Inspiring the Next Generation - ASB Leadership Connect Programme

rwrhealth.com • May 20, 2025

At RWR Health recruitment, we have always been and will continue to be advocates for mental health and wellness. Whether it's advocating for benefits like additional leave days or finding a new team member to alleviate your workload, we prioritize supporting mental health. So when Youthline reached out and asked us to take part in their ASB Leadership Connect Programme, it was a no-brainer.

The student-led leadership programme is currently in its pilot stage, running across five Tāmaki Makaurau schools, and will be rolled out across New Zealand come 2024. It aims to help rangatahi tackle the problem of youth mental health issues head-on. The programme is all about teaching youth how to support each other and reach out when needed, while also giving them access to valuable resources and opportunities.

This incredible initiative is revolutionary in its approach as it’s been designed hand-in-hand with young people and has undergone rigorous peer review. It's all about putting the youth at the centre - they have actively contributed since the very beginning, working closely with Youthline and ASB to shape the program. Their involvement from day one has created a strong sense of ownership and dedication.

Catering for Year 12 and 13 students, this program provided the students an opportunity to request guest speakers to cover anything they felt important, and the biggest request was having a recruitment provider come in to help answer any questions or concerns they had to navigate entering the workforce.

RWR Health has been a recruitment partner with Youthline since 2020 and because of this standing relationship, we were invited to showcase hints, tips, and tricks to stand out when applying for work. We spoke about our own personal career journey but gave practical advice on the future of entering the job market such as psychometric testing and online social media presence. We love the work that Youthline are doing and the impact they make, which is why we jumped on this opportunity to engage with our local community alongside one of our favourite partners.

Robbie McKenzie (RWR Health) and Danielle Dunn (Hospoworld and Retailworld) have spent the last few weeks sharing their comprehensive presentation to inspire and inform at each of the five schools.

Danielle, Director of Retailworld Auckland and Hospoworld Auckland & South Island expressed her honour and enthusiasm about being involved with Youthline. “The opportunity to be involved with Youthline was an honour, I love what I do as I love to positively influence our RWR teams, clients and candidates but it was something special to be in a position to influence and give back to the wider community and especially our rangatahi. I think the world is changing and societal norms are becoming a thing of the past, however, there are still many expectations that we hold over our young people when it comes to their career paths after school. It was great to have the opportunity to discuss my non-linear path to my current success and showcase what the retail and hospitality industry has to offer, either straight from school, after study or later in life for a potential career change.”, Danielle said, reflecting on the experience, “In a few year's time when our current year 11 and year 12 students have left school, there will be jobs, career paths and industries that do not currently exist - that is exciting and so being able to remind the young ones that following your heart and passion can lead you much further was refreshing for me and hopefully impactful for them.”

We consider ourselves extremely fortunate to have been invited to share our knowledge and contribute to the well-being of youth throughout Aotearoa. Take a look at some of the snaps over on our LinkedIn!

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Leadership Starts With You: Why Your Health Is Your Responsibility

By RWR Group Marketing • July 14, 2025

Let’s be honest. When you're running a team, driving results, showing up for clients, and solving problems before most people finish their first coffee, it’s easy to forget the one person you need to lead first: yourself. But the truth is, if you’re running on empty, everyone around you feels it. This is your friendly reminder that taking care of your mental and physical health is responsible leadership. You Can’t Lead Well If You’re Running on Empty There’s a strange badge of honour in pushing through exhaustion, skipping lunch, or catching up on work at midnight. But burnout doesn’t make you a better leader. It makes you reactive, distracted, and less present for your team. You don’t need to hit rock bottom to permit yourself to reset. Taking care of yourself is part of the job. Your Team Feels Your Energy You might not notice it, but your team does. The mood you bring into the office, the way you handle pressure, and how present you are in meetings all reflect how you’re feeling inside. Leaders who are well-rested, mentally clear, and physically energised create environments that are calmer, more productive, and more human. Wellness as a Leadership Strategy Think of your well-being as a core part of your leadership toolkit. Your ability to make good decisions, regulate stress, show up with empathy, and motivate others all hinge on your personal health. Some of the best leaders are the ones with clarity, energy, and emotional stability. That comes from proper rest, good fuel, movement, support, and boundaries. You don’t have to become a wellness influencer overnight, but small shifts compound over time. Nobody Else Can Do This For You You delegate. You lead. You lift others. But here’s the kicker: no one can take care of your well-being for you. Yes, workplaces can and should support wellness. But ultimately, the responsibility sits with you, and that’s empowering because you get to choose what your baseline looks like. Wellbeing Is Part of the Job Description If you’ve been waiting for permission to put your health first, here it is. Because when leaders take proactive care of themselves, everyone benefits. You don’t have to overhaul your life. Just start. Take a breath. Drink some water. Move your body. Call a friend. Go to bed earlier. Then do it again tomorrow.

The Real Cost of Healthcare Staff Shortages and Why Recruitment Matters More Than Ever

By RWR Group Marketing • June 11, 2025

If you’re working in the health sector, you don’t need statistics to tell you how stretched the system is, you feel it every day. From hospital corridors to aged care homes, and midwives to radiographers, workforce shortages are straining every corner of care. And it’s not slowing down. The Numbers Speak Volumes Nursing : By 2025, Australia is expected to face a shortage of over 85,000 nurses. That’s not just numbers, that’s real pressure in EDs, wards, and community health services. Midwifery : Almost 10,000 midwives are short. Maternity services are under stress. Allied Health : Physiotherapists, OTs, speech pathologists, and radiographers are in critical demand in both public and private sectors. Theatre & Anaesthetics : Surgical delays are increasing because there simply aren’t enough technicians to support the load. Aged Care : With turnover rates hitting 50% in some facilities, continuity of care is becoming harder to guarantee. What’s driving this? An aging workforce, high levels of burnout, and increasingly complex care needs. Over 40% of healthcare workers report stress-related symptoms. That’s not sustainable for anyone. At RWR Health , we don’t just place candidates. We partner with people. We believe recruitment plays a frontline role in supporting the sector, finding the right talent, helping organisations retain them, and offering strategies that care for the carers. Because the truth is, we’re not just solving staffing problems, we’re helping build a stronger, more resilient healthcare system. If you're in the sector, we want to hear from you. Let’s talk challenges, but more importantly, let’s talk solutions. Call us today!

RWR Health Launches in Australia

By RWR Group Marketing • June 5, 2025

RWR Health has officially launched in Australia, expanding its trusted recruitment expertise to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. Backed by the award-winning RWR Group, the agency brings over 30 years of healthcare experience and specialist recruitment knowledge to the market. With a fresh approach to candidate engagement, talent mapping, career planning, and employer branding, RWR Health addresses a growing market need for smarter, values-led recruitment. The agency blends AI-powered sourcing with deep market intelligence and a unique human approach, ensuring that employers connect with professionals who truly align with their values and culture. “Our launch in Australia represents a pivotal moment,” says John Caldwell, Global CEO of RWR Group. “We’ve built a reputation for specialist recruitment that doesn’t compromise on quality or care. Now, we’re bringing that proven model to healthcare organisations across Australia, where the need for high-impact, values-aligned talent has never been greater.” RWR Health stands apart by combining predictive technology and deep local knowledge with personal connection, delivering not just speed and efficiency, but long-term fit. With 30+ years of healthcare experience and a network of over 600,000 candidates, the team is equipped to fill roles across clinical, non-clinical, and executive functions, often in under 25 days. RWR Group, founded in 2001, is the force behind industry-leading recruitment brands across Australasia, including Retailworld, Hospoworld, RWR Construction, and Executive Search. With 22 offices across the region and an award-winning leadership team, the group continues to set a new standard in industry-specialist recruitment. For employers ready to grow or candidates seeking purpose-driven roles, visit www.rwrhealth.com or connect with the team on LinkedIn.