The latest State of a Thriving Nation 2025 report delivers a sobering reminder that health and safety failures come at a massive cost.
Rebekah Stephens
In 2024, workplace injuries, fatalities and long-term illnesses cost New Zealand an estimated $5.4 billion, up from $4.9 billion the year before. Fatalities accounted for over $1 billion of that total, while serious claims and illnesses added another $4.3 billion combined.
Although injury claims have declined, the time off per injury has doubled, which is a worrying trend. This drives up ACC costs, reduces workforce availability and adds strain to already stretched businesses. Many of the calls that we receive through the EMA Safety AdviceLine reflect this stress on businesses.
An injured construction worker. Photo: Mikael Blomkvist, pexels.com
Filling out a report after a workplace injury. Photo: Berna, pexels.com
The report also found that high staff turnover is weakening safety culture and impacting productivity. For employers, these findings are a call to action. Employers know that prevention is more effective than reaction, but they don’t always know how to get the ball rolling on modernising their safety culture.
At the EMA, we specialise in health and safety compliance and training, including hazard identification and risk assessment so we see businesses at every stage of the process.
In fact, we take health and safety practitioners right up to the elite New Zealand Diploma in Workplace Health and Safety Management (Level 6). It remains the only face-to-face NZQA-accredited Level 6 qualification for health and safety professionals in New Zealand.
We know that businesses that plan ahead often see higher productivity, better staff retention and lower absenteeism.
Aligning safety planning with operational goals can reduce compliance burdens and create space for innovation. In contrast, reacting after harm occurs brings heavy costs, from higher ACC levies and legal fees to WorkSafe prosecutions and reputational damage.
A strategic approach starts at the top. Boards and directors should set clear health and safety directions, allocate resources, and regularly review performance. Engaging with frontline workers is equally vital as they are the ones living the risks every day. Workers who help shape safety processes are far more likely to follow them, even when no one is watching.
Prevention and continuous improvement are at the heart of strong health and safety. We help leaders translate legal obligations into actionable strategies that go beyond just compliance.
The question business owners and managers need to ask themselves is: what actions will you take today, before harm occurs, to keep your people safe tomorrow?
According to the State of a Thriving Nation 2025 report, our workplace death rate is where Australia was 16 years ago, and where the United Kingdom was 40 years ago.
It’s clear that we need to develop safer workplaces and progress is being made. By businesses adopting preventative strategies they get a head start in protecting their people, performance and reputation.
Dealing with workplace injuries. Photo: Elif, pexels.com
