Govt Appoints New WorkSafe Board to Strengthen Health and Safety Leadership

The New Zealand Government has announced the appointment of three new members to the WorkSafe New Zealand Board, signalling a renewed focus on proactive engagement and stronger governance to improve health and safety outcomes nationwide. The appointments were confirmed by Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden, who said the refreshed board will help steer WorkSafe toward early intervention and support for businesses and workers.

Leading the board as Chair will be Murray Jagger, a seasoned director with deep experience in high-risk industries and strategic management. Joining him are Brett O'Riley, former Chief Executive of the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA), and Christopher Alderson, Chief Executive of Construction Health and Safety New Zealand (CHASNZ).

Each appointee will serve a three-year term, bringing a mix of governance experience, sector expertise, and industry leadership aimed at supporting WorkSafe's mission to make workplaces safer and more resilient.

Minister's Vision: Stronger Engagement, Better Outcomes

Minister van Velden said the appointments reflect the Government's commitment to reinvigorating WorkSafe's leadership as the agency refocuses on partnership-based approaches to managing risk.

"These new members bring fresh skills, experience, and leadership to the Board," she said. "I am confident they will help WorkSafe engage early to support businesses and individuals to manage health and safety risks and improve outcomes for workers and businesses across the country."

The Minister has emphasised that early engagement and prevention—rather than compliance-led intervention—will be central to WorkSafe's strategy under the new board. The goal is to foster stronger relationships between the regulator, industry, and workers to ensure shared responsibility and continuous improvement in workplace safety.

Meet the New Board Chair: Murray Jagger

Murray Jagger assumes the position of Chair of the WorkSafe Board, bringing a wealth of governance experience from New Zealand's primary production and maritime sectors. He is currently a director of his family-owned farming business, Manaia View Farms Limited, and previously served as Chair of Marsden Maritime Holdings Limited for nine years.

Jagger's leadership background in high-risk operational environments, coupled with his commercial acumen, makes him well suited to oversee WorkSafe's renewed direction. He has an established record in strategy development, regulatory governance, and risk management, which are critical to guiding WorkSafe's efforts in high-risk industries such as construction, agriculture, and manufacturing.

Minister van Velden described him as a leader who "understands both the realities of running a business and the responsibilities of a regulator."

New Board Member: Brett O'Riley

Brett O'Riley, former CEO of the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA), brings to the board extensive experience in stakeholder engagement, industry representation, and systems change. He has a strong history of collaboration with both employers and government agencies to design and implement national campaigns focused on improving workplace outcomes.

O'Riley's leadership within the EMA has given him wide-ranging industry networks and a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by New Zealand businesses in maintaining safe and productive workplaces. His appointment reflects the Government's intent to strengthen ties between WorkSafe and employers, ensuring health and safety standards are practical, collaborative, and supportive of innovation.

As Minister van Velden noted, "Brett's background in building partnerships between industry and government will help WorkSafe work more closely with businesses to achieve better safety results."

New Board Member: Christopher Alderson

Christopher (Chris) Alderson, Chief Executive of Construction Health and Safety New Zealand (CHASNZ), brings deep expertise from one of New Zealand's highest-risk sectors—construction. A Chartered Accountant by training and a passionate advocate for worker wellbeing, Alderson has spent years designing training frameworks, industry education programmes, and national campaigns to improve health and safety outcomes.

He also serves as a director of Mates in Construction, a leading mental health and wellbeing organisation in the industry. Alderson's combination of technical understanding, sector-specific knowledge, and governance experience is expected to strengthen WorkSafe's ability to deliver evidence-based improvements across both public and private sectors.

"Chris has been instrumental in lifting standards across the construction industry," van Velden said. "His insight into frontline realities will help ensure WorkSafe's strategy is grounded in practical solutions that genuinely protect workers."

WorkSafe's Future Direction Under the New Board

The refreshed board is expected to guide WorkSafe through a period of organisational refocusing, aimed at improving its effectiveness, accountability, and engagement with businesses. The agency's mission—ensuring everyone in New Zealand returns home safe and healthy from work—remains unchanged, but the approach is shifting toward greater collaboration and targeted prevention.

WorkSafe's renewed governance model will emphasise:

• Early engagement and education to support compliance before incidents occur.

• Sector-specific strategies addressing high-risk industries like construction, agriculture, forestry, and transport.

• Partnership with iwi, unions, and employers to build shared responsibility for health and safety.

• Stronger data-driven insights to inform risk management and policy design.

The Government expects that this leadership team will reinforce confidence in WorkSafe as an effective, modern regulator focused on outcomes rather than red tape.

A Renewed Commitment to Worker Safety

New Zealand continues to face significant challenges in workplace safety, particularly in industries with complex hazards. The refreshed WorkSafe Board represents a strategic effort to modernise regulatory oversight, empower employers and workers, and embed a culture of prevention and care across the economy.

As Minister van Velden concluded, "A strong, well-governed WorkSafe is critical to ensuring our workplaces are safe, productive, and fair. These appointments bring the expertise and leadership needed to make that happen."