News

• Now, more than ever, it’s time to celebrate businesses supporting health and wellbeing for their people
• Tough times mean digging in and supporting employees in their wellbeing
• Healthy Futures Business report indicated 89% of all employees think it’s important to work for a company that supports the health and wellbeing of their employees lining up with the Workplace Wellness report in 2023 which revealed 89% of businesses have wellbeing programmes
• Southern Cross Health Insurance calls for nominations for the 2025 Wayfinder Awards, for businesses and organisations who put employee wellbeing first
• Call for nominations – August 19 to 5 pm September 30, 2024

Southern Cross is on a mission to help more New Zealanders to live healthier lives. With most New Zealanders spending a large part of their day or night at work, it’s essential businesses support their teams’ health and wellbeing. The Southern Cross Health Insurance Wayfinder Awards are designed to acknowledge the stars in that space – those who are truly delivering support expected by 89% of all employees.

CEO Nick Astwick said, “Our inaugural Wayfinder Awards shone a light on some inspiring businesses and workplace heroes who harness best practice to improve their employees’ wellness, and therefore their organisations’ contributions to Aotearoa New Zealand.

“We know it matters. Our own research points to this. New Zealanders want their employers to acknowledge the stress and strains they are under, and support them to do their jobs well, and to do so in good health. We’re excited to unlock even more ideas on how we can look after our people in more workplaces throughout the motu.”

Astwick says it’s clear most organisations are prioritising wellbeing, but there’s no escaping they are doing so in very challenging times, where the cost of living and inflationary pressures throughout the economy are almost universally New Zealanders’ key concerns.

“It’s important to acknowledge how pressing these financial issues are, as they dictate the way we respond. As always, business leaders keep an eye on costs but we mustn’t lose sight of the support our people need to enable them to be at their best. This support may come at a cost to businesses, for example providing extra wellbeing days, training and development and health insurance.”

The Wayfinder Awards

The purpose of the Southern Cross Health Insurance Wayfinder Awards is to inspire businesses with new ways of improving workplace wellbeing by hearing the stories and proof points from organisations and leaders and celebrating leadership in this space.

Astwick says, “While the awards focus on organisations which offer their people the benefits of Southern Cross Health Insurance, we share the insights and success stories we glean throughout the process. This can help all New Zealand organisations, small or large to understand what they can do to help their employees and their enterprises thrive.

Astwick is excited about the Executive Judging panel for the 2025 Awards – which sees Dr Denise Quinlan return and which welcomes, Rob Holmes, Discovery Director at PaperKite, one of the inaugural winners of a Wayfinder Award.

“It’s important that we honour the awards with a panel of judges who genuinely walk the talk on workplace wellbeing. Denise, Rob and I will be joined by Dr Ellen Joan Ford and Melanie Beirne – who will bring new and exciting aspects to scrutinising the entries we receive.

The award categories include:

• Star Wayfarer Award: An individual who has made meaningful contribution to improving health and wellbeing within their workplace. They inspire and initiate positive effect, regardless of their position.
• True North Award: An exceptional people-leader who has improved their team’s health and wellbeing through positive leadership and by going above and beyond.
• New Horizon Award: A trailblazing business that has innovated and implemented transformative programmes or strategies to enhance the wellbeing of its people.
• Wayfinder Small Business Award: A small business of 100 people or less that demonstrates commitment to the health and wellbeing of its people – using it as a core business strategy and thriving because of it.
• Wayfinder Medium Business Award: A medium business of 101-500 people that demonstrates commitment to the health and wellbeing of its people – using it as a core business strategy and thriving because of it.
• Wayfinder Large Business Award: A large business of 500 or more people that demonstrates commitment to the health and wellbeing of its people – using it as a core business strategy and thriving because of it.

Call for Nominations opened on 19 August 2024 and will close 5pm, on 30 September 2024.

Entries are via this website: southerncross.co.nz/wayfinderawards. Executive judges will be supplied with the top five finalists in each category for consideration, with a judging day scheduled for late November.

Results from 2023 are available here: https://www.southerncross.co.nz/society/business/wayfinder-awards

The awards night will take place in Auckland on March 20, 2025.

Photo: 2023 winners: Marlborough Lines (Medium Business Award), Nadene Winchester (Star Wayfarer Award) & Spark (New Horizon Award).