AWARDS FINALIST: OMV NZ – Empowering holistic health and well-being

When Covid-19 arrived in Aotearoa, OMV New Zealand needed to rapidly change the way it cared for its people. 

It already had offshore medicals in place, but these met a corporate standard rather than addressing individual needs. The instigation of in-depth health examinations prior to workers heading into isolation bubbles provided greater health and wellbeing insights than ever before.  

OMV could see the benefits of this approach in its people’s morale and in early detection of major health risks or injuries.  

Te Whare Tapa Whā 

Realising it needed a long-term framework for this new approach, OMV implemented Te Whare Tapa Whā, a holistic Māori health and wellbeing model, encapsulating four key elements – physical, spiritual, mental and emotional, and family and social – the four walls of the wharenui, or meeting house. 

With 45 per cent of its offshore workforce at that time identifying as Māori and Pacifica, Te Whare Tapa Whā acknowledges the importance of including whānau, rather than treating individuals in isolation, and taha wairua, the spiritual dimension of wellbeing. 

With some 35 per cent of OMV’s employees coming from outside New Zealand at that time, it was also important to take care of them and ensure they felt grounded and part of a welcoming team and a caring organisation.  

Covid-19 

The Covid-19 pandemic was the catalyst for change. Lockdowns and immigration restrictions forced many workers into long periods of isolation – the repair of the Pohokura offshore gas pipeline saw a crew of 80 create a unique isolation bubble on the Normand Baltic vessel off the Taranaki coast for 64 days. 

OMV NZ took proactive measures, engaging psychologists and health professionals, and upskilling managers so they knew the right questions to ask and how to identify behaviour that might be indicative of mental health issues. There were daily check-ins to assess people’s needs and wellbeing. 

Post-Covid research has documented the intensified stressors placed on offshore workers in particular. There is an urgency around addressing the heightened risks of suicide amongst offshore remote rotational shift workers. 

Comprehensive health checks 

During the past three years, OMV NZ has conducted 7500 health checks, identifying major health issues like heart disease early on.  

The company provides free counselling through its employee assistance programme, Vitae, and health insurance provider Southern Cross. These initiatives are part of a broader commitment to physical and mental health. 

It has also developed the Wellbeing Hub, a directory of health information, screening tools and session recordings which is now part of the onboarding process for new employees. This resource ensures that all employees have access to vital health information and support services. 

Results

The success of OMV’s initiatives has far exceeded expectations. Te Whare Tapa Whā is now an integral part of OMV 's culture, improving individual health and contributing to a safer, more supportive workplace. 

Each day begins with the usual checks on the tools and equipment for a job, but now also includes the psychological mindset of the people using them. 

There have been huge improvements in the way OMV’s people care for themselves. They feel empowered to make fundamental life changes, such as stopping smoking or embarking on regular exercise.  

The model has detected major health issues early on and has saved lives. And the stigma of talking about mental health and wellbeing is gradually being removed.  

The Well-being award category is sponsored by nib.