Auckland will host a major industry gathering on 19 February 2026 as AutoSense, supported by NZI, convenes the Fleet Forum 2026 — an event dedicated to the increasingly urgent intersection of driver mental health, wellbeing, and road safety. The half‑day forum at the Due Drop Events Centre aims to equip organisations operating light‑ and heavy‑vehicle fleets with new insights and practical strategies to reduce risk by supporting the mental wellness of their drivers.

Central to the event’s theme is growing evidence linking mental health challenges to increased crash risk. Research highlighted by organisers shows that individuals experiencing mental health difficulties are 2.4 times more likely to be involved in a road traffic accident, underscoring the critical importance of wellbeing initiatives across the transport sector. As pressures on commercial drivers continue to rise — from long hours to isolation and demanding schedules — the industry is increasingly recognising that safety begins with psychological resilience and support systems. 

Sir John Kirwan, co‑founder of the mental health platform Groov, will headline the programme with an interactive session titled *Everyone Better, Every Day*, focused on practical tools and behaviours that enhance daily wellbeing for workers on the road and in the workplace. Joining him is Groov partner Dr Fiona Crichton, who will present a science‑informed care framework designed to help fleet leaders build sustainable mental health support structures within their organisations.  

In addition, an NZI Fleet Fit showcase will demonstrate innovative approaches to improving driver resilience and reducing operational risk — signalling a shift toward more holistic fleet‑safety strategies that account for human factors as much as mechanical ones.

Tickets for the event start at $279 per person, with table packages available, and registration can be completed through autosense.co.nz. With mental wellbeing increasingly recognised as a foundational element of road safety, Fleet Forum 2026 is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping how New Zealand’s transport sector protects and empowers its drivers.