Keynote speaking

The health and safety keynote speaker

Author of Raise the Standard | Founder of NZHSP | Producer of the Safety Summit

Matt has sat with more than 500 New Zealand organisations and keeps finding the same thing: the people making the decisions can't see what's really happening at the coal face. His keynotes show an audience where that visibility gets lost and what leaders can do about it on Monday morning.

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Matt Jones speaking on stage at Safety Summit 2026 in Christchurch — On stage at Safety Summit 2026, Christchurch

Trusted across Aotearoa HASANZ Registered Author, Raise the Standard Founder, NZHSP (4,000+ members) 500+ NZ organisations

The keynotes

Three signature keynotes

Each keynote is built on the frameworks in Raise the Standard and tailored to your audience, your sector and the risks your people are actually managing.

Signature keynote 1

"Raise the Standard: Why Good Organisations Go Blind"

G.A.P.E.S.A.F.E.T.Y.F.E.E.D.

The signature keynote from the book takes the audience through the four layers where a good organisation quietly stops seeing itself and the leadership system that brings visibility back.

Audience: Conferences, leadership teams, H&S professionals

Takeaways:

Where visibility gets lost, using G.A.P.E.
The one rule that changes every answer: if you can't show the evidence it's a no
The six elements of S.A.F.E.T.Y. and the one most organisations are leaning on
How F.E.E.D. keeps the reporting honest once the fixes are in
One move to make on Monday morning

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Signature keynote 2

"What Your Board Isn't Being Told"

A short, challenging session for directors and executives on officer due diligence, critical risk and how to tell whether the report in front of you reflects what's happening on site. Matt asks the questions a regulator or a court would ask, before anyone else gets the chance.

Audience: Boards, directors, CEOs, executive teams, director forums

Takeaways:

What officer due diligence asks of each director personally
What the changes to the Health and Safety at Work Act mean for critical risk and for officers
The questions to put to your next critical risk report
What independent assurance looks like and when you need it

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Want an independent view every month, not once a year? See Governance Advisory →

Signature keynote 3

"The Accidental Profession: Influence for the People Who Carry Safety"

Most health and safety professionals fell into the job and plenty of them are now carrying the whole system on their own. This talk is about taking off the superhero cape, getting heard by the people who make the decisions and building influence that outlasts the next audit.

Audience: H&S professionals, practitioner networks, industry associations

Takeaways:

Why a sound system and stalled influence so often sit side by side
How to take off the superhero cape without dropping the standard
How to get a real hearing at the decision table
The You pillar: boundaries, courage and staying in the job for the long haul

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Panel of speakers on stage at the 2026 Safety Summit

Matt Jones presenting his book Raise the Standard at the Safety Summit

Why organisers book Matt

Proven drawcard: more than 200 leaders came to his tour talks in Auckland, Wellington and Tauranga and venues were upgraded mid-tour to fit them in.
Knows events from the inside: he founded NZHSP and produces the Safety Summit, where he launched Raise the Standard in October 2026.
Speaks to boards in their language: personal liability, reputation and evidence, with no jargon and no fluff.
Leaves something behind: every talk ends with a move to make on Monday and the book and free tools keep the work going after the room empties.
Practical, not theoretical: more than 500 New Zealand organisations worked with, from small businesses to national operators.
Built-in trust: HASANZ Registered, Graduate Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health and host of the Health & Safety Unplugged podcast.

Matt Jones presenting to a room of leaders

Matt Jones presenting to a workshop audience

What others are saying

"Your 'safety why' story was incredibly inspiring this morning - thank you."Oliver McLean, Vanguard

"Thank you for facilitating our events. The feedback has been fantastic!"Daniel Novacco, Kinetic Recruitment

"The Canterbury Safety Charter highly recommends your services as workshop facilitator and safety keynote speaker."Jocelyn Larson, Canterbury Safety Charter

Who Matt speaks to:

Boards and director forums
Conferences
Executive teams
Industry associations
H&S professional networks
Council and local government
Construction and civil
Manufacturing
In-house leadership days

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Format options:

40 to 60 minute keynote
Board or executive briefing, 60 to 90 minutes
Half-day leadership workshop
Full-day strategy session
Virtual delivery
Books for your audience: a copy of Raise the Standard for every attendee

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Questions organisers ask

Can the keynote be tailored to our sector?

Yes, every keynote is built around your audience, your sector and the risks they're actually managing, with stories from the coal face that fit the room.

Does Matt travel?

Yes, Matt is based in Kaikōura and speaks right across New Zealand. Travel and accommodation are quoted up front with the booking.

Can we get copies of the book for our audience?

Yes, Raise the Standard can be supplied for every attendee or as a gift for your board. Mention it when you enquire and it'll be included in the quote.

Can Matt speak to our board on its own?

Yes, the board briefing is built for exactly that and runs as a closed session with your directors and executive. It's often where organisations start before bringing in Governance Advisory.

What happens after the talk?

If the talk raises questions about your own organisation, Compliance Compass gives you a clear picture of where you stand and Governance Advisory keeps an independent eye on it every month.