News Roundup

Introducing HRNZ's new President and Vice President

HRNZ’s National President and National Vice President – Denise Hartley-Wilkins and Lisa Oakley – have recently stepped down from the HRNZ Board. We thank them both for their amazing contribution to HRNZ and the profession. The Board has recently elected the people who have taken on these roles following last month's Awards ceremony. We’d like to thank and introduce Kavita Khanna, National President and Elena Calvert, National Vice President.

Kavita Khanna, CFHRNZ, has over two decades of experience in leadership roles, having worked in professional services, construction and technology sectors in New Zealand and India. In her current role as the Executive Leader, People + Workplace at Tonkin & Taylor, she is responsible for shaping the people strategy, looking after a range of functions, including People Technology, HR and HSW and leading complex, transformational projects for the business.

Elena Calvert, CMHRNZ, brings a valuable mix of experience from across the public, private and notfor-profit sectors, combining HR consulting, generalist and specialist HR functions. She is currently the Recruitment Manager at the University of Otago, after spending time with Deloitte NZ and Mitre 10 MEGA Dunedin. Elena is a long-term member of the HRNZ Otago Branch committee and is passionate about delivering value to HRNZ members, no matter what part of the country they are based in. She has also been a strong advocate of continually investing in our engagement with students.

Kavita Khanna

Elena Calvert

HRNZ member recognised in Insurance Business Elite Women 2022 list

The inaugural Insurance Business Elite Women 2022 list has been released, and HRNZ

Member and Southern Cross Health Society leader Vicki Caisley has been selected.

The list recognises the role that some of the industry’s top professionals have played in changing the status quo of a sector where men still dominate in many of the leadership roles.

Vicki Caisley is the Chief People and Strategy Officer for Southern Cross Health Society and has led the organisation’s people and strategic planning function for nearly a decade.

Vicki says she’s proud to have her work featured in the Insurance Business Elite Women 2022 list.

“My job is all about ensuring we have the right operating model and culture to deliver on our strategy and that we’re with our employees in support of them living their healthiest lives, so I’m very proud to be recognised in a list that celebrates those who are shaping a future for an insurance industry that’s more diverse,” she said.

The Insurance Business Elite Women 2022 list invited insurance professionals from around Aotearoa to nominate their exceptional female leaders. Those nominations included their standout professional achievements over the past year, as well as their contributions to diversity and inclusion in the insurance industry.

Vicki Caisley

Matariki Public Holiday Bill has been passed

The government has created a new public holiday for Aotearoa by passing the Te Ture mō te Hararei Tūmatanui o Te Kāhui o Matariki/Te Kāhui o Matariki Public Holiday Act.

The Bill, Te Pire mō te Hararei Tūmatanui o Te Kāhui o Matariki/Te Kāhui o Matariki Public Holiday Bill, was only the fifth dual-language Bill to be introduced to our Parliament.

The first public holiday to celebrate Matariki will be on Friday 24 June 2022.

The government has committed to ensuring mātauranga Māori is at the heart of celebrations of the Matariki public holiday, and it will be a time for:

• remembrance – honouring those we have lost since the last rising of Matariki

• celebrating the present – gathering together to give thanks for what we have

• looking to the future – looking forward to the promise of a new year.

Government introduces fair pay agreement legislation into Parliament

The Fair Pay Agreement system will bring together employers and unions within a sector to bargain for minimum terms and conditions for all employees in that industry or occupation.

The Bill proposes that employers and employees will be represented by bargaining parties: unions will represent employees, and employers will be represented by incorporated societies, such as employer representative organisations. This won’t require employees or employers to join those organisations to have a voice; non-members must be given opportunities to feed into bargaining strategies.

The proposed system will offer support for bargaining sides to help them navigate the bargaining process and reach an outcome, as well as guidance and processes to resolve disputes and ensure compliance.

New Zealanders will soon have an opportunity to make submissions to comment on the Bill during the select committee process.

The Fair Pay Agreement system is expected to start shortly after the Bill has passed, which is anticipated to be at the end of 2022.

Support for SME teams on wellbeing

Change and uncertainty can take their toll on a business and its people. Business.govt.nz, in association with Employment New Zealand and the Health Promotion Agency, has published a range of tools to help managers support their people.

The tools and resources can be found on business.govt.nz and cover topics such as ‘boss burnout’, how to support staff through personal challenges and the Five Ways to Wellbeing, as provided by the Mental Health Foundation.

The web page also lists practical tips and ideas for wellbeing practices to help team members find balance and boost wellbeing. Links are also included to managing workplace wellbeing during COVID-19 and minimising and managing workplace stress.