout, protecting the nursing workforce, and ensuring patient safety

  • Exploring the direct link between safe staffing levels, reduced burnout, and improved patient outcomes

  • Highlighting evidence-based staffing models that balance workload, safety, and quality care delivery

  • Examining the impact of chronic understaffing on nurse wellbeing, retention, and workforce resilience

  • Showcasing successful initiatives where safe staffing policies have improved both patient safety and nurse satisfaction

  • Discussing strategies for nurse leaders to advocate for staffing ratios and resources at organisational and policy levels

  •  Addressing the role of leadership in creating supportive work environments that prevent fatigue and burnout


11:40

Wellbeing as a leadership priority: Sustaining the nursing workforce through mental health support

  • Recognising the critical role of nurse leaders in fostering a culture that prioritises mental health and wellbeing

  •  Exploring the connection between workforce wellbeing, retention, and the delivery of safe, high-quality patient care

  • Identifying the signs of stress, fatigue, and burnout within nursing teams and responding proactively

  • Highlighting evidence-based strategies and programmes that support mental health in the nursing workforce

  • Discussing the importance of open communication, psychological safety, and de-stigmatising mental health conversations in healthcare settings

Ronald Baker, Kaumatua, Te Rau Ora

12:20

Nurse led alternative communication – why it really matters

  • What are alternative formats

  • How can we apply plain language and alternative formats such as Easy Read, NZSL, audio, large print.

  • What are the barriers in creating alternate formats for health care resources

  • What resources do we all have

  • How can senior nurse lead change and re frame disability equity as core nursing leadership, not a niche add-on

Michelle Graham, Disability Nurse Educator, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

13:00

Lunch break

14:00

Nurse Practitioners as leaders in integrated and collaborative care

  • Examining how NP leadership can address system pressures, improve access, and enhance patient outcomes in both urban and rural settings

  • Exploring the advanced scope of Nurse Practitioners and their role in leading patient-centred, team-based models of care

  • Highlighting how Nurse Practitioners bridge gaps between primary, secondary, and community services to improve continuity of care

  • Discussing strategies for embedding Nurse Practitioner leadership into integrated care pathways for complex and chronic conditions

  • Recognising the role of NPs in mentoring colleagues and influencing policy to strengthen integrated and collaborative care models

Emma Hedgecock, Nurse Practitioner

14:30

The Blended Workforce: A framework and research project associated with professional adpatation to diversity in the nursing workforce

  • The context to the current configuration of diversity in the nursing workforce

  • The signals that tell us that we need something responsive to where we find ourselves

  • Traditional onboarding and support approaches and the gaps that we think we are seeing

  • The Waikato Blended Workforce Framework (BWF) and why it is focused on social and professional adaptation for all nurses

  • The component parts of the BWF including Te Tiriti-aligned foundations, clinical conversations, recognition of the unique practice context of Aotearoa

  • The stakeholders and researchers we've engaged with to gather knowledge

  • Our formal research into the construction, implementation and impacts of the framework

Dr Rhonda McKelvie RN | PhD, Nurse Consultant Workforce,Te Whatu Ora| Health NZ Waikato

15:00

Summary remarks from the Chair

Kate Weston, Executive Director, College of Nurses Aotearoa

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Speakers

Kate Weston

Executive Director
College of Nurses Aotearoa (NZ)
Kate Weston has extensive nursing leadership experience, with a career spanning four decades, including management, nursing leadership and professional nursing advisory roles. Kate has recently been appointed as the Executive Director of the College of Nurses Aotearoa, a Professional Organization that provides leadership and support to nurses, advocating for the health and wellbeing of Aotearoa. The strategic aim of the organisation is to Stand for Nurses – supporting nurses to be able to meet the challenges of the current healthcare environment, by advancing professional issues for nurses. Kate’s clinical background has been primarily women’s and children’s health, including community, primary and secondary services in the health and disability sectors.

Bel Macfie

Director of Nursing and Clinical Services
Hospice Waikato

Emma Hedgecock

Nurse Practitioner

Dr Isabella Wright

Nurse Practitioner / Director
5th Dimension Health Limited
Isabella Wright completed her nursing degree 35 years ago and has held senior clinical and leadership roles across aged care in Australia and New Zealand. Endorsed as a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in 2012, she operates NP-led clinics in large aged residential care homes in Auckland and has launched her own NP-led practice in June 2025 in Hamilton. Her Doctor of Health Science research into the psychosocial work environment of NPs was published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing in 2025. She has been recognised with the Deborah Harris Award for Excellence in Education and Research (NPNZ, 2024), the Doctoral Academic Excellence Award (AUT, 2025) and Fellowship with the College of Nurses of Aotearoa (2025). Isabella was employed for 3 years as an expert advisor to the Aged Care Health & Disability Commissioner, advising about aged care sector complaints relating to breaches of Health & Disability Consumer Rights. Additionally, she is contracted by the Nursing Council of NZ as an expert panel member for NP endorsement assessments. Isabella’s passion for nurturing the next generation of NPs is evident in her role as a clinical mentor to NP Interns.

Frances Rice

Chief Nursing Officer
Australian College of Nursing

Brenda Close

Independent Consultant
Brenda is a nationally respected nursing leader, clinical supervisor, and governance mentor with over 30 years’ experience across health and education sectors. A Fellow of the College of Nurses Aotearoa, she brings a kaupapa Māori lens to strategic leadership, equity advocacy, and whānau-centred care. Her work spans clinical excellence, professional development, and governance, with a deep commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally responsive practice. Guided by the whakataukī “Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tūohu koe, me he maunga teitei”—Brenda exemplifies the pursuit of excellence with humility and purpose. Her influence continues to shape inclusive, resilient systems that uplift whānau and nursing communities across Aotearoa.

Dr Rhonda McKelvie RN | PhD

Nurse Consultant Workforce
Te Whatu Ora| Health New Zealand Waikato

Anne Daniels

President
New Zealand Nurses Organisation

Dr Liz Manning RN, PhD, FCNA(NZ)

National Strategic Workforce Lead- Nursing,
Te Whatu Ora | Health NZ
After over 13 years as a self-employed nurse consultant focusing on professional advice and policy, Liz has moved to Health NZ in the role of National Strategic Workforce Lead- Nursing. Previous roles have included; Future Workforce project manager- nursing, at DHBNZ  and  Associate Director of Nursing, Waitemata DHB. In 2006, Liz completed a Master of Philosophy, focusing on work-role transition into leadership roles. She completed her PhD in 2022, focusing on the impact of liminality and gender on nursing, in particular nurses in policy. Liz’s passion is to raise the profile, voice and value of nursing and nurse leaders.

Michelle Graham

Disability Nurse Educator
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
Michelle Graham is the National Disability Nurse Educator with Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora. Her role focuses on increasing healthcare staff capability to provide equitable, accessible care for disabled people. She teaches across the health workforce on topics such as working with blind and low-vision people, complex health needs, and making reasonable accommodations.

Emma Collins

Senior Lecturer
University of Otago

Ronald Baker

Kaumatua
Te Rau Ora
Registered Psychiatric Nurse, Advanced Diploma Nursing, Winston Churchill Fellow, ANZAC Fellow, Fellow ANZCMHN, Fellow CMHNNZ, and an inaugural recipient of Te Whetu Kanapa (Te Ao Māramatanga). A Registered Psychiatric Nurse of 35 years’ experience with 25 years of practice in cultural (Kaupapa Māori) services in establishing, managing and providing care in several different tribal areas. Most recent practice in the intensive community teams of the northern regions.Ron has been awarded MNZM 2023 Kings Birthday Honours for services to Maori Mental Health Ron has been a member since the inception of the College. Firstly, as a Branch of the ANZCMHN and then Te Ao Māramatanga NZCMHN.

Karyn Bousfield- Black

Chief Nurse - Te Tumu Matatapuhi
Te Whatu Ora Hawke’s Bay
Karyn completed her undergraduate nursing qualification in 1990 and has subsequently completed a Bachelor of Nursing, Post Graduate Diploma in Nursing and Masters in Health Science. Karyn gained broad generalist nursing experience in the rural health environment of the West Coast of the South Island, with specialty experience in critical care and cardiology, before moving into nurse leadership roles.  Karyn held the role of Director of Nursing on the West Coast from 2010, before heading home in 2019 to the Hawke’s Bay region, where she was appointed as Chief Nursing Officer in February 2021 for Health New Zealand – Te Matau a Māui.  Between 2019 and 2021 she was Clinical Lead Planning Funding & Performance and then seconded into a year long role as Executive Director Patient Safety & Quality, a portfolio she continues to hold as Chief Nurse, alongside the portfolio Clinical Lead Hospital Redevelopment Programme. Passionate about the profession, Karyn has a particular interest in standards of care, quality and patient safety, cultural safety and clinical governance, and is an alumnus of the Australasian Institute of Clinical Governance. She is currently the Chair of the Central Region Integrated Clinical Governance Group.

Monica Goldwater

Chief Nursing Officer
Southern Cross Healthcare
Monica Goldwater is a highly experienced leader in nursing having worked in both public and private, inpatient and outpatient healthcare settings across the US and New Zealand; and led nursing for multiple large complex and multi-site healthcare organizations. A registered nurse in both the US and NZ and member of the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses, Monica completed her MBA at Massey University in 2011 before moving to the US and working in several key leadership positions within the American healthcare sector. Monica returned to New Zealand in April 2023, and joined Southern Cross Healthcare from the University of Vermont Medical Centre where she was Director of Perioperative Services.

Natalie Lindsay RN, PhD

Lecturer, School of health
Victoria University of Wellington

Gillian Allen

Chief Nurse
Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora Te Pae Hauora o Ruahine o Tararua | MidCentral
I am an experienced nurse leader with a master’s in nursing and over 35 years in the sector, both in New Zealand and overseas. I have specialised in Child health and Emergency Nursing before taking on a variety of leadership roles which led me to becoming the Chief Nurse at MidCentral early in 2025. I was an enthusiastic clinical nurse educator for many years and take this important way of thinking into all the roles that I undertake to, grow ‘agency’, knowledge and compassion across our workforce. I have a passion for system safety and incorporating Human Factors in Health Care. In 2022 I took some time out of the Hospital system to work at Te Tāhu Hauora, Health Quality and Safety Commission. My role as a system safety advisor was to manage the national adverse events process and reporting. As part of this role, I helped lead the team in the development of the revised “Healing Learning and Improving from Harm, national adverse events policy 2023”. Once this policy was finalised, I facilitated the national roll out and enjoyed running workshops around the country to embed the new policy and the learning review methodology. Since returning to the Hospital system in 2024 I am passionate about embracing the principles embedded in this policy, supporting our wider quality and interdisciplinary team, locally and regionally to embed these new ways of doing things. The aim being to focus on system improvements that improve outcomes for our consumers, whānau and the health care workforce.

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If you’re a member of the College of College of Nurses Aotearoa,
get in touch with them to get a discount (code) on the current pricing.

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