IIA NZ Audit Leaders Network Forum: May 2025

Overview:

We are excited to announce the launch of the IIA NZ Audit Leaders Network Forum, which will run quarterly throughout 2025, concluding with the CAE Forum on Tuesday 4 November 2025, a day before our annual conference.

Criteria for Participation in the IIA NZ Audit Leaders Forum:

The IIA NZ Audit Leaders Forum is designed for Chief Audit Executives (CAEs) or those in equivalent senior leadership roles in Internal Auditing across New Zealand and the Pacific. Attendees must be IIA NZ members with significant experience and/or professional qualifications such as CIA, CISA, or equivalent certifications. Serving as a mentorship platform for senior internal audit leaders, the forum explores key topics in Internal Auditing, Governance, and Risk Assurance. It provides valuable insights and strategies to enhance professional practice and navigate the evolving Internal Audit landscape. These forums are conducted as closed sessions under Chatham House Rules.

Key Objectives of the Forum:

• Engagement with Global Perspectives: Learn about global and local initiatives and opportunities for leadership within the Internal Audit profession.
• Strategic Discussions: Deep dive into the evolving role of Internal Audit and its alignment with organisational governance and strategy.
• Leadership Development: Foster collaboration among audit leaders to share challenges, solutions, and best practices.

Event Details:

• Date: Tuesday 13 May 2025
• Time: 10.00 - 12.00 pm (hybrid event, a Teams online link will be provided)
• Location: Wellington Museum, 3 Jervois Quay, Wellington - Draughtsman's Room

Forum in May 2025:

Opening Session: Emma Hine (IIA NZ Board member) will serve as the forum's MC for 2025 on behalf of the IIA NZ Board.

Guest Speaker: Graeme Ayres - ARC Services New Zealand

• Topic: Enhancing the Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) and Chief Audit Executive (CAE) Partnership for Stronger Governance
• Summary: A robust partnership between the Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) and the Chief Audit Executive (CAE) is essential for effective governance. This collaboration ensures comprehensive oversight, enhances risk management strategies, and promotes transparency and accountability within the organisation. By fostering open communication and mutual understanding, the ARC and CAE can align their objectives, address emerging risks proactively, and support the organisation's strategic goals. This forum will delve into strategies for strengthening the ARC-CAE relationship, emphasizing the importance of trust, clear role delineation, and shared commitment to governance excellence. Participants will gain insights into best practices for collaboration, explore a case study highlighting successful partnerships, and discuss practical approaches to overcoming common challenges in enhancing audit quality and organisational performance.

Bio: Graeme Ayres, ARC Services New Zealand

Graeme was until recently the Chief Assurance Officer at New Zealand's Department of Conservation, and a former Operations General Manager at Antarctica New Zealand (2012-2015). He is from the family of a renowned New Zealand mountain guide and Antarctica Expeditioner. Graeme has a strong connection and deep care for nature forged through his early career as a National Parks Ranger and senior operational roles within the Department of Conservation.

Career changes involved Graeme moving from a 25-year period in operations to 20+ years providing assurance and corporate advice to the Department of Conservation's executive team. As Chief Assurance Officer for 7 years his portfolio of responsibilities included risk management, internal audit, Programme Management Office and systems development for complaints and emergencies.

Graeme has performed a variety of leadership roles during his career and has developed a strong understanding of the importance of designing and utilising systems for an organisation to act effectively as a whole. His operational background has created valuable insights for system design.

He is graduate and alumni of the University of California Merced's extension programme for the National Parks Institute Executive Leadership Seminar and is committed to the application continuous learning.

Based in Christchurch Graeme owns Graeme Ayres ARC Services New Zealand in which he offers Assurance and conservation advice, Antarctic expertise and science, geological and history speakers for cruise ship companies operating within the Antarctica Peninsula.

His community contributions include:

• Justice of the Peace
• ERO Risk and Assurance Committee Member (Independent)
• Advocate for attracting Antarctic business to his home city of Otautahi/Christchurch. https://www.christchurchnz.com/meet/tuwhana/graeme-ayres
• New Zealand Nature Fund Trustee New Zealand Nature Fund (nznaturefund.org)
• Advocate for New Zealand's Antarctic Heritage Trust
• Expedition Leader for Holland America Line

Open Forum and discussion.

This is a hybrid event.

Principal Audit Leaders Forum sponsor: We are thrilled to share that Diligent is our sponsor for these three forums!

Who are they you ask? Diligent is the leading governance, risk, audit and compliance (GRC) SaaS company, empowering more than 1 million users and 700,000 board members to clarify risk and elevate audit. The Diligent One Platform gives practitioners, the C-suite and the board a consolidated view of their entire GRC practice so they can more effectively manage risk, build greater resilience and make better decisions, faster. Learn more at diligent.com.

Registration Information:

Registrations for this event are through IIA NZ National Office. A light refreshment will be offered at the event.

IIA NZ Members: $FREE

This is a closed IIA NZ member's event. A minimum attendance of 10 people applies for this event, with a maximum of 20 people in person and unlimited online.

Registrations are now open and will close on 5 May 2025.

We look forward to welcoming you to this exclusive platform for Internal Audit leaders, designed to inspire growth, innovation, and collaboration within the profession.

Save the date - IIA NZ Audit Leaders Network Forum:

• 19 August 2025
• 4 November 2025 - IIA NZ CAE Forum 2025

IIA NZ Event Overview and Refund Policy: https://iianz.org.nz/Site/terms-and-conditions.aspx

If you require assistance with registering, please contact events@iianz.org.nz