The newly named NZ Fleet Forum 2026 will look at drivers’ mental health and well-being as the heart of safer roads.
The forum convened by AutoSense and sponsored by NZI, builds on the success of the Transport Leaders Forum and will be held in Auckland and Christchurch in February 2026.
Fleet Forum aims to equip fleet managers and business leaders with practical tools and insights to support both light- and heavy-vehicle drivers.
The focus for the 2026 events will be on the critical link between mental health and road safety.
Forum organisers have highlighted global research that shows people experiencing mental health challenges are 2.4 times more likely to be involved in road traffic accidents.
Mental health of commercial drivers has become a frontline safety priority, as they are exposed to high stress, irregular hours, and demanding workloads.
New Zealand rugby icon, Sir John Kirwan, a mental health advocate and co-founder of mental health platform Groov, will lead an interactive session encouraging leaders to approach daily mental wellbeing as the foundation for sustained performance.
Kirwan’s session will highlight how stress, fatigue and distraction often show up behind the wheel and can raise risk for everyone on the road.
Through her partnership with Groov, Dr Fiona Crichton will share her science-informed Care framework, designed to help colleagues provide practical wellbeing support for their co-workers.
Dr Crichton emphasises that before managers can effectively support others, they need to look after themselves — likening it to the in-flight safety message of “putting your own oxygen mask on first”.
She says ensuring leaders have their own mental health plan in place is essential to creating a genuinely supportive workplace culture.
Her presentation will aim to provide fleet managers with tools they can apply immediately, helping businesses invest in safer, healthier workplaces.
An NZI Fleet Fit showcase will demonstrate innovative ways to strengthen resilience and reduce fleet risk.
NZI’s National Motor Manager, Oliver Jepson, says the 2026 events reflect the growing appetite for practical, people-first approaches to safety.
“At NZI we’ve seen how important these conversations are for the industry, and we welcome another opportunity to bring people together to focus on driver wellbeing and commit to safer roads across New Zealand,” he says.
AutoSense CEO, Charles Dawson, says that while the industry has made progress on vehicle technology and driver training, mental health and wellbeing is the next frontier.
“Drivers carry an enormous responsibility every time they get behind the wheel,” Charles says.
“By investing in their mental resilience as well as their technical skills, we can help ensure they return home safely to their families each day. NZ Fleet Forum is about giving people in the transport sector the confidence and tools to make that happen.”
Fleet Forum 2026 will be held at Auckland’s Due Drop Events Centre on 19 February 2026 and at the Christchurch Town Hall on 25 February 2026.
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Read more about driver safety initiatives.
