Building Bridges: The New Zealand Vocational Education and Training Research Forum 2026

Hon Penny Simmonds

Minister for Tertiary Education
Minister for Science, Innovation, and Technology
Associate Minister of Social Development and Employment

Hon Simmonds was elected the MP for Invercargill in 2020. Prior to her election to Parliament, Penny was Chief Executive of Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) and served as an advisory board member of Venture Southland. Penny was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to education, sport and the community in the 2016 New Years’ Honours list.

Hon Erica Stanford
Minister of Education
Minister of Immigration

Hon Erica Stanford is Minister of Education, Minister of Immigration, and the Lead Coordination Minister for the Government’s Response to the Royal Commission’s Report into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions. She has been the MP for East Coast Bays since the 2017 election.

In the Education portfolio, Minister Stanford is overseeing a significant programme of curriculum and secondary school qualifications change, including the development of new Industry-led subjects.

Shanan Halbert

Shanan Halbert is Spokesperson for Tertiary Education and Whanau Ora for the New Zealand Labour Party. First elected to Parliament in 2020, Shanan is a List MP based in Northcote.

Before entering Parliament, Shanan spent more than 15 years working in the tertiary education sector, and has worked across schools, tertiary institutions, and community organisations, Through his work as a Member of Parliament an MP, Shanan highlights the importance of investing in people and fostering collaboration to achieve better outcomes for communities.

Dr Tom Bewick

Editor-in-Chief: The Skills Agenda
Visiting Professor of Skills and Workforce Policy, Staffordshire University, UK.

Tom Bewick is a British educationist, consultant, policy adviser, workforce policy journalist, academic and professional career interim at CEO level. He has 35 years of experience working at the forefront of post-compulsory education and training policy and practice, initially as a post-16 adviser to the UK government, between 1997 and 2002; and latterly in both the UK domestic and international arena.

As CEO to five boards since 2004, Tom Bewick has been responsible for several high-profile initiatives. He was the architect of the UK-wide sector skills councils (2001-2010); and he represented the UK awarding bodies for 5 years (2018-2023), securing changes to apprenticeship assessment and qualifications reform.

As visiting professor of skills and workforce policy at the University of Staffordshire, Professor Bewick has recently completed writing an academic book: ‘Skills Policy in Britain and The Future of Work’, published by Bristol University Press/Policy Press on 29th October 2025. He is the author of a number of reports and articles, exploring apprenticeships, skills and productivity. 

Dr Caroline Smith

Executive Director - Centre for Education and Training
Australian Industry Group

As Executive Director of the Centre for Education and Training at Australian Industry Group, Caroline leads the Centre's thought leadership, research and advocacy agenda, advancing industry-informed solutions that strengthen Australia's education and training system, address skills challenges and support a productive, future-ready workforce.

With a distinguished career in skills, employment and economic policy, Caroline is recognised for her expertise in workforce development, labour markets, skills systems and workforce planning. She is a strong advocate for collaboration between industry, government and the education sector to deliver workforce and skills solutions that support productivity, economic growth and opportunity.

Her previous roles include inaugural Executive Director of Jobs Queensland, Deputy Chief Executive of the National Employment Services Association, and Executive Director, Economic and Policy Futures in the Queensland Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning.

 Caroline has worked in Australia and internationally on workforce and skills policy and was awarded an Australian-American Fulbright Scholarship in vocational education and training. She joined Australian Industry Group in 2024.

Shamubeel Eaqub

Shamubeel Eaqub is an influential economist who makes the complexities of economics both easy and engaging. His career has seen him contribute his expertise at leading institutions, including ANZ Bank, Goldman Sachs JBWere, NZIER, Sense Partners, and now Simplicity, where he serves as Chief Economist.An alumnus of Lincoln University, he graduated with Honours in Economics and is also a CFA Charterholder.

Beyond his professional role, Shamubeel is an accomplished author and a frequent voice in media, known for his insightful commentary on economic and social issues in New Zealand. His published works include influential books such as Growing Apart: Regional Prosperity in New Zealand and co-authored titles like Generation Rent and The New Zealand Economy: An Introduction, which highlight critical issues affecting the nation.

Dr Veronica Tawhai

Associate Professor - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa - Massey University

Associate Professor Dr Veronica Tawhai is from Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Uepohatu, with whakapapa also to Ireland, England and Wales. She is the Pūkenga Tiriti for the Office of the DVC Māori at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa / Massey University, and National Coordinator for the Te Atakura Educators network.

Previous to her Pūkenga Tiriti role she lectured for 14 years at Te Pūtahi a Toi / School of Māori Studies in Māori policy, politics and strategic Māori development, and has co-edited two books on the implementation of Te Tiriti, including Weeping waters: The Treaty of Waitangi and constitutional change and Always speaking: The Treaty of Waitangi and public policy.