An employer of choice
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| David Wardle, one of our top scientists, works for Manaaki Whenua and the University of Sweden. Image - Susan Wiser |
Manaaki Whenua strives to be an “employer of choice”. This goal is underpinned by manaakitanga—values that encapsulate a level of caring for staff that goes well beyond anything required by law or even industry standards. In addition, excellent laboratories and facilities; an inclusive, cooperative and welcoming work culture; worthwhile employee benefits; training opportunities; and a health and safety record everyone is proud of all contribute to providing a working environment that people enjoy.
Staff satisfaction
We continue to monitor and respond to how staff feel about working for Manaaki Whenua. Despite the challenges associated with bidding for over 60% of our core FRST funding in a changing funding environment, the salaries issue and settling into new facilities in Auckland, satisfaction levels have remained firm at around the 60% positive level. The level of pride in our organisation has increased over the last three years.
As a result of the 2004 survey, Regional Managers identified specific initiatives for action after discussion with staff. In Lincoln and Dunedin these were linked to specific accommodation concerns, and in Auckland they were linked to settling down after moving to our new premises. In Palmerston North and Hamilton the focus was more on strategies to rebuild core science strengths.
| % Staff positive about working for Manaaki Whenua |
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Almost all these initiatives showed significant progress. After the 2005 survey, initiatives for the coming year are similarly being identified. These include career development (especially for technicians), reducing administrative ineffciencies, and improving the interaction between staff and senior science leaders.
This year in our surveys we decided to introduce an annual focus on a topic of concern to managers and staff. In the 2005 survey, we added questions specifically about the level and causes of stress felt by staff. Nineteen percent of staff said they currently felt a high level of stress, although 32% said they were usually less stressed than at the time of the survey. The survey has given us a number of specific issues to discuss with staff and we are considering how we can best respond to mitigating sources of stress. Interestingly, the current stress levels could only be statistically correlated, even to a moderate extent, with “not having enough people to do the work”. This supports our concern forgetting the right people in place to do the work we have.
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| Jamie Ataria with two plants of cultural importance. Image - Shaun Ogilvie. |
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| Oliver Sutherland. Image - Greg Comfort |
Workplace culture
We believe creativity is fostered when everyone feels valued and so we strive to provide a workplace where diversity is enjoyed.
We seek to encourage people with disabilities and during the year have employed two more staff through the Mainstream Programme for people with disabilities. One is currently entering data at our Lincoln site, and the other is working as a herpetologist (lizard) technician in Alexandra.
Manaaki Whenua’s particular commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi is enshrined in both our Guiding Philosophy and our Sustainability Policy. Our strategies for putting this into practice include integrating a Māori perspective in all our work, encouraging iwi to participate in research programmes, and fostering the development of young Māori scientists. From the outset in 1992, we have actively developed an internal culture where all staff understand the principles of the Treaty and are comfortable with Māoritanga—it is part of the way we do things in Manaaki Whenua.
"Introducing a Māori dimension into “mainstream” science has been, and remains, a major challenge for research institutions. Yet the benefits for Māori and mainstream scientists are great. Māori gain involvement in the development and the application of cutting edge technologies, while the research institutions gain access to Māori know-how and values leading to new research paradigms."
"By building on a base of solid personal and institutional relationships with a number of iwi, Manaaki Whenua has been able to make the involvement of Māori part of how the company does its business. Pākeha staff, for many of whom close contact with Māori has been quite new, have overwhelmingly relished the opportunity to work and think alongside Māori colleagues and mentors. Māori staff have appreciated a working environment that affirms the value of their culture within the science context. Meanwhile, Manaaki Whenua itself has become a richer, more diversified and more inclusive research organisation, and a more dynamic, forward-thinking employer."
Oliver Sutherland, Science Manager 1992–2004
Employee benefits
We provide a range of retirement and insurance benefits—68% of open-term staff receive superannuation or student loan support.
We provide an impressive array of staff benefits that total, on average, 14% of the average base salary.
| Percentage distribution of benefits | Staff recieving superannuation and student loan contributions |
| For every $1 of renumeration, 86 cents goes to salaries, and 14 cents is spent on benefits. | |
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Health and safety
Manaaki Whenua has health and safety standards that excel. We achieved the top-level (tertiary) accreditation within the ACC Partnership Programme for the second year running — we are one of only 69 organisations currently at this level.
During the year, we adopted a new, extended health care programme at Lincoln. The programme includes a comprehensive medical check-up with appropriate consultations and referrals. Staff response to this initiative has been exceptionally positive. We are looking to extend similar programmes to all our other sites in 2005/06.
A satisfied customer says " The 2004 health check-up was a definite improvement on the 2003 programme. It was a comprehensive health and well-being check-up by very friendly and approachable medical staff down at Lincoln University. They provided specific statistics on the screening tests done, and offered some common sense pointers for me to consider. It was a bit of a luxury to “go to the doctor” when I felt quite well. A plus to Manaaki Whenua for being a responsible employer and investing in the welfare of its staff in this way."
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| Mike Perry and Ant Kusabs. Helicopters are used to reach remote field sites in difficult terrain. Image - Kate Ladley |
Sarah Richardson and Fiona Carswell relaxing on the way to an offshore island study site. Image - Larry Burrows |
Legislative compliance
New Zealand has extensive legislation to ensure equal employment opportunities, as well as ethical and safe work environments. However Manaaki Whenua’s values of excellence and caring for people has driven us well beyond just our statutory obligations, as evidenced by our tertiary accreditation status with the ACC Partnership Programme
Manaaki Whenua had no instance of non-compliance with any of the relevant employer and human rights statutes.
Whatungarongaro he
tangata, toitū te whenua.
People come and go, the land remains.