Construction workers across the motu are being encouraged to consider their health and wellbeing goals for the year and
access support to achieve them.
Site Safe is helping remove barriers to wellbeing support through their partnership with Ignite Aotearoa - a digital
wellbeing platform backed by one of New Zealand’s largest independent mental health and social service organisations,
Emerge Aotearoa.
All 6,500 Site Safe member businesses are being offered free access to the online platform. Four hundred free one-on-one
support sessions are also being offered over the next few months for business owners and their staff to speak
confidentially with a business or health professional. Counsellors, career coaches, psychologists, human resource
specialists, financial advisors, and dietitians are among the more than 100 experts available through the platform.
The goal is to remind people in the construction industry to prioritise their health and wellbeing so they can set
themselves up for a healthy, successful 2024. A 2021 Site Safe and Massey University survey found that construction workers experience a range of work-related stressors that affect their health, with some of the
main impacts being burnout and fatigue. While various factors are linked to high workplace stress, the report states
that individual job demands are shown to be the strongest.
Site Safe Chief Executive Brett Murray says by taking up the offer to access the Ignite Aotearoa platform, members will
have access to new strategies and tools to help them prepare for a successful 2024. “By sharing this offer with our
members now, we’re encouraging them to ask themselves, “What do I need to get sorted, or learn how to manage, so it puts
me in the best possible position when life gets busier later in the year?’”
“This could be as simple as speaking with a dietitian to help achieve your health and fitness goals; gathering
information to better manage your finances; or talking to a counsellor about something that is troubling you.”
Ignite Aotearoa’s holistic approach to mental health and wellbeing aligns well with Site Safe’s overarching goal of
ensuring that everyone goes home safe at the end of each day. Ignite Aotearoa Director Sarina Finucane says providing people with access and choice helps to remove barriers
associated with engaging in wellbeing and mental health support. “When using Ignite Aotearoa, people have the
opportunity to choose who they speak with, at a time that suits them, and from the comfort of their own home,” she says.
“Our clients tell us this has been a made a big difference to their lives, so we’re thrilled to see the platform has
been embraced by Site Safe and extended to its members.”
By providing health and safety advocacy and leadership, Site Safe has long been committed to supporting the wellbeing of
the construction industry. Along with its Ignite Aotearoa partnership, Site Safe works closely with partners such as
Mates in Construction and Hato Hone St John.BackgroundAbout Site Safe
Representing 6500 member businesses across the country, Site Safe provides health and safety training, advocacy, and
leadership for the construction industry and wider sectors. It has been influential in creating positive change since it
was formed in 1999.
sitesafe.org.nzAbout Ignite Aotearoa
Ignite Aotearoa is a digital platform, backed by Emerge Aotearoa – one of New Zealand’s largest independent mental
health and social service organisations. It provides thousands of New Zealanders with access to evidence-based mental
health and wellbeing resources, workshops, and information.
ignite.org.nzWatch the Ignite Aotearoa demo video here:
Learn more about burnout from Ignite Aotearoa here