June 2025 Newsletter
A monthly round-up of topics, events, tips, and research
Haere mai/welcome to June - I don’t know about you, but “brrrr” is very much the watchword at the moment! Winter has arrived in full-force for most of Aotearoa, which is great for skiers, but not for the rest of us.
Apart from the arrival of Madame Frost - and the health and safety risks she brings in her wake - it’s been a busy, if not fascinating, time for workplace health, safety, and well-being.
As ever, a quick plug before the newsletter proper begins. I undertake this mahi in my own time and at my own expense and my goal is to keep it free and open access for as long as possible. I would greatly appreciate it if you can share this resource among your professional networks, encourage those you know to subscribe, and - especially given the dearth of engagement with my mahi - like and comment on posts.
This month:
News
The week is Men’s Health Week (9-15 June), an annual event seeking to raise awareness of the health issues men face today.
A boy born today will live nearly four years less than a girl born in the room next door. He will be over 20% more likely to die of a heart attack than the girl, and almost 30% more likely to get diabetes. Worse, he is three times more likely to die by suicide or in a motor car crash.1
On the official website, you can access information and resources on key health issues, including heart health, mental health, and cancers and a “What’s your score?” health survey tool visitors can use to get an informal assessment of their health.
Recently, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced changes to the focus for WorkSafe. In response to concerns - voiced, according to the Minister, by businesses across Aotearoa - about WorkSafe becoming a harbinger of enforcement and prosecution, van Velden has given the agency a new Letter of Expectations and re-arranged its finances.
“During my public consultation, I heard many concerns from a wide range of Kiwi businesses and workers about WorkSafe’s inconsistency, culture and lack of guidance. It was a constant theme on the roadshow from all parts of the country… [and a] culture where the regulator is feared for its punitive actions rather than appreciated for its ability to provide clear and consistent guidance is not conducive to positive outcomes in the workplace.” 2
These changes include:
piloting a ‘hotline’ for reporting “excessive” use of road cones
reviewing the current approach to enforcement and prosecution, ensuring WorkSafe is taking an “even handed”3 approach
strengthening the focus on workers’ breaches of health and safety regulations/legislation
increase the level of “focus on providing clear guidance”4 and helping duty holders manage workplace risks and, in addition, WorkSafe should:
increase the use of approved codes of practice (ACOPs), including developing advice on how industry bodies can draft ACOPs for review and approval; and
dividing appropriation into new categories of:
supporting work health and safety practice
enforcing work health and safety compliance
authorising and monitoring work health and safety activities; and
energy safety.
Not surprisingly, this announcement was met with mixed reception, with some who ascribe to the view that WorkSafe is overly-punitive and -bureaucratic in its approach applauding the changes, while others warning of a return to the ‘Wild West’ of the pre-Pike River approach to workplace health and safety.
While only time will tell which perspective is right, in the meantime, businesses/organisations and their managers must continue to protect the health, safety, and well-being of all workers, regardless of their position on these changes.
Further reading:
Full Q+A interview: Van Velden grilled on WorkSafe reforms, pay equity
History’s verdict is already in on van Velden’s safety reforms
Researchers warn of a repeat to the Pike River mine disaster
'We're sceptical': Institute of Safety Management voices concerns
WorkSafe changes will deter employees from raising concerns - CTU
The arrival of the much colder weather brings with it a range of additional risks to health and safety.
As I noted in last month’s update, work-related vehicle use is a critical risk for many industries that often results in death or serious injuries. Businesses should have clear control measures in place to mitigate these risks, including appropriate training (including refresher training), reviews, vehicle checks, processes for what to do when an accident occurs, and guidance for decision-making during times of inclement weather.
Keeping Safe on the Road
It’s a well known fact that, here in Aotearoa New Zealand, our driving record is not great. As we head into the colder winter months, vehicle safety should feature prominently in our consideration of health and safety at work.Thanks for reading Mahi Hauora! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
Late last month, there was a flurry of news articles highlighting the issue of leaks in the public service in Aotearoa, with the Public Service Commissioner signalling a crackdown on leaks (which, ironically, was itself leaked to the media). As ever, a diverse range of perspectives on this topic were heard, with the Public Service Association noting a need for more effective “whistleblowing laws and more emphasis on free and frank advice… to balance out a crackdown on leaks”7.
What was missing from this kōrero was the issue of psychological safety. We know how important psychological safety is to - not only workers’ health, safety, and well-being - the effectiveness and success of a business. Put simply, where there is a psychologically safe environment, the need for leaks of any sort is significantly minimised.
In other news…
Prior to the changes announced by Brooke Van Velden, WorkSafe announced it is embarking on a process of improving its guidance.
In a recent case, New Zealand’s High Court confirmed that health and safety consultants and advisors are liable under the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA).
In the aftermath of the December 2019 Whakaari White Island disaster, Whakaari Management Limited was later convicted under s37 of the HSWA. A recent appeal by the company was successful, with the High Court overturning the conviction.
Following the 2020 death of a Port of Auckland worker - who was crushed by a container - late last year, the former CEO of the port was convicted under s48 of the HSWA.
A March 2025 survey of 138 CEOs and their staff undertaken by the Business Leaders’ Health and Safety Forum has identified an increase in the incidence of “work-related mental wellbeing [sic] incidents”8.
The Council of Trade Unions has launched a petition seeking “a full ban on the import, supply and use of engineered stone” in Aotearoa.9
Resources
Here’s a roundup of tips and resources you might find useful at work…
Earlier this year, I wrote about the 2025 well-being report from Umbrella Wellbeing, which explored the cost of presenteeism. Taking inspiration from this report, I wrote a ‘spotlight’ piece on the phenomenon, including the pros and cons of presenteeism and strategies to tackle it.
Winter is often a season in which people struggle with low mood, with some also suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder. To address the former, the Mental Health Foundation has developed and published a new resource on managing low mood in winter.
The latest edition of Industrial Safety News is now available to read, with articles on a wide range of safety topics.
Earlier this year, Te Whatu Ora/Health New Zealand released guidance on avian influenza (bird flu) for workplaces.
In the last month, organisational psychologist Amantha Imber has released two articles addressing some important issues related to health and safety at work:
Umbrella Wellbeing and ShopCare have partnered to develop a series of resources addressing violent and aggressive behaviour at work. These are comprised of a series of online modules that are freely available.
American occupational health specialist Dr I. David Daniels has released a new book: Psychosocial Hazards are Real, published by Manuscripts Publishing, focusing on - unsurprisingly - a range of workplace psychosocial hazards.
The last few years has seen a sharp rise in the development and application of artificial intelligence. It has the potential to significantly impact the wider world of work and, indeed, the health, safety, and well-being of workers. This episode of the podcast Eat, Sleep, Work, Repeat is the first of two parts taking a deep dive into the potential impacts of AI on work and workplace culture.
Research
Here’s some research that caught my eye in the last few weeks:
A study from researchers at the University of Canterbury looked at the experiences of lawyers and partners with the aim of understanding what drives the decision to stay, consider leaving, or leave practice. Their findings highlight the importance of workers’ “access to resources that foster resilience”10, leaders’ high emotional intelligence, and promotion of psychological safety.
English researchers have taken a look at moral injuries - experiences in which workers’ moral values are infringed upon or broken - at work. The authors offer a conceptual pathway to moral injury, identifying potentially significant impacts on injured employees and coping strategies workers may employ. The findings suggest those exposed to moral injury will often quit in an effort to protect themselves from further harm and future infringements.
This large-scale survey of employees in the tech industry highlights a number of key issues for those working in technology organisations. The authors identify several ‘key takeaways’, including high levels of burnout; concerns around managers’ competence; hybrid workers are more positive about their job, while in-office workers are happier with their career; and those in start-ups and small businesses are generally happier and more satisfied with their mahi.
Global research from Workvivo has identified specific issues for the 7,500 frontline workers surveyed. This research highlights concerns around these workers’ disconnection from the culture of their workplace, a lack of recognition (compared with office-based peers) of their mahi, a high level of dissatisfaction with internal communications and the technologies allocated to them for their mahi, and a lack of access to development and career progression opportunities.
A team comprised of researchers from Pakistan, the UK, and the UAE has undertaken a systematic literature review into workplace incivility. Using data from 76 pieces of research, the authors have developed a conceptual model of workplace incivility that identifies key antecedents, moderators, and mediators of the phenomenon.
If you’ve encountered research you’d like to share with other readers, please add details in the comments!
Events
If you’re looking for professional development opportunities here are some upcoming events.
June
12 - Psychological Safety Senior Leader Forum, 9.00am-12.00pm, Princes Wharf, Auckland (Business Leaders’ Health and Safety Forum).
16-18 - Safeguard National Health and Safety Conference, Viaduct Events Centre, Auckland (Safeguard).
17 - NZ Workplace Health and Safety Awards Gala dinner, Viaduct Events Centre, Auckland.
24 - Psychosocial Risk Management Made Simple, 11.00am-3.00pm, online (Heart and Brain Works).
25 - Creating Cultures of Respect, 9.30-11.30am, online workshop (Diversity Works).
25 - Health and Safety: Worker Participation, 1.00-2.00pm, online webinar (Survey and Spatial NZ).
July
17 - The Manager’s Toolkit: Psychosocial Risk Management, 11.00am-3.00pm, online (Heart and Brain Works).
21 - Effective Workplace Health and Safety Systems, 9.00am-4.00pm, Rotorua (EMA).
30 - Due Diligence Series (5/6), 12.30-1.30pm, online webinar (NZSIM).
31 - Effective Health and Safety Incident and Investigation Methods, 9.00am-4.00pm, Tauranga (EMA).
August
1 - Preparing and leading through crisis, 10.30-11.30am, online (Business Leaders’ Health and Safety Forum).
2 - Managing Contractor Health and Safety, 9.00am-4.00pm, Rotorua (EMA).
6 - Health and Safety for Managers and Supervisors, 1.00-2.30pm, online (EMA).
22 - Health and Safety Committee Essentials, 9.00am-4.00pm, Rotorua (EMA).
26 - Safeskills HSR Roadshow Conference, 8.00am-4.00pm, Claudelands, Hamilton (Safeguard).
26 - Health and Safety Essentials for Small Business, 9.00am-4.00pm, Lambton Quay, Wellington (Business Essentials).
27 - Safeskills HSR Roadshow Conference, 8.00am-4.00pm, Trinity Wharf, Tauranga (Safeguard).
Thanks very much for checking out this month’s newsletter; if you have suggestions for more content or you’d like to reach out, please get in touch or engage in the discussion online.
Until next month, be well, be safe, and take care; noho ora mai.
Matt
Men’s Health Week (2025, May 5). Men’s Health Week - Home.
New Zealand Government (2025, June 6). WorkSafe makes significant shift to rebalance its activities, launches road cone hotline.
van Velden, B. (2025, May 12, p.2). Letter of Expectations for WorkSafe New Zealand.
ibid, p.3.
ibid.
ibid, p.2.
Palmer, R. (2025, May 29). 'Chilling effect': Union raises concerns over ministers' interference after leaks.
BLHSF (2025, May 6, p.1). CEO survey shows strong performance in H&S, but mental wellbeing incidents continue to rise.
CTU (n.d.). Ban Engineered Stone.
Clarke, E. et al. (2025, p.17).