The Transport Leaders Forum has been rebranded as the NZ Fleet Forum for 2026, with organisers putting driver mental health at the heart of a renewed focus on road safety.
AutoSense will host the event in Auckland and Christchurch in February, with NZI as principal sponsor. The programme targets fleet managers and business leaders overseeing both light and heavy commercial vehicles.
The shift reflects growing industry recognition of the link between mental health and road safety. Global research shows people experiencing mental health challenges are 2.4 times more likely to be involved in road traffic accidents.
Commercial drivers face particular pressures including high stress, irregular hours and demanding workloads, making mental health support a frontline safety priority.
Mental health advocates lead programme
Sir John Kirwan, mental health advocate and co-founder of platform Groov, will lead an interactive session on daily mental wellbeing as the foundation for sustained performance. The session will highlight how stress, fatigue and distraction affect driving behaviour and increase risk for all road users.
Dr Fiona Crichton will present her science-informed Care framework through her partnership with Groov, designed to help colleagues provide practical wellbeing support for co-workers.
Crichton emphasises that managers must first look after themselves before effectively supporting others, 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 is essential for creating genuinely supportive workplace culture.
Her presentation will provide fleet managers with immediately applicable tools to help businesses invest in safer, healthier workplaces.
An NZI Fleet Fit showcase will demonstrate innovative approaches to strengthening resilience and reducing fleet risk.
Industry backing for wellbeing focus
Oliver Jepson, NZI’s National Motor Manager, says the 2026 events reflect 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,” Jepson says.
AutoSense chief executive Charles Dawson says while the industry has made progress on vehicle technology and driver training, mental health and wellbeing represents the next frontier.
“Drivers carry an enormous responsibility every time they get behind the wheel. 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,” Dawson says.
“NZ Fleet Forum is about giving people in the transport sector the confidence and tools to make that happen.”
The Auckland event will be held at Due Drop Events Centre on February 19, with the Christchurch session at Christchurch Town Hall on February 25. Individual tickets cost $279 plus GST, with tables of eight priced at $1999 plus GST. Bookings are available at autosense.co.nz/nzfleetforum.
