Entries open for 2019 Diversity Awards NZ™

The 2019 Diversity Awards NZ™ are open for entries, offering New Zealand workplaces the opportunity to showcase the diversity and inclusion initiatives that are positively impacting their people and their business performance.

Now in its 22nd year, this prestigious awards programme celebrates best practice in workplace diversity and inclusion. There are nine award categories, and winners are chosen by an expert, independent judging panel.

Last year the awards attracted a record 93 entries from organisations across the private and public sectors, representing a wide range of industry sectors and regions. The New Zealand Defence Force won the Supreme Award.

This year’s programme features a couple of significant changes from previous years.

For the first time, finalists will be announced in the nine award categories. The finalists will be made public in June, two months ahead of the Gala Dinner announcement of winners.

Introducing finalists is recognition that the Diversity Awards NZ have reached maturity, says judging convener Neil Porteous.

“We had more than 90 entries in the 2018 programme, showcasing inspiring initiatives right across New Zealand. Announcing finalists allows us to celebrate not only the category winners, but also other high-quality, leading-edge initiatives that really stand out.”

The other big change is that the judges will have the discretion to confer a Small Organisation Excellence Award in any of the nine categories this year.

These new awards are available to organisations with fewer than 50 employees and recognise that initiatives developed by small and medium enterprises in our cities and regions play an important role in creating a truly inclusive workplace culture in New Zealand, says Diversity Works New Zealand Chief Executive Rachel Hopkins.

Entry to the awards is free and the Diversity Works New Zealand website diversityworksnz.org.nz contains all the information entrants need, including category descriptions, judging criteria, terms and conditions and frequently asked questions. Entries close on 7 May 2019.

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