HFESNZ Newsletter - October 2026
From the Chair
Kia ora tatou
I hope everyone is well and I am also hopeful Spring is around the corner.
In our most recent events, we had a webinar on HFE in Space presented by Dr Sarita Dara, sounds like we’ve still got a long way to go to solve some of our fundamental problems, e.g., radiation, bone density etc.
On the 16th of September I had the privilege of welcoming HFESNZ members to Wellington and our one-day symposium. It was a really enjoyable day with a mix of presentations and discussions about future plans.
It was also lovely to announce the first of our new Fellows – Dr Hamish Mackie.
Dan, our treasurer has highlighted where we are at and there is work to do there. We also need to think about how we can build connections and are regional catchups one way of doing that as well as continuing our webinar series? We also need to plan for 2027, HFESNZ has joined with NZ Occupational Hygiene Society, NZ Occupational Health Nurses and the Australia New Zealand Society of Occupational Medicine to be part of the Asian Network of Occupational Hygiene international conference in Christchurch in August 2027. Expect calls for papers to come out soon.
We also need to think about how we want to get together next year, and I would really appreciate any thoughts on conferences or events. This month we have been very focused on the health and safety side, but I am acutely aware we are much broader as a professional group. Remember your committee are all volunteers with day jobs so offering a webinar or helping to review abstracts for conferences is always appreciated.
The HASANZ conference was also held on the 17th and 18th of September. This was a great event, and we were well represented by presentations from Leanne Hunter, Jane Pierce, Chris Polaczuk, Stephven Kolose, Madeleine Hernon and sorry if I've missed anyone.
Joanne
Sue Alexander does the honours with the candles, as longest serving-member on the day.
Mengjie Zhang of Auckland University presents on her doctoral work; developing an online video-based ergonomics assessment system for workplaces.
From the Treasurer's spreadsheet
A quick update from our HFESNZ Treasurer.
Our net assets are currently $25,000 (down from $27,385 at the start of the financial year).
Unfortunately, there are a small number of members who are in arrears. We are hopeful that everyone will catch up with their fees when contacted, if not before.
Following up on the AGM, we've put together a sub-committee to look more closely at the outgoings and incomings and have developed a standardized conference budget template and cost approval process that we will use in the future.
The society has not raised membership fees since 2018, and we welcome input on ways to ensure we remain in good financial health through increasing income, lowering costs, and increasing membership.
Dan Nathan-Roberts
Special Interest Groups
In late July, the Healthcare SIG held a webinar on HFE and the New Zealand health and disability system.
The session included a discussion on “How might HFESNZ support and scaffold HF work across the health system over the next year and with an eye on the future?”.
Thank you to all who were able to attend and engage in this topic.
The Healthcare SIG 31st July webinar recording and slides are available from the HFESNZ webinars page. (Webinars | Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of New Zealand)
Alex Payne
If you are interested in joining the group, please contact fiona.trevelyan@tewhatuora.govt.nz or alex.payne@fphcare.co.nz
Conversations are ongoing with Auckland Transport to potentially hold another Human Factors in the Land Transport System short course in March/April 2027.
Watch this space…
Hamish Mackie
https://hfesnz.org.nz/connect/technical-groups/transport-interest-group
NEW Special Interest Groups
HFESNZ is proud to announce the launch of the Human Performance Special Interest Group (HPSIG), bringing together members interested in advancing and applying knowledge of optimal human performance.
The HPSIG will be of interest to many HFESNZ members, particularly those working in high-performance-focused settings (sport, defence, emergency services, aviation, and healthcare).
Expanding the Scope of Optimal Human Performance
Human performance is a core area of Human Factors and Ergonomics, yet the science and practice of optimal human performance remain underdeveloped, with much of the focus placed on issues of human reliability and error. The HPSIG seeks to expand the scope by advancing knowledge about optimal human performance: what enables people to perform well, develop capability and sustain high performance over time.
“We envision a vibrant community of members interested in understanding and improving human performance across a wide range of domains,” said HPSIG Lead Dr Dwain Allan. “Importantly, the HPSIG brings a distinct performance-focused perspective that complements, rather than duplicates, the existing focus of other SIGs. That’s why we see opportunities for fruitful collaboration with other groups such as the Systems Thinking, Psychosocial Risk, Healthcare, and Musculoskeletal SIGs.”
The Group adopts a holistic systems approach, focused on how high-performing systems can be designed to create the conditions for sustainable performance. This includes consideration of the cognitive, affective, neurobiological, and physical factors that underpin performance, as well as training, practice and skill development, task demands, pressure and recovery, leadership, team and group dynamics, and the broader performance environment.
With a strong emphasis on whole-person optimisation, health and wellbeing, and performance sustainability, the Group aims to make optimal human performance more accessible to all New Zealanders.
The HPSIG has six key objectives:
- Advance knowledge of the systems that produce and sustain human performance.
- Promote systems thinking in the study and application of human performance.
- Foster collaboration between researchers, practitioners and industry leaders.
- Develop capability in designing conditions that support sustained performance.
- Share emerging research, case studies and practical applications across sectors.
- Make optimal performance more accessible to New Zealanders.
Members will have opportunities to attend presentations and webinars from researchers and practitioners, share research and practical case studies, discuss emerging issues, and develop collaborations across industry, academia and government. The Group will also contribute to workshops, conferences and professional development initiatives, with meetings held throughout the year and details communicated through the HFESNZ newsletter and website.
HFESNZ members interested in becoming involved can join by completing the online HPSIG application form available through the HFESNZ website or by contacting Group Lead Dr Dwain Allan directly.
Dwain Allan
Psychosocial Risk Special Interest Group: Seeking Interested Members
As interest in and awareness of psychosocial risk continues to grow, there is increasing opportunity for HFE practitioners to contribute valuable insights into how work is designed, managed, and experienced. To support growing discussion in this area, HFESNZ is seeking expressions of interest from members in forming a Psychosocial Risk Special Interest Group.
The proposed group would provide opportunities to connect with others, share knowledge and experiences, and explore the role of human factors and systems thinking in understanding and managing psychosocial risk.
If you'd like to be involved, contribute ideas, or help shape the direction of the group, we'd love to hear from you. Start date will be subject to member response. Read more about the proposed group on our website and register your interest.
Kelsi Stringer-Wallace
Psychosocial Risk Special Interest Group | Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of New Zealand
Update from the Professional Affairs Board
Kia ora koutou,
This is my first update as Convenor of the Professional Affairs Board. I have large shoes to fill after the enormous amount of work that Leanne Hunter has done as Convenor. Leanne has been the driving force over the last few years to establish the updated Professional Member processes which are now in place. Thank you, Leanne!!
Congratulations to the new Fellows!
As part of the updated pathways framework, a Fellow Professional Member category has been reintroduced. The PAB congratulates Dr Karl Bridges and Dr Hamish Mackie on their successful applications to become Fellows of the HFESNZ. This achievement represents a significant contribution to the HFE profession over many years with a high level of HFE expertise and professional responsibility. It is fantastic to be able to acknowledge the work of Karl and Hamish.
L-R
Nic Green. PAB Convenor
Joanne Crawford. Chair
Hamish Mackie FNZHFE
Leanne Hunter. Outgoing PAB Convenor
Continuing Professional Development
We have now, in the most part, completed the new CPD process for Professional Members. We thank everyone for their support in this process. We are grateful for the feedback provided as this will help us refine the processes in the future. If you have additional feedback or questions, please email profmember@hfesnz.org.nz
Are you eligible for professional membership?
If you are interested in professional membership with HFESNZ, please visit the Membership tab on the website and explore the different member options available. This is a great opportunity to formally recognise your expertise in human factors and ergonomics. You'll find all the details and the application forms there. We are keen to support members through this process so please get in touch. The next scheduled new application review meeting is 27 October. Please get your applications in as soon as possible to allow the PAB Assessors to review your application before this date.
As I become familiar with this role, I am keen to hear from you – all questions and enquiries welcome!
Ngā mihi,
Nicola Green
Convenor PAB
IEA
Next congress – Submissions and Early Bird rates for tickets end Nov 1st
Strategic planning is intensifying for the next major global gathering, the IEA2027 Congress, which is confirmed for August 23–25, 2027, at the ExCeL Centre in London.
Current members of the 57 IEA Federated Societies including HFESNZ get at least 10% discount.
https://ergonomics.org.uk/events-calendar/iea2027.html
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