How it helps
The GM Safety Forum addresses a significant need by acting as a voluntary support network for executive-level professionals responsible for safety and well-being who may not necessarily possess a technical health and safety background. While professional organisations typically cater to technical specialists, the Forum specifically fills the gap for these executives. It ultimately supports members in strengthening their executive health and safety capabilities and offers a platform for collaboration aimed at enhancing New Zealand’s health and safety system and performance.
Who it is for
The Forum is intended for executives committed to safety and well-being who promote positive change in workplaces throughout New Zealand. It is specifically designed for individuals occupying roles at tier two of their organisation—or tier three for particularly large organisations—who are positioned to mentor the CEO and/or directors on safety and wellbeing. The membership draws from varied backgrounds, including technical health and safety, engineering, law, and people and culture.
What it does
Key activities include:
Learning: Learning activities focus on developing members' skills and knowledge, encouraging mentoring relationships, and providing thought leadership on mutual challenges.
Collaboration: Collaboration involves networking, information-sharing opportunities, joint work on specific initiatives, and improving the competence of health and safety personnel at all organisational levels.
Influence: Influence is achieved through assisting in setting industry standards, offering collective input into the development of government and sector policies, and supporting HASANZ initiatives to elevate professional standards.
Additionally, the Forum is committed to sharing professional development resources, such as training courses, workshops, and mentorship programmes, to support ongoing member growth.
Benefits
Participation in the GM Safety Forum benefits members by helping them grow their personal leadership and capacity. It contributes to strengthening executive health and safety capabilities and helps cultivate a network of strategic H&S leaders across New Zealand. Furthermore, the Forum provides a vital opportunity for members to collaborate collectively to enhance the performance and system of health and safety within New Zealand.
Meet the GM Safety Forum Steering Group
The GM Safety Forum members are executives committed to safety and wellbeing. They drive positive change in workplaces throughout New Zealand. This group includes our steering members who provide guidance, expertise, and leadership to help shape the Forum's direction.
Strategic Vision and Plan
Upcoming events
GM Safety Forum session - 27 March 2026
On Friday, 27 March, from 8:30am–1:00pm, we’ll be holding our next face-to-face GM Safety Forum session.
The agenda and further details will be published here.
Please make sure to register for the event using the button below, or by replying to one of our emails.
GM Safety Forum Video
Play Video
Presentation by Pam Pryor on the Book of Knowledge Presentation on the Book of Knowledge (BoK). The Bok for all OHS professionals, OHS educators, OHS students and anybody interested in OHS knowledge.
Freely available at www.ohsbok.org.au
The key concepts that an OHS professional should be able to engage with to understand and control work-related fatality, injury, disease and ill-health (FIDI)The BoK covers a wider range of topics including risk management, Organisational culture, controls, hazardsA number of organisations in NZ are using it.