ACC New Zealand

We’re pleased to confirm the recipients of the inaugural ACC postgraduate research scholarships, which we’ve partnered with Universities New Zealand - Te Pōkai Tara to award. 🙌 The scholarships have been awarded to eligible full-time or part-time candidates enrolled in a master’s degree at an approved Aotearoa New Zealand institution, who have started or will undertake research into a topic that relates to ACC’s research priorities. We’re funding the scholarships to deliver evidence that helps address complex challenges and informs longer-term investment decisions in injury prevention and sustained recovery, specifically in the context of injury compensation. Congratulations to the six candidates who have been awarded the scholarships – Adrian Pretorius, Merrick Rodrigues, Merope Griffin, Luke Hollis, Hana Sikma and Reghan Laurie. 👏 Applications for the ACC Scholarship re-open on 1 June 2025 and close on 15 August 2025. You can find out more about the recipients' research and how to apply on our Newsroom 👉 https://acc.nz/3ZJNAjB

We’re pleased to announce Lisa Hansen's permanent appointment as ACC Deputy Chief Executive, People and Culture. 🙌 Lisa has significant people and culture leadership experience across the media, insurance and health sectors, including seven years as General Manager of People and Talent at TVNZ. Since joining ACC in mid-2023, Lisa has led the Future Workforce portfolio and more recently has acted in the Deputy Chief Executive, People and Culture role since September. “I’m excited to have Lisa as a permanent member of the Executive Team and I look forward to working closely with her in this important leadership role,” says Chief Executive Megan Main. “I know she’ll be a strong leader for everyone across People and Culture, and represent People and Culture well at executive, board and externally. Lisa is an empathetic leader who has built strong relationships across the organisation.” Learn more about Lisa’s appointment on our Newsroom 👉 https://acc.nz/4iHcskC

We’re proud to support the launch of the second Te Aorerekura Action Plan as part of the national strategy to eliminate family violence and sexual violence. 🙌   We lead and support a range of work that contributes to the ambition and vision of Te Aorerekura – where all people in Aotearoa are thriving and live free from violence. This consists of mahi (work) to provide fit-for-purpose support services, including our recently launched new Sensitive Claims Service. The new service includes changes that aim to improve access and outcomes, and create a better experience for kiritaki (clients).   We’re also working to create the changes needed to achieve safe, inclusive communities free from violence. This includes initiatives such as the ‘Hikitia! For our Future’ community-led prevention partners, kaupapa Māori informed prevention, communications to challenge and shift social norms, and building a skilled prevention workforce.   We look forward to continuing the second phase of this important mahi with Te Puna Aonui, other government agencies, tangata whenua, community organisations and whānau.

We’ve launched our new Sensitive Claims Service after more than three years of engagement with the sexual violence sector. 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. Our aim is to improve access and outcomes, creating a better experience for survivors. Hear more about the new Sensitive Claims Service from Selena Dominguez, Business Owner for the Sensitive Claims Evolution programme, in the video below. You can also learn how to access treatment and support here 👉 https://acc.nz/3Bjebfn

Congratulations to Dame Lisa Carrington and all the other exceptional sports people whose achievements were recognised at the ACC-supported Māori Sports Awards. 👏 The country’s most successful Olympian, Dame Lisa capped off an incredible year by claiming two of the biggest prizes. The world champion sprint kayaker was first named the Senior Māori Sportswoman of the Year before clinching the supreme award, named in honour of the event’s founder, Albie Pryor. 🙌 All Blacks vice-captain and Crusaders veteran Codie Taylor was named Senior Māori Sportsman of the Year. “Events like the Māori Sports Awards help us to raise awareness and build understanding around ACC services that improve access and health outcomes for Māori,” says Andy Milne, Deputy Chief Executive of Strategy, Engagement and Prevention. Our research shows Māori are more likely to experience a serious injury than non-Māori but are less likely to make an injury claim. “We’re focused on ensuring Māori are aware of the support they’re entitled to following an injury,” Andy says. Para va’a specialist Peter Cowan picked up Māori Para Athlete of the Year while Charlie Sinton (rugby) and Maia Davis (rugby, rugby league and rugby sevens) were named Junior Māori Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year respectively. Full list of winners and more on our support of the Māori Sports Awards 👉 https://acc.nz/4f1ayZm

Congratulations to Tōtara Hospice who won the ACC 'Employer of the Year' award at the 2024 2degrees Auckland Business Awards last night. 👏 Totara Hospice impressed the judges with their commitment to health and safety practices, clear evidence of staff training, hazard management systems, and a focus on the physical and mental well-being of their team. Their emphasis on employee wellbeing was evident in the well-maintained facilities, accessible safety protocols, and engaged team members who confidently discussed their shared commitment to a safe workplace. Their team showed engagement, commitment, and pride in the business culture, with a strong sense of belonging and confidence in the systems in place to protect their well-being. Well done Totara Hospice! 🙌

As we continue to celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities this week, our Deputy Chief Executive of Strategy, Engagement and Prevention Andy Milne recently caught up with Paralympian Peter Cowan. Pete won bronze in the Para va’a VL3 200m on his Paralympic Games debut and has just been named Māori Para Athlete of the Year at the ACC-supported Māori Sports Awards. 👏 After returning from the Paralympics in Paris, Pete took part in IronMāori – the largest half and quarter ironman-style event in Aotearoa. ACC partners with IronMāori to promote Māori health and wellbeing, and increase awareness of our services among whānau. We also partner with Paralympics New Zealand to deliver the Para Sport Collective and LevelUp programmes. 🙌 The Para Sport Collective provides support to pre-high performance Para athletes and coaches to achieve their goals, while LevelUp provides online resources to help coaches gain the skills and confidence to coach disabled athletes.

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