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Bay of Plenty workplaces have rated 60 out of 100 in a new nationwide Work Wellbeing Index.
Skills Consulting general manager of wellbeing Jane Kennelly says businesses can offer all the fruit bowls they like but it is going to take more than that to lift employee wellbeing.
Kennelly is fronting a new Work Wellbeing Index, which reveals fruit bowls and yoga classes are perceived by staff as evidence of an insincere "box-ticking" mentality – and that Kiwi businesses have plenty of room for improvement when it comes to wellbeing in the workplace.
According to the Skills Consulting Group Work Wellbeing Index, which surveyed nearly 1500 Kiwi workers, New Zealand has an overall work wellbeing score of 62 out of 100, with the Bay of Plenty coming in at 60.
The Index measures what's really important to Kiwi workers in the workplace; what contributes to their workplace wellbeing; and if they feel their current organisation has a wellbeing culture.
It measures existing wellbeing initiatives in Kiwi workplaces, providing a path to improvement.
"We know that work wellbeing is important – that's a no-brainer," says Kennelly.
"The Work Wellbeing Index takes that discussion to a new level and quantifies exactly where we are at in New Zealand workplaces and sets a benchmark for improvement."
Demonstrating that "genuine care" has the biggest positive impact on workplace culture, the data exposed a significant gap that exists between what employees expect and what employers offer in this area.
"Organisations that show genuine care for their managers and colleagues, as opposed to the tick-box approach, are clearly identified as coming out on top."
A total of 63 per cent of employees said a positive wellbeing culture is number one when looking for a role, yet employers are falling short, with workers saying only 40 per cent of their employers actually meet their needs.
"Workers are saying bosses talk about wellbeing because they have to so they put communal fruit bowls on the table - but what employers are not seeing, are people ducking from the bananas that are thrown around the office."
She says Skills Consulting Group will publish the Work Wellbeing Index annually.
"We have a clear snapshot of what wellbeing at work looks like in New Zealand in 2021 and we're looking forward to seeing how New Zealand organisations take up the challenge into 2022."
Local manufacturing business opens to keep work in New Zealand
A new engineering and manufacturing company has opened its doors in Katikati for the first time early this week.
Avid offers innovators, inventors and businesses the opportunity to take their new ideas and concepts and bring them to life. Local tool design, precision toolmaking and product manufacture are all catered for in their newly appointed premises on Sheffield St behind Countdown.
Avid general manager and co-founder Chris Ebner said with specialists in product design, prototyping, plastic injection moulding, toolmaking and precision CNC machining, the company was well equipped to take on a large range of projects.
They use the latest in design software, 3D printers, injection moulding machines and CNC machines all housed in a purpose-built facility in the Bay of Plenty.
"With our state-of-the-art tool room housing the latest in both CNC and plastic injection moulding technologies we can cater to a wide range of industries.
"As a result, we are manufacturing higher quality products, locally, which brings big benefits to New Zealand companies."
Top apprentices to battle it out
The top carpentry apprentices across Tauranga will go head-to-head next weekend as part of this year's Master Builders Apprentice of the Year competition.
The competition will take place on Birch Ave in Judea on June 19 from 9am to 12pm and this year's practical challenge will be open to the public.
National Tauranga MP Simon Bridges has also been invited to attend.
The Registered Master Builders Apprentice of the Year, in Partnership with Carters, is the leading apprentice competition for the building and construction sector.
It recognises excellence among carpentry apprentices and raises awareness of career opportunities in the building and construction industry.
Mazda Foundation supports health, wellbeing and the environment
Tauranga-based STEM Wana Trust was among 23 recipients to receive funding from the first round of The Mazda Foundation 2021 grants.
STEM Wana Trust received $3482 towards sewing machines for their Tinked Makerspace – a Textiles Technology zone.
The trust aims to increase awareness and promotes opportunities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) to families in Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty.
Tauranga Environment Centre Charitable Trust also received $6,982.66 to purchase supplies for making pest chew cards, tracking tunnels, monitoring tools and traps to target a range of mammalian predators.
The grant will also support the trust to run their Predator Free project. This project interacts with schools to allow children to develop an understanding of the biodiversity in New Zealand and the mammalian predators that put this at risk.
The Mazda Foundation is funded through a contribution from the sale of every new Mazda in New Zealand. Each year it runs three funding rounds to help Kiwis in need with nearly $4 million being gifted back to the community since its inception in 2005.
Over $83,000 was gifted to individuals and organisations this round, with a strong focus on health, well-being, and the environment.
The closing date for the next round of Mazda Foundation applications is June 30, 2021.
For more information or to download an application form, visit www.mazdafoundation.org.nz
Lifesaving device gifted to Rotorua church
St John Ambulance and its community partner ASB Bank have gifted St Mary's Catholic Church in Rotorua with a new automated external defibrillator (AED).
The life-saving device is the latest of 28 AEDs donated by ASB and Philips to support efforts by St John to improve cardiac arrest survival rates in New Zealand.
St Mary's parish priest, Father Thomas Thanniyanickal CMF says having an AED on-site means they are now better prepared in an emergency.
"It's a privilege to receive this gift which can help save a life. We've had to call on St John Ambulance on more than one occasion for a medical emergency in our congregation," he says.
"We have six masses a week with 500 people attending at times, so having an AED on hand will have a huge impact if we ever need it."
St John Lakes territory manager George Clicquot said having an AED accessible in a church community where many people frequent, means "lives can be saved".
ASB head of community and sponsorship Mark Graham said the business has been supporting St John to get AEDs into more communities, to help increase the chances of survival during a cardiac arrest.
"We have AEDs in all of our branches and have had to use them a number of times, so we know how critical they can be in an emergency when every minute counts.
"Having this AED will hopefully make a big difference when it's needed most."
Local real estate company helps donates $5000 to primary school
A $5000 cheque has been presented to Pillans Point School courtesy of Sotheby's International Realty.
With every property the local Sotheby's brand sells $500 is donated to the primary school, a spokeswoman for the Sotheby's said.
"We are confident this will be an ongoing relationship that will hugely benefit all involved.
"Working with vendors and purchasers in the Bay, it only seemed fitting to support a local community and give back."
Pillans Point School principal Matt Simeon said the contribution will go towards additional resourcing for the school's structure literacy.
"As well as the wooden baseboard that will be installed on our school court to support our hockey practices."
"If you’re loyal to them, they will be loyal to you."