Whāia te pae tawhiti kia tata
Pursue distant horizons and celebrate those you attain
When you’re with the right people it shows and that’s something great business leaders understand. They put their people first, enabling them to bring their authentic selves to work. They carve a path for each individual, so they feel supported, and provide a clear vision to guide their team. In return they get a workforce of committed and motivated people, who understand their role and are empowered to go for it. It’s a virtuous cycle of reciprocal benefits. It’s something we think should be celebrated.
That’s why we created the Southern Cross Wayfinder Awards. An annual award programme that celebrates the visionary businesses, business leaders, and employees who value their workforce and grow the health and wellbeing of their people.
Why Wayfinder?
The Wayfinder Awards are named in honour of the stars of Te Pae Mahutonga, the Southern Cross, which has guided navigators across the oceans for centuries. To navigate new and exciting territories, a great Wayfinder must possess characteristics of leadership to navigate the waka (business) through not only the good times, but sometimes through the turbulent and unpredictable waters. Offering long term support, consistency, and vision. Guiding their people to find opportunities for the betterment of the collective.
The Southern Cross Wayfinder Awards have been created to inspire businesses with new ways of improving leadership through workplace wellbeing, and to acknowledge people who know that good wellbeing and good business go hand in hand. The case studies from our winners are shared so that we can all learn and grow through our collective experiences.
The Wayfinder Award taonga
Discover the creation for the unique taonga for our Wayfinder Award winners. An expression of vitality and symbolic of the navigating journeys great leaders take in guiding their people to a better culture of wellbeing.
Why enter the Wayfinder Awards?
Today, wellbeing and mental health are more openly talked about. It’s an increasingly important factor to both potential employees and business partners. People are choosing their employer based on many more factors than remuneration, and businesses want to work with like-minded businesses.
A Wayfinder Award is recognition of a businesses or individuals’ commitment to its people. An acknowledgement of how important your workforce is, and the hard work that goes into creating that balance. It’s testament to the sort of culture your people have created with you. It could very well be that edge that attracts the best candidates and best partners.
Key dates
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Call for nominations: August - September 2024 |
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Finalists announced: November 2024 |
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Final judging: December 2024 |
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Awards event: March 2025 |
2023 winners
Global idea empowers employees
Forming a team of colleagues from multiple countries and empowering it with five ways of wellbeing earned Nadene Winchester the Star Wayfarer Award.
"This is an individual with influence"
The business whose people "work magic"
Rob Holmes has a mantra: Trust in the workplace is the secret ingredient of innovation. His positive leadership and initiatives earned Rob the True North Award.
“The team actually gets to contribute to the strategy.”
"Wake-up call" for company leaders
Wellington-based Thankyou Payroll are a role model of how to look after your staff.
"Absolutely standout"
Company's wellbeing strategy "no token"
Marlborough Lines wellbeing programme is a long-term and continually evolving strategy that offers lots of choice with something for everyone.
“A comprehensive approach to wellbeing that has saved lives”
When "life" happens at work
Creating a place to belong is one of the pillars of culture which earned Kiwibank the Large Business Award.
“Impressive purpose”
Wellbeing coaches spark work change
A wellbeing strategy based on the four cornerstones of Māori health earns Spark the New Horizon Award.
“Lots of innovation around embedding the programme”
