FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
With Auckland and Waikato under tight COVID-19 restrictions, HeadFit Foundation has made the difficult decision to postpone the 2021 HeadFit Awards Ceremony & Gala Dinner to Wednesday, 9 March 2022.
The 2021 awards dinner had originally been set down for Tuesday, 16 November at Sorrento in the Park, Auckland. However, HeadFit Awards convenor Grant Pritchard says a large number of key finalists and guests from around New Zealand are currently unable to travel Auckland, and the event cannot be conducted under COVID-19 Alert Level 3.
“Postponing until next March has been a tough call, but we want our workplace leaders and innovators to be able to attend a physical event when it’s safe to do so – to celebrate the incredible work that has been happening across Aotearoa to improve mental health at work.
“We need to allow extra time for the country to transition to the COVID-19 Protection Framework. Provided that we’re at Protection Framework Level Green or Orange, we expect to be able to proceed with an in-person event, with some additional event protocols in place,” he says.
“We’re hoping that regional boundary restrictions and restrictions on event gatherings will have eased by March once the Government has implemented its life after lockdown approach and achieved its vaccination targets. We’ll also be requiring all guests to provide proof of vaccination and implementing other protective measures for the event.”
The decision to postpone the 2021 awards dinner until next year has been made with the agreement and support of Principal Sponsor, WorkSafe New Zealand and Charity Partner, Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand.
“We have been blown away by the understanding and support shown by our finalists, sponsors, suppliers and event delivery partners,” says Pritchard.
“This is a time of unprecedented uncertainty, and we are grateful for the ongoing patience and encouragement of everyone who has been involved in the 2021 awards. We can’t wait to get together and celebrate the individuals and teams who have been working to create a more mentally-healthy future for Kiwi workplaces. We look forward to seeing you in March.”
A complete list of finalists can be found on the HeadFit Awards website at https://www.headfitawards.org/finalists/, and you can find out more about our COVID-19 safety protocols for the event at https://www.headfitawards.org/covid/.
About the Event
About the Awards Ceremony & Gala Dinner
Winners will be announced during Mental Health Awareness Week at a glittering black tie Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner at Sorrento in the Park in Auckland on Wednesday, 9 March 2022. With a VIP Cocktail function, live music from local artists and more, you won’t want to miss this special chance to celebrate and connect with other innovators and leaders in workplace mental health. More information about the event is available on our dedicated event page at https://www.headfitawards.org/ceremony/.
Broadcaster and journalist Wilhelmina Shrimpton is Master of Ceremonies for the evening. She is an experienced MC and is sure to keep the audience engaged and entertained throughout the night. In the evening’s grand finale, the winner of the WorkSafe Supreme Award will be announced. This award honours the entry that the judges consider has demonstrated the greatest degree of leadership, excellence and positive impact relating to mental health at work.
We’ll also announce winner of the first ever AIA Vitality Legend Award for Lifetime Achievement. This award recognises a New Zealander who has made a significant impact on improving mental health at work over their working life.
About tickets
Tickets can be purchased at a cost of $200 + GST per ticket. There are limited seats available due to venue capacity, so please purchase early to avoid disappointment.
All sponsors and finalists have had an opportunity to purchase any required tickets. There are currently 32 tickets remaining and these are being allocated on a first-in-first-served basis.
About our sponsors
The HeadFit Awards would not be possible without the generosity and support of Principal Sponsor WorkSafe, and sponsors AIA Vitality, All About People, ANZCO Foods, Benestar, Business Leaders’ Health & Safety Forum, EMA, Ember Innovations, Mentemia, Ministry of Health, nib New Zealand, PwC New Zealand, Russell McVeagh, Spark, The Warehouse Group, Whittaker’s, Woo Wellbeing and Xero.
About the awards
The HeadFit Awards is New Zealand’s first national workplace mental health awards programme. They were established to celebrate individuals, teams and workplaces who are leading in the area of workplace mental health and have three primary goals:
- raising awareness of the critical role workplaces can play to support positive mental health for staff
- showcasing the work of winners and finalists to inspire and support other workplaces
- supporting the Mental Health Foundation as they work to improve mental health for all New Zealanders
About HeadFit Foundation
HeadFit provides mental wellbeing training, development and consulting services to New Zealand workplaces. HeadFit was created to help workplaces take a fresh look at how they do mental health at work. Because if we can change how we do mental health at work, we can change the world.
About Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand
Mental Health Foundation is New Zealand’s leading mental health charity. It provides resources, information, advocacy and programmes aimed at helping to create a society that is free from discrimination, where all people enjoy positive mental health & wellbeing.
Media contacts
For more information and interviews please use the following contacts or the contact details at https://www.headfitawards.org/contact/:
- Mark Wilson
Team Lead, Public Relations & Media Engagement
Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand
Mobile: 021 998 949 - Grant Pritchard
Director
HeadFit Foundation Limited
Mobile: 021 343 121
