Health, wellbeing and safety

We offer healthcare benefits, social opportunities, and a wellbeing programme as well as a range of health and safety support.

Wellbeing benefits

We offer our kaimahi (employees) the following benefits.

  • Medical insurance – permanent kaimahi get discounted healthcare insurance premiums through Southern Cross.
  • Eye care subsidy – permanent kaimahi are eligible for an annual eye care subsidy of up to $150 towards the cost of optometrist appointments, eyewear, contact lenses etc.
  • Flu immunisation and health checks – are provided annually.
  • Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – free, confidential counselling service available to all kaimahi and their immediate whānau/families to help deal with issues that are affecting their mahi or personal life.
  • Social activities – opportunities to be involved in social clubs, and subsidised fitness activities and sporting events.
  • Bicycle parking – we offer secure bicycle storage at Tahiwi. There are also shower facilities and an air pump available.
  • Library membership – all Council kaimahi get a membership to Wellington City Libraries, no matter where you live. We also have an onsite corporate library for you to use.

Non-work activity fund

We encourage kaimahi to apply for funding to take part in non-work-related activities. It can be for any cross-council group activity to bring people together – such as, touch rugby, Relay for Life, chess tournaments, inter-council games, and Round the Bays.

Wellbeing progamme

Kaimahi can access our online wellbeing hub for a range of webinars, guides, articles, and courses.

The Council is committed to supporting all our people to be well. We take a holistic view of wellbeing, guided by models such as Te Wheke, Whare Tapa Whā and Five Ways to Wellbeing.

This approach recognises wellness is made up of multiple dimensions that are intertwined and of equal importance.

  • Ko te tiaki i te whānau | Caring for our family wellbeing
  • Ko te tiaki i te hinengaro | Caring for our mental wellbeing
  • Ko te tiaki i te tinana | Looking after our physical wellbeing
  • Ko te whāngai i te wairua | Nourishing our spiritual wellbeing

There are health, safety and wellness training opportunities, resources, webinars, and the Employee Assistance Programme. There’s never a question about putting the safety and wellness of you and your colleagues first.

Employee survey, November 2022

Healthy and safe working environment

We take our commitment and responsibility for a healthy and safe working environment for all our kaimahi (employees, contractors and volunteers) very seriously. We want to ensure our people can finish mahi in the same or better state than they started and we’re investing in a culture where everyone has each other’s back.

Some ways we support our work whānau to be safe and well include:

  • a comprehensive employee assistance programme
  • unobstructed access to quality gear, machinery, PPE, tools and other equipment that are well maintained and fit for the job
  • being part of the ACC Accredited Employers Programme at the highest tier; taking injury management seriously and making sure our people are looked after well
  • an early intervention physiotherapy programme to prevent potential injuries
  • a thriving community of staff networks covering a range of demographic and interest groups
  • an engaged and respected group of health and safety representatives that grows every day
  • a large mix of health and safety training available to everyone.

Active health and safety is not just lip service – there are dedicated staff and departments for this.

Employee survey, November 2022