Half of workers reported pain, illness, or disability in the 2025 MATES in Construction Industry Well-being Survey, more than double the national adult rate.
Supported by ASB, MATES were recently joined by Minister for Mental Health Hon Matt Doocey to launch the results of the industry survey on World Suicide Prevention Day.
The report reveals that construction workers are enjoying their mahi, with many finding satisfaction and connection in their work; however, fatigue, high workload, stigma, and financial strain are prevalent.
Key stressors for industry workers included exhaustion (40%), high workload (23%), time pressures (17%) and fear of making mistakes (16%). These stressors not only affect how workers feel but also slow productivity, increase mistakes, and raise on-site safety risks.
“The Well-being Survey gives our mates in the industry a chance to speak up and tell us how they’re doing, and we’re grateful to everyone who shared their kōrero with us,” says MATES in Construction Chief Executive John Chapman.
“It’s important that what they’ve told us about mental health experiences — challenges and successes alike — is heard. The data we’ve gathered and the stories they’ve shared will help us ignite hope and spark real change for our industry.”
Money worries are a major pressure point for workers, with 29% citing financial stress as a key concern. The report serves as a reminder that pressures don’t stop at the site gate: pressures at home follow workers onto site just as work stress follows them home.
MATES’ partner ASB is developing Nail Your Finances, a free workshop specifically designed for construction workers that will be delivered across Aotearoa.
ASB General Manager of Commercial Banking, Ben Speedy, says the financial wellbeing workshop will cover practical tools to help build money confidence and hopefully relieve some pressure around finances.
“The Nail Your Finances workshops will be run by ASB’s Community Bankers at local trade stores, giving workers useful information in a space that’s familiar to them.
We share MATES’ ambition for healthy, strong worksites, and we’re pleased to be able to build on our support of the MATES mental health helpline with another targeted initiative off the back of this research.”
“We’re extremely grateful to ASB for their continued support and their commitment to this kaupapa, and the opportunity to work alongside them to make positive change for our industry,” John Chapman says.
The 2025 Well-being Survey has built on real progress since the first industry-wide survey in 2023. That earlier data helped secure ASB funding for the free 24/7 MATES helpline, supported a $1 million national grant to expand services into the regions, informed the government’s Suicide Prevention Action Plan refresh, and strengthened partnerships between industry and mental health organisations.
The survey has now grown into one of the largest community-based mental health studies in New Zealand, with more than 3,300 workers from construction, infrastructure, and manufacturing taking part this year. The findings provide the clearest picture yet of how workers are really doing.
Coroner statistics remain stark: construction workers are nine times more likely to die by suicide than in a workplace accident, with more than one worker lost to suicide every week. Yet, the survey also offers hope, confirming that mateship and connection matter. Only 2.6% of workers highly engaged with MATES reported suicidal tendencies, compared to 4.7% of those who had little or no MATES support.
“We’re really pleased to learn that engagement with MATES makes such a huge difference,” says Dr Lauren Donnan, MATES’ Research Lead.
“This survey clearly shows the urgent need for sustained investment, leadership commitment, and system-wide change — so that what workers say keeps them well is embedded in every workplace. Mental health needs to be given the same importance as physical health and safety.”
The 2025 Well-being Survey makes one thing clear: stress and mental strain, alongside years of physical wear and tear, are driving both health and safety risks in the construction industry. Workers know what supports their wellbeing, mateship, time with whānau, fair pay, and strong leadership, but too often productivity and deadlines take priority. Closing that gap is essential. By listening to workers and embedding what keeps them well into every workplace, the industry can build safer, healthier, and more productive worksites for all.
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