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Port of Auckland & Zeducation: Growing Frontline Leaders at the Ports

  • Sep 6
  • 3 min read
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Zeducation partnered with Port of Auckland to co-design and deliver Ngā Ringa Haumaru (In Safe Hands)—a values-led programme built for frontline reality.


We focused on real-world skills: Leading Self & Transition to Leadership, Communicating with Clarity & Impact, Coaching & Giving Feedback, and Setting Direction & Driving Performance. We kept it fun, eye-opening, and engaging—so the learning sticks.


This was a first-ever pilot for Port of Auckland, and we were chosen because of our end-to-end approach, proven facilitation expertise, and culturally grounded relatability. Leaders walked out aligned to a shared safety leadership framework, speaking a common language across crews and shifts—and carrying momentum into their work at the Port.




Case Study Overview


Programme: Ngā Ringa Haumaru (In Safe Hands) Leadership


Partners: Port of Auckland & Zeducation


Timeframe: January 2025 – present


People Trained: 12 operational leaders


Location: Auckland


Services Provided by Zeducation: Needs analysis, instructional learning design, facilitation


Outcomes: 12 operational leaders trained and aligned to a consistent safety-leadership model; top-tier satisfaction and strong intent to apply learning on-site.



The Challenge


  • Port of Auckland had leadership development in place for other layers of the organisation, but no tailored pathway for frontline/operational leaders.


  • The business needed internal leadership capability that reinforced safety and performance every shift, every site.


  • A consistent safety leadership model was required so that leaders shared the same language, routines, and expectations—regardless of role or roster.



Our Response

Zeducation took an end-to-end approach:

Discovery with the People Who do the Work

We ran group and 1:1 interviews with leaders, managers, and frontline kaimahi (staff) to surface real challenges, expectations, and opportunities.

  • What gets in the way of safe, efficient work?

  • Where do conversations break down—across shifts, functions, or roles?

  • Which habits would most improve safety, quality, and flow?


Insight to Design We produced an in-depth report with clear recommendations—skills to prioritise, resource needs, and a delivery plan that fits port operations.


Co-design of Outcomes, Frameworks, and Resources Together we shaped learning outcomes, a practical leadership toolkit, and hands-on resources (workbooks, activities, on-the-job templates).


Culturally Grounded, People-First Delivery We embedded Te Whare Tapa Whā and Fonofale to support holistic wellbeing and culturally safe learning. This helped leaders reflect on values, identity, and responsibility—so the “why” behind safety and performance is personal, not just procedural.


3-day Offsite, Built for Operational Reality We co-delivered the programme over three full days—interactive, scenario-based, and immediately transferable to the yard, quay, and warehouse.


Consistent Leadership Routines We introduced a simple, repeatable safety-leadership rhythm (e.g., Shift: Prep–Plan–Do–Review), plus practical tools for:

  • Clear briefings and huddles (clarity and roles)

  • Assertive communication (speaking up, managing pushback)

  • Feedback and coaching (micro-coaching in the flow of work)

  • Incident learning loops (close the loop; share lessons; improve the next shift)



Outcomes

Satisfaction: Participant surveys rated 5/5 for facilitator effectiveness, 5/5 for overall delivery, and 5/5 for “sessions were a good use of my time.”

Capability: All 12 leaders completed the programme and adopted a common language for safety leadership—making cross-shift communication clearer and faster.

Confidence & consistency: Leaders reported greater confidence to speak up, coach in the moment, and run briefings using the same structure.

Application on the job: Teams began using and referencing the People-Performance-Environment (PPE) Safety framework

Culture: Te Whare Tapa Whā and Fonofale helped anchor safety in values, wellbeing, and whānau—strengthening personal ownership for safe, high-quality work.

"Bottom line,When operational leaders have a shared toolkit and a shared language, safety and performance become the default—not the exception."

Student Testimonials





Need help developing your leaders? Contact us to book a chat to discuss more. https://www.zeducation.co.nz/contact-us

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