Sempre Avanti Consulting

25/03/2026

The International AI Safety Report 2026 has just been released, and it serves as a sobering reminder of the pace of change in our digital landscape.

For those of us in governance roles across Aotearoa New Zealand, this second global scientific assessment provides essential data to inform our strategic governance and risk oversight.

General-Purpose Artificial Intelligence (GPAI)—defined as Artificial Intelligence (AI) models capable of performing a wide variety of tasks—has seen significant capability gains in the last year.

However, for the professional director, the report highlights that these advances come with a "jagged" performance profile. While systems now match expert-level performance in complex reasoning, they still fail at simple tasks or recover poorly from basic errors.

Here are my three key takeaways for company governors:

Mind the Evaluation Gap: There is a growing disconnect between how AI performs in lab tests and how it behaves in the real world. Boards should not rely solely on vendor-supplied benchmarks. We must ensure our management teams are conducting robust, context-specific testing within our own business environments.

Address Automation Bias: As these tools become more integrated into our daily mahi, there is a significant risk of staff trusting AI outputs without enough scrutiny. Maintaining human autonomy and critical thinking is a matter of guardianship over our intellectual capital.

Adopt Defence-in-Depth: No single safeguard is perfectly reliable. The report advocates for a "defence-in-depth" approach—layering technical filters, organisational policies, and continuous monitoring to manage risks like cyberattacks and data inaccuracies.

As we look toward the long-term horizon of 2030, the trajectory of this technology remains uncertain. Our role as directors is to ensure our organisations remain resilient, regardless of whether AI progress plateaus or accelerates.

I encourage all fellow governors to review the executive summary to understand how these developing issues might impact your specific industry.

The second International AI Safety Report, published in February 2026, is the next iteration of the comprehensive review of latest scientific research on the capabilities and risks of general-purpose AI systems. Led by Turing Award winner Yoshua Bengio and authored by over 100 AI experts, the report...

16/07/2025

**Navigating the Future: AI Governance and the Boardroom in New Zealand**

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, the conversation around Artificial Intelligence has moved from a technical discussion to a critical boardroom imperative. For directors in New Zealand, understanding and implementing effective AI governance is no longer optional, but essential for sustainable success and responsible innovation.

A recent article from the Institute of Directors in New Zealand highlights a growing concern: the rise of "Shadow AI". This refers to the use of AI applications by employees without the organisation's explicit approval or oversight. While often driven by a desire for increased productivity, this practice can expose businesses to significant risks, including data breaches, privacy violations, and a lack of transparency in decision-making. You can read more about this "new digital blind spot" here: https://www.iod.org.nz/news/articles/shadow-ai-signals-a-new-digital-blind-spot #

Effective AI governance is the bedrock of harnessing AI's transformative power while mitigating its inherent risks. It requires a proactive approach from the board to establish clear policies, ethical guidelines, and robust frameworks for AI adoption and use. This ensures that AI is implemented in a manner that is transparent, accountable, and aligned with your organisation's values and strategic objectives.

Boards across New Zealand must now ask themselves:
* Do we have a clear understanding of how AI is being used across our organisation, including in the shadows?
* Have we established a framework for the ethical and responsible use of AI?
* Are we equipped to navigate the legal and reputational risks associated with this powerful technology?

The time to address these questions is now. Proactive and informed AI governance will not only safeguard your organisation but also unlock the immense opportunities that AI presents for a prosperous and innovative future for New Zealand.

Sempre Avani and Be Better at Governance can assist. Drop us a message if you want to chat.

05/05/2025

📊 The 2024 Health, Safety and Wellbeing Performance Dashboard is now live – and the findings demand attention.

At Be Better at Governance, we acknowledge the Mahi of the Business Leaders’ Health & Safety Forum in the release of the second annual Health, Safety and Wellbeing Performance Dashboard, built on member data and insights from leading organisations across Aotearoa New Zealand.

This year’s dashboard reveals a notable rise in reported mental health concerns in workplaces. The data is clear: while physical safety continues to be a focus, psychosocial wellbeing is becoming an increasingly urgent governance issue.

We encourage all boards and directors to carefully digest the findings and reflect on what this means for their people and organisations.

It’s no longer sufficient to acknowledge these risks – we must ensure that workable, well-led strategies are in place to manage them.

Explore the full 2024 dashboard and consider how your board is responding:

👉 https://www.forum.org.nz/resources/2024-health-safety-and-wellbeing-performance/

2025 DashboardReleased 6 May 2024Our second Health, Safety and Wellbeing Dashboard, taken from a survey of 139 CEOs and their teams, has been released, highlighting some key areas: Nearly half of respondents are reporting a greater number of mental wellbeing incidents than the year prior 38% reporte...

02/04/2025

At Sempre Avanti Consulting, we specialise in helping businesses overcome challenges and achieve their full potential. Our expertise spans strategic problem-solving, leadership development, and governance enhancement.

Through our dedicated division, Be Better at Governance, we support boards and directors in strengthening their governance practices—not through box-ticking exercises, but by driving meaningful impact. We provide practical, real-world solutions that sharpen focus, enhance decision-making, and create lasting success.

We cut through complexity to deliver clear, actionable guidance that works in practice, not just in theory. With our wealth of experience, we help organisations navigate governance with confidence and clarity.

Move forward with confidence. Move forward with Sempre Avanti.

Be Better at Governance | At Be Better at Governance, we believe great governance isn’t about ticking boxes—it’s about creating real impact. | At Be Better at Governance, we believe great governance isn’t about ticking boxes—it’s about creating real impact. We help boards and company dir...

19/02/2025

As the end of the financial year approaches, it's important to know which business expenses you can claim to help reduce your tax bill.

Check out this easy-to-follow guidance and a helpful video on what you can claim and how.

You can reduce your annual tax bill by claiming for many of the business expenses you pay during the year. You'll need to keep good records and hold onto your receipts.

09/02/2025

In late November 2024 former Port of Auckland CEO Tony Gibson was convicted in the District Court on two charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 – the first time a CEO of a major New Zealand company has been found guilty under the Act.

The charges were brought by Maritime NZ following the death of Pala’amo Kalati at the Port in 2020.

POAL was also charged as a PCBU under the same legislation and pleaded guilty and were fined and paid reparations.

The resources and video is worth reviewing and understanding.

Support for CEOs, senior leaders and DirectorsIn late November 2024 former Port of Auckland CEO Tony Gibson was convicted in the District Court on two charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 – the first time a CEO of a major New Zealand company has been found guilty under the Act.The ...

15/09/2024

last chance to register for this workshop in Stoke next Monday 23 September. Remember if you are an IOD member you can log this as CPD points.

We're excited to announce our first public event! 🎉
Come join us in the Nelson Tasman region for a hands-on workshop designed to equip you with the tools to apply best governance practices to your business or community-based organisation.

Facilitated by Gordon Shaw, an experienced governance expert, this event dives into the practical aspects of governance, offering insights and strategies you can implement immediately. Ideal for aspiring directors, current directors and community organisations looking to enhance their governance expertise, this workshop also provides valuable networking opportunities.

Head to https://groundedgovernance.co.nz/event/applied-taste-of-governance-workshop-nelson-tasman/ for more information!

11/07/2024

if you are thinking about your professional development as a Governor and director then this is worth a look. We highly recommend this. Grounded Governance Limited

Did you know that any iceberg you may see above the water's surface is only approximately 10% of the total iceberg, with the other 90% concealed under the surface?!

In Grounded's On-Demand course with BoardPro, How to Be a Great Chair, facilitator Giselle discusses the various roles and responsibilities of the chair. The above diagram and analogy of icebergs are incredibly fitting to the role of the chair with many of the roles unseen, but vitally important.

24/06/2024

🚀 Unlocking the Power of AI for Your Business: Tips and Traps to Avoid! 🤖

In today’s fast-paced digital world, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising the way we do business. From automating mundane tasks to providing deep insights into customer behaviour, AI offers endless opportunities to enhance efficiency and drive growth.
However, diving into AI without proper knowledge can lead to pitfalls.

Here are some essential tips and traps to watch out for:

AI Tips for Success:
1. Identify Clear Objectives: Before implementing AI, define what you aim to achieve. Whether it's improving customer service, optimising operations, or enhancing data analysis, clarity is key.
2. Invest in Quality Data: AI thrives on data. Ensure you have high-quality, clean, and relevant data for accurate insights and predictions.
3. Start Small: Begin with pilot projects to test AI applications and understand their impact before scaling up.
4. Choose the Right Tools: Select AI tools and platforms that align with your business needs and are user-friendly.
5. Continuous Learning: AI is an evolving field. Keep learning and stay updated with the latest advancements to stay ahead of the curve.

Traps to Avoid:
1. Ignoring Ethical Concerns: AI decisions can affect real lives. Be mindful of ethical implications and ensure fairness and transparency in AI algorithms.
2. Underestimating Costs: Implementing AI can be costly. Plan for initial investments as well as ongoing maintenance and updates.
3. Overlooking Human Element: AI is a tool to augment human capabilities, not replace them. Ensure your team is on board and trained to work alongside AI.
4. Expecting Instant Results: AI takes time to learn and produce results. Be patient and allow time for the technology to mature within your business context.
5. Neglecting Security: AI systems can be vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Implement robust security measures to protect sensitive data.
💡 Ready to Harness AI for Your Business? AI can be a game-changer, but successful implementation requires strategic planning and awareness of potential challenges. Embrace AI with a balanced approach to unlock its full potential and drive your business forward.

🌟 Have questions or need assistance with AI adoption? Drop a comment below or send us a message.

We're here to help you navigate the AI landscape!

27/05/2024

We often get asked by business owners and managers about how to keep up to speed with learning and development.

One way we recommend is to watch webinars live or past recorded ones.

We highly recommend the resources that are free on the BoardPro website.

Go take a look and find a topic of interest and take a look. This is an easy way to keep up your learning and development and for you to "work on your business".

This webinar will illuminate the intricate landscape of conflicts of interest within the boardroom. Navigating conflicts effectively is not just a skill; it's a necessity for maintaining integrity, fostering trust, and ensuring sustainable organizational success.

29/04/2024

Reminder that this session is coming up next Wed 8 May. RSVP now, for this sure to be informative session.

Mapua District Business Association - MDBA
Business Assist - Nelson Tasman Business Trust
Māpua Community Association
Mapua Community Hall

The MDBA Lunch & Learn in May information is coming soon.

27/02/2024

Gordon from SAC is walking in the Nelson Relay for Life. We would appreciate your consideration to make a donation.

Relay for Life - Do something remarkable and get involved today!