Kiwis are being invited to nominate individuals who go the extra mile to care for their community so they can be rewarded for making New Zealand a better place.
The Care Collective, brought to you by Panadol, New Zealand's Most Trusted Pain Relief Brand, is launching here after its huge success in Australia last year.
The initiative is designed to recognise and reward those selfless individuals who go above and beyond to care for others.
In its first year operating across the Tasman Sea, 55 deserving Australians were rewarded for the exceptional protection they offered to their communities.
Now Kiwis can be recognised for their inspiring stories with a share in $15,000 worth of care packages from The Care Collective.
The idea was borne out of the COVID-19 epidemic and the notion that care is so important, particularly looking after one another, said James Meins, Senior Area Marketing Manager ANZ, GSK Consumer Healthcare (Haleon designate).
And it was always the plan to extend the rewards to those in this country too, he said.
"People had time to reflect on the notion of care during that COVID-19 period. The Care Collective is about being able to give back and recognise those that are caring for others in a time of need.
"COVID-19 shone the light on that. There were brave people who were inspiring others despite doing it tough themselves. But they also gave forward and paid it back within the community."
New research* found that despite two years of unprecedented turbulence and uncertainty caused by the pandemic, communities are changing for the long-term.
It revealed that New Zealand, as a nation, is more compassionate than ever, with the pandemic being a catalyst for individuals wanting to show greater acts of community care.
The study spoke to more than a thousand Kiwis to gain a deeper understanding of what care meant, and how acts of care can help foster a true sense of community.
Through the research, it was uncovered that despite how New Zealanders show care, one thing they can all agree on is an increased desire to give back to their communities.
In response to the overwhelming desire of New Zealanders to care for those in their community, the Care Collective is asking New Zealanders to nominate those remarkable individuals who have gone above and beyond to care for others.
"Obviously rewarding individuals - and there's a monetary reward there that goes towards them and what they do - is fantastic," Meins said. "That's a big pay it forward opportunity.”
"But the other one is we really want to tell others about the element of care. I think if we share these stories, it's falling on open ears."
That's because the survey found New Zealanders have reprioritised the importance of caring for others, with 78 percent of respondents realising the significance of caring for those around them.
While an astonishing 82 percent of Kiwis proactively offered care to those in need during the pandemic, a majority felt a desire to do even more.
More than half of the population (51 percent) admitted they would like to give more than they currently do.
"What we want to do is really shine the light on some of those biggest stories that we think will have the best impact on others and be able to really show their importance.
"We think that care is contagious, so the idea of celebrating someone's ability to go above and beyond for others is an inspiration."
According to the study, the key motivators for caring for others are intrinsically linked to a basic human need for kindness, helping others feel safe and connected, as well as greater personal perspective and appreciation for what they have.
Every person nominated will be judged against a set of criteria, Meins said.
"We have tiers basically on the level of care that has been given, the length an individual goes to deliver the outcome as well as the care and the impact it has on others."
New Zealanders over the age of 18 are eligible to nominate a person over the age of 18, including themselves, with entries open from 16 August 2022 to 26 September 2022.
Those nominated will have a chance of being rewarded like Australian, Rachael Clancy was in 2021.
Rachael goes above and beyond to provide foster children across Australia with a sense of belonging.
She started the Hope In A Suitcase organisation to provide youngsters entering the foster care system with a suitcase full of clothes and other essentials they can call their own.
That resonated hugely with Meins.
"The tension point that she really wanted to focus on was that foster children, when they're displaced, just don't really feel like they fit in. A lot of the children are sort of questioning their self-worth. It was a real tearjerker.
"She's dedicated her life to it and it's about giving back to those children, giving them a suitcase full of memory building toys and belongings so that the child actually enters into a foster home with belongings. A lot of these children don't have anything when they walk up to new families.
"It just makes you think 'wow, that's really genuine'. You know, it comes from her heart and I think that kind of story is what we need to talk about," he said.
Meins is hoping to see similar stories in New Zealand and is looking forward to rewarding those who go the extra mile.
"What was interesting to me is that New Zealanders felt that desire to do more. The fact that eight in 10 realise the importance of caring for those around shows there's a real need to either listen to these stories or to actively get involved.
"Sometimes listening to someone else does generate that motivation to do so. Hope In A Suitcase certainly caused me to have a quick reflection on what I'm doing and to check whether I'm doing enough."
To nominate a caring individual like Rachael, visit The Care Collective website.
This article was created for Haleon Consumer Healthcare NZ.
PANADOL for the temporary relief of pain and fever. Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist, see your healthcare professional. Incorrect use could be harmful. Haleon Auckland.
*New, independent research commissioned by Haleon Consumer Healthcare NZ, the makers of Panadol.