Synergia

15/10/2024

🎓 Wrapping up a fantastic semester with our two University of Auckland interns, Aneesha and Emily!

As part of their placement paper, they spent 60 hours with the Synergia team, contributing to a range of projects, including data cleaning, data analysis and visualisations, literature reviews and much more . Their fresh perspectives and enthusiasm were invaluable, and we thoroughly enjoyed having them on board.

Thanks, and Emily, for your hard work and contributions! 🎉

10/10/2024

Welcome back to Synergia's Staff Spotlight series! 🔦

This week, we get to know Jessica Ansari, Manager at Synergia.

What’s a typical “day in the life” for you at Synergia? 💻

What I love about consulting (and Synergia) is that there really is no such thing as a typical day! Some days you might have a day full of meetings and workshops or interviews and the whole day is spent talking or engaging with people, and the next day is completely clear and you'll be head down analysing data and writing reports. In my role as a Manager, my days typically fall somewhere in the middle. Learning how to balance my energy, manage my time, and not only be ok with, but flourish in the variety is key.

What’s the most interesting place your work has taken you in New Zealand? ✈️

A few years ago I worked on an evaluation project that took me to Westport for a site visit. The most interesting part was actually getting there. Living in Tāmaki Makaurau, it involved a flight to Wellington, and then a transfer to a 6-seater plane to Westport. Six seats!! I could've sneezed on the pilot, and could see everything they were doing - which was both super cool, but also super terrifying.

What’s your favorite way to unwind after a busy day of work? 💭

Earlier in the year, I committed to taking public transport to work. I've found that a 40 minute bus ride (on a good day) is the perfect way to detach from the office environment and the busyness of the day. I spend the trip head down in my Kindle and I've come to really value that time to escape to another world, before arriving home to my husband and 18 month old toddler - and all the chaos that ensues. My husband and I have also started watching The Crown (I know we're very late to that party), which is an excellent way to zone out after a long day!

23/09/2024

Welcome back to another Synergia Staff Spotlight! 🔦

This week, Dr Matt Wright hits the stage...

What is the most rewarding project you've worked on? 📓

The Patient After Hours and Urgent Access (PAUA) SLAT. This is an alliance that is made up of all providers of urgent and emergency care in Metro Auckland. I am heavily involved in strategy and clinical impact. We have built up a large database of non-identifiable line-item data over the last 10 years from Urgent Care Clinics, Emergency Departments and St John, with significant detail and accuracy in the last five. The organisations involved get independent reporting on various quality indicators and the database allows questions from alliance members to be answered quickly - for growth and understanding of the system. Most recently we have provided providers with information on specific important diseases they have been involved in the care in, with a mechanism to give this information back to the clinician(s) involved in the case, for learning and review.

What’s the most interesting place your work has taken you? ✈️

Before COVID, we did a piece of work in the Philippines (Bataan) redesigning their provincial healthcare system. We were hosted by the governor of the state and met with public health officials, and spent time visiting the various healthcare facilities. We learnt about the local set-up of healthcare, where community leaders and religious elders support whanau to know when the right time to keep healthcare is. We provided a blueprint for the a new universal healthcare system, and some of the principles are relevant to the New Zealand setting. Being in a different country for a week at a time also allowed an appreciation of a different climate and culture, and a new appreciation of the New Zealand healthcare system.

What’s your favorite team-building activity or exercise at Synergia? 🧩

Despite having a small team and spending a reasonable time with each other, there is always more opportunity to connect and understand the various paths that have led us to the same office. We have done two activities worth mentioning. The first is an ice-breaker, to line up on a line from most recently arrived in New Zealand to first arriving in NZ, and then tell a story or two about your ancestors. This made for an interesting line up of cultures and background, and even a tale of prison time from one of the Synergian's great grandfathers. The second was spending time exploring our family history in depth in small groups, as a way of painting who we are today. It also allowed us a chance to discuss how this has shaped us ending up at Synergia, and strengthened the fact that everyone has the same reasons - which resonates with our organisations' values.

Tune in again to hear from more Synergian's!

30/08/2024

Friday fun day at Synergia!

Our Synergia Analytics team came together for an innovative hackathon, diving deep into exploring AI solutions across health and social sectors. 🧠 It was a fantastic session of collaboration, creativity, and cutting-edge thinking!

Stay tuned to find out what ideas and solutions they came up with!💡

19/08/2024

🎉 Synergia Staff Spotlight Series 🎉

Today we get to know Sarah Andrews on our staff spotlight series. Sarah is our Principal Consultant - Evaluation at Synergia.

What’s the best part about working with the Synergia team?

What I love most about working with the Synergia team is the genuine camaraderie we share. Our team is filled with truly nice people and we are united by shared values that make our work meaningful both personally and professionally. We’re small enough to stay closely connected and agile, yet diverse enough in our collective knowledge, skills, and experiences to bring a rich perspective to our work. Like the rest of the team, I feel a deep sense of responsibility to honour Synergia’s 25-year legacy and the vision of our founders—to use our expertise to make a difference in the world.

What is the most rewarding project you have worked on?

I’m passionate about every project I take on, so it’s tough to single one out. However, a series of evaluations for the Access & Choice initiatives stands out. From the early prototypes of Health Improvement Practitioners, Health Coaches, and Community Support Workers, back in 2017, to the more established services offered today—including those for youth—these projects have been transformative. I’ve been fortunate to witness firsthand the impact these services have had on primary care. There have been lots of opportunities to engage with people who use and deliver the service too; that’s always the most rewarding aspect of the work.

What are you currently reading?

I’m always juggling multiple books at once! Currently, I’m re-reading Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman, a thought-provoking exploration of time management that challenges conventional quality improvement approaches by framing time as a finite resource. I’m also nearly finished with 1984: The Year Pop Went Q***r, a fascinating blend of music history, journalism, and social commentary that offers a nostalgic journey through the 1980s. Lastly, I’ve just started The Book Thief, a historical novel recommended by a close friend who always seems to know what I’ll enjoy.

Tune in again to hear about our next Synergia Superstar!

07/08/2024

🎉 Synergia Staff Spotlight Series 🎉

Today we get to know Cameron Johnson on our staff spotlight series. Cam is our Senior Data Analyst at Synergia.

What’s the best part about working with the Synergia team?

The Synergia team have an incredible knowledge and expertise base, extending from the healthcare and social sectors, to education, sport and recreation, science and tech, and a lot more in between. It is fantastic to be working alongside industry leaders, collaborating on ideas and innovative approaches to challenges we all face as NZers.

What’s your favorite way to stay healthy and active outside of work?

Sport is a huge part of my life, both professionally, where I enjoy analysing data from some of my favourite sports teams (Up the Wahs!), as well as outside of work to stay active and connect with my kids and community. I coach my sons’ rugby and soccer teams, referee junior rugby, play touch in summer and hit the snow in winter.

What are you currently reading?

Nothing like relaxing with a good book at the end of the day. Currently I’m enjoying “Coding for Dummies”, but also have “Goosebumps”, “The Chronicles of Narnia” and “The Little Yellow Digger” on the go with my kids.

Tune in again to hear more about our Synergia superstars!

29/07/2024

🎉 Synergia Staff Spotlight Series 🎉

Today we get to know Stephenson on our staff spotlight series.

🌍 What’s the most interesting place your work has taken you?

We worked with the Governor of the small province of Bataan in the Philippines, where we were helping with the development of an improved primary care system. It was a fascinating assignment. There were lots of strengths in their system, especially around public health. We were able to provide some guidance around improving the performance of primary care – and taking some pressure off local hospitals. Health professionals doing amazing work with constrained resources.

🏆What is the most rewarding project you have worked on?

I have to say three.

Firstly, our decade-long work with Genesis Youth Trust designing, developing and supporting the highly successful social bond pilot on youth re-offending.

Secondly, working with our hospices across NZ for many years, helping with designing new services and with developing national data infrastructure that brings together accurate clinical, operational and costing data from all hospices into one national Data Commons.

Thirdly, helping the wonderful Te Arawa Whanau Ora establish themselves and get up and running with great programmes, good data and effective governance systems.

📚 What book are you currently reading?

Here it gets a bit nerdy. I am grinding through The Dawn of Everything - A New History of Humanity, by David Graeber and David Wengrow. It is a massive work, challenging the whole thesis about human evolution from hunter gatherer, to agriculture, to city state to kingdoms etc. Their view, based on a modern reinterpretation of archaeology and artefacts is of a far more fluid, egalitarian, democratic and participative social evolution across thousands of years in parallel with authoritarian city-state models. Daytime, not bedtime reading.

23/07/2024

Synergia was delighted to host Hon. Matt Doocey and Rawinia Thompsons visit with Tū Whakaruruhau, the collaborative delivering the Integrated Primary Mental Health & Addiction Program (IPMHA) across Tāmaki Makaurau) on July 10th.

It was an energetic and positive kōrero with a strong shared focus on improving population wellbeing through the delivery of quick, easy to access, and effective wellbeing support to Aucklander’s experiencing any form of distress.

Synergia looks forward to continuing to provide leadership and analytics support to this important front-line program.

https://www.aklwellbeingcollab.co.nz/

07/07/2024

🎉 Synergia Staff Spotlight Series 🎉

Welcome to our brand-new series: "Synergia Superstars!" 🌟 Each week, we’ll be shining a light on the amazing individuals who make Synergia what it is. First up, Dr. Sarah Appleton, our Managing Partner! Let’s dive in and get to know her better!

💬 What's the best part about working with the Synergia team?
The connection and collaboration that happens through our mahi together and with others. Being surrounded by smart brilliant people that really want to make a difference through their work. No one is about the 9 to 5 – we are all about the value creation.

💬 What is your advice for young professionals starting out in their career?
Ok, this got me thinking a lot. I would say:

👥 Build your reputation and network through high quality engagements
🚀 Don’t let others limits become yours
🏢 Get in the office

The first one relates to being prepared and present with both colleagues and clients. Avoid hiding behind a laptop screen as it can lead to disengagement. Being prepared means doing your research, which is particularly important for earlier career professionals. You can quickly demonstrate your credibility by sharing some valuable facts and insights at the right moment.

Number two addresses the importance of not letting others’ doubts limit your achievements. This is patricianly common for women and earlier career professionals in the workplace. Back yourself and go for it! The support of a great mentor will also do wonders here.

My third point may be unpopular but being in the office offers more opportunities for growth and development for people earlier in their careers. Office presence (providing others are there) gives you access to amazing mentors, opportunities to learn by osmosis, exposure to workplace culture, connections to clients, and unplanned opportunities to bounce ideas with others.

📚 What book are you currently reading?
The Glass Cliff: Why women in power and undermined and how to fight back by Sophie Williams. It is a fascinating data led examination of The Glass Cliff social phenomenon – the hiring of women into leadership roles when a business is already underperforming – naturally reducing their chances of success.

On the lighter side I am reading Rachel’s Holiday by Marian Keyes book. Helps clear the mind before bed!

Thanks for sharing, Sarah! Stay tuned next week for another Synergia Superstar! 🌟

27/06/2024

🌟 Mānawatia a Matariki! 🌟

As the stars of Matariki rise, we find it a fitting time to reflect, celebrate, and look forward. Today, we marked a special moment at Synergia by celebrating David Todd's last day with us.

Matariki invites us to remember our experiences over the past year. Today, we also reflected on David’s invaluable contributions over the last 20 years.

We wish you all a meaningful and inspired Matariki.

17/05/2024

Synergia is proud to be celebrating Pink Shirt Day, it is a powerful reminder of the importance of kindness and standing up to bullying.

Our values here at Synergia reflect the importance of celebrating diversity and promoting kindness and inclusion - everyday not just today. We are doing our part to create a community where our people feel safe, valued and respected, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion or cultural background.

Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora!
Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying!

15/05/2024

So pleased to see our mahi with Ministry of Health New Zealand Public Health Advisory Committee (PHAC) published this morning: https://newsroom.co.nz/2024/05/16/time-to-rebalance-our-food-system-towards-cheap-healthy-food/?mc_cid=5cf7090b39

The PHAC engaged Synergia to lead a series of stakeholder engagements to inform their report on Rebalancing our food system, including key informant interviews and stakeholder workshop. It was an absolute pleasure being involved in this important mahi.

The findings from the stakeholder engagements are published here:https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/publications/stakeholder-reflections-on-the-food-environment.pdf

Opinion: Our food system is very good at producing highly profitable export-quality products but not nearly as good at ensuring all New Zealanders have access to the nourishment they need to live and flourish, argues Kevin Hague