Why Cawthron partnered with Workride
Cawthron has been doing science in Nelson since 1921. Today it's Aotearoa New Zealand's largest independent science organisation, with people working across marine and freshwater research, aquaculture, seafood safety, biosecurity and environmental monitoring. Their tagline sums it up nicely: Bold Science. Deep Care. Thriving Rivers, Lakes, Oceans.
It's a profit-for-purpose organisation, and its vision is simple: a future where people and nature thrive together. Its Sustainable Blue Growth mission talks about a shift toward "regenerative, climate-resilient systems". When your day job is protecting the ecosystems we all rely on, how your team gets to work is a fair question to ask.
Cawthron's people are a diverse bunch too – 47 ethnic groups, and around half under 40. A benefit that's practical, healthy and easy on the wallet suits that kind of team. Workride gave Cawthron a way to make quality bikes and eBikes accessible through payroll, without adding a pile of admin for the people team. And with some of the best riding in the country on their doorstep, Nelson was always going to be a good fit.
How has it been working with Workride?
“Workride provided all the information and support needed to successfully introduce the programme to our staff, creating opportunities for employees who may not otherwise have considered eBikes to travel to work. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many participants now owning their bikes outright. The process is seamless, with Workride managing most of the administration. Highly recommended!”
Jemma Omlo - Administration Lead, Cawthron
What did employee’s have to say?
“I found the entire Workride process a breeze, such an amazing initiative. Love my new ride!” Aisling R
“My experience with Workride was wonderful and I think it's a great program to be involved in. From setting up an application to picking up the bike, the process was seamless and very easy to navigate.” Al A
“From start to finish the process was well managed and extremely easy. I highly recommend getting a bike through Workride. I got a bike that I would not have bought previously and I am now cycling to work more than ever!” Paul P
Where to from here?
The best sign a benefit is working? Sounds obvious, but people using it! At Cawthron, many riders now own their bikes outright. Staff who'd never have considered an eBike are now riding to work more often – fewer cars in the car park, more people arriving with a bit of fresh air in their lungs.
As a Workride Registered Employer, Cawthron can keep offering the programme to new and existing staff, with Workride handling most of the admin behind the scenes.
It's a good example of an organisation's values showing up in everyday life, not just in a strategy document. If your organisation cares about sustainability, staff wellbeing or simply offering a benefit people actually use, we'd love to chat.
Join Cawthron and the 2000+ New Zealand employers already on board.
