April Turnaround Plan report
The April Monthly Turnaround Plan Report was released today, showing ACC’s commitment to supporting people back to work, especially those with less serious injuries, is delivering results.
In a significant milestone, the long-term claims pool (LTCP) growth rate fell to 0% in April.
Over the month of April, the LTCP reduced by 131 claims to 24,715, and return to work rates improved across the board.
ACC Turnaround Plan – April monthly report
Supporting clients with less serious injuries, like sprains and strains, who have been receiving weekly compensation back to work and independence remains a key focus area for us, says ACC Chief Executive Megan Main.
We are working hard to deliver the care and support New Zealanders expect from us, in line with the targets our Board set as part of the Turnaround Plan, Megan says.
“We are focused on improving the things that are in our control and shifting the way people think about their recovery if they get injured,” says Main.
“But there is more to do, and everyone has a part to play.
“We are working closely with health providers, particularly in primary care, to help improve rehabilitation outcomes for clients and we’re working hard to support employers to engage in their employee’s recovery.”
Bill Broadley and Shon Smith from Rubbish Direct.
Putting recovery at work into action
ACC recently spoke with Auckland-based waste management company Rubbish Direct, who were instrumental in the recovery of one of their employees, Bill Broadley.
Bill, a truck driver, was seriously injured in a motorbike accident in 2024.
Shon Smith, the company’s general manager, visited Bill in hospital following the accident and checked in regularly, supporting Bill throughout his recovery, reminding him of his role in the team and reassuring him that his job would still be there when he was ready to return.
Bill said his injuries resulted in weeks away from work, which would have left him feeling disconnected and restless without the communication from his manager.
He says knowing he had a place to return to when he was ready removed a lot of stress and meant he could just focus on getting better.
ACC played an important role in Bill’s rehabilitation, working closely with Rubbish Direct, as well as his GP and physiotherapist, to plan his safe return to work.
When he was ready, an ACC Recovery at Work plan was put in place.
Bill returned gradually on suitable duties and reduced hours. At first, he couldn’t physically handle bins, so he focused on what he could do: training new drivers and sharing the knowledge he’d built over years with the company.
It kept him connected, useful and engaged while his body caught up.
Bill says getting back to work changed his life – physically, it rebuilt his strength and confidence, while mentally it gave him purpose again.
Recovering at work after an injury can help people get better sooner, Megan says.
“We know it’s best for everyone – the client, employer and all of New Zealand if a client remains employed throughout their recovery,” she says.
“With the right team in place to support the injured person, it’s more likely they will return to their job and the things they enjoy outside of work.”
You can watch Rubbish Direct's recovery at work story on YouTube.
How Rubbish Direct made recovery at work a reality
Shon visiting Bill during the early part of his recovery in hospital.
ACC’s plan for turnaround focuses on three priority areas: (1) Putting clients first with care that leads to lasting recovery, (2) Getting New Zealanders back to work and independence and (3) Resetting ACC and getting the organisation back to basics.
“We will continue to focus our attention in these areas, as we look to further build our performance momentum in the coming months and years,” Megan says.
Recovering at work can:
- improve physical and mental wellbeing by staying connected to your workplace
- increase independence and confidence
- lead to shorter recovery times
- mean earning up to 100 per cent of your pre-injury income
For more information: Your recovery at work guide
ACC Turnaround Plan progress reports are published on our Resources page on the last business day of every month.
About the ACC Turnaround Plan
Our Turnaround Plan is underpinned by three priorities, which will drive improved rehabilitation and organisational performance, and more cost-effective support for injured people.
The priorities of the Turnaround Plan are:
- Putting clients first with care that leads to lasting recovery
- Getting New Zealanders back to work and independence
- Resetting ACC and getting the organisation back to basics
The Turnaround Plan responds to the recent independent review into our claims management approach and rehabilitation performance, and an updated Letter of Expectation by Minister for ACC Scott Simpson.
It also addresses recommendations in a Board-commissioned review into our organisational culture and a Treasury-commissioned review of our investment function.
Alongside the release of the Turnaround Plan in January, we also announced a new strategy, Statement of Intent and Service Agreement that will support our performance turnaround over the next four years and our goal to have a high-performance culture.
Turnaround Plan report and documents
April monthly report
ACC Turnaround Plan
Finity review into ACC’s claims management approach and rehabilitation performance
ACC Service Agreement 2025/2026
ACC Statement of Intent 2026-2030
