Finalists

Meet your finalists.

It is with great pleasure that we announce the finalists for the HeadFit Awards 2021. The competition was incredibly tough, so a huge congratulations to all finalists! Thank you to everyone who entered this year's awards.

Individual Awards

All About People | Specialist of the Year Award

Recognising an individual in a formal HR, Health & Safety, Wellbeing or Diversity & Inclusion role who has demonstrated excellence and leadership in workplace mental health:

Sarah Bulkeley, Simpson Grierson
Ross Larsen, Flight Centre New Zealand
Nicky Primrose, Mitre 10

ANZCO Foods | Employee of the Year Award

Recognising an individual staff member or manager who has gone above and beyond to help improve mental health within the workplace:

Saphal Acharya, Giesen Group
Darren Evans, Air New Zealand

PwC New Zealand | Lived Experience Leadership Award

Recognising an individual with lived experience of neurodiversity, mental illness or mental distress, who has demonstrated leadership by role modelling, reducing stigma and driving positive mental health conversations:

Jason Haitana, Northland District Health Board
Michelle Ortega, Fonterra
Hannah Young, Parallaxx

Russell McVeagh | Leader of the Year Award

Recognising a senior leader (eg. director, CEO, direct report of CEO) who has demonstrated leadership in improving mental health within their workplace:

Craig Hudson, Xero
Mark Lewis, Lane Neave
Dr Tony Smith, St John
Heidi Walker, Flight Centre New Zealand

AIA Vitality | Legend Award for Lifetime Achievement

This lifetime achievement award recognises an individual who has devoted much of their working life to improving workplace mental health in New Zealand. This award will be presented to a worthy New Zealander at the Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner.

Programme & Excellence Awards

nib New Zealand | Best Emerging Programme Award

Recognising a new workplace mental health programme that is showing significant potential to improve mental health within the workplace:

Cook Brothers Construction
Parallaxx
Refining NZ

The Warehouse Group | Best Targeted Programme Award

Recognising a workplace mental health programme demonstrating significant positive mental health impacts for a targeted group of staff:

2degrees
nib New Zealand
St John

EMA | Learning & Development Excellence Award

Recognising excellence in the design and delivery of learning resources and programmes aimed at improving mental health awareness and capability:

Beca
Leighs Construction
Simpson Grierson

Benestar | Engagement & Communication Excellence Award

Recognising excellence in engaging and communicating with staff in relation to mental health within the workplace:

Aurecon
Northpower
Zespri

Workplace Awards

Ember Innovations | Provider of the Year Award

Recognising an external provider of workplace EAP services, technology solutions, consulting or training services that has demonstrated innovation, leadership and positive impact in improving mental health within New Zealand workplaces:

Blueprint for Learning
MATES in Construction
Surfing for Farmers

Spark | Small Workplace of the Year Award

Recognising an employer with up to 200 employees that has demonstrated leadership, innovation and impact in improving mental health within its workplace:

Lane Neave
Juno Legal
Rabo Construct (Manukau Major Projects Franchisee for G.J. Gardner Homes)

Ministry of Health | Large Workplace of the Year Award

Recognising an employer with over 200 employees that has demonstrated leadership, innovation and impact in improving mental health within its workplace:

Air New Zealand
Beca
Flight Centre New Zealand
Z Energy

Woo Wellbeing | Public Sector Workplace of the Year Award

Recognising a public sector workplace that has demonstrated leadership, innovation and impact in improving mental health within its workplace:

New Zealand Land Search & Rescue
Waka Kotahi NZTA
Wintec

WorkSafe | Supreme Award

Recognising the organisation that the judges consider has demonstrated the greatest degree of leadership, excellence and positive impact relating to mental health within the workplace.

Entries are not directly submitted for this award category. The winner will be selected from the winners of the Programme and Excellence Awards and Workplace Awards.

A night to remember.

We’ll come together to celebrate our finalists and announce the winners at the HeadFit Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner.

This is a special chance to celebrate the incredible and work of individuals, teams and workplaces across Aotearoa.

Learn More

Black Tie Gala Dinner

Join us at this special black tie event to celebrate excellence in workplace mental health.

VIP Cocktail Function

The night kicks of with a VIP pre-function starting at 6pm with live music, champagne & canapes.

Photography Opportunities

Create some great memories with candid and formal photo opportunities during the event.

Live Music from Kiwi Artists

Throughout the night, we'll have live entertainment featuring young Kiwi musicians.