Thursday 26 November 2026

​Strengthening Governance, Communication & Community Wellbeing​​

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9:00am - 5:00pm

SCA (NZ) 2026 Solutions in Engineering Conference Day 1

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9:00am - 9:10am

SCA (NZ) 2026 Solutions in Engineering Conference Official Opening 

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​9:10am - 9:30am

Ministerial Address

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Government priorities and future direction for community living in New Zealand.​​

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9:30am - 10:00am

Contracts, Retentions and Project Risk

Presenter: Joanna Pidgeon​​

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Selecting the right contractor is only the beginning. Effective contract management requires the understanding of procurement, payment obligations and the legal requirements surrounding retention money under New Zealand's Construction Contracts Act. This session will share practical guidance on protecting the body corporate during construction projects, avoiding common contractual pitfalls and managing contractor performance from appointment through to project completion, providing delegates with practical tools to support successful project delivery and stronger governance outcomes.

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10:00am - 10:30am

MBIE Regulatory Update

Presenter: Greg Rowe, Senior Advisor, Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment​​​​

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10:30am - 11:00am

Morning Tea

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11:00am - 11:40am

Building Healthy Decision-Making Communities

Panel: Lyn Gillingham

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This thought-provoking panel brings together experienced governance leaders to explore what distinguishes high-performing body corporate committees from those that struggle. From establishing clear roles and responsibilities to navigating difficult decisions and fostering constructive relationships, the discussion will focus on the behaviours and governance practices that create resilient, well-functioning communities. This session will provide practical insights into strengthening governance, improving decision-making and building confidence around the committee table. 

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11:40am - 12:20pm 

Planning with Purpose

Presenters: Lorne Kyd, Ben Thomson, Dakota Panetta, and Paul Morton

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As buildings age, committees are increasingly faced with competing priorities, rising construction costs and difficult conversations about levies and funding. Body corporate managers and committees play a critical role in the long-term sustainability of managing today's decisions while balancing affordability with asset protection. This practical session brings together technical, financial and management perspectives to explore how LTMPs can support better governance, smarter investment and long-term financial sustainability.

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12:20pm - 1:20pm

Lunch 

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1:20pm - 2:00pm

Lessons from the Front Line

Presenter: Thomas Gibbons​​

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Every year, Court and Tribunal decisions provide valuable guidance on how the Unit Titles Act is interpreted and applied in practice. The session will explore governance issues that frequently give rise to disputes, including when a body corporate may require the appointment of an administrator and disclosure issues. Designed to translate legal principles into practical guidance, this session will help strengthen governance, reduce risk and confidently apply the lessons from recent decisions to their own communities. 

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2:00pm - 3:10pm

Leading Through Crisis and Recovery

Presenter: CHU Underwriting Agencies​​

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How prepared are you to lead the body corporate through a major disaster? In this highly interactive simulation, delegates will work through a realistic emergency scenario, guiding their body corporate through a rapidly unfolding crisis. As new information emerges, participants will be challenged to make critical decisions, prioritise competing demands and navigate the legal, operational and human impacts of a significant event. Working in small groups, delegates will experience the pressures of incident management, communication, governance and recovery planning while learning from industry experts and each other's approaches.

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3:10pm - 3:30pm

Afternoon Tea

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3:30pm - 4:50pm 

Mock Annual General Meeting: Governance in Action

Presenters: Kareen Mackey and Kirstin Mitchell

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What really happens at an Annual General Meeting when difficult issues arise? This interactive session brings the AGM process to life through a realistic mock meeting that demonstrates both best practice and common pitfalls in strata governance. Participants will be immersed into the AGM from start to finish, including the presentation of reports, handling of motions, voting procedures, quorum requirements and management of conflict or challenging behaviour. By combining legal requirements with practical examples, this session provides an engaging and memorable way to understand how good governance operates in practice.

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4:50pm - 5:00pm

SCA (NZ) 2026 Solutions in Engineering Conference Day 1 Close 

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6:30pm - 10:30pm

SCA (NZ) 2026 Solutions in Engineering Strata Community Excellence Awards

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Friday 27 November 2026 

Building Resilient Professionals - Body Corporate Professionals Only

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9:00am - 3:00pm

SCA (NZ) 2026 Solutions in Engineering Conference Day 2

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9:00am - 9:10am

SCA (NZ) 2026 Solutions in Engineering Conference Day 2 Open

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9:10am - 9:50am

Exploring the Possibilities of AI

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Artificial intelligence is creating new opportunities for body corporate managers to work more efficiently, communicate more effectively and reduce time spent on routine tasks. Through practical demonstration, this session will explore how AI can support everyday body corporate management, from drafting communications and summarising information to preparing documents and streamlining workflows, while considering where professional judgement and oversight remain essential.

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9:50am - 10:30am

The Evolving Landscape of Multi-Unit Communities

Presenters: Joanna Pidgeon and Hamish Firth​​

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Multi-unit developments in New Zealand are becoming increasingly diverse and complex. Alongside traditional unit title developments, resident societies, mixed-use communities and large master-planned developments are introducing new governance structures, operational challenges and stakeholder expectations. This session explores how community developments are evolving, the issues emerging from newer developments, and the practical approaches body corporate managers can take to support committees, developers and owners while delivering effective long-term governance.

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10:30am - 11:00am

Morning Tea

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11:00am - 11:50am

Insurance Decision Making & Risk Management

Presenters: CHU Underwriting Agencies and Paula Beaton

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Insurance continues to be one of the most challenging and scrutinised responsibilities for body corporate managers. Rising premiums, changing policy conditions, increasing weather events and more complex claims require managers to balance legal obligations, committee expectations and insurer requirements. This practical masterclass will explore current insurance trends, unpack common policy provisions and exclusions, and examine real-life scenarios that managers encounter every day. Through interactive case studies, delegates will learn practical approaches to managing claims, mitigating risk and communicating effectively with owners throughout the insurance process.

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11:50am - 12:30pm

Managing Destruction, Rebuilds and the Legal Framework

Presenter: Sarah Zellman

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This practical legal session explores the provisions of the Unit Titles Act 2010, including Section 74 – Scheme Following Destruction or Damage, and explains the options available when a development cannot simply be repaired or reinstated. Using real-world examples and case studies, delegates will gain a better understanding of the legal framework, the role of the courts and the practical steps managers should take when supporting committees through major loss events.

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12:30pm - 1:20pm

Lunch 

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1:20pm - 1:50pm

Communication, Boundaries & Difficult Conversations

Presenters: Victor Jamieson and Kirstin Mitchell

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Every body corporate manager will face difficult conversations. Whether it's an emotional owner, a divided committee, unrealistic expectations or persistent conflict, the ability to communicate professionally while maintaining confidence and boundaries is one of the most valuable skills in the profession. Drawing on years of real-world experience, this session will share practical techniques for navigating challenging interactions, managing expectations and maintaining professionalism under pressure.

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1:50pm - 2:30pm

Acting Within Authority

Presenter: Julia Batchelor-Smith

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One of the greatest professional risks for body corporate managers is acting beyond their authority or failing to act when required. Understanding the limits of your appointment, your statutory obligations and your professional responsibilities is essential to protecting yourself, your business and the body corporate you represent. This practical legal session examines where a manager's authority comes from, the key decisions that require committee or owner approval, and the legal and professional standards expected of today's body corporate managers.

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2:30pm - 3:00pm

Complex Scenarios

Presenters: Clinton Baker and Doug Wilson

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No two days in body corporate management are ever the same. One moment you're navigating committee disagreements, the next you're managing unreasonable owner expectations, contractor disputes or unauthorised building work. In this highly interactive workshop, an experienced body corporate manager and specialist lawyer will work through a series of realistic scenarios faced by managers every day. Together they will explore the practical, legal and communication strategies that help resolve complex situations while maintaining professionalism and protecting the body corporate.

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3:00pm

SCA (NZ) 2026 Solutions in Engineering Conference Close 

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