MATES in Construction was awarded the 2022 CCNZ Major Associate Award for its work supporting the construction industry through suicide awareness and mental health support programmes.
The award was presented on 5 August at the CCNZ Hirepool Construction Excellence Awards, held at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre as part of the Civil Contractors New Zealand National Conference.
CCNZ Chief Executive Alan Pollard said MATES in Construction was an 'amazing supporter of the industry and its people', and deserved credit for its work to turn high suicide numbers and poor mental health statistics around.
"Over the past couple of years, suicide and mental health awareness has gone from a taboo topic to one that is talked about freely, on a daily basis," Mr Pollard said.
"With the construction industry being one of the big contributors to NZ's high suicide statistics, losing on average one person per week to suicide, there was an urgent need for change and awareness.
"Our award winner has been instrumental in facilitating this change, and providing a service and avenue for members of our industry to speak up. Their willingness to help and their personal approach has been just what the industry needed to change. They actively engage with our industry nationally and regionally, and are outstanding leaders in mental health, personal wellbeing and suicide prevention."
MATES in Construction Chief Executive Victoria McArthur thanked CCNZ and Hirepool for the award, which she said was a 'big surprise', and heartening given MATES in Construction had been active on many of the award winning projects from across the industry.
"My little team, there's 28 of us and 18 field officers out there. They doing the mahi out there on the ground and really working alongside your [people] out there in the industry to support them, walk along on the journey, step into their space, take that ten seconds of courage, and have those conversations... These are the guys that deserve the award."
The CCNZ Major Associate Award recognises associate members that provide exempalry service to the civil construction industry, innovation, have strong partnerships with CCNZ and its branches, and provide high levels of community service. Nominations are made by CCNZ Branches, with a final decision made by CCNZ's Executive Council.
Watch the presentation
Previous recipients
2021 - Hynds
2019 - Hirepool