Belonging at Contact (Te Mata Hiko)
Manaaki whenua, manaaki tāngata, haere whakamua
"If we take care of the land and take care of the people, we will take care of the future".
Our Vision
We aim to build a better Aotearoa New Zealand by reflecting the diversity of our customers and communities. We strive to create a culture where inclusion is deeply embedded, allowing our people to truly be themselves.
Our Commitment
At Contact we want all our voices to be heard, and all communities to be represented. We’re continuing to build a diverse and inclusive team that better represents our communities and ensures a broader range of perspectives in our decision-making. Here’s what we’re doing:
- Pride in Contact: Supporting Rainbow Inclusion through our Pride Network, driving initiatives that allow our team to bring their whole selves to work. We are a committed member of the Pride Pledge.
- Women’s Network: Focused on achieving gender balance through a number of initiatives. We partner with Global Women: Champions for Change, an initiative monitoring the progress of participating organisations towards our shared goal of gender balance, which is 40:40:20 (% of men:women:open). Another key partnership is with Women in Geothermal (WING) to promote diversity and better female representation in the geothermal industry. Our Women’s Network is set up with the funds and authority to support women across Contact.
- Ngā Pūngao o Te Moana (The Energies of the Ocean): Our network aspires to amplify the voices and perspectives of Māori and Pasifika employees within Contact. By advocating for policies that recognise and champion the unique role of Māori and Pasifika, we aim to create an environment where everyone feels empowered to thrive.
- Unconscious Bias Training: Training offered to all employees to help identify and reduce unconscious bias.
- Diverse Recruitment: Diversity starts at the recruitment stage with best practice talent acquisition from advertising that reflects Aotearoa New Zealand through to the promotion of diverse panels for interviews.
Wellbeing
When we say the wellbeing of our kaimahi is our priority, we mean it. The proof is in our Wellbeing Tick accreditation (year two) and the access to free professional therapy through our partnership with Clearhead. There’s also the Wellbeing Network that organises a range of programs and resources to support your physical, mental, and emotional health.
Our Wairakei crew have a weekly walking group, boot camps, biking events, waka ama and a strong squash contingent. Contact also supports social sports teams and regular social events to make sure it’s not all work and no play.
On top of that, our free skin checks have led to the early detection of melanoma in some staff members. Along with regular onsite visits from occupational nurses, we ensure both your physical and mental health are well taken care of.
Growing Your Whānau
We are proud of our comprehensive and far-reaching parental leave policy, providing financial security and flexibility for Contact team members who are starting or adding to their whānau. Our Growing Your Whānau Policy offers benefits for primary carers including:
- Salary top-up: To full salary for the 26-week Government paid parental leave period
- KiwiSaver Employer contributions: Full employer contribution for the duration of parental leave
- 6 months flexible working: Returning employees can choose to work 80% of their normal weekly hours, while receiving 100% of their normal pay for the first 6 months
- Childcare koha: $5,000 (pre-tax) as a contribution towards childcare
- 10 days paid Special Leave: Pregnant employees will receive 10 days paid special leave for pregnancy-related appointments
- Annual Leave: Paid at normal pay when employees return from parental leave
- Fourth Trimester: 3 months free electricity for employees with a new baby who are Contact customers
- Food package: Pre-prepared meals on the arrival of baby
The benefits for partners (over and above legislation) include:
- Partner’s leave: Four weeks paid leave, which can be taken flexibly over 13 months
- Fourth Trimester: Three months free electricity for employees who are Contact customers on eligible plans
- Food package: Pre-prepared meals on the arrival of baby