In recent years, the focus on employee wellbeing has moved from being a nice-to-have to an essential part of any successful business strategy. As we see from the finalists of the NZ HR 2024 Wellness Programme Award, forward-thinking organisations are recognising the deep connection between employee wellbeing and overall organisational success. Whether it's supporting mental health, improving work-life balance, or providing targeted resources for employees in need, these companies are setting a shining example for what truly effective wellbeing initiatives look like.
PwC: A Holistic Approach to Wellbeing
PwC is a prime example of how an organisation can take a holistic and culturally aware approach to employee wellbeing. Their commitment to mental health is not just about ticking boxes—it is ingrained in their organisational DNA. With the launch of their ‘Unleashed’ initiative, PwC sought to reimagine the employee experience, recognising that wellbeing isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Their approach, encapsulated in the evidence-based wellbeing framework “Te Hā” (Breath of Life), ensures that employees’ physical, mental, and spiritual health are equally prioritised.
The success of this programme lies not only in its co-designed structure, which brought in voices from across the company, but also in its foundation in the Māori model of wellbeing, Te Whare Tapa Whā. By aligning with these cultural principles, PwC has created an environment where wellbeing is not an afterthought, but a living, breathing part of the workday. Their Wellbeing Champions—100 strong—act as the grassroots advocates of this framework, ensuring that wellbeing stays front and centre, while also identifying early signs of burnout or stress in the workplace.
PwC’s proactive stance on mental health, combined with leadership authenticity and vulnerability, makes a strong case for the importance of embedding wellbeing into the organisational structure. Employees are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work, and this holistic approach ensures that everyone, at every level, feels supported and empowered. The firm’s regular pulse surveys and transparent reporting ensure that wellbeing initiatives are responsive to the real needs of their people, and their quarterly leadership sessions create a safe space for open conversations around mental health challenges.
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa: Transforming Wellbeing Through Education
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, another finalist, takes an equally inspiring approach to wellbeing, deeply rooted in their values of whānau transformation through education. Their wellbeing model, Te Punga Oranga, integrates a Māori perspective, offering a holistic framework that supports kaimahi (staff) wellbeing across nine areas.
Their long-term commitment to wellbeing is demonstrated through their Tau Ora programme, which celebrates 15 years in 2024. A key element of their recent initiatives has been addressing gaps in work-life balance, burnout, and workload management—issues identified through surveys and reports. They have not only refreshed their wellbeing strategies but have also tailored them to address the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle, incorporating Māori healing modalities to support traumatised staff.
The impact of these initiatives is clear: kaimahi are more connected, better supported, and engaged in their personal wellbeing journeys. Nutritional education, flexible working arrangements, and self-care challenges have contributed to an environment where staff can truly thrive. In recognising the interconnectedness of cultural, mental, and physical wellbeing, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa has fostered a workplace culture that promotes resilience and collective support.
The Strand Veterinarian: Addressing Mental Health in a Challenging Profession
The veterinary profession faces unique challenges, with high levels of stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout. The Strand Veterinarian, another HRNZ finalist, has risen to this challenge with their Vet Thrive Six Shield Programme. Grounded in the Te Whare Tapa Whā model, the programme focuses on proactive mental health care tailored specifically to the veterinary profession.
By addressing key issues such as perfectionism, caregiving trauma, and the high-stress environment that comes with veterinary work, the Vet Thrive programme provides essential tools for employees to protect their mental health. The six key shields—Breathe, Rest, Nourish, Flow, Forgive, and Compassion—are designed to help veterinary professionals navigate the emotional, physical, and psychological demands of their roles.
The impact of this initiative is both measurable and profound. The Strand Veterinarian has seen a significant reduction in burnout, an increase in help-seeking behaviours, and a remarkable improvement in team support. Their proactive approach to mental health has not only improved the wellbeing of their staff but has also contributed to staff retention in a field where turnover is traditionally high. Their achievement of the Not One More Vet (NOMV) CLEAR Blueprint certification as a mentally healthy workplace further solidifies their commitment to mental health, making them a role model for the veterinary industry worldwide.
University of Canterbury: Tackling Menopause in the Workplace
The University of Canterbury (UC) stands out for their groundbreaking work on supporting employees going through menopause. Their Ruahinetanga: Menopause at Work Programme has been a game-changer for women and AFAB (assigned female at birth) staff who are often marginalised by this natural, yet challenging, life stage. The programme focuses on education, support, and removing the stigma around menopause in the workplace.
UC’s commitment to inclusivity and equity shines through in their approach, with seminars, support groups, and practical resources designed to empower both staff and managers. The participation levels speak volumes about the need for such initiatives, and the positive feedback from kaimahi highlights how life-changing the programme has been for those affected.
By removing the taboo around menopause, UC has not only supported their current staff but has also set a precedent for other organisations to follow. Their focus on raising awareness among people leaders ensures that menopause becomes a recognised and supported aspect of workplace diversity, contributing to a healthier, more inclusive work environment.
Z Energy: Normalising Wellbeing Conversations
Z Energy’s approach to wellbeing is grounded in a deep understanding of the psychosocial risks employees face in their work environments. Their multi-faceted wellbeing strategy, developed in response to employee feedback, includes the introduction of a new EAP provider, Clearhead, which offers comprehensive mental health support for staff.
What makes Z Energy’s wellbeing programme stand out is their dedication to normalising wellbeing conversations at all levels of the company. From senior leaders speaking openly about their own challenges to integrating wellbeing prompts into meetings, Z has created a culture where mental health is not just acknowledged but actively discussed. Their ‘Are you ok?’ framework provides clear, compassionate guidelines for supporting staff with acute mental health concerns, further solidifying their commitment to employee wellbeing.
The results of these initiatives speak for themselves: reduced turnover, increased engagement with mental health services, and a workforce that feels both supported and empowered. Z Energy’s proactive stance on mental health, combined with their willingness to address risks head-on, demonstrates the power of open communication and targeted support in fostering a healthy workplace culture.
The Power of Wellbeing Initiatives
The NZ HR 2024 Wellness Programme Award finalists showcase the importance of embedding wellbeing into the very fabric of an organisation. Whether it’s PwC’s holistic approach, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa’s cultural integration, The Strand Veterinarian’s mental health support, UC’s menopause initiative, or Z Energy’s open dialogue around wellbeing, these companies have demonstrated that effective wellbeing programmes are crucial for both employee satisfaction and business success.
Wellbeing initiatives are no longer optional—they are essential. By prioritising the mental, physical, and emotional health of employees, businesses not only create happier, healthier workplaces but also drive greater engagement, productivity, and retention. Congratulations to all the HRNZ 2024 Wellbeing Awards finalists for leading the way in creating workplaces where employees can truly thrive.
To see the full description and details of both implementation and impact of these initiatives, check out our Awards eBook here.