An ageing population is one of the key megatrends affecting New Zealand, Australia and most other developed countries. Like most megatrends it's often viewed as a threat, an ageing elephant in the room.

One of the biggest challenges for CEOs is making sure they have the right people to cope with the future – a near impossible feat for the rapidly changing digital age. Across the Asia Pacific, the speed of change is reshaping the way we live and work and business strategies are undergoing a fundamental re-think.

New Zealand's “rock star" economy may be peaking but its chief executives remain more optimistic than Australian – and global – peers.