Resources > Success Stories > Port of Auckland
Across land and sea
At the Port of Auckland, keeping every single employee connected, from the docks to the office, is vital. See how VMG Connect helped them overcome communication challenges, delivering seamless, instant two-way conversations that empower their entire team.
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All Success Stories > Port of Auckland
Port of Auckland is a place that truly never stops. Their dedicated teams work around the clock, across a large and active port.
Even with teams so spread out, they’ve built an open and connected culture, driven by a leadership team that sees the value in open, two-way communication for everyone. This includes people at desks, crane operators, those out on the harbour, and anyone on any shift, day or night.
But it hasn’t always been this way. Just five years ago, the Port’s main way to communicate with staff was an old intranet, accessible only to people at desks or via email. As a result, their important frontline teams felt isolated, either missing out on information entirely or getting only one-way messages. It was a real challenge for morale, and making sure everyone received timely information.
Connecting Everyone, Then a New Hurdle
In 2021, we teamed up with the port to bring in the Workplace platform. This was a big step forward. It completely changed how they communicated, giving everyone the same access to information and ways to connect, no matter where they were or what shift they worked.
Then, in 2024, things changed again when Meta announced Workplace would be closing down. The port team had made such good progress, they were determined not to lose that momentum or the positive changes they’d already achieved. It was important to find a new solution fast.
Workvivo – A Smooth Move to Keep Teams Connected
To make sure their communication stayed strong, Port of Auckland worked closely with us to find the right new platform. Given their critical requirements for a mobile-first, flexible solution, we advised them on Workvivo by Zoom.
Crucially, Workvivo had all the features Workplace had, and even more. This was key to making sure the change was smooth and communication could keep flowing without a hitch.
Our partnership focused on making this transition as easy and familiar as possible for everyone:
Easy Switchover: We carefully set up Workvivo’s group structures to match their old ones in Workplace. This meant everyone could jump straight in, feeling comfortable and ready to connect.
Simple Onboarding for New Starters: We worked closely with the port’s tech team to link Workvivo with their payroll system. By automating this, the port gets more accurate user data, a smoother welcome for new employees from day one, and less risk from manual processes.
Getting Everyone Ready: Before going live, we ran workshops, training for their champions, and demos. This made sure everyone felt prepared and confident using the new platform.
Energised Launch: During the launch week, the port team kept the excitement high with fun activities and prizes. This really encouraged staff to download the app and log in.
Building on a Connected Culture with Workvivo
They’ve come a long way since the days of the old, disconnected intranet. With the successful launch complete and staff now comfortably onboarded to the new platform, the port is continuing to build its vibrant, connected culture through Workvivo.
Safety First, for Everyone: In a place where health, safety and wellbeing is critical, Workvivo makes it simple to share important updates, recognise safe practices, and have vital discussions that reach every employee, no matter their role or location. It was used brilliantly during their recent Safety Week to keep safety front and centre.
Real Talk from the Top, Made Easier: CEO Roger Gray uses Workvivo to connect directly and openly. His weekly, unedited video updates reach everyone – from the office to those out on the harbour or on the night shift. This gives him a real voice and makes it simpler for people to ask questions and have conversations.
Celebrating People, Effortlessly: The port whānau genuinely values recognising hard work and achievements. Workvivo’s easy-to-use features make it simple for anyone to give a shout-out, celebrating individual efforts and team successes across the whole organisation.
Staying Connected to Port Life, Personalised: With teams spread out, getting the right information to the right people quickly is key. Workvivo’s smart feed delivers a personalised mix of company news, team updates, and engaging posts from colleagues. This helps everyone stay in the loop with what matters most to them, making it easier than ever to get relevant information.
Bringing Events to Everyone, Inclusively: From cultural events to welcoming new employees, Workvivo helps share the buzz around port events. It connects desk-based and operational workers by sharing updates, photos, and conversations, helping everyone feel included even if they can’t be there in person.
It’s been great supporting the Port of Auckland team on this journey. We look forward to seeing their connected port whānau keep growing and thriving on Workvivo.
If you’re looking to foster a more inclusive workplace and bridge the gap between dispersed teams, get in touch! We’d love to support you in creating a culture of belonging.