The 2019 Diversity Awards NZ™ are open for entries highlighting best practice workplace diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Now in its 22nd year, this programme offers organisations the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the important work they are doing and to be inspired by and learn from others.
This year’s programme also 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.
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.
“Statistics New Zealand figures show that last year there were 952,700 people working for enterprises that employed fewer than 50 people – that’s more than 40 per cent of our workforce,” she says. “This means that all initiatives to encourage diversity and belonging in small organisations have a big impact on building a more inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand.”
Judging convener Neil Porteous says the new awards are an exciting opportunity to acknowledge the efforts that businesses all around New Zealand are making to maximise the benefits of a diverse workplace and honour the unique backgrounds, skills and needs of their people.
Introducing finalists is recognition that the Diversity Awards NZ™, celebrating their 22nd anniversary this year, have reached maturity, Porteous says.
“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 standout.”
Entry to the awards is free and the Diversity Works New Zealand website contains all the information entrants need. Visit the entry information page to read how to enter, category descriptions, judging criteria, terms and conditions and frequently asked questions. We are running two Diversity Awards Entry Assistance Workshops and Diversity Awards Entry Assistance Webinar to provide valuable advice on how to write your entry, including communicating your key message, painting a picture of your organisation’s diversity and inclusion journey and showing the impact it’s having on your business.
Visit our events page for more information and to book a place.
