Asking Aotearoa to ‘Have a hmmm’

We accept around two million injury claims each year - that's around 5,000 injuries every day. To reduce these numbers and keep people safe, we run the 'Have a hmmm' programme, the latest phase of which has just been launched.

It's estimated 90 per cent of all injuries are preventable. Research shows these injuries aren't random or unpredictable - and we all have a part to play in stopping them.

ACC accepts around two million injury claims each year - that equates to more than 5,000 injury claims every day. And they have a big impact on the wellbeing of the people of Aotearoa.

That's why we run a programme called 'Have a hmmm'. It lays down a wero (challenge) to all New Zealanders to stop and take a moment to assess the risks before you get stuck in at home, work and play.

By taking a moment to think, we can avoid injuries, keep doing the things we love and not harm those around us.

We've just launched the latest phase in the 'Have a hmmm' programme - you can watch the new, related advertisement above.

Responding to research insights, the new phase encourages New Zealanders to think about how their own injury can cause flow on effects for workmates and their community.

It also encourages people to speak up if they see the potential for harm, before it happens.

Taking a moment to think

ACC Injury Prevention Leader James Whitaker says 'Have a hmmm' aims to improve the wellbeing of New Zealanders by decreasing the total number of injuries and reducing their severity.

"We're challenging all New Zealanders to 'Have a hmmm', which means taking a moment to think about what you're about to do and how to do it safely," he says.

James says taking a pause for just a few seconds can save days, weeks, months or a lifetime of harm and hurt - for that person and many others.

"Injury harm continues to be unacceptably high, which impacts the wellbeing of the entire country. We can all collectively do more to look out for ourselves and each other," he says.

"We want people to be out there doing the things they love, and living life to the full, but we also want to collectively change our mindset on preventing injury."

'Have a hmmm' to play your part

Current forecasts suggest we'll all need to do our bit to turn around this problem in our communities.

The forecasts indicate that, by 2040, the lifetime cost of helping people recover from injuries will double - increasing from $7 billion to $14 billion.

Changing public behaviours around risk will help us to offset some of this cost and allow people to keep doing the things they enjoy, free from injury.

The good news is that 'Have a hmmm' looks to be working so far.

Our research shows the campaign is having a measurable impact on changing public behaviours around risk, with significantly more New Zealanders now reporting they're taking steps to prevent injuries to themselves (138 per cent increase) and to others (200 per cent increase) since April 2021.

More injury prevention

'Have a hmmm' isn't the only way we're helping people be injury free.

It's part of a circa $80 million per annum investment into injury prevention programmes. These include:

RugbySmart
NetballSmart
NZ Football Performance and Prevention
TouchFit360
Ride Forever
Live Stronger for Longer

These programmes have already delivered great results in injury prevention and will continue to do so over the coming years.

By helping people recognise that injuries are preventable and that they're worth preventing, 'Have a hmmm' is working alongside these initiatives and others to motivate people to take steps to avoid preventable injuries.

You can find out more about how to 'Have a hmmm' on our website.

'Have a hmmm'