Diversity, inclusion and belonging

Our vision is enhanced health and wellbeing for all. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone belongs, and where people feel valued, connected, and included.

Greater diversity and inclusion allow us to harness a rich range of ideas, insights and perspectives which helps us serve our communities better. Being inclusive means all opinions are valued and considered across different genders, race or ethnicities, sexual orientations, religious affiliations, and across neurodiversity, personality types or thinking styles.

Creating a place where everyone belongs is key to Manaaki Ora, our strategic road map. By embracing all those who are on our waka, we can create a Hato Hone St John that reflects the diverse communities we serve, empowers our people to be their authentic self and to deliver the best health and wellbeing outcomes for everyone in Aotearoa.

Celebrating diversity in our community

Enjoying special occasions like Matariki and getting behind events such as Samoan Language Week, Neurodiversity Celebration Week and Maori Language Week are just some of the ways we celebrate diversity in our community. It’s a chance for us to connect and learn from each another as well as have a lot of fun!

Te Wiki o te Reo Maori?– Maori?Language Week

Every year, we celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Maori (Maori Language Week) as part of our commitment to keeping te reo Maori strong for future generations.

Kahui Mauaka (our Maori Responsiveness Team) leads online classes, making learning fun with exciting activities.

Supporting our rainbow communities

We have a proud history of supporting and being involved with Pride Festivals throughout New Zealand, including the Auckland Pride Parade, Big Gay Out, Queenstown Winter Pride Festival, the Wellington International Pride Parade and more. Look for us at the next rainbow event in your community.

Pride Parade 2023

Our plan for continued improvement

Our diversity, equity and inclusion plan, Aka kanorau is carefully crafted to ensure that we encourage, respect, and embrace the diversity of many different voices which guides how we deliver health services day-to-day. Here’s how we focus on creating an environment where everyone belongs.

Diverse recruitment and growth opportunities

We will continue to identify development gaps and provide growth opportunities, and to improve inclusive recruitment and onboarding practices.

Inclusive leadership and culture

We will champion a culture where everyone is valued, and all voices are heard.

Biculturalism

We will demonstrate our commitment to Maori talent as tangata whenua, the unique role of Maori expertise in health equity, and promote recruitment and career development opportunities.

Get the basics right

We will gather accurate data, grow our knowledge of diversity, equity and inclusion, ensure our policies, processes and systems are inclusive, and ensure best practice.

Our accreditations and memberships

Rainbow Tick certified

In 2017, we became the first emergency service in New Zealand to gain Rainbow Tick certification.

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Pride Pledge
This is a commitment we have made to the safety, visibility and inclusion of the rainbow members of our community and workforce.

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Member of Diversity Works NZ

We are proud members of New Zealand’s national body for workplace diversity and inclusion.

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Member of New Zealand Disability Employers’ Network

We are proud members of a collective of employers playing an active part in supporting disabled and neurodiverse people to succeed in their communities.

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Dedicated groups within Hato Hone St John

Our commitment to being inclusive, equitable and diverse means we have teams or groups dedicated to these areas, including:

A Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging team who work closely with all parts of the organisation.
A Maori governance group (Tahuhu Komiti) and a network of advisors for hauora Maori (Kahuhi Mauaka) who have a key role shaping policy and procedures and educating our staff.
An active Diversity and Inclusion Network, chaired by the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lead and with portfolios including Maori, Pasifika, Rainbow, Youth, Women, Asian, Faith, Other Ethnic Minorities, Mature Workers and People with Access Needs.