ACC New Zealand

We were privileged to attended Te Tāmata Tipu Restoring Growth and Vitality National Sexual Violence Conference 2024, in Ōtautahi Christchurch recently. 📍 Ngā mihi nui to our wonderful hosts, TOAH-NNEST (Te Ōhaakii a Hine – National Network Ending Sexual Violence Together) for an inspiring, hopeful and thought-provoking couple of days. Our Head of Injury Prevention Renee Graham joined a panel discussion, and other ACC kaimahi and partners presented their mahi. This was an opportunity not only for us to connect and learn with others in this kaupapa (field) but also for us to share more about our investment in a primary prevention or systems approach to sexual violence prevention. This includes mahi to build a skilled prevention workforce, partnering to enable community-led action, communications to challenge and shift social norms to oranga whakapapa and healthy relationships, and coordinating investment across government. We also partnered with Ngā Kaitiaki Mauri, the Paetakawaenga (governing group) of the tangata whenua whare of TOAH-NNEST, to bring rongoā Māori to the conference. Ōtautahi-based ACC-registered rongoā practitioners were available to provide opportunities to experience two forms of bodywork rongoā – mirimiri and romiromi. Rongoā Māori is traditional healing grounded in mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) and cultural practice. It promotes not only physical healing, but emotional wellbeing too. The conference provided an opportunity for experts, advocates and survivors to connect as we all work together to create safer and more supportive communities. We look forward to continuing this important mahi with TOAH-NNEST, Ngā Kaitiaki Mauri and our partners. Learn more about: 🔗 Our sexual violence prevention mahi: https://acc.nz/41bSOap 🔗 Rongoā Māori at ACC: https://acc.nz/3yLCfFO 🔗 TOAH-NNEST: https://acc.nz/4fTI0lB

ACC Board Member and Paralympian Dan Buckingham says 3 December is a pivotal day in the year. It’s when the world celebrates International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and Dan believes the significance of the day should not be underestimated. “Year round, there’s work to be done and work being done,” he says. “But it’s good to have one day where we can really bring to the forefront the issues we still face – the challenges, the attitudes and the mindsets around disability – and the expectations about what someone with disability can achieve.” Having lived with a disability for 25 years, Dan says there’s been some massive changes in the way the disabled community is perceived. “I think disability has come a long way in a relatively short amount of time. We were pretty late to the human rights movement, hitting our straps in the 80s,” he says. “Now there’s been a shift from needing to bang the table for people to hear. We’re into a phase of embracing curiosity, letting people be open to being intrigued by disability and having a conversation about it, and creating a safe space to do so.” Find out more about Dan’s thoughts on the progress of the disability movement and how ACC can play a leading role in achieving a fully inclusive society as we celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities 👉 https://acc.nz/3ZvjilT

We were thrilled to attend the recent 2degrees Wellington Regional Business Excellence Awards in Lower Hutt with over 450 attendees! This was our first year sponsoring the 'ACC Excellence in Health, Safety, and Wellbeing Innovation Award' at the event. Thanks to our friends over at Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce who brought this event to life. 🙌 A big congratulations to MJH Engineering Ltd who won our award! 🌟 MJH operates in a high-risk environment where safety is paramount, especially when using gantry cranes to lift heavy steel parts ranging from 30 kg to 20 tonnes. Even a small mistake with such loads can result in severe accidents or fatalities. To address this, MJH Engineering developed a comprehensive Gantry Crane Training Program, combining instruction, hands-on practice, and ongoing support to ensure safe crane operation. Well done MJH Engineering and a special mention to the other finalists: Lift Up Training, Mills Albert Limited, Sharesies Ltd, Whakatiki Engineering (1984) Ltd! 👏 #excellence #businessawards #healthandsafety #awards #innovation

We’re committed to providing support for people who’ve experienced sexual abuse or assault. So we’re pleased to be launching our new Sensitive Claims Service on 1 December. The new service replaces the Integrated Services for Sensitive Claims (ISSC) and provides fully-funded support, treatment and assessment services for survivors of sexual abuse or assault. The new service is the result of over three years of engagement with the sexual violence sector, including providers, suppliers, sector groups, agencies, professional bodies and others. Our aim is to improve access and outcomes, creating a better experience for survivors. “Our primary focus was to ensure the Sensitive Claims Service focuses on putting survivors first,” says our Chief Executive Megan Main. “This includes supporting survivors when they enter the service and offering different pathways to access supports that are unique to their individual needs and experiences. We hope the new service will positively impact on the time it’s taking for a survivor to access care and enable more survivors to access ACC support.” Learn more about our new Sensitive Claims Service and how we’re helping survivors of sexual violence get the support they need 👉 https://acc.nz/4eTcK55

We have two new resources to help businesses support recovery if an employee is injured and needs time off work. In many cases and with some temporary adjustments, people can safely recover from injury while working. The sooner an injured person gets connected to work, the better it can be for their mental and physical recovery. They're more likely to return to their job, helping you and your team get back to business as usual. 🔷 Getting started guide for supporting your injured employee: If you’re not sure where to begin, this resource provides a helpful overview of how you can support your people after an injury and help them return to work. 🔗 https://acc.nz/40PSwpq 🔷 Recovery at work guide: This one-page guide is for employees help them understand key steps they can take if they’re injured and how to work with their employer to return to work. You could share this with your people. 🔗 https://acc.nz/4eDozfp Be prepared so you can play an early and active role in the recovery journey. There’s more information and resources on our website 👉 https://acc.nz/3AF6kIN.

We’re excited to announce Michael Frampton's permanent appointment as our Deputy Chief Executive, Service Delivery. 🙌 Michael was previously the Deputy Chief Executive, People and Culture for two and a half years and has been acting in the Deputy Chief Executive, Service Delivery role since September. "Michael has quickly gripped up the role, in particular through his understanding of healthcare systems and his grasp of the work we need to do to improve rehabilitation rates. Michael has built strong relationships throughout Service Delivery, and he brings energy, intellect and drive to the role in addition to his knowledge of ACC," said Megan Main, ACC Chief Executive. Learn more about Michael's appointment on our Newsroom 👉 https://lnkd.in/gFK7D5Rj

Deer farmer Harry Gaddum knows first-hand the devastating impact a weather event can have on the livelihood of a farmer or grower. 🚜 On their Hawke’s Bay farm, he and his wife Emily have been through a drought in 2020, Cyclone Hale in 2023 and, soon after, Cyclone Gabrielle – which turned out to be the big one. “We had to get the running shoes on and get around the farm that way – just running and running,” Harry says. “Every ridge you’d go over would be another blow, another slip and another mob of deer out. Those first few days were tough, witnessing everything you worked on disappearing a little bit.” Harry was able to push through thanks to support from friends and whānau and is now sharing his experiences to help others. His story has been included as part of Getting Through, which provides a book and online resource to support farmers going through the recovery process from adverse weather events. Getting Through is an initiative from Farmstrong, a rural wellbeing programme supported by ACC. We’re a strategic partner of Farmstrong, alongside founding partners rural insurer FMG (Farmers Mutual Group) and the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand. “We need to acknowledge this has been an extraordinary and stressful time for farmers in these regions,” says Paula Wood, ACC Injury Prevention Workplace Manager. “We’re pleased to support this Getting Through toolkit to ensure farmers and growers have the resources they need to get through extreme weather events.” Find out more on the Getting Through website 👉 https://acc.nz/4hNhs7b

On International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, 25 November, we're holding a 'Learning Over Lunch' webinar session where will be joined by Imogen Stone from Dear Em – HELP Auckland’s programme lead, and some of the inspiring young leaders from the Dear Em leadership programme, who will share their experiences of activating sexual violence primary prevention as part of the Dear Em programme. This session is facilitated by our very own Prevention Workforce Lead, Dr Hala Nasr. We will be hearing about Dear Em's team of 'Embassadors', aged between 16-24, who take part in a year-long Leadership Programme. From community mobilisation to advocating for consent law reform, the Embassadors work together towards inspiring and educating people to create a Te-Tiriti based, consent-promoting and just society; and to advocate for a society where all people have equal access to opportunities and resources while being safe, nourished, empowered and supported. Dear Em is an Auckland based platform and community leading and activating sexual violence primary prevention and awareness. Dear Em was developed by HELP who provide support for women harmed by sexual abuse. All counsellors working at HELP are women who are trained in dealing with sexual abuse and all its different forms. We look forward to learning more about their experiences of implementing primary prevention. 📅 Mon, 25 November 🕐 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm 🔗 Registration info: https://acc.nz/4elvAl2

Congratulations to My Food Bag who won the ACC 'Employer of the Year' award the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards Central region last week! 🏆 With initiatives focused on health and safety, communication, and personal growth, My Food Bag's dedication to supporting and empowering their team sets them apart as an exceptional employer. Congratulations, My Food Bag! Your commitment to your team is inspiring! 👏

At Parliament on 12 November, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is delivering an apology on behalf of the Crown to survivors of abuse in care.   We acknowledge the significance of this day for Aotearoa New Zealand and survivors of abuse in care, their families, whānau and support networks.   The public apology event is available to view via livestream from 9.45am, with the Prime Minister’s formal apology scheduled for 11.30am.  You can view the livestream of the public apology here 👉 https://acc.nz/4fEcyr4 If you or someone you know has ever experienced sexual abuse or harm or need to talk with someone, contact the Safe to Talk helpline confidentially, any time, 24/7.  For more information, you can visit the Safe to Talk website 👉 https://acc.nz/4fJ2MDV If you or someone in your whānau is a survivor of abuse in care, the Survivor Experiences Service is a supportive, confidential place to share your experiences. This service was created in response to a recommendation by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into abuse in state and faith-based care.   For more information, you can visit the Survivor Experiences website 👉 https://acc.nz/3O0knM3 We’re working with other government agencies to address and respond to the findings and recommendations of the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry.