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Accounting & Finance Conference, get your CPD points, trusted CPD partner

One Stop - Update for the Accountant in Business

CV005 58th logo

12 - 13 May 2026 | Wellington

20 - 21 May 2026 | Auckland & Virtual

Updates | Strategy | Leadership | CPD Hours

The 58th One Stop has two stops - Auckland & Wellington

+ virtual tickets available for the Auckland agenda / dates 20-21 May, 2026

Get the essential update tailored to accountants in business at this bi-annual event & earn up to 15 CPD hours.

The rapid pace of economic shifts, regulatory change, technological disruption, and evolving business expectations continues to shape the work of accountants in Aotearoa New Zealand. The 2026 One Stop Update for the Accountant in Business brings together the essential insights, tools, and practical knowledge you need to stay ahead.

Join us to:

  • Hear global and local economic updates and what they mean for New Zealand organisations
  • Understand the latest developments in tax, employment law, IFRS, technology and more
  • Explore ethical expectations and real-world dilemmas facing today’s accounting professionals
  • Strengthen your leadership, communication, resilience, and people-focused skills to elevate your impact as a finance leader

Why join One Stop?

  • Virtual and in-person learning opportunities
  • All-in-one opportunity to hear the latest updates for the accounting profession
  • Connect with like-minded accountants, keen to be at the top of their game
  • Gain up to 15 CPD points 
Asset 3CPD stamp yellow

CPD Hours

The CPD conference trusted by accountants and finance professionals for over 27 years.

Earn a majority of your annual verifiable CPD including ethics in our punchy, informative conference.

Venue - Wellington

Address:

James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
147 The Terrace, Wellington Central

 

Venue - Auckland

Address:

Four Points by Sheraton
396 Queen Street and
Main Reception Entrance:
110 Mayoral Drive, Auckland

Virtual Ticket Option on 20-21 May, 2026.

Attend One Stop online from the comfort of your office or at home. Virtual option is based on the Auckland agenda.

On-demand content

Watch when your schedule allows: Every ticket includes on-demand access to presentations

Conference content will be available on-demand for 60 days.

Agenda 2026

8:00

Registration and Coffee

9:00

Welcoming remarks from the Chair

Scott Wright, Founder, The HI Company

9:10

One Stop Update on the Global Macro-Economic Outlook and Trade Policies

  • Exploring the global economic outlook and its impact on New Zealand’s economic performance

  • Geopolitics and international relations – Trump, trade and tariffs: What will these mean for us

  • Discussing global inflation trends and their impact on New Zealand’s monetary policy

  • Global trade policy developments and New Zealand’s trade relationships

  • Examining global trends and challenges including sustainability, digital, supply chain resilience and logistics on New Zealand competitiveness

Stephen Jacobi, Managing Director, Jacobi Consulting

9:55

One Stop New Zealand Economic Update

  • Exploring the current state of New Zealand’s economy and business confidence

  • Predicting what we might see in 2026 – where are we heading next?

  • Discussing sectoral performance and their unique opportunities and challenges

  • Understanding the key sectors driving economic momentum and those facing challenges

  • Implications of the current economic situation for businesses

Tony Alexander, Economic Thought Leader

10:40

Morning break

11:10

The One Stop Ethics Update: Tax Planning, Sustainability, Use of Experts, Disciplinary Decisions and more

  • Understand the latest proposed updates to NZICA’s Code of Ethics and the outlook for future developments

  • Gain practical insight into ethical matters by exploring recent decisions from NZICA’s disciplinary bodies

Tracy Bignell, Principal Advisor - NZ Professional Standards and Member Care, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand

11:50

Leading with impact: Essential Leadership Skills for Accountants in Business

  • How accountants are stepping up as strategic leaders shaping business decisions

  • Mastering communication and influence to drive impact across the organisation

  • Inspiring and leading teams to deliver exceptional performance

  • Championing diversity, equity, and inclusion for stronger, high performing teams

  • Leading with integrity and embedding ethics at the heart of every decision

  • Cultivating resilience for yourself and your team to thrive under pressure

Scott Wright, Founder, The HI Company

12:30

Lunch

13:30

The One Stop Employment Law Update

  • Key changes in New Zealand employment law

  • Understanding changes regarding the high income threshold, unfair dismissal and recruiting highly paid roles

  • A practical overview of the upcoming Holidays Act reforms, outlining likely changes to leave entitlements and calculations

  • The costs of terminating employment – redundancy compensation, agreed exits, and unlawful dismissals

Emma von Veh, Partner, Buddle Findlay

14:10

Effective Communication and Influencing Skills for Accountants

  • Why reports written for accountability often fail the people who need to make decisions

  • How to get clear on the business problem and who's in the room before you start communicating

  • A practical tool for turning financial findings into clear recommendations

  • How to design data visuals that support your narrative rather than replace it

Kat Greenbrook, Data Storyteller and Founder, Rogue Penguin

15:00

Afternoon break

15:30

Balanced Decisions: Aligning audit, Risk and Board Governance

  • Enhance board understanding of risk and audit fundamentals to support informed decision-making

  • Clarify the role of risk and audit functions in governance and strategic oversight

  • Apply practical strategies to improve board audit or risk literacy and engagement

  • Communicate risk and audit matters effectively to support decision making

Malcolm Bruce, Partner, KPMG

16:10

The One Stop C-Suite Interview: Making the Switch from Technical Expert to Strategic Leader

  • Making the leap to CFO: shifting from detail to big-picture thinking, and from control to leading through ambiguity, risk, and incomplete information

  • Leading strategy, forecasting, and influence: how CFOs shape direction and decide “what next”

  • From technical expert to organisational leader: building culture, managing people challenges, and partnering effectively with CEOs and executives

  • What to build now: critical skills, mindset shifts, and lessons CFOs wish they knew before stepping into the role

Julia Fink, CFO, Climate Change Commission

16:50

Summary remarks from the Chair

Scott Wright, Founder, The HI Company

17:00

Day 1 close & networking drinks

8:00

Registration and Coffee

9:00

Welcoming remarks from the Chair

Scott Wright, Founder, The HI Company

9:10

Startup Story: From Idea to Revenue – Lessons for Accounting & Finance Leaders

  • Hear practical lessons from building an idea into a profitable business, with insights for accountants supporting innovative clients

  • Financial lessons learned in managing cash flow, funding, and scaling operations

  • Challenges in compliance, reporting, and accounting in a startup environment

  • How accountants can add value and support business growth in early-stage companies

  • Practical takeaways for translating startup experiences into professional insights

Cormac Denton, Managing Director, Playdough

9:50

One Stop Tax Update

  • Key updates and emerging issues in income tax, employment tax, and GST

  • Inland Revenue’s current compliance activity and audit focus areas — and what these mean for organisations in 2026

  • Recent Inland Revenue statements and rulings and the practical implications for taxpayers

  • Looking ahead to the Government’s refreshed Tax Work Programme and Budget 2026 predictions in an election year

Robyn Walker, Partner, and Hiran Patel, Director, Deloitte

10:30

Morning break

11:00

AI in Accounting & Finance

  • Overview of AI technologies and their relevance to accounting and finance

  • How AI automates repetitive tasks and enables more strategic work

  • How AI is transforming financial reporting and analysis

  • How AI can streamline tax preparation and compliance

  • Practical guidance for implementing AI solutions and overcoming challenges

James Carolan, Senior Manager, PwC

11:40

Case Study: Technology in Action—Solving Real Business Problems

  • The challenge - A real-world business problem that required a more efficient, scalable solution

  • The implementation - How innovative technology was selected, introduced, and integrated into existing workflows

  • Overcoming roadblocks - Common barriers such as resistance to change, data issues, or system compatibility and how they were addressed

  • Results & Lessons Learned - Measurable efficiencies gained, business impact, and practical tips for successfully adopting new technology

Hannah Howard, GM Finance & Commercial, Technology and AI, One New Zealand

12:20

Protecting Financial Data: Essential Cybersecurity Strategies for Accountants

  • Understanding current cybersecurity threats and emerging attack types such as ransomware and deepfakes highlighting cyber risk as a core business risk

  • Assessing AI use, supply-chain due diligence, data protection, insurance considerations, and the legal and financial consequences of cyber incidents

  • Strengthening people, processes, and leadership to reduce human risk and embed cyber security beyond a tick-box approach

Liz Knight, Head of Cyber Security, Theta

1:00

Lunch

14:00

One Stop IFRS Update: Exploring global consistency and local flexibility

  • Exploring the vision of IFRS as a single global accounting and sustainability language

  • How jurisdictions, including New Zealand, adapt IFRS to local contexts

  • The role of the IASB, ISSB, and regulators in balancing alignment and flexibility

  • Practical strategies to maintain global credibility while ensuring local relevance

David Pacey, Partner, Grant Thornton

14:40

Building Resilience and Wellbeing for You and Your Finance Team

  • Strategies to enhance personal resilience and manage stress in a high-pressure finance environment

  • Promoting mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing within finance teams

  • Techniques to create a supportive, adaptable, and productive team culture

  • Practical approaches for leaders to foster resilience and wellbeing while maintaining performance

Julie Cressey, General Manager, TelusHealth

15:20

Summary remarks from the Chair

Scott Wright, Founder, The HI Company

15:30

Conference close

8:00

Registration and Coffee

9:00

Welcoming remarks from the Chair

Scott Wright, Founder, The HI Company

9:10

One Stop Update on the global macro-economic outlook and trade policies

  • Exploring the global economic outlook and its impact on New Zealand’s economic performance

  • Geopolitics and international relations – Trump, trade and tariffs: What will these mean for us

  • Discussing global inflation trends and their impact on New Zealand’s monetary policy

  • Global trade policy developments and New Zealand’s trade relationships

  • Examining global trends and challenges including sustainability, digital, supply chain resilience and logistics on New Zealand competitiveness

Stephen Jacobi, Managing Director, Jacobi Consulting

9:55

One Stop New Zealand Economic Update

  • Exploring the current state of New Zealand’s economy and business confidence

  • Predicting what we might see in 2026 – where are we heading next?

  • Discussing sectoral performance and their unique opportunities and challenges

  • Understanding the key sectors driving economic momentum and those facing challenges

  • Implications of the current economic situation for businesses

Tony Alexander, Economic Thought Leader

10:40

Morning break

11:10

The One Stop Ethics Update: Tax Planning, Sustainability, Use of Experts, Disciplinary Decisions and more

  • Understand the latest proposed updates to NZICA’s Code of Ethics and the outlook for future developments

  • Gain practical insight into ethical matters by exploring recent decisions from NZICA’s disciplinary bodies

Peter Vial, New Zealand Country Head, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand

11:50

Leading with impact: Essential leadership skills for accountants in business

  • How accountants are stepping up as strategic leaders shaping business decisions

  • Mastering communication and influence to drive impact across the organisation

  • Inspiring and leading teams to deliver exceptional performance

  • Championing diversity, equity, and inclusion for stronger, high performing teams

  • Leading with integrity and embedding ethics at the heart of every decision

  • Cultivating resilience for yourself and your team to thrive under pressure

Scott Wright, Founder, The HI Company

12:30

Lunch

13:30

The One Stop Employment Law Update

  • Key changes in New Zealand employment law

  • Understanding changes regarding the high income threshold, unfair dismissal and recruiting highly paid roles

  • A practical overview of the upcoming Holidays Act reforms, outlining likely changes to leave entitlements and calculations

  • The costs of terminating employment – redundancy compensation, agreed exits, and unlawful dismissals

Emma von Veh, Partner, Buddle Findlay

14:10

Effective communication and influencing skills for Accountants

  • Communicating technical information and financial data clearly and concisely for your audience

  • Framing solutions and problem solving to support impactful outcomes

  • Leveraging smart data, reporting and partnerships to maximise business value

  • Practical tips for building influence at executive and board level

Debbie D'Souza, Financial Controller/FP&A Manager, Mars

15:00

Afternoon break

15:30

One Stop IFRS Update: Exploring global consistency and local flexibility

  • Exploring the vision of IFRS as a single global accounting and sustainability language

  • How jurisdictions, including New Zealand, adapt IFRS to local contexts

  • The role of the IASB, ISSB, and regulators in balancing alignment and flexibility

  • Practical strategies to maintain global credibility while ensuring local relevance

David Pacey, Partner, Grant Thornton

16:10

The One Stop C-Suite Interview: Making the Switch from Technical Expert to Strategic Leader

  • Work habits and practices that maximise individual and team effectiveness

  • Approaches to managing people issues, building culture, and resolving conflict

  • Practical strategies for interacting with the CEO and other executives to influence and collaborate effectively

  • Key learnings and lessons from the experiences that have made these CFOs successful

Stephen Morgan, General Manager - Finance and Commercial, Champion Flour Milling and 2025 NZ CFO of the Year

16:50

Summary remarks from the Chair

Scott Wright, Founder, The HI Company

17:00

Day 1 close & networking drinks

8:00

Registration and Coffee

9:00

Welcoming remarks from the Chair

Scott Wright, Founder, The HI Company

9:10

Startup Story: From Idea to Revenue – Lessons for Accounting & Finance Leaders

  • Hear practical lessons from building an idea into a profitable business, with insights for accountants supporting innovative clients

  • Financial lessons learned in managing cash flow, funding, and scaling operations

  • Challenges in compliance, reporting, and accounting in a startup environment

  • How accountants can add value and support business growth in early-stage companies

  • Practical takeaways for translating startup experiences into professional insights

Mike Mandis, Co-CEO, Oxygen

9:50

One Stop Tax Update

  • Key updates and emerging issues in income tax, employment tax, and GST

  • Inland Revenue’s current compliance activity and audit focus areas — and what these mean for organisations in 2026

  • Recent Inland Revenue statements and rulings and the practical implications for taxpayers

  • Looking ahead to the Government’s refreshed Tax Work Programme and Budget 2026 predictions in an election year

Alex Kingston, Partner, and Rachel Hale, Tax Manager, Deloitte

10:30

Morning break

11:00

AI in Accounting & Finance

  • Overview of AI technologies and their relevance to accounting and finance

  • How AI automates repetitive tasks and enables more strategic work

  • How AI is transforming financial reporting and analysis

  • How AI can streamline tax preparation and compliance

  • Practical guidance for implementing AI solutions and overcoming challenges

Nick Johnson, Senior Manager, KPMG

11:40

Case Study: Technology in Action—Solving Real Business Problems

  • The challenge - A real-world business problem that required a more efficient, scalable solution

  • The implementation - How innovative technology was selected, introduced, and integrated into existing workflows

  • Overcoming roadblocks - Common barriers such as resistance to change, data issues, or system compatibility and how they were addressed

  • Results & Lessons Learned - Measurable efficiencies gained, business impact, and practical tips for successfully adopting new technology

Hannah Howard, GM Finance & Commercial, Technology and AI, One New Zealand

12:20

Protecting Financial Data: Essential Cybersecurity Strategies for Accountants

  • Understanding current cybersecurity threats and emerging attack types such as ransomware and deepfakes highlighting cyber risk as a core business risk

  • Assessing AI use, supply-chain due diligence, data protection, insurance considerations, and the legal and financial consequences of cyber incidents

  • Strengthening people, processes, and leadership to reduce human risk and embed cyber security beyond a tick-box approach

Liz Knight, Head of Cyber Security, Theta

1:00

Lunch

14:00

Balanced Decisions: Aligning Risk, Audit, and Board Governance

  • Strengthening board capability through a clear understanding of risk management and assurance fundamentals

  • Practical approaches to lift board risk literacy, enabling more confident challenge, oversight and engagement

  • Defining and differentiating the role of risk and assurance functions in strategic oversight, governance and informed board decision‑making

  • Leveraging risk and assurance capability to support balanced, value‑focused decisions that protect and enhance organisational performance

Nigel Toms, GM Risk and Assurance, Watercare Services Limited

14:40

Building Resilience and Wellbeing for You and Your Finance Team

  • Strategies to enhance personal resilience and manage stress in a high-pressure finance environment

  • Promoting mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing within finance teams

  • Techniques to create a supportive, adaptable, and productive team culture

  • Practical approaches for leaders to foster resilience and wellbeing while maintaining performance

Lily Olsen, Senior Learning Specialist, TELUS Health

15:20

Summary remarks from the Chair

Scott Wright, Founder, The HI Company

15:30

Conference close

8:00

Registration and Coffee

9:00

Welcoming remarks from the Chair

Scott Wright, Founder, The HI Company

9:10

One Stop Update on the global macro-economic outlook and trade policies

  • Exploring the global economic outlook and its impact on New Zealand’s economic performance

  • Geopolitics and international relations – Trump, trade and tariffs: What will these mean for us

  • Discussing global inflation trends and their impact on New Zealand’s monetary policy

  • Global trade policy developments and New Zealand’s trade relationships

  • Examining global trends and challenges including sustainability, digital, supply chain resilience and logistics on New Zealand competitiveness

Stephen Jacobi, Managing Director, Jacobi Consulting

9:55

One Stop New Zealand Economic Update

  • Exploring the current state of New Zealand’s economy and business confidence

  • Predicting what we might see in 2026 – where are we heading next?

  • Discussing sectoral performance and their unique opportunities and challenges

  • Understanding the key sectors driving economic momentum and those facing challenges

  • Implications of the current economic situation for businesses

Tony Alexander, Economic Thought Leader

10:40

Morning break

11:10

The One Stop Ethics Update: Tax Planning, Sustainability, Use of Experts, Disciplinary Decisions and more

  • Understand the latest proposed updates to NZICA’s Code of Ethics and the outlook for future developments

  • Gain practical insight into ethical matters by exploring recent decisions from NZICA’s disciplinary bodies

Peter Vial, New Zealand Country Head, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand

11:50

Leading with impact: Essential leadership skills for accountants in business

  • How accountants are stepping up as strategic leaders shaping business decisions

  • Mastering communication and influence to drive impact across the organisation

  • Inspiring and leading teams to deliver exceptional performance

  • Championing diversity, equity, and inclusion for stronger, high performing teams

  • Leading with integrity and embedding ethics at the heart of every decision

  • Cultivating resilience for yourself and your team to thrive under pressure

Scott Wright, Founder, The HI Company

12:30

Lunch

13:30

The One Stop Employment Law Update

  • Key changes in New Zealand employment law

  • Understanding changes regarding the high income threshold, unfair dismissal and recruiting highly paid roles

  • A practical overview of the upcoming Holidays Act reforms, outlining likely changes to leave entitlements and calculations

  • The costs of terminating employment – redundancy compensation, agreed exits, and unlawful dismissals

Emma von Veh, Partner, Buddle Findlay

14:10

Effective communication and influencing skills for Accountants

  • Communicating technical information and financial data clearly and concisely for your audience

  • Framing solutions and problem solving to support impactful outcomes

  • Leveraging smart data, reporting and partnerships to maximise business value

  • Practical tips for building influence at executive and board level

Debbie D'Souza, Financial Controller/FP&A Manager, Mars

15:00

Afternoon break

15:30

One Stop IFRS Update: Exploring global consistency and local flexibility

  • Exploring the vision of IFRS as a single global accounting and sustainability language

  • How jurisdictions, including New Zealand, adapt IFRS to local contexts

  • The role of the IASB, ISSB, and regulators in balancing alignment and flexibility

  • Practical strategies to maintain global credibility while ensuring local relevance

David Pacey, Partner, Grant Thornton

16:10

The One Stop C-Suite Interview: Making the Switch from Technical Expert to Strategic Leader

  • Work habits and practices that maximise individual and team effectiveness

  • Approaches to managing people issues, building culture, and resolving conflict

  • Practical strategies for interacting with the CEO and other executives to influence and collaborate effectively

  • Key learnings and lessons from the experiences that have made these CFOs successful

Stephen Morgan, General Manager - Finance and Commercial, Champion Flour Milling and 2025 NZ CFO of the Year

16:50

Summary remarks from the Chair

Scott Wright, Founder, The HI Company

17:00

Day 1 close & networking drinks

8:00

Registration and Coffee

9:00

Welcoming remarks from the Chair

Scott Wright, Founder, The HI Company

9:10

Startup Story: From Idea to Revenue – Lessons for Accounting & Finance Leaders

  • Hear practical lessons from building an idea into a profitable business, with insights for accountants supporting innovative clients

  • Financial lessons learned in managing cash flow, funding, and scaling operations

  • Challenges in compliance, reporting, and accounting in a startup environment

  • How accountants can add value and support business growth in early-stage companies

  • Practical takeaways for translating startup experiences into professional insights

Mike Mandis, Co-CEO, Oxygen

9:50

One Stop Tax Update

  • Key updates and emerging issues in income tax, employment tax, and GST

  • Inland Revenue’s current compliance activity and audit focus areas — and what these mean for organisations in 2026

  • Recent Inland Revenue statements and rulings and the practical implications for taxpayers

  • Looking ahead to the Government’s refreshed Tax Work Programme and Budget 2026 predictions in an election year

Alex Kingston, Partner, and Rachel Hale, Tax Manager, Deloitte

10:30

Morning break

11:00

AI in Accounting & Finance

  • Overview of AI technologies and their relevance to accounting and finance

  • How AI automates repetitive tasks and enables more strategic work

  • How AI is transforming financial reporting and analysis

  • How AI can streamline tax preparation and compliance

  • Practical guidance for implementing AI solutions and overcoming challenges

Nick Johnson, Senior Manager, KPMG

11:40

Case Study: Technology in Action—Solving Real Business Problems

  • The challenge - A real-world business problem that required a more efficient, scalable solution

  • The implementation - How innovative technology was selected, introduced, and integrated into existing workflows

  • Overcoming roadblocks - Common barriers such as resistance to change, data issues, or system compatibility and how they were addressed

  • Results & Lessons Learned - Measurable efficiencies gained, business impact, and practical tips for successfully adopting new technology

Hannah Howard, GM Finance & Commercial, Technology and AI, One New Zealand

12:20

Protecting Financial Data: Essential Cybersecurity Strategies for Accountants

  • Understanding current cybersecurity threats and emerging attack types such as ransomware and deepfakes highlighting cyber risk as a core business risk

  • Assessing AI use, supply-chain due diligence, data protection, insurance considerations, and the legal and financial consequences of cyber incidents

  • Strengthening people, processes, and leadership to reduce human risk and embed cyber security beyond a tick-box approach

Liz Knight, Head of Cyber Security, Theta

1:00

Lunch

14:00

Balanced Decisions: Aligning Risk, Audit, and Board Governance

  • Strengthening board capability through a clear understanding of risk management and assurance fundamentals

  • Practical approaches to lift board risk literacy, enabling more confident challenge, oversight and engagement

  • Defining and differentiating the role of risk and assurance functions in strategic oversight, governance and informed board decision‑making

  • Leveraging risk and assurance capability to support balanced, value‑focused decisions that protect and enhance organisational performance

Nigel Toms, GM Risk and Assurance, Watercare Services Limited

14:40

Building Resilience and Wellbeing for You and Your Finance Team

  • Strategies to enhance personal resilience and manage stress in a high-pressure finance environment

  • Promoting mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing within finance teams

  • Techniques to create a supportive, adaptable, and productive team culture

  • Practical approaches for leaders to foster resilience and wellbeing while maintaining performance

Lily Olsen, Senior Learning Specialist, TELUS Health

15:20

Summary remarks from the Chair

Scott Wright, Founder, The HI Company

15:30

Conference close

Speakers to be announced

Auckland Speakers

Scott Wright

Founder
The HI Company

Scott Wright is a speaker, TEDx presenter and founder of The HI Co, with 30 years of senior commercial and executive leadership experience across iconic businesses including Frucor Suntory, Lion, Goodman Fielder, DB and Cadbury. A former Marketing Director, Commercial Director and General Manager, Scott has spent nearly two decades on executive leadership teams, leading strategy, driving growth, building cultures and navigating disruption from the inside.

His recent TEDx talk, What Are Your Yellow Shoes?, explored how to best invest in your Human Identity and presence as a strategic asset, not just a soft skill. Scott’s message for finance and accounting leaders is that knowing your personal leadership brand is a critical skill to underpin your effectiveness.

Rachel Hale

Tax Manager
Deloitte
Rachel is a manager at Deloitte specialising in indirect tax. Rachel has a passion for GST and brings extensive experience helping clients from both an advisory and a compliance perspective. She works across a wide range of business, serving both local and multinational organisations. Rachel’s indirect tax experience covers a wide range of industries, with a particular focus on financial services, retirement villages, tourism operators, retail and manufacturing. Rachel has also been involved in a number of significant M&A projects, as well as projects involving direct communication with Inland Revenue such as binding ruling applications.

Hannah Howard

GM Finance & Commercial, Technology & AI
One New Zealand
Hannah Howard is General Manager of Commercial & Finance for Technology, Data & AI at One NZ. Her team works across the company’s technology landscape to support sound investment decisions, network monetisation, and cost optimisation, bringing a commercial lens to some of the business’s most complex and fast-moving areas. Hannah is also at the forefront of practical AI adoption within finance, with her team leading initiatives that use AI to assess the accounting treatment of large-scale SaaS implementation programmes and to streamline business case development through automation. Her work is focused on turning AI strategy into practical, scalable business value.

Liz Knight

Head of Cyber Security
Theta
Liz Knight is a senior cyber and security leader with ten years’ experience delivering security strategy, operations and compliance across New Zealand and international markets. Since 2016 she’s led engineering and security teams, most recently heading Cyber Security at Theta where she manages a team cyber and network security specialists. She’s an ISO 27001 Certified Lead Auditor and Privacy Officer, and contributes to GenAI governance.

Emma von Veh

Partner
Buddle Findlay

Emma is a respected employment specialist who advises public and private sector clients on all aspects of the employment relationship. This includes collective and individual employment agreements, disciplinary processes, bullying and harassment investigations, restructuring, personal grievances, employment and industrial aspects of mergers, acquisitions and statutory transfers, contractor/employee disputes, health and safety, and human rights and privacy matters.

 Emma prides herself in assisting parties navigate difficult and complex issues in a way that minimises the risk of litigation, and damage to reputation and relationships.

 Emma has experience in dispute resolution, and has represented clients in the Employment Relations Authority, Employment Court, Court of Appeal, and Human Rights Review Tribunal.  Emma also regularly represents clients at mediation.

Stephen Morgan

General Manager – Finance and Commercial
Champion Flour Milling
Stephen Morgan is the 2025 NZ CFO of the Year and General Manager – Finance and Commercial at Champion Flour Milling. With over two decades of experience across multinational and local FMCG, manufacturing, and retail sectors, including pivotal roles at Coca-Cola NZ, Tegel Foods, and L’Oréal UK. His expertise covers commercial finance, supply chain, and operational leadership.
Stephen is recognized for his visionary leadership and ability to drive transformation in complex environments. He has steered Champion Flour Milling through global supply shocks, major ERP implementation, and operational crises— building a culture of collaboration and innovation. Stephen’s passion for developing high-performing teams has seen his finance group named finalists for NZ Finance Team of the Year.
Stephen is a trusted advisor, mentor, and advocate for excellence. His story is one of resilience, adaptability, and purpose-driven leadership—motivating others to embrace change and make a meaningful impact.

Peter Vial

NZ Country Head
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
Peter Vial has been New Zealand Country Head at Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand since 2017.   In this role he leads the NZ regulatory, professional conduct and advocacy functions. He is a Fellow Chartered Accountant and a lawyer.  Earlier in his career Peter worked for PwC and KPMG in Tax and for the NZ Trade Development Board as a Trade Commissioner in Europe.  He has also been an Associate Professor at Auckland University.

Julie Cressey

General Manager
TELUS Health New Zealand
Julie Cressey is the General Manager of TELUS Health New Zealand, where she leads the New Zealand business operations and serves as a passionate advocate for mental health and wellbeing, making a meaningful difference in workplace mental health on a daily basis. As a recognised thought leader in the field, Julie spearheads innovative initiatives that address critical workplace mental health challenges across New Zealand. She brings a unique combination of strategic business leadership, deep mental health expertise, and practical implementation experience and offers audiences actionable insights and real-world business application, making her an invaluable voice in New Zealand’s evolving landscape of workplace mental health and employee wellbeing. Additionally, Julie currently serves as President of the Employee Assistance Professionals Association of Australasia (EAPAA).

David Pacey

Partner
Grant Thornton
David helps organisations navigate complex accounting challenges by translating technical requirements into clear, practical, and meaningful insights. A specialist in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), banking and insurance reporting, GAAP, and broader financial reporting matters, David supports clients in making confident and informed accounting decisions. With more than 20 years’ technical accounting experience across New Zealand and the UK, he is known for preparing rigorous technical accounting opinions, presenting at industry events, and contributing to leading professional publications. David is also actively involved in New Zealand’s financial reporting standard‑setting environment, shaping guidance that supports high‑quality reporting across the sector.

Debbie D’Souza

Financial Controller/FP&A Manager
Mars
Debbie D’Souza, Financial Controller and FP&A Manager at Mars New Zealand, a company renowned for its portfolio of beloved brands including Snickers, PODS, Skittles, Whiskas, Royal Canin, and, following a recent acquisition, Kellogg’s, Pringles, and Pop Tarts. Debbie brings a wealth of experience to her role, having previously worked in auditing at KPMG, business advisory at BDO, financial accounting at DB Breweries, and as a Finance Business Partner at Tennis Auckland before moving to Mars. Her team were recently recognized as a finalist in the Brightstar Best Finance Team of the Year, underscoring her commitment to excellence in finance. Her passion lies in leveraging governance not only to safeguard the organization but also to enhance value and drive efficiency within finance operations. Debbie is known for her collaborative approach, partnering closely with other business functions to support strategic objectives.

Cameron Fraser

Director
Fraser Strategic Solutions
Cameron Fraser is a Director of Fraser Strategic Solutions, specialising in financial modelling services.  Prior to that, he was at Electric Kiwi for 8 years, finishing up as Head of Commercial Finance covering financial forecasting, pricing and SQL reporting.  He also worked at PwC in Tax and Consulting.  He is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Certificate of Public Practice.  Outside of work, Cameron spends time with his young family, ballroom dancing and competing in international Excel and Financial Modelling competitions.

Nick Johnson

Senior Manager- Finance Transformation
KPMG
Nick is a Senior Manager at KPMG New Zealand and a Chartered Accountant, specialising in finance transformation and digital enablement. He has worked across the ASPAC region in both public sector and private sectors. He brings expertise in finance strategy, ERP and EPM system implementations, and data-driven reporting, helping organisations modernise their finance functions through business-led, technology enabled change.Nick has led complex transformation programmes involving target operating model design, system selection, and implementation across a range of industries. His work increasingly focuses on how AI can enhance finance operations—from automating reporting and forecasting to improving decision-making and operational efficiency.

Nigel Toms

GM Risk and Assurance
Watercare Services

Nigel is the general manager of risk and assurance at Watercare which provides water and wastewater services to 1.7 million people in Auckland. It has 1300 staff, annual revenue of $970 million and a capital programme exceeding $1 billion per year.

Nigel strategically manages the company’s risks, focusing on service quality, business continuity, and incident preparedness including acting as the senior incident controller for responses to major incidents.

Nigel is a former chair of RiskNZ and was named RiskNZ risk professional of the year in 2021 for his industry-leading work on using risk to build strategic advantage and future state preparedness in large organisations. He is also the technical author of PAS 60518, published by the International Standards Organisation (ISO).

Nigel is a qualified accountant with extensive financial and governance experience including chief financial officer roles in New Zealand and United Kingdom. Nigel’s governance roles include Co-Chair for Toi Ora Live Art Trust.

Tony Alexander

Economics Thought Leader
Tony Alexander was Chief Economist at the BNZ for almost 25 years and has been out on his own as an independent economist since late-2019. He distributes the free weekly “Tony’s View” publication to over 29,000 subscribers each week, writes a weekly column for OneRoof, has a weekly video blog, and speaks at about 80 functions a year around New Zealand. He also runs five monthly surveys which give coalface insight into what is happening in NZ industry and the housing market in particular.

Stephen Jacobi

Managing Director
Jacobi Consulting
Stephen Jacobi is Managing Director of Jacobi Consulting Ltd and NZ Director for the Australia NZ Leadership Forum.  A former trade analyst, diplomat and industry association CEO Stephen led the NZ International Business Forum until earlier this year and has served as Executive Director of the NZ/US and NZ/China Councils.  He is a well-known public commentator on trade and industry issues.

Wellington Speakers

Scott Wright

Founder
The HI Company

Scott Wright is a speaker, TEDx presenter and founder of The HI Co, with 30 years of senior commercial and executive leadership experience across iconic businesses including Frucor Suntory, Lion, Goodman Fielder, DB and Cadbury. A former Marketing Director, Commercial Director and General Manager, Scott has spent nearly two decades on executive leadership teams, leading strategy, driving growth, building cultures and navigating disruption from the inside.

His recent TEDx talk, What Are Your Yellow Shoes?, explored how to best invest in your Human Identity and presence as a strategic asset, not just a soft skill. Scott’s message for finance and accounting leaders is that knowing your personal leadership brand is a critical skill to underpin your effectiveness.

Tracy Bignell

Principal Advisor - NZ Professional Standards and Member Care, NZ Regulation, Advocacy and Professional Standing
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
Tracy Bignell is Principal Advisor NZ Professional Standards and MemberCare at Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), where she has held various roles since 2017.   In this role, Tracy assists the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants (NZICA) to keep its professional and ethical standards, including the Code of Ethics, up to date.  She also assists CA ANZ members to resolve professional and ethical matters themselves by talking through their situation, helping them to clarify the issues and providing further information and resources where appropriate.  Tracy is a Chartered Accountant and her previous experience includes various roles at PwC in both Wellington and Toronto.

Cormac Denton

Managing Director
Playdough
Cormac is a CFO who has helped multiple hyper‑growth companies scale through major inflection points.
Today, as a fractional CFO at Playdough (www.playdough.co.nz), he works with founders to sharpen priorities and make smarter decisions. He’ll reveal the common mistakes startups make—and how to steer them toward real, sustainable growth.

Hannah Howard

GM Finance & Commercial, Technology & AI
One New Zealand
Hannah Howard is General Manager of Commercial & Finance for Technology, Data & AI at One NZ. Her team works across the company’s technology landscape to support sound investment decisions, network monetisation, and cost optimisation, bringing a commercial lens to some of the business’s most complex and fast-moving areas. Hannah is also at the forefront of practical AI adoption within finance, with her team leading initiatives that use AI to assess the accounting treatment of large-scale SaaS implementation programmes and to streamline business case development through automation. Her work is focused on turning AI strategy into practical, scalable business value.

James Carolan

Senior Manager
PwC New Zealand
James Carolan is a Senior Manager in PwC New Zealand’s Gen AI Enablement team. He helps organisations upskill their people to use AI effectively and embed practical AI workflows that improve capability, efficiency and decision-making. His work focuses on responsible AI adoption, enablement, automation and helping teams apply AI in real business settings.

Kat Greenbrook

Data Storyteller and Founder
Rogue Penguin
Kat Greenbrook is a Data Storyteller based in Te Whanganui a Tara, and Director of Rogue Penguin. She supports teams to tell clearer, more responsible stories with data.

Hiran Patel

Director, Tax
Deloitte
I am a Director in the Tax Team at Deloitte in Wellington. I’m passionate about helping large corporates and privately owned businesses with their tax concerns, from reviewing income tax returns to group restructuring. I endeavour to understand all my clients’ circumstances, to provide comprehensive but practical solutions. I have worked in tax for over 14 years and in this time, have advised a wide range of clients across all industries. I particularly enjoy working with clients in property and have developed expertise in relation to tax issues on land disposals, which can be complex and ever-changing.

Robyn Walker

Partner
Deloitte
I am a Partner within the Tax Team at Deloitte in New Zealand. This involves many things, including preparing submissions on behalf of Deloitte and developing thought leadership in the area of tax. I like to think about how tax developments really impact on Deloitte’s clients. I have a particular interest in tax policy and keeping up to date with all the many tax developments. I help Deloitte to advise the Corporate Taxpayers Group.

Liz Knight

Head of Cyber Security
Theta
Liz Knight is a senior cyber and security leader with ten years’ experience delivering security strategy, operations and compliance across New Zealand and international markets. Since 2016 she’s led engineering and security teams, most recently heading Cyber Security at Theta where she manages a team cyber and network security specialists. She’s an ISO 27001 Certified Lead Auditor and Privacy Officer, and contributes to GenAI governance.

Emma von Veh

Partner
Buddle Findlay

Emma is a respected employment specialist who advises public and private sector clients on all aspects of the employment relationship. This includes collective and individual employment agreements, disciplinary processes, bullying and harassment investigations, restructuring, personal grievances, employment and industrial aspects of mergers, acquisitions and statutory transfers, contractor/employee disputes, health and safety, and human rights and privacy matters.

 Emma prides herself in assisting parties navigate difficult and complex issues in a way that minimises the risk of litigation, and damage to reputation and relationships.

 Emma has experience in dispute resolution, and has represented clients in the Employment Relations Authority, Employment Court, Court of Appeal, and Human Rights Review Tribunal.  Emma also regularly represents clients at mediation.

Julie Cressey

General Manager
TELUS Health New Zealand
Julie Cressey is the General Manager of TELUS Health New Zealand, where she leads the New Zealand business operations and serves as a passionate advocate for mental health and wellbeing, making a meaningful difference in workplace mental health on a daily basis. As a recognised thought leader in the field, Julie spearheads innovative initiatives that address critical workplace mental health challenges across New Zealand. She brings a unique combination of strategic business leadership, deep mental health expertise, and practical implementation experience and offers audiences actionable insights and real-world business application, making her an invaluable voice in New Zealand’s evolving landscape of workplace mental health and employee wellbeing. Additionally, Julie currently serves as President of the Employee Assistance Professionals Association of Australasia (EAPAA).

David Pacey

Partner
Grant Thornton
David helps organisations navigate complex accounting challenges by translating technical requirements into clear, practical, and meaningful insights. A specialist in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), banking and insurance reporting, GAAP, and broader financial reporting matters, David supports clients in making confident and informed accounting decisions. With more than 20 years’ technical accounting experience across New Zealand and the UK, he is known for preparing rigorous technical accounting opinions, presenting at industry events, and contributing to leading professional publications. David is also actively involved in New Zealand’s financial reporting standard‑setting environment, shaping guidance that supports high‑quality reporting across the sector.

Julia Fink

CA ANZ
Vice President
Julia is the Chief Financial Officer at the Climate Change Commission and a small business owner. She started her accounting career at Deloitte in Audit, moving into Deloitte Private. Julia was heavily involved in the roll out of public benefit entity financial reporting standards for registered charities in her former role at DIA Charities Services. This role led to her current position as a Board member of the External Reporting Board. Julia has been involved with CA ANZ since she was a provisional member, serving on the Women Accountants and Not for Profit Special Interest Group committees in Wellington, the Charities and Not for Profit Trans-Tasman Advisory Committee and the Wellington Local Committee and as a New Zealand Councillor. Julia was instrumental in setting up the CA ANZ Charity Reporting Awards and the Charity Law, Accounting and Regulation Conference.

Malcolm Bruce

Partner
KPMG
Malcolm is an experienced professional, having been held multiple roles, from being an Audit partner – signing off on financial statements for a range of clients – to being the Chief Risk Officer at Kiwibank, and more recently providing Advisory and Consulting advice to clients across Governance, Risk and Compliance services. This gives Malcolm an exceptionally wide perspective to bring to his conversations.  Malcolm specialises in the financial services sector but has advised clients across a range of industries.  Malcolm leads a team with extensive experience in non-financial risk management, ranging from Conduct and Remediation, to meeting laws and compliance obligations to managing regulatory expectations.  Malcolm has significant experience working with Boards, Executives and Regulators. Businesses are facing increasing numbers of challenges from both handling existing business requirements, doing more for less, to facing a raft of new expectations, requirements and emerging threats.  He will share some of his learnings.

Tony Alexander

Economics Thought Leader
Tony Alexander was Chief Economist at the BNZ for almost 25 years and has been out on his own as an independent economist since late-2019. He distributes the free weekly “Tony’s View” publication to over 29,000 subscribers each week, writes a weekly column for OneRoof, has a weekly video blog, and speaks at about 80 functions a year around New Zealand. He also runs five monthly surveys which give coalface insight into what is happening in NZ industry and the housing market in particular.

Stephen Jacobi

Managing Director
Jacobi Consulting
Stephen Jacobi is Managing Director of Jacobi Consulting Ltd and NZ Director for the Australia NZ Leadership Forum.  A former trade analyst, diplomat and industry association CEO Stephen led the NZ International Business Forum until earlier this year and has served as Executive Director of the NZ/US and NZ/China Councils.  He is a well-known public commentator on trade and industry issues.

Sponsorship

Don't miss out on the connections and credibility boost!

Live B2B events are your chance to shine. Showcase your thought leadership, solidify your market position, and forge valuable connections with potential customers – all at once.

This exclusive event puts you in front of a highly skilled audience hungry for insights. Get ready for meaningful engagement that drives results.

Plus, we have some unique opportunities to put your company, products, and services in the spotlight.

Ready to take your brand to the next level? Contact us today to learn more or secure your spot at this leading event.

Choose where you will get your CPD hours from

Wellington Tickets (12-13 May)

LAST MINUTE

$ 2499 +gst
  • For valid ticket, register by 12 May, 2026.

Group 3+

$ 1699 per person +gst
  • Must be from same organisation and book at the same time. For valid tickets, register by 12 May, 2026.

SUPER SAVER

$2499
$ 1999 +gst
  • For valid ticket, register by 27 March, 2026.

EARLY BIRD

$2499
$ 2299 +gst
  • For valid ticket, register by 17 April, 2026.

Group 3+

$2499
$ 1699 per person +gst
  • Must be from same organisation and book at the same time. For valid tickets, register by 12 May, 2026.

Auckland Tickets (20-21 May)

LAST MINUTE

$ 2499 +gst
  • For valid ticket, register by 20 May, 2026.

Group 3+

$ 1699 per person +gst
  • Must be from same organisation and book at the same time. For valid tickets, register by 20 May, 2026.

SUPER SAVER

$2499
$ 1999 +gst
  • For valid ticket, register by 27 March, 2026.

EARLY BIRD

$2499
$ 2299 +gst
  • For valid ticket, register by 17 April, 2026.

Group 3+

$2499
$ 1699 per person +gst
  • Must be from same organisation and book at the same time. For valid tickets, register by 20 May, 2026.

Virtual Tickets (20-21 May)

LAST MINUTE

$ 2199 +gst
  • For valid ticket, register by 20 May, 2026.

Group 3+

$ 1599 per person +gst
  • Must be from same organisation and book at the same time. For valid tickets, register by 20 May, 2026.

SUPER SAVER

$2199
$ 1799 +gst
  • For valid ticket, register by 27 March, 2026.

EARLY BIRD

$2199
$ 1999 +gst
  • For valid ticket, register by 17 April, 2026.

Group 3+

$2199
$ 1599 per person +gst
  • Must be from same organisation and book at the same time. For valid tickets, register by 20 May, 2026.

Registration Conditions

Ticket Terms
All prices are in New Zealand dollars ($NZD)
A surcharge of 2.5% + GST applies to credit card payments on top of the total amount.
Pre-Sale Tickets are valid only for the specific event for which they were purchased and cannot be transferred to other events. To remain valid, Super Saver and Early Bird tickets must be paid by date quoted.
Group ticket options are valid for registrations from the same organisation, booked at the same time.
By selecting any special pricing offer for classes of organisation, sector, or individuals or using any promotion code, you are asserting to the organiser your right to claim any such pricing offer, and acknowledge the organiser’s right to audit such claim and, if in the opinion of the organiser using its sole discretion the conditions for special pricing are not met, reject any registration.

For full terms & conditions, please visit https://www.brightstar.co.nz/terms-and-conditions

Check out our other upcoming events

The 58th One Stop has two stops - Auckland & Wellington

+ virtual tickets available for the Auckland agenda / dates 20-21 May, 2026

Get the essential update tailored to accountants in business at this bi-annual event & earn up to 15 CPD hours.

The rapid pace of economic shifts, regulatory change, technological disruption, and evolving business expectations continues to shape the work of accountants in Aotearoa New Zealand. The 2026 One Stop Update for the Accountant in Business brings together the essential insights, tools, and practical knowledge you need to stay ahead.

Join us to:

  • Hear global and local economic updates and what they mean for New Zealand organisations
  • Understand the latest developments in tax, employment law, IFRS, technology and more
  • Explore ethical expectations and real-world dilemmas facing today’s accounting professionals
  • Strengthen your leadership, communication, resilience, and people-focused skills to elevate your impact as a finance leader

 

Why join One Stop?

  • Virtual and in-person learning opportunities
  • All-in-one opportunity to hear the latest updates for the accounting profession
  • Connect with like-minded accountants, keen to be at the top of their game
  • Gain up to 15 CPD points 
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CPD Hours

The CPD conference trusted by accountants and finance professionals for over 27 years.

Earn a majority of your annual verifiable CPD including ethics in our punchy, informative conference.

Venue - Wellington

Address:

James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
147 The Terrace, Wellington Central

 

Venue - Auckland

Address:

Four Points by Sheraton
396 Queen Street and
Main Reception Entrance:
110 Mayoral Drive, Auckland

Virtual Ticket Option on 21-22 May, 2026.

Attend One Stop online from the comfort of your office or at home.

On-demand content

Watch when your schedule allows: Every ticket includes on-demand access to presentations

Conference content will be available on-demand for 60 days.

Check out our other upcoming events

Agenda 2026

8:00

Registration and Coffee

9:00

Welcoming remarks from the Chair

Scott Wright, Founder, The HI Company

9:10

One Stop Update on the global macro-economic outlook and trade policies

  • Exploring the global economic outlook and its impact on New Zealand’s economic performance

  • Geopolitics and international relations – Trump, trade and tariffs: What will these mean for us

  • Discussing global inflation trends and their impact on New Zealand’s monetary policy

  • Global trade policy developments and New Zealand’s trade relationships

  • Examining global trends and challenges including sustainability, digital, supply chain resilience and logistics on New Zealand competitiveness

Stephen Jacobi, Managing Director, Jacobi Consulting

9:55

One Stop New Zealand Economic Update

  • Exploring the current state of New Zealand’s economy and business confidence

  • Predicting what we might see in 2026 – where are we heading next?

  • Discussing sectoral performance and their unique opportunities and challenges

  • Understanding the key sectors driving economic momentum and those facing challenges

  • Implications of the current economic situation for businesses

Tony Alexander, Economic Thought Leader

10:40

Morning break

11:10

The One Stop Ethics Update: Tax Planning, Sustainability, Use of Experts, Disciplinary Decisions and more

  • Understand the latest proposed updates to NZICA’s Code of Ethics and the outlook for future developments

  • Gain practical insight into ethical matters by exploring recent decisions from NZICA’s disciplinary bodies

Peter Vial, New Zealand Country Head, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand

11:50

Leading with impact: Essential leadership skills for accountants in business

  • How accountants are stepping up as strategic leaders shaping business decisions

  • Mastering communication and influence to drive impact across the organisation

  • Inspiring and leading teams to deliver exceptional performance

  • Championing diversity, equity, and inclusion for stronger, high performing teams

  • Leading with integrity and embedding ethics at the heart of every decision

  • Cultivating resilience for yourself and your team to thrive under pressure

Scott Wright, Founder, The HI Company

12:30

Lunch

13:30

The One Stop Employment Law Update

  • Key changes in New Zealand employment law

  • Understanding changes regarding the high income threshold, unfair dismissal and recruiting highly paid roles

  • A practical overview of the upcoming Holidays Act reforms, outlining likely changes to leave entitlements and calculations

  • The costs of terminating employment – redundancy compensation, agreed exits, and unlawful dismissals

Emma von Veh, Partner, Buddle Findlay

14:10

Effective communication and influencing skills for Accountants

  • Communicating technical information and financial data clearly and concisely for your audience

  • Framing solutions and problem solving to support impactful outcomes

  • Leveraging smart data, reporting and partnerships to maximise business value

  • Practical tips for building influence at executive and board level

Debbie D'Souza, Financial Controller/FP&A Manager, Mars

15:00

Afternoon break

15:30

One Stop IFRS Update: Exploring global consistency and local flexibility

  • Exploring the vision of IFRS as a single global accounting and sustainability language

  • How jurisdictions, including New Zealand, adapt IFRS to local contexts

  • The role of the IASB, ISSB, and regulators in balancing alignment and flexibility

  • Practical strategies to maintain global credibility while ensuring local relevance

David Pacey, Partner, Grant Thornton

16:10

The One Stop C-Suite Interview: Making the Switch from Technical Expert to Strategic Leader

  • Work habits and practices that maximise individual and team effectiveness

  • Approaches to managing people issues, building culture, and resolving conflict

  • Practical strategies for interacting with the CEO and other executives to influence and collaborate effectively

  • Key learnings and lessons from the experiences that have made these CFOs successful

Stephen Morgan, General Manager - Finance and Commercial, Champion Flour Milling and 2025 NZ CFO of the Year

16:50

Summary remarks from the Chair

Scott Wright, Founder, The HI Company

17:00

Day 1 close & networking drinks

8:00

Registration and Coffee

9:00

Welcoming remarks from the Chair

Scott Wright, Founder, The HI Company

9:10

Startup Story: From Idea to Revenue – Lessons for Accounting & Finance Leaders

  • Hear practical lessons from building an idea into a profitable business, with insights for accountants supporting innovative clients

  • Financial lessons learned in managing cash flow, funding, and scaling operations

  • Challenges in compliance, reporting, and accounting in a startup environment

  • How accountants can add value and support business growth in early-stage companies

  • Practical takeaways for translating startup experiences into professional insights

Mike Mandis, Co-CEO, Oxygen

9:50

One Stop Tax Update

  • Key updates and emerging issues in income tax, employment tax, and GST

  • Inland Revenue’s current compliance activity and audit focus areas — and what these mean for organisations in 2026

  • Recent Inland Revenue statements and rulings and the practical implications for taxpayers

  • Looking ahead to the Government’s refreshed Tax Work Programme and Budget 2026 predictions in an election year

Alex Kingston, Partner, and Rachel Hale, Tax Manager, Deloitte

10:30

Morning break

11:00

AI in Accounting & Finance

  • Overview of AI technologies and their relevance to accounting and finance

  • How AI automates repetitive tasks and enables more strategic work

  • How AI is transforming financial reporting and analysis

  • How AI can streamline tax preparation and compliance

  • Practical guidance for implementing AI solutions and overcoming challenges

Nick Johnson, Senior Manager, KPMG

11:40

Case Study: Technology in Action—Solving Real Business Problems

  • The challenge - A real-world business problem that required a more efficient, scalable solution

  • The implementation - How innovative technology was selected, introduced, and integrated into existing workflows

  • Overcoming roadblocks - Common barriers such as resistance to change, data issues, or system compatibility and how they were addressed

  • Results & Lessons Learned - Measurable efficiencies gained, business impact, and practical tips for successfully adopting new technology

Hannah Howard, GM Finance & Commercial, Technology and AI, One New Zealand

12:20

Protecting Financial Data: Essential Cybersecurity Strategies for Accountants

  • Understanding current cybersecurity threats and emerging attack types such as ransomware and deepfakes highlighting cyber risk as a core business risk

  • Assessing AI use, supply-chain due diligence, data protection, insurance considerations, and the legal and financial consequences of cyber incidents

  • Strengthening people, processes, and leadership to reduce human risk and embed cyber security beyond a tick-box approach

Liz Knight, Head of Cyber Security, Theta

1:00

Lunch

14:00

Balanced Decisions: Aligning Risk, Audit, and Board Governance

  • Strengthening board capability through a clear understanding of risk management and assurance fundamentals

  • Practical approaches to lift board risk literacy, enabling more confident challenge, oversight and engagement

  • Defining and differentiating the role of risk and assurance functions in strategic oversight, governance and informed board decision‑making

  • Leveraging risk and assurance capability to support balanced, value‑focused decisions that protect and enhance organisational performance

Nigel Toms, GM Risk and Assurance, Watercare Services Limited

14:40

Building Resilience and Wellbeing for You and Your Finance Team

  • Strategies to enhance personal resilience and manage stress in a high-pressure finance environment

  • Promoting mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing within finance teams

  • Techniques to create a supportive, adaptable, and productive team culture

  • Practical approaches for leaders to foster resilience and wellbeing while maintaining performance

Lily Olsen, Senior Learning Specialist, TELUS Health

15:20

Summary remarks from the Chair

Scott Wright, Founder, The HI Company

15:30

Conference close

Speakers to be announced

Auckland Speakers

Speakers

Andrew Nicholls

CFO
The Comfort Group

Rachel Windle

Founder and Trustee
Rachel is a registered social worker in private practice. She offers Professional Supervision and is an accredited EMDR Practitioner providing trauma therapy. Over the past 20 years Rachel has had extensive experience working in the areas of Statutory Social Work, Sensitive Claims, Brain Injury, Family Violence, Health and Psychiatry of Older People and Elder Abuse and Neglect. This experience led her to developing the concept of and founding the Seniors ASAP Trust to which she now contributes to as a Trustee.

Emily King

Founding Trustee
Emily is a registered Social worker and Trustee of ASAP Trust. Emily’s social work career started on the medical wards at Whangarei Hospital and progressed into a PPPR (Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act) Specialist Social Work role providing consultation, education and support to vulnerable older adults, their families and health professionals. Emily now works in the community for the Psychiatry of Older People’s Service. Emily’s passion for working alongside vulnerable older adults and her knowledge and experience of service gaps and the need for family support has led to her interest in becoming a Trustee for ASAP Trust.

Luke Conroy

Partnerships Director
Eftsure
Luke Conroy is Partnerships Director at Eftsure, the global leader in B2B payment fraud prevention, helping organisations safeguard hundreds of billions in business payments each year and stop cyber-enabled financial crime before funds leave the business. With extensive experience in strategic partnerships and commercial leadership, Luke works at the intersection of finance, technology and risk mitigation, empowering organisations to fortify vendor payment controls and reduce exposure to evolving cyber threats.

Daryl Gibbs

Tumuaki
Cambridge Middle School
Daryl Gibbs is the President of NZAIMS and has dedicated more than 20 years to middle years education, including over 12 years as a principal. He is passionate about the unique needs of emerging adolescents and believes in creating learning environments where young people can thrive. Daryl is equally committed to leading and growing people, supporting educators to build strong cultures, develop their leadership, and make a lasting difference for students.

Greg Allan

Tumuaki
South Makirikiri School

Greg, as the current Tumuaki of South Makirikiri School, had dedicated time to cultivating courageous leaders who embrace risk-taking and place-based learning. Having taught and led across every variety of school in Aotearoa—including Secondary, Area, Intermediate, Primary, and Full Primary—Greg brings a depth of experience to empowering educators to step beyond traditional boundaries and innovate without the fear of failure.

A firm proponent of using the local environment in education. Greg views the surrounding environment as an essential co-teacher. By integrating outdoor learning, and community contexts into curriculum design, Greg guides school leaders to create immersive experiences that ignite curiosity and lifelong wonder in learners. Through targeted mentorship and adaptive leadership, Greg continues to craft his leadership skills over time to build collaborative, risk-friendly school cultures. Greg’s mission is to equip educators with the confidence to innovate and the insight to leverage Aotearoa’s unique surroundings and the curriculum to inspire resilient, engaged learners.

Conor McHoull

Head of Digital Learning & Innovation
Kristin School

Conor McHoull is an enthusiastic digital leader shaping whole-school digital learning strategy and AI governance at Kristin School. He leads digital learning development across all year levels, establishing governance models, providing staff professional development through microlearning to reduce tool overload, and leading community engagement on digital futures.

His approach is shaped by a career spanning classroom teaching, national education roles at Microsoft, and learning operations at Air New Zealand. Conor is also the founder and tutor of The Learning Lab, a growing New Zealand-wide tutoring organisation. Outside work, he is a Formula 1 fan, an avid traveller, and a dad to an active three-year-old son, with a second boy due within the next few weeks.

Frances Coles

Principal Adviser for Digital
Commerce Commission
Frances Coles is Principal Adviser, Digital at the Commerce Commission. Along with her team, she leads the development and management of the Commission’s digital communication channels, helping ensure communications are clear, accessible, and effectively engage with diverse audiences. With more than a decade of experience in strategic communications, Frances has delivered integrated communications programmes across the United Kingdom, Singapore, and New Zealand. Prior to joining the Commission, she was a Client Director at one of the UK’s leading stakeholder communications agencies, where she delivered multi-channel projects spanning corporate and sustainability reporting, investor communication, and campaigns. Frances has extensive expertise in media, digital and stakeholder communications, helping organisations build understanding, engagement, and trust through clear, audience-centred communication.

Andrew King

Tumuaki
Ōropi School
Andrew King has been a primary school principal based in the Bay of Plenty since 2008 and is currently Principal at Oropi School, Tauranga. He completed his Masters of Educational Leadership in 2015 with a research focus on leading a school’s Intercultural Strategy. He was the foundation Kahui Ako Lead for Tauranga Peninsula 2016-2018 and is currently President of the NZ Rural Schools Leadership Association, a national peak body representing 500+ schools. Andrew has extensive presentation and workshop facilitation experience and has represented the sector on various panels and reference groups.

Leanne Otene

National Director
Te Arahou o Aotearoa Trust (Māori Achievement Collaborative - MAC)

Leanne Otene (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi) is the Tumu Whakarae (National Director) of Te Arahou o Aotearoa, a kaupapa Māori charitable trust delivering culturally sustaining professional learning and development to Tumuaki across the motu, including its flagship programme, the Māori Achievement Collaborative (MAC).

With over 30 years as a school principal, Leanne became the first wāhine Māori elected National President of the New Zealand Principals’ Federation (2023 to 2025) and now serves as the Asia/Oceania Representative on the Executive Committee of the International Confederation of Principals (ICP). She is also Co-Chair of Brainwave Trust Aotearoa, a role that extends her involvement in education, scientific research, and culturally grounded, evidence-based practice across the full learning journey, from newborn brain development through to rangatahi leaving school.

A key architect of the MAC kaupapa and co-author of its foundational resource, Te Whare Tapu o Te Ngākau Māori, Leanne has spent her career supporting tūmuaki to lead with cultural confidence, transforming school culture through honest relationships with staff, whānau, hapū and iwi. Drawing on decades in school leadership and national governance, she brings practical, tested approaches for building cultural capability, honouring partnerships with mana whenua, and delivering equitable outcomes for Māori learners. Through her role as Asia/Oceania Representative on the ICP, Leanne has carried this kaupapa onto the global stage, positioning culturally sustainable leadership as a focus conversation within the ICP Confederation in 2026.

Nadim Truter

Head of Commercial and Strategy
STIHL
Nadim is an accomplished commercial and strategic advisor who brings a unique breadth of experience across industries, markets and functions. He has held senior roles in leading organisations across Oceania, including STIHL, Nestlé, Lion and Spark, consistently driving value creation for customers, suppliers and internal teams. He is passionate about helping organisations make better, faster and more confident decisions by leveraging modern data ecosystems, technology and analytics to lift insight quality and strengthen customer outcomes.

Mike Borrie

Chief Farm Solutions and Engagement Officer
DairyNZ
Mike is the Chief Farm Solutions and Engagement Officer at DairyNZ, joining the team in February 2026. His role includes leadership and oversight of our farm solutions, regional engagement, and on farm advisory functions, ensuring strong connections with farmers and delivering practical solutions that support dairy businesses across the country. Mike brings extensive leadership experience from a long career with Fonterra, where he held senior Regional, National, and General Management positions, including roles at Executive level within Fonterra Farm Source. He has led large, geographically dispersed teams, driven business plans that strengthened market performance, and championed innovation across retail, milk supply, and sustainability. With a deep understanding of the dairy sector, Mike has developed strong relationships with farmers, industry partners, and internal teams. His experience in guiding complex businesses through change and growth, along with his passion for supporting people and rural communities, strongly aligns with DairyNZ’s purpose.

Wellington Speakers

Andrew Nicholls

CFO
The Comfort Group

Rachel Windle

Founder and Trustee
Rachel is a registered social worker in private practice. She offers Professional Supervision and is an accredited EMDR Practitioner providing trauma therapy. Over the past 20 years Rachel has had extensive experience working in the areas of Statutory Social Work, Sensitive Claims, Brain Injury, Family Violence, Health and Psychiatry of Older People and Elder Abuse and Neglect. This experience led her to developing the concept of and founding the Seniors ASAP Trust to which she now contributes to as a Trustee.

Emily King

Founding Trustee
Emily is a registered Social worker and Trustee of ASAP Trust. Emily’s social work career started on the medical wards at Whangarei Hospital and progressed into a PPPR (Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act) Specialist Social Work role providing consultation, education and support to vulnerable older adults, their families and health professionals. Emily now works in the community for the Psychiatry of Older People’s Service. Emily’s passion for working alongside vulnerable older adults and her knowledge and experience of service gaps and the need for family support has led to her interest in becoming a Trustee for ASAP Trust.

Luke Conroy

Partnerships Director
Eftsure
Luke Conroy is Partnerships Director at Eftsure, the global leader in B2B payment fraud prevention, helping organisations safeguard hundreds of billions in business payments each year and stop cyber-enabled financial crime before funds leave the business. With extensive experience in strategic partnerships and commercial leadership, Luke works at the intersection of finance, technology and risk mitigation, empowering organisations to fortify vendor payment controls and reduce exposure to evolving cyber threats.

Daryl Gibbs

Tumuaki
Cambridge Middle School
Daryl Gibbs is the President of NZAIMS and has dedicated more than 20 years to middle years education, including over 12 years as a principal. He is passionate about the unique needs of emerging adolescents and believes in creating learning environments where young people can thrive. Daryl is equally committed to leading and growing people, supporting educators to build strong cultures, develop their leadership, and make a lasting difference for students.

Greg Allan

Tumuaki
South Makirikiri School

Greg, as the current Tumuaki of South Makirikiri School, had dedicated time to cultivating courageous leaders who embrace risk-taking and place-based learning. Having taught and led across every variety of school in Aotearoa—including Secondary, Area, Intermediate, Primary, and Full Primary—Greg brings a depth of experience to empowering educators to step beyond traditional boundaries and innovate without the fear of failure.

A firm proponent of using the local environment in education. Greg views the surrounding environment as an essential co-teacher. By integrating outdoor learning, and community contexts into curriculum design, Greg guides school leaders to create immersive experiences that ignite curiosity and lifelong wonder in learners. Through targeted mentorship and adaptive leadership, Greg continues to craft his leadership skills over time to build collaborative, risk-friendly school cultures. Greg’s mission is to equip educators with the confidence to innovate and the insight to leverage Aotearoa’s unique surroundings and the curriculum to inspire resilient, engaged learners.

Conor McHoull

Head of Digital Learning & Innovation
Kristin School

Conor McHoull is an enthusiastic digital leader shaping whole-school digital learning strategy and AI governance at Kristin School. He leads digital learning development across all year levels, establishing governance models, providing staff professional development through microlearning to reduce tool overload, and leading community engagement on digital futures.

His approach is shaped by a career spanning classroom teaching, national education roles at Microsoft, and learning operations at Air New Zealand. Conor is also the founder and tutor of The Learning Lab, a growing New Zealand-wide tutoring organisation. Outside work, he is a Formula 1 fan, an avid traveller, and a dad to an active three-year-old son, with a second boy due within the next few weeks.

Frances Coles

Principal Adviser for Digital
Commerce Commission
Frances Coles is Principal Adviser, Digital at the Commerce Commission. Along with her team, she leads the development and management of the Commission’s digital communication channels, helping ensure communications are clear, accessible, and effectively engage with diverse audiences. With more than a decade of experience in strategic communications, Frances has delivered integrated communications programmes across the United Kingdom, Singapore, and New Zealand. Prior to joining the Commission, she was a Client Director at one of the UK’s leading stakeholder communications agencies, where she delivered multi-channel projects spanning corporate and sustainability reporting, investor communication, and campaigns. Frances has extensive expertise in media, digital and stakeholder communications, helping organisations build understanding, engagement, and trust through clear, audience-centred communication.

Andrew King

Tumuaki
Ōropi School
Andrew King has been a primary school principal based in the Bay of Plenty since 2008 and is currently Principal at Oropi School, Tauranga. He completed his Masters of Educational Leadership in 2015 with a research focus on leading a school’s Intercultural Strategy. He was the foundation Kahui Ako Lead for Tauranga Peninsula 2016-2018 and is currently President of the NZ Rural Schools Leadership Association, a national peak body representing 500+ schools. Andrew has extensive presentation and workshop facilitation experience and has represented the sector on various panels and reference groups.

Leanne Otene

National Director
Te Arahou o Aotearoa Trust (Māori Achievement Collaborative - MAC)

Leanne Otene (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi) is the Tumu Whakarae (National Director) of Te Arahou o Aotearoa, a kaupapa Māori charitable trust delivering culturally sustaining professional learning and development to Tumuaki across the motu, including its flagship programme, the Māori Achievement Collaborative (MAC).

With over 30 years as a school principal, Leanne became the first wāhine Māori elected National President of the New Zealand Principals’ Federation (2023 to 2025) and now serves as the Asia/Oceania Representative on the Executive Committee of the International Confederation of Principals (ICP). She is also Co-Chair of Brainwave Trust Aotearoa, a role that extends her involvement in education, scientific research, and culturally grounded, evidence-based practice across the full learning journey, from newborn brain development through to rangatahi leaving school.

A key architect of the MAC kaupapa and co-author of its foundational resource, Te Whare Tapu o Te Ngākau Māori, Leanne has spent her career supporting tūmuaki to lead with cultural confidence, transforming school culture through honest relationships with staff, whānau, hapū and iwi. Drawing on decades in school leadership and national governance, she brings practical, tested approaches for building cultural capability, honouring partnerships with mana whenua, and delivering equitable outcomes for Māori learners. Through her role as Asia/Oceania Representative on the ICP, Leanne has carried this kaupapa onto the global stage, positioning culturally sustainable leadership as a focus conversation within the ICP Confederation in 2026.

Nadim Truter

Head of Commercial and Strategy
STIHL
Nadim is an accomplished commercial and strategic advisor who brings a unique breadth of experience across industries, markets and functions. He has held senior roles in leading organisations across Oceania, including STIHL, Nestlé, Lion and Spark, consistently driving value creation for customers, suppliers and internal teams. He is passionate about helping organisations make better, faster and more confident decisions by leveraging modern data ecosystems, technology and analytics to lift insight quality and strengthen customer outcomes.

Mike Borrie

Chief Farm Solutions and Engagement Officer
DairyNZ
Mike is the Chief Farm Solutions and Engagement Officer at DairyNZ, joining the team in February 2026. His role includes leadership and oversight of our farm solutions, regional engagement, and on farm advisory functions, ensuring strong connections with farmers and delivering practical solutions that support dairy businesses across the country. Mike brings extensive leadership experience from a long career with Fonterra, where he held senior Regional, National, and General Management positions, including roles at Executive level within Fonterra Farm Source. He has led large, geographically dispersed teams, driven business plans that strengthened market performance, and championed innovation across retail, milk supply, and sustainability. With a deep understanding of the dairy sector, Mike has developed strong relationships with farmers, industry partners, and internal teams. His experience in guiding complex businesses through change and growth, along with his passion for supporting people and rural communities, strongly aligns with DairyNZ’s purpose.

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