Corporate speaking
Keynotes and in-house sessions on teamwork and modern management, built around your organisation's situation rather than a stock talk.
- Leadership offsites
- Sales kick-offs
- Change programmes
Leadership · Teamwork · Executive mentoring
Auckland, New Zealand
John Hart Consultancy
Inspirational.Professional.Motivational.Visionary.Practical.Successful.
Thirty years in the boardroom at Fletcher Challenge, and a coaching record that changed New Zealand rugby. John brings both to your leaders and your teams.
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The record behind the advice.
Verified career figures30yrs
Fletcher Holdings and Fletcher Challenge, from accounting cadet to Group Employee Relations Director
31/41
Test wins as All Blacks head coach, 1996–1999, including the first series win in South Africa
61×
Ranfurly Shield defences in the Auckland run that began under him in 1985, still the record
Top 3
Rated among the top three of nearly 100 speakers used by the Northern EMA in 2008
John Hart CNZMGovernment House, 2025
01 — Profile
The boardroom
The field
Two careers. One discipline: building teams that win.
Most leadership speakers come from the field or the boardroom. John Hart spent decades in both, often in the same week. He ran employee relations for one of New Zealand's largest companies while coaching Auckland to the most dominant era in provincial rugby, then led the All Blacks into the professional age.
Fletcher Challenge, 30 years
Joined Fletcher Holdings as an accounting cadet and rose to Group Employee Relations Director, responsible for people and industrial relations across the group's international operations.
Auckland and the All Blacks
Three national titles in four seasons with Auckland, assistant coach on the 1987 Rugby World Cup winning side, and All Blacks head coach from 1996 to 1999.
1982–85
Auckland coach
NPC titles in 1982, 1984 and 1985. Took the Ranfurly Shield in 1985, starting a 61-defence run.
1987
Rugby World Cup winners
Assistant to Sir Brian Lochore; All Blacks selector 1987–91.
1996–99
All Blacks head coach
31 wins from 41 Tests. First-ever series win in South Africa; Tri-Nations titles in 1996, 1997 and 1999.
1997
Officer of the NZ Order of Merit
For services to rugby. Change of Hart published, on the move to professionalism.
2005–11
New Zealand Warriors
Board of Cullen Sports, later Executive Director of Football.
2018
Blues board
Appointed as a New Zealand Rugby representative.
2025
Companion of the NZ Order of Merit
For services to sports governance.
Teamwork
Client feedback
“Very professional, well planned and focused.”ECNZ Central Generation
The same client noted the balance John struck between entertainment and formal business ideas, which is the point of the work: a room that enjoys the session and leaves with something it can use.
02 — Services
Three ways to work with John.
Every engagement starts with a conversation about your people, your pressures and what you need the room to do on Monday morning.
Conferences & business forums
Opening or closing keynotes, panels and facilitated Q&A for industry bodies, member organisations and trans-Tasman business audiences.
- Keynote
- Panel and moderated Q&A
- Dinner address
Senior executive mentoring
Confidential, one-to-one work with chief executives and senior leaders on selection, building a team, handling pressure and leading through change.
- One-to-one
- Leadership team
- Board and governance
03 — Approach
Lessons from the field, translated for the business.
Principle01
Select for the team
On the field: the best fifteen is not the fifteen best players.
In the business: hiring and promotion decisions that strengthen the unit, not just the individual.
Principle02
Clear roles, shared standard
On the field: everyone knows their job and the standard the jersey demands.
In the business: accountability that is specific, visible and owned.
Principle03
Lead through change
On the field: taking the All Blacks from amateur to professional.
In the business: restructures, mergers and new operating models, with people brought along.
Principle04
Perform under pressure
On the field: Test rugby, where the scoreboard is public.
In the business: decisions made quickly and calmly when results are on the line.
Principle05
Learn from the loss
On the field: 1999, and what followed.
In the business: honest review that makes the next season better, without blame.
04 — Case studies
Trusted by organisations that lead their markets.
Banking, energy, retail, logistics, technology, the public sector and international business. Select a client to read the engagement.
Selected clients
05 — Contact
Let's talk about your team.
Tell John about the event or the leadership challenge. He'll come back to you personally, usually within two working days.
Emailjohn@hart.co.nz
Phone+64 9 524 6510
Mobile+64 21 62 14 47
PostPO Box 28442, Remuera, Auckland 1541