Real Learning

Safer. Healthier. Stronger cultures start here.

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Culture change that drives safer, healthier,
high-performing work.

We help organisations build safer, healthier, high-performing workplaces by transforming safety, wellbeing, and leadership culture – tackling both physical and psychosocial risks.

Our award-winning programmes shift mindsets and behaviours from the frontline to the boardroom. Using leader-led learning, practical tools, and meaningful engagement, we drive culture change that improves performance, reduces risk, and supports your people to thrive.

Used by leading organisations across high-risk industries, corporate and non-for-profit, our approach delivers measurable results – and real impact.

Ready to lead your next culture shift? Let’s talk.

Our learning solutions

Keep your people safe and well

Real safety change starts at the top. The SafeAs programmes work with leaders from the top down to transform safety culture.
Transform your safety and wellbeing culture

Be your customer's first choice 

Being your customers’ first choice not only boosts your reputation but establishes a loyal customer base, driving sustained success. FirstChoice ensures your customers are the main focus of everything you do and how you do it.

Become your customers first choice

Build an inclusive environment 

Diversity and inclusion have become a priority for many businesses. The BetterTogether programme has been designed to give you the leadership mindset, skills, and tools needed to foster a more inclusive and balanced environment within the business.

Get the best out of your people

Develop strong leaders

We understand that the most effective learning happens in the midst of everyday work. Whether you’re developing a leadership mindset, strategies for the future, or mastering essential leadership skills, Nudge.Leadership has you covered.

Lead to build performance

Be ready for change

There are organisational and individual benefits and risks with every change. ChangeReady equips you with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to lead your people effectively through change. 

Be change ready

Bespoke:ForYou

Discover a new standard in learning content creation with us. We can design and deliver your learning for you. High quality. High impact. High value. Training material your people can simply pick up and run with
Create your bespoke programme

“Across the business, not just in safety, our learning style has shifted completely so that every learning activity we do is in the same style that we learned from Real Learning – line led, filled with reflection, coaching moments, and action pit stops. I would absolutely encourage anyone who wants to shift their culture to have a chat with Heidi and the team – they are absolutely the best partners on any project.”

Wendi Bains

Chief Health and Safety Officer

Our process

Discovery

We listen first, working as part of your team to understand what matters. This foundation shapes learning that fits your people and goals.

Design

We co-design learning maps that reflect your values and goals, creating programmes that drive real business impact.

Develop

We create tailored tools that support real-world performance, blending innovation with practical, on-the-job impact.

Deliver

We pilot, refine, and deliver with impact - through expert facilitation, coaching, and Train the Trainer support. Our evaluation uses the Kirkpatrick model to measure real results

Our latest insights

Get our tips, tools and insights

On how to build a healthier, safer, and happier workplace.

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We use a blended learning approach

Face to face and virtual learning
Micro learning
Performance support tools
Gamification
Coaching

More Than Learning. Real Change.

We’re not in the business of box-ticking. We partner with you to design learning experiences that create real culture shifts.

Whether it’s improving safety leadership, managing psychosocial risks, or embedding healthier ways of working, everything we do is shaped around your people, your context, and what matters most.

Because meaningful change doesn’t come from a course.

It comes from connection, curiosity, and courageous leadership.

Meet the team

Trusted by many

Close up shot of a happy team member from z-energy wearing her orange uniform
Z Energy the Z Factor

Z Energy is one of New Zealand’s largest fuel distributors with branded Service Stations. 

Learn more
Photo of 3 tradelink members with their thumbs up next to a work truck
Tradelink sales development
Australia’s oldest plumbing merchant Tradelink have been in the industry for over 150 years.
Learn more
Group of workers in their high-vis vests with safety helmets and face masks
Fletcher Building safety leadership

Fletcher Building Limited is one of the largest listed companies in New Zealand. 

Learn more

The name isn't just for show.
We keep it...

Real world

We make it real by using your look and feel, your language and telling your stories. We take the time to understand your business values and outcomes to create an authentic and impactful experience that works in the real world.

Engaging and impactful

Our approach is engaging and impactful. We create memorable learning experiences supported by high-end performance support tools that get learners walking to talk, bringing their learning into their flow of work.

Activates behaviour change

Our proven approach to culture change supports people in putting their learning into action. We take them on a thinking journey that changes mindsets and drives long term behaviour change.

Learner led, learner driven

We start with the leaders. We give them the tools and support to drive the learning through their people. It becomes part of what they do every day.

We want to make a real difference

Get in touch
We specialise in creating a tailored, blended learning experience. Our approach combines short, impactful face-to-face or virtual learning sessions, microlearning modules, and online performance support tools to use on the job. We make learning stick with regular reinforcement activities and one-on-one and cohort coaching.

Rita Slogrove

Learning and development manager at Fletcher Building

Heidi and the team at Real Learning really understood us as a business and what we needed. Heidi’s skills as both a facilitator and instructional designer are exceptional, and she really knows how to design to enhance the learner’s journey. The visuals they create are strong, meaningful, and hugely impactful. The work that Real Learning has done for us has made a huge difference to us and the project. Our participants have called this “the best programme I have ever attended” and this positive sentiment is consistent across the Australian division

Gretchen Young

Learning and Development Specialist NZ at the Police Association

Leaders are busy people and they often put their own development into the ‘too hard’ or ‘do it later’ basket. Real Learning’s nudge modules provide the perfect answer to that challenge. Experienced and aspiring leadership development just when they need it. Whether you have an hour or just a few minutes to spare, each nudge module offers a range of options from in-depth learning to bite-sized reminders, providing the versatility leaders need to hone their skills exactly when they need to apply them. As a leadership development specialist, nudge provides the perfect platform for me to integrate in-time learning into a broader learning and development programme, and the flexibility to tailor learning solutions for the specific needs of cohorts, teams and individuals. Beautifully designed and modern, nudge is an attractive leadership development programme to integrate into your organisation’s learning and development system.

Anthony Eastman

Z Factor Experience Manager

Thank you, thank you, thank you! You’ve completed the mammoth task of getting around our Retailers and their Ops teams across the country and delivering the Z Factor refresh workshops for FY21. Congratulations! With two trial workshops, eleven full day workshops, numerous modes of transport you’ve done it! All three of you have contributed a huge amount to the ongoing success of Z’s customer excellence in the retail field.

Wendi Bains

Chief Health and Safety Officer at Fletcher Building Limited

When we had to reset our safety culture, we knew we needed a partner who could help us design a programme that would help shift the mindset of our people, not just once but forever. Now, 4 years on, we are seeing the results: our serious injuries are down 86%, our overall injury rates have dropped in half (that’s nearly 150 people who go home to their families without harm every year), and our mindset (our belief that we could prevent all injuries) has more than doubled to 89%. I can’t imagine we would have been able to accomplish what we have without Heidi and the Real Learning team. Across the business, not just in safety, our learning style has shifted completely so that every learning activity we do is in the same style that we learned from Real Learning – line led, filled with reflection, coaching moments, and action pit stops. I would absolutely encourage anyone who wants to shift their culture to have a chat with Heidi and the team – they are absolutely the best partners on any project.

Dr Galia Barhava-Monteith

Founder of Oro Group Mentoring

I loved collaborating with Heidi and the team at Real Learning on creating the Better Together Leadership Experience for Fletcher Construction.  Heidi’s ability to take complex concepts like inclusion and gender bias and translate them into an experiential and practical learning experience was highly beneficial. The programme was very well received across the business, and the focus on leaders taking action meant that we could see shifts in the culture in a relatively short time frame. This practical approach made the learning experience highly effective.

Kirsty Moffat

People and Performance Manager - Mico NZ

We had a very short timeframe between concept to delivery which meant that we were not in a position to have multiple briefings and check in discussions. I was looking for a team who could take a high-level brief - and then take ownership of how the programme developed, which I knew Heidi and her team could do. I have enjoyed working with Real Learning in their ability to inject fun, humour and engaging exercises into their programmes. Nobody wants to be talked at for two days solid, but often ‘activities’ can miss the mark as well. The Real Learning team not only understood what we were trying to achieve, but they were also able to gain a sense of the “persona” of the audience we were delivering to. As a result, they designed a fantastic workshop based programme with the right balance between serious discussions, some laughter, engaging activities and some quality brainstorming. The programme delivered what we were hoping to achieve, which was a great ‘learning experience’ – but more importantly, a mindset shift and greater level of understanding and commitment towards delivering a truly customer ‘leading’ experience across our network.
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Tauvaga Siolo

Development and Delivery Lead

With over 20 years of experience across the fitness, telco, and learning industries, Tauvaga brings a unique blend of energy, strategic thinking, and heart to helping businesses and individuals thrive.

Of Samoan, Italian, and Kiwi heritage, Tauvaga is grounded in the values of connection, service, and aiga (family). He carries with him the Samoan proverb “O le ala i le pule o le tautua” — leadership is achieved through service — a principle that guides how he shows up for people, teams, and communities.

These values have shaped his leadership journey, from heading high-performing teams as a Group Fitness Manager and National Manager of Group Fitness in New Zealand, to driving innovation and customer-led thinking as a Product and Proposition Lead at One New Zealand.

For over 15 years, Tauvaga has worked as a trainer and facilitator, designing learning experiences that shift thinking, lift capability, and build healthier, more connected workplaces. He has created coaching content, developed high-performing teams, and launched purpose-driven businesses that reflect his commitment to people and progress.

What drives him is creating real-world solutions—for people, for teams, and for the everyday challenges that hold us back. He brings a relational, grounded style to his work and a deep belief that leadership, done well, always begins with service.

Eloise Tzimas

Facilitator / Transformation Coach

Elosie is a seasoned coach with a passion for empowering individuals to unlock their full potential. Eloise specialises in communication skills development, professional and performance coaching, and working with individuals, teams and business owners. With a unique blend of expertise, empathy, and a results-driven approach, she has become a sought-after person for those seeking personal and professional transformation.

Matt Wilmot

Virtuoso Media

Virtuoso Media provides full service video production with in-house creative, scripting, directing, shooting & editing. We produce premium content for filmmakers, corporations and private businesses. Capturing the perfect shot is an art and something we are very passionate about. Our keen eye for composition, extensive experience in production & post-production, and relentless quest for perfection ensures that everything we deliver is of exceptional quality.

Nina Velleman

Bunkhouse Graphic Design

Nina is a Senior Graphic Designer and co-director of Bunkhouse Graphic Design with over 20 years of experience working in the industry. She takes pride in her innovative approach to creative ideas and is passionate about visual communication. As the Graphic Designer for Real Learning, nothing gives her more pleasure than creating collateral that enhances and supports the learning programmes and workshops for greater engagement and understanding.

Frans Plummer

Leadership Coach and Facilitator

Frans natural interest in people led to his academic roots in organisational behaviour, completing his honours in Industrial Psychology. His professional career has been a journey through change-, project-, sales-, and general management for start-ups, NGO's, charitable trusts, SMEs, and multinational corporations. These days Frans spreads his time and energy across business development, life coaching for men, couples, kids, and business teams, dispute resolution & mediation, and training facilitation. Frans is keenly interested in the development of human potential and is passionate about every session being an opportunity for further personal and professional growth.

Zoe Burt

Lead Learning Designer - SAFETY AND WELLBEING

As the Lead Learning Designer – Safety and Wellbeing at Real Learning, Zoe is on a mission to create real, lasting culture change in the organisations she partners with.

With a background in Human Resources and Employment Law, she brings a powerful blend of strategic thinking, creativity, and care to her work. Zoe draws on over a decade of experience in learning design to craft experiences that shift behaviour, influence culture, and deliver meaningful business outcomes.

In her role, Zoe leads the full end-to-end design process—collaborating with subject matter experts, managing stakeholders, and applying best practice in instructional design and learning technologies to deliver impactful, future-focused solutions.

Her recent work includes the design and rollout of enterprise-wide Safety Leadership and Frontline Safety programmes, helping organisations foster safer, stronger, and more connected workplaces.

Zoe also brings a deeply personal perspective to her work. Diagnosed with type one diabetes at age seven, she knows what it means to show up every day with resilience, preparation, and heart. That lived experience fuels her passion for designing learning that goes beyond compliance—programmes that truly support wellbeing, connection, and change that lasts.

To connect with Zoe, reach out at zoe@reallearning.co.nz. She’d love to hear from you.

Charlee Neubrandt

Customer Experience Lead

Charlee brings a people-first mindset and a passion for growth to everything she does. With a background that spans leadership in retail, corporate mental health services, and five years shaping transformative programmes at Real Learning, she’s all about creating meaningful connections that help others thrive.

Originally from England, Charlee moved to Aotearoa 20 years ago and quickly made it home. Her career started in retail leadership before moving into the corporate space, where she worked her way from an administrative role to supporting GMs, doctors, and specialists in mental health and addiction services. These experiences shaped her deep understanding of people, systems, and what it takes to create positive impact.

At Real Learning, Charlee plays a pivotal role in delivering standout customer experiences and making sure every engagement is grounded in care, purpose, and impact. She believes in working hard and living fully – whether that’s through her role, time in the great outdoors, or adventuring with her whānau.

Her mantra? “You only get one shot at life, so make it count.” And she brings that energy to every part of her work.

Getting projects out the door is Charlee’s passion, but she also gets involved with the instruction design and development, applying her background in sales and customer service to the programmes.

Heidi Lance

Director and Head of Learning

Heidi believes learning should feel real – relevant, human, and rooted in what matters. It’s why she founded Real Learning: to create learning experiences that shift cultures, not just tick boxes.

With nearly 20 years of experience in learning and development, Heidi brings a rare blend of strategic thinking, creativity, and care. She has partnered with organisations across construction, retail, energy, banking, and beyond – designing tools and experiences that lead to real results: safer sites, stronger teams, better conversations, and more inclusive workplaces.

Heidi’s work is grounded in values – especially courage, connection, and impact. She’s not afraid to challenge thinking, ask bold questions, or have a laugh along the way. Whether she’s designing a leadership programme, building a board game, or coaching a facilitator, Heidi brings empathy, clarity, and a deep belief that people learn best when they feel seen, safe, and stretched.

What drives her is simple: helping people do their best work and go home safe, well, and proud of what they’ve built – together.

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