Sponsored by Ministry of Social Development
Cancer Society Southern
Exemplifying the power of compassionate, community-driven service
Supporting people through one of life’s toughest journeys, Cancer Society Southern is a community-driven organisation committed to easing the burden of cancer across New Zealand’s South Island. Their community-focused services include free transport to medical appointments, counselling, physiotherapy, dietary support, and financial assistance - ensuring equitable access to care regardless of income or location.
In the past year, they’ve expanded from 16 to 38 locations, increased family support from 11% to 41%, and launched a 24/7 online portal connecting patients with Cancer Navigators and vital resources. Their services reached over 5,500 patients through transport and provided more than 13,500 nights of accommodation. Responding to rising demand, they introduced a structured exercise programme to improve colorectal cancer outcomes and hosted the In Pursuit conference, linking global researchers with local innovators.
Their strategic priorities include growing investment in research, extending regional reach, securing sustainable funding, and forging impactful partnerships. As cancer rates climb, Cancer Society Southern remains a lifeline - offering unconditional, personalised support and empowering communities through education, prevention, and care. Their work exemplifies the power of compassionate, community-driven service.
Hayz At The Anchorage
Caring for the people through kai ‘one plate at a time’
At Hayz At The Anchorage, community isn’t just something they serve, it’s who they are. Their kaupapa has always been about manaakitanga, caring for the people through kai ‘one plate at a time’. Since 2020, they’ve provided nourishing, affordable meals to our elderly through their Pensioners Lunch Special, which now feeds over 120 kaumātua every fortnight. Supported by KiwiHarvest, Deer To Care, and local fishers, this initiative ensures no one in their Bluff community goes hungry.
Beyond the kitchen, Hayz At The Anchorage collaborate with local schools, churches, and food rescue networks to create and deliver free ready made meals, reduce waste, and
foster connection and support whānau in need. Every plate they serve carries purpose, feeding not just bodies, but dignity and belonging.
Being a finalist in the Excellence in Community Service category reflects their belief that true success is measured by the wellbeing of your people. Collaborative efforts with like-minded people have bigger impacts, building stronger communities together. This recognition belongs to their community, and they simply have the privilege of serving them.
He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata. ‘‘What is the most important thing in the world? It is the people, it is the people, it is the people.’’
Aroha Ki Te Tamariki Trust – Mirror Services
Delivering a full continuum of care within a financially sustainable model
The multidisciplinary team at Mirror Services offers culturally responsive care in schools, homes, and communities, including ACC-sensitive claims counselling and targeted and transformative interventions for children in Oranga Tamariki care.
They are a not-for-profit provider of specialist counselling and addiction services for tamariki, rangatahi (ages 0-25), and their whānau across Otago and Southland.
Their unique value lies in delivering a full continuum of care within a financially sustainable model, maintaining high staff retention and clinical specialisation.
Strategically agile, Mirror Services reviews its Strategic Plan every eight weeks, enabling rapid response to community needs. Innovations include the Counselling in Schools programme, expansion into rural areas, and the Out of Office gaming tool that helps clinicians connect with rangatahi. They’ve also joined MSD’s Job Coach Pilot programme to support unemployed youth.
In 2023-24, they supported over 1,400 clients, delivered more than 13,000 contact hours, and increased staffing despite sector-wide cuts.
Their future plan includes launching a youth-led café Manaaki by Rangatahi, designed to support young people beginning their careers, leading the establishment of a Youth Hub for Dunedin, and introducing an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to assist Dunedin businesses employing young people who require support. They aim to further diversify their funding and enhance staff development and retention through offering scholarships.
K9 Medical Detection NZ Charitable Trust
Groundbreaking work to address high rates of cancer-related deaths
Driven by a mission to improve health outcomes, K9MD uses highly trained medical detection dogs to identify volatile organic compounds in patient samples, enabling early and accurate disease detection.
Founded in 2018 by Pauline Blomfield, the K9 Medical Detection NZ Charitable Trust is a groundbreaking organisation looking to address the high rates of cancer-related deaths in New Zealand. Their innovative approach has the potential to save lives by catching cancer in its earliest stages, when treatment is most effective.
The organisation has successfully completed proof-of-concept trials for prostate, bowel, and ovarian cancers, and is now conducting patient trials with enthusiastic support from cancer specialists across New Zealand. Their research has sparked significant interest and participation, highlighting the urgent need for accessible diagnostic solutions.
Beyond their groundbreaking research, K9MD prioritises the welfare of their canine team, ensuring the dogs are treated with care and respect, and providing them with fulfilling lives both at work and at home.
K9MD’s future plans include developing a test kit for primary healthcare use, aiming to make diagnostics widely accessible and equitable for all communities.
Medworld Institute
Focused on improving the lives of medical professionals
Australasia’s leading medical recruitment agency, Medrecruit connects doctors with locum and permanent roles across Australia and New Zealand.
Founded by a Queenstown doctor, the company focuses on improving the lives of medical professionals.
In 2024 Medrecruit launched two key innovations, the Digital Doctor Profile and the Medworld Timesheeting App, which streamline credentialing and timesheet processes. These tools have significantly reduced paperwork, saving thousands of hours and improving placement efficiency. Over 3,000 timesheets have been processed and more than 1000 doctors onboarded monthly.
Medrecruit’s unique value lies in its tech-driven approach to solving long-standing inefficiencies in medical staffing. By digitising administration heavy tasks, they’ve returned
thousands of hours annually to patient care. Their innovations earned them the Excellence in Innovation award at the 2025 RCSA Awards in New Zealand.
In the past year, the company relocated to the Queenstown Research and Innovation Centre, expanded its team, and evolved into a purpose-driven, tech-enabled organisation. Future plans include AI-powered job matching, deeper hospital system integrations, and continued investment in doctor wellbeing through the Medworld Institute.
Medrecruit aims to become the most trusted, tech-enabled recruitment experience in healthcare across Australasia.
