DairyNZ project wins national award
A project reducing strains and sprains on farm has won the Innovation category in the New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards 2025.
The fresh, streamlined design and content is said to make it easier for dairy farmers to assess and improve their workplace practices.
DairyNZ says the tool helps farmers reflect on their current people management and health and safety approaches, identify strengths and gaps, learn what good looks like, and take meaningful action to build thriving farm workplaces.
DairyNZ senior people specialist Jane Muir says the updated Workplace 360 is about giving farmers more control and clarity.
"We know farmers want practical, straightforward tools to help them create better workplaces," says Muir.
"The redesigned Workplace 360 delivers an improved experience and focuses on learning rather than compliance. Whether you have a team or run a solo operation, Workplace 360 guides you through best practice and helps you stay on top of employment and health and safety responsibilities."
The assessment takes around 25-30 minutes and features two sections: a checklist of critical workplace practices, followed by a deeper exploration into selected topics that the farmer themselves choose.
Farmers receive a customised report highlighting what's working well, areas to improve, and links to practical tools to support change.
The Workplace 360 tool is part of DairyNZ's Increasing Workplace Productivity programme, which is focused on research that highlights great practices, approaches, and technology that increase productivity and profitability whilst improving job conditions for all people on farm.
It is just one of the initiatives DairyNZ says it is undertaking to support the dairy workforce to deliver great people in great jobs in great workplaces.
"We've built this tool with farmer testing and have made sure the tool is not just a checklist, but a resource that encourages learning, reflection and action," says Muir.
"It's about supporting farmers to be proud of their workplaces - for themselves, their teams, and the future of the sector."
Fonterra suppliers can also use Workplace 360 to meet the requirements of the Co-operative Difference programme, with the option to share assessment completion with the co-operative.
Workplace 360 is an online tool that can be completed at any time; however, it is recommended farmers complete it at least one week prior to their Co-operative Difference audit.
Workplace 360 is free to use and available now at dairynz.co.nz/workplace360.
