Recognising the standout achievements and inspiring leaders of HR in New Zealand.
In a celebration of excellence in human resources, the New Zealand HR Awards 2025 brought together the best of the best in the industry.
From industry leaders to up and coming trailblazers, the New Zealand HR Awards 2025 recognised the individuals and teams who have had a significant impact on the HR profession over the past year.
Between successful leadership development strategies and innovative inclusion initiatives, the event showcased the role HR professionals play in shaping successful organisations.
Finalists and winners were decided upon by an expert judging panel across a variety of categories. Factors like employee wellbeing, technology adoption, and leadership development all played a role in determining the winners.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
NZ HR DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
WINNER:
Karly Boast, LawVu
EXCELLENCE AWARDEES:
Ceri Rowland, Douglas Pharmaceuticals
Elene Panton, Parliamentary Service
Felicity Brown, Flintfox
Gareth Cameron, Cordis, Auckland
Karly Boast, LawVu
Payal Kulkarni, JW Marriott Auckland
Tracey Goldstine, Securecom
NZ HR MANAGER OF THE YEAR
WINNER:
Peter Keegan, Waitaki District Council
EXCELLENCE AWARDEES:
Ava Kulkarni, VAPO
Dee Johnston, Engineering New Zealand
Helen Smith, 2degrees
Jo Willdig, Whanau Awhina Plunket
Jocelyn Marsh, Jani-King (NZ)
Lynne Gibbons, Ember Korowai Takitini
Shivani Nath, Lightforce Solar
NZ HR RISING STAR OF THE YEAR
WINNER:
Ellie Webb, Red Badge Group
EXCELLENCE AWARDEES:
Grace Kowalenko, 2degrees
Lorraine Bryant, Spectrum Consulting
Lucy Northcoat, Orion New Zealand
Rebecca Ralph, IHG Hotels and Resorts
Stuart Titterrell, Mitre10 New Zealand
COMPANY/TEAM AWARDS
EMPLOYER OF CHOICE < 200 STAFF
WINNER:
JW Marriott Auckland
EXCELLENCE AWARDEES
Jani-King (NZ)
New Zealand Rugby
Oyster Property
Securecom
Sharesies
Transport World
EMPLOYER OF CHOICE > 200 STAFF
Sponsored by Clearhead
WINNER: Barker Fruit Processors
EXCELLENCE AWARDEES:
2degrees
Air New Zealand
Cordis, Auckland
Kinetic NZ
Red Badge Group
Waitaki District Council
HR TEAM OF THE YEAR
WINNER:
Connetics
EXCELLENCE AWARDEES:
2degrees
Air New Zealand
Cordis, Auckland
Douglas Pharmaceuticals
Fonterra Co-operative Group
Four Points by Sheraton Auckland (Marriott International)
Mitre 10 New Zealand
Congratulations to all of the winners and excellence awardees.
