BOOTCAMP has been an NZPPA feature online event since the dark days of COVID, starting in 2022. There are now two different BOOTCAMP events: the original BOOTCAMP for new payrollers and this NEW one for 2025. The new BOOTCAMP Masterclass is for intermediate to senior payroll practitioners.

BOOTCAMP Masterclass is not aimed to replace formal training, but should be seen as an annual refresher for intermediate and senior payroll practitioners (New Masterclass version). Over the course of the morning, a wide range of topics will be covered in the six sessions that will be provided.

Your BOOTCAMP instructors are seasoned payroll professionals with years of experience in operational payroll.

BOOTCAMP can be viewed as a live event or OnDemand as all attendees will receive the recorded BOOTCAMP and presentation notes.

Attendees can ask questions (through Zoom Q&A) during the sessions and will be encouraged to do so, along with any follow-up questions.

WHAT WILL BOOTCAMP MASTERCLASS 2025 INCLUDE?

There will be six sessions during each BOOTCAMP.

 

Speakers:

Laurence Gay, Payroll Product Owner, Employment Hero

Originally from France, Laurence has called NZ home for the last 20 years. Originally from a project background, she organically grew into payroll, eventually managing a large payroll and overseeing payroll integrations along the way. Laurence progressed into a payroll bureau environment to explore payroll set-up and processing requirements for a wider variety of industries. In March 2023, Laurence joined Employment Hero as a Payroll Support Consultant and moved into Product in 2024, working towards optimising NZ EH Payroll.

Gabriella Barbara – Account Director, Fusion5

Gabriella Barbara is a seasoned Account Director at Fusion5, where she leads strategic engagements across payroll and HRIS transformation projects in New Zealand and Australia. With over 2 decades of experience in enterprise technology and business consulting, Gabriella specialises in guiding organisations through complex payroll modernisation initiatives—from initial business case development to implementation and beyond.

Her work spans both public and private sectors, with a focus on compliance-heavy environments where accuracy, agility, and legislative alignment are paramount. Gabriella has played a pivotal role in the rollout of Fusion5’s next-generation payroll platform, Jemini, and is a trusted advisor on sequencing strategies for HRIS deployments, including the nuanced decision-making between “Payroll First” and “HR”  approaches.

A regular contributor to industry events and webinars, Gabriella is passionate about demystifying payroll transformation and helping organisations unlock long-term value through smarter systems and better project governance. Her recent thought leadership includes today’s topic” and co-authoring the “Payroll Projects: A Survival Guide 2025.”

Outside of work, Gabriella is a passionate explorer—drawn to travel, fitness, delicious food, the great outdoors, and meaningful time spent with friends. When not immersed in work, personal project or planning the next adventure, you’ll find Gabriella relaxing with a good book, an intriguing Netflix Series and her beloved cats Aslan and Caddo.

Natalia Mamea – Owner, Natalia Mamea Payroll Consulting Services

With 25 years in payroll and business consulting, Natalia Mamea brings deep expertise and real-world insight gained from leading payroll teams at organisations like Fonterra, IAG, Fletcher Building, Carter Holt Harvey, and more. Today, she runs her own consultancy, helping businesses get payroll right-strategically, compliantly, and with confidence.

Natalia believes payroll is more than a back-office function – it’s a powerful tool for building trust, managing risk, and driving performance. She works closely with clients to streamline systems, lift standards, and prepare for what’s next – especially in light of upcoming Holidays Act reform and the growing role of AI in both payroll and our everyday lives.

A proud advocate for indigenous rights and cultural advancement, Natalia is passionate about creating fairer communities for all – while enjoying the flexibility that supports her whānau.

David Jenkins, NZPPA CEO (BBS, BEd, BAppSci, GradDipALT)

David Jenkins formed NZPPA in 2007 when he saw there was no organisation looking after the needs of payroll personnel and departments in New Zealand.

With more than twenty-five years of consulting experience at a senior level in New Zealand, Australia, and globally, he specialises in payroll and human resource management, employee relations, personnel learning and development, and information technology (payroll and HRIS).

His career path has involved him in work for some of the largest organisations in a wide range of industries in both New Zealand and Australia.

He now acts as the CEO of NZPPA (in title only, as he still does the dishes after training!).

More to be announced….

 

 Cost:

• NZPPA members: $247.50 + GST, for each BOOTCAMP
• NZPPA Non-members: $347.50 + GST, for each BOOTCAMP

*If you book 2 or more attendees on this course, we can offer 25% off for the 2nd attendee onwards, just email: [email protected]