Karen is the Group Health and Safety Manager at Port of Tauranga Limited, New Zealand’s largest container, and general cargo port accounting for 33% of New Zealand’s total trade. With over a decade of experience in the Ports Industry, covering a wide range of sectors and roles, she brings a grounded, systems-focused approach to safety in one of the country’s most dynamic and complex high-risk environments. Karen leads a team of health and safety advisors, driving strategic initiatives that strengthen leadership capability, worker engagement, and effective risk management. She also has a significant role in industry-wide health and safety leadership through the chairing of the Port Industry Association’s Health and Safety Committee, helping to foster collaboration across the wider port sector.

Passionate about the Port sector and the vital role it plays in New Zealand’s economy, Karen is committed to building sustainable safety cultures based on trust, transparency, and shared accountability, where safety is not just a compliance exercise, but a ‘lived value’ that enables improved performance and wellbeing for all.

Talks

• Panel Discussion – From Tick-Box to Trust, Redefining Safety Leadership in New Zealand