Southern Cross launches Wayfinder Awards

Southern Cross Health Insurance has announced the introduction of the Wayfinder Awards, aimed at honouring businesses and organisations that prioritise the health and wellbeing of their employees.

“Businesses large and small are the backbone of New Zealand; keeping our economy going, and their stories of the way they look after their people need to be told. While we believe wholeheartedly in the promotion of good health and wellbeing to help New Zealanders, the one thing we don’t see quite enough of is the celebration of those people and organisations who put this at the top of their agenda,” said Kerry Boielle (pictured), acting CEO of Southern Cross Health Insurance.

“That’s about to change, with the launch of the Southern Cross Health Insurance Wayfinder Awards. The awards are designed to shine a light on the people and organisations who harness good practices to improve their employees’ wellness, and therefore their organisations’ contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand.”

The Southern Cross Health Insurance Wayfinder Awards seek to inspire businesses by showcasing new ways to enhance workplace wellbeing. The awards celebrate organisations and leaders who demonstrate their commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of their people.

“While we are focusing on the more than 2,000 businesses which fully subsidise their people’s health insurance, we look forward to sharing widely the success stories and insights we gain from our members throughout the Wayfinder Awards. We want to be part of lifting all New Zealand businesses up by ensuring every business, small or large, knows what they can do to help their employees thrive,” Boielle said.

The award categories are as follows:

• Star Wayfarer Award: Recognising individuals who have made significant contributions to improving health and wellbeing within their workplaces, regardless of their position. These individuals inspire and initiate positive effects, from encouraging participation in lunchtime sports sessions to volunteering for team events or promoting diversity. Their efforts boost morale and motivation within the team.
• True North Award: Honouring people-leaders who go above and beyond to improve the health and wellbeing of their teams through positive leadership. They inspire, motivate, and drive meaningful change, fostering a healthy and high-performing workplace culture. By identifying opportunities, overcoming challenges, and leading with compassion, they set an example and mentor others to reach their full potential.
• New Horizon Awards: Recognising businesses that have implemented new programs or strategies to improve the wellbeing of their employees. They highlight the benefits of investing in the health and happiness of their people and have witnessed positive results.
• Wayfinder Small Business of the Year: Celebrating small businesses with up to 100 employees that prioritise the health and wellbeing of their workforce as a core business strategy. These businesses embrace a people-first approach, creating healthier workplaces and driving tangible positive change in the lives of their employees.
• Wayfinder Medium Business of the Year: Honouring medium-sized businesses with 101-500 employees.
• Wayfinder Large Business of the Year: Recognising large businesses with 500 or more employees.

Entries for the Wayfinder Awards opened on July 5 and will close on Aug. 20.

The inaugural awards ceremony will take place on Nov. 21 in Auckland.

Have something to say about this story? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.