2025 winners
Congratulations to all our 2025 Wayfinder Award winners and finalists. Your incredible mahi is creating pathways that are leading to a meaningful culture of wellbeing within, not only your organisations, but also Aotearoa.
Gold: Jen Southan, ORIX New Zealand
Inspiring at all levels
Jen exemplifies what it means to be a role model through her unwavering commitment to employee wellbeing at ORIX and her proactive approach to fostering a positive workplace culture.
“Jen’s relentless passion has inspired transformative change”
Gold: Dominic Quin, Foodstuffs
A leader worth following
What truly sets Dominic apart is his ability to challenge ideas robustly while respecting and listening to different viewpoints. He fosters an environment where innovation flourishes and diverse opinions are valued.
“Can we clone this leader?”
Gold: Netsafe
Flexible-first culture that drives performance
Adopting a flexible-first culture, Netsafe employees work 80% of their hours for 100% pay, and they’ve increased productivity. This extra day, knowns as the ‘gift of the 5th’ has been described as life-changing by many team members.
“Super impressive employee engagement scores!”
Gold: ORIX New Zealand
An investment in workplace wellbeing
ORIX NZ is a great example of how investing in your people’s health and wellbeing can lead to an improved business performance, even in a fiscally driven business. Their wellbeing initiatives stand out for their holistic and inclusive approach.
“11 million steps for Steptember – well done!!!”
Gold: ASB
Great PX drives great CX
Redefining employee benefits with a data-driven, people-first approach to empower its workforce, ASB’s reimagined ‘Your Benefits’ offers personalisation and flexibility through employee life stages, ensuring sustained relevance for all.
“ASB is leading the way for other large organisations in NZ”
Gold: Waikato-Tainui
Innovation in empowering Kaumaatua wellbeing
An innovative wellness strategy that leverages tribal purchasing power to procure healthcare products, including health insurance to build a resilient and vibrant future for all.
“Your holistic commitment to kaumaatua wellbeing is lifechanging!”
2023 winners
STAR WAYFARER AWARD
GOLD: Nadene Winchester | Dynamic Controls
Nadene Winchester has redefined wellbeing in the workplace for the global team at Dynamic Controls. With a knack for identifying creative solutions and a genuine desire to support her colleagues, Nadene has made a monumental impact on team culture.
SILVER: Matthew Walker | Te Rūnanga O Ngāi Tahu
BRONZE: Jen Southan | Orix
FINALISTS: Claire Runtzler (Primero Profiles), Sophie Newstead (GSK)
TRUE NORTH AWARD
GOLD: Rob Holmes | PaperKite
Rob Holmes’ impact at PaperKite is perhaps best exemplified by the mantra he lives by – “what’s best for our people is best for our business”. The positive impact of this approach was so apparent that PaperKite ultimately adopted it as part of the core brand strategy.
SILVER: Richard Schorfield | Spectrum Consulting
BRONZE: Joseph Zermatten | CS Roofing Canterbury
FINALISTS: Dan Bradley (Bradley Project Management Ltd), Jo Mathieson (Total Life)
SMALL BUSINESS AWARD
GOLD: Thankyou Payroll
Thankyou Payroll has a wellbeing philosophy that runs deep. By placing employees at the heart of their business model, they’ve achieved financial success, a stable and positive working culture, and higher than ever customer satisfaction. Their holistic approach encompasses four key areas of physical, mental, environmental and financial wellbeing, and existing policies have also been reviewed and adjusted to reflect this commitment.
SILVER: Maynard Marks
BRONZE: Find Recruitment
FINALISTS: Primo, realestate.co.nz
MEDIUM BUSINESS AWARD
GOLD: Marlborough Lines
Marlborough Lines are on a mission to keep employee voices front and centre, evolving a strategy through consultation and input from the people who matter most. Recognising the need for change, Marlborough Lines created a unique programme tailored to the needs of their predominantly male workforce.
SILVER: Christchurch Casino
BRONZE: DHL Express
FINALISTS: Ormiston Hospital, SBS Bank
LARGE BUSINESS AWARD
GOLD: Kiwibank
Kiwibank has a strong and clear business purpose: Kiwi making Kiwi better off. Over the past few years, this organisation has been on a journey to bring this purpose to life – kicking off at home with the Kiwibank whānau.
SILVER: RealNZ
BRONZE: Spark
FINALIST: New Zealand & Pacific Steel
NEW HORIZON AWARD
GOLD: Spark
At the close of 2021, Spark launched an innovative new wellbeing strategy for their people – Mahi Tahi. Meaning ‘partnership’ in te reo Māori, Mahi Tahi recognises the need for business working in partnership with people to support them to achieve their goals in work and life. This ground-breaking programme addressed the pressing needs of staff post-Covid, but also created a long-term structure of holistic support.
SILVER: Find Recruitment
BRONZE: Profile Group
FINALISTS: CS Roofing Canterbury, Stratum Consultants Ltd