Industry gongs highlight the great strides being made by Kiwi employers
Diversity Works NZ has launched its 24th annual awards to celebrate achievements being made in workplaces across Aotearoa.
The revamped Diversity Awards 2021 will shine a spotlight on organisations leading the way in the D&I space, creating workplaces where every employee is encouraged to bring their whole self to work. Diversity Works New Zealand chief executive Maretha Smit said the new award categories and format reflect the evolving nature of D&I across the country.
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“Over the past three decades, the conversation about workplace diversity and inclusion has matured to the extent that our collective perspective of excellence has become more refined, with multiple opportunities to showcase innovative approaches in respect of specific dimensions of diversity,” she told HRD.
“Through an extensive literature review over the past six months, Diversity Works New Zealand has developed a comprehensive framework of the specific organisational factors required to build inclusive workplaces. We wanted to ensure our awards programme aligned with that framework.”
This year’s awards will include four categories – the Leadership Award, Diverse Talent Award, Inclusive Workplace Award and Mātauranga Māori Award. Both large organisations with more than 100 employees and SME’s will be recognised in each category. An additional Impact Award will also be open to private sector and charitable organisations whose core business facilitates the provision of more equitable workplace opportunities.
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Previous winners include the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Vector Limited, the New Zealand Defence Force, Real Journeys and New Zealand Police. An independent panel of judges will be tasked with selecting the winners and entries close on May 4.
