This award honours a senior leader who has driven lasting change for workplace inclusion through vision and action. It recognises those who use their influence to embed equity at the highest levels, showing that inclusive leadership is a strategic priority, not just a personal value.

When preparing your nomination, please write in clear, everyday language. Use specific examples rather than general statements, and include at least one measure (quantitative) and one story or testimonial (qualitative) to demonstrate impact.

Entries should be around 600–800 words in total. While there is flexibility, entries exceeding 1,500 words will not be accepted. There is no facility to upload supporting documents this year.

On the entry form, you will be asked to:

• Describe the nominee’s role and the inclusion challenges they took on. (150 – 200 words)
• Outline the key actions they took to drive change, including any consideration of Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique cultural context for workplace inclusion. (200–250 words)
• Share evidence of impact – include at least one story or example that illustrates the difference their actions have made. (150 – 200 words)
• Explain how their work continues to influence the organisation or sector. (100 – 150 words)

Go to the entry form.

This award recognises a professional who has demonstrated excellence and innovation in advancing workplace diversity, equity and inclusion. These professionals bring expertise, creativity, and persistence to the complex task of embedding equity into workplace systems, cultures, and practices, and their work sets new benchmarks for impact.

When preparing your nomination, please write in clear, everyday language. Use specific examples rather than general statements, and include at least one measure (quantitative) and one story or testimonial (qualitative) to demonstrate impact.

Entries should be around 600–800 words in total. While there is flexibility, entries exceeding 1,500 words will not be accepted. There is no facility to upload supporting documents this year.

On the entry form, you will be asked to:

• Describe the nominee’s role and the inclusion challenges they took on. (150 – 200 words)
• Outline the key actions they took to drive change, including any consideration of Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique cultural context for workplace inclusion. (200–250 words)
• Share evidence of impact – include at least one story or example that illustrates the difference their actions have made. (150 – 200 words)
• Explain how their work continues to influence the organisation or sector. (100 – 150 words)

Go to the entry form.

This award honours an early-career professional who demonstrates courage, creativity, and commitment in advancing inclusion beyond their formal role. It celebrates individuals who step forward with new ideas, champion diverse voices, and inspire others through their actions.

When preparing your nomination, please write in clear, everyday language. Use specific examples rather than general statements, and include at least one measure (quantitative) and one story or testimonial (qualitative) to demonstrate impact.

Entries should be around 600–800 words in total. While there is flexibility, entries exceeding 1,500 words will not be accepted. There is no facility to upload supporting documents this year.

On the entry form, you will be asked to:

• Describe the nominee’s role and the inclusion challenges they took on. (150 – 200 words)
• Outline the key actions they took to drive change, including any consideration of Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique cultural context for workplace inclusion. (200–250 words)
• Share evidence of impact – include at least one story or example that illustrates the difference their actions have made. (150 – 200 words)
• Explain how their work continues to influence the organisation or sector. (100 – 150 words)

Go to the entry form.

This award recognises an organisation that has gone beyond words and policies to create a workplace where inclusion is part of daily reality. Winners will show how they embed fairness, equity, and belonging into systems, leadership, and everyday interactions — creating an environment where people from all backgrounds not only feel welcome, but have the opportunity to contribute and succeed.

Entrants can select from two subcategories based on organisation size: Small/Medium (fewer than 100 employees) or Medium/Large (100 employees or more).

When preparing your nomination, please write in clear, everyday language. Use specific examples rather than general statements, and include at least two measures (quantitative) and one story or testimonial (qualitative) to demonstrate impact.

Entries should be around 800–1000 words in total. While there is flexibility, entries exceeding 1,800 words will not be accepted. There is no facility to upload supporting documents this year.

On the entry form, you will be asked to:

• Tell us about your organisation and the specific challenges you had to address. (150 – 200 words)
• Describe up to three initiatives you introduced to respond to these challenges, including a reflection on how Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique cultural context may have influenced their design. (250–300 words)
• What difference did this make - please share two measures and one story. (250 – 300 words)
• Explain how these changes are being sustained. (150 – 200 words)

This award honours organisations that have taken bold steps to remove systemic obstacles that hold people back — whether in recruitment, career progression, accessibility, or everyday workplace practices. It celebrates initiatives that directly challenge inequities and open up fairer access to jobs, development, and wellbeing, ensuring that opportunities are not limited by background or circumstance.

Entrants can select from two subcategories based on organisation size: Small/Medium (fewer than 100 employees) or Medium/Large (100 employees or more).

When preparing your nomination, please write in clear, everyday language. Use specific examples rather than general statements, and include at least two measures (quantitative) and one story or testimonial (qualitative) to demonstrate impact.

Entries should be around 800–1000 words in total. While there is flexibility, entries exceeding 1,800 words will not be accepted. There is no facility to upload supporting documents this year.

On the entry form, you will be asked to:

• Tell us about your organisation and the specific challenges you had to address. (150 – 200 words)
• Describe up to three initiatives you introduced to respond to these challenges, including a reflection on how Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique cultural context may have influenced their design. (250–300 words)
• What difference did this make - please share two measures and one story. (250 – 300 words)
• Explain how these changes are being sustained. (150 – 200 words)

Go to the entry form.

This award recognises teams that have made respect and dignity the foundation of how they work together. These are teams where people feel safe to speak up, differences are handled constructively, and trust is built through everyday interactions. We are looking for examples of how the team has created clear practices, behaviours, or rituals that foster respect — and evidence that this has strengthened collaboration, wellbeing, and performance.

For the purpose of these awards, a “team” is a group of people working together within an organisation toward a shared purpose. This may include a functional or departmental team, or a cross-functional or project team formed to deliver specific outcomes. Teams may be small or large, permanent or temporary, but must demonstrate how members collaborate as a unit and contribute collectively to a specific organisational objective.

When preparing your nomination, please write in clear, everyday language. Use specific examples rather than general statements, and include at least one measure (quantitative) and one story or testimonial (qualitative) to demonstrate impact.

Entries should be around 800–1000 words in total. While there is flexibility, entries exceeding 1,800 words will not be accepted. There is no facility to upload supporting documents this year.

On the entry form, you will be asked to:

• Tell us about your team and the specific challenges you had to address. (150 – 200 words)
• Describe what practices or initiatives you implemented to respond to these challenges, including a reflection on how Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique cultural context may have influenced their design. (250 – 300 words)
• What difference did this make - please share one or two measures and one story. (250 – 300 words)
• Explain how these changes are being sustained, including how your team’s progress is informing or influencing wider practice across the organisation. (150–200 words)

Go to the entry form.

This award recognises teams that have gone beyond awareness to actively build cultural knowledge and skills. These teams demonstrate cultural humility and intelligence by making the effort to learn about, respect, and apply cultural understanding in their work. Entries may highlight growth in Māori cultural competency or competency in any other culture, showing how this learning has strengthened relationships, trust, and outcomes for the people they serve.

For the purpose of these awards, a “team” is a group of people working together within an organisation toward a shared purpose. This may include a functional or departmental team, or a cross-functional or project team formed to deliver specific outcomes. Teams may be small or large, permanent or temporary, but must demonstrate how members collaborate as a unit and contribute collectively to a specific organisational objective.

When preparing your nomination, please write in clear, everyday language. Use specific examples rather than general statements, and include at least one measure (quantitative) and one story or testimonial (qualitative) to demonstrate impact.

Entries should be around 800–1000 words in total. While there is flexibility, entries exceeding 1,800 words will not be accepted. There is no facility to upload supporting documents this year.

On the entry form, you will be asked to:

• Tell us about your team and the specific challenges you had to address. (150 – 200 words)
• Describe what practices or initiatives you implemented to respond to these challenges, including a reflection on how Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique cultural context may have influenced their design. (250 – 300 words)
• What difference did this make - please share one or two measures and one story. (250 – 300 words)
• Explain how these changes are being sustained, including how your team’s progress is informing or influencing wider practice across the organisation. (150–200 words)

Go to the entry form.

Employee-led networks are engines of change. This award honours networks that mobilise colleagues around shared goals, amplify under-represented voices, and turn lived experience into action. Beyond fostering connection, these networks build an evidence base for inclusion and work in partnership with leadership to influence organisational strategy, culture, and policy.

For the purpose of these awards, a “team” is a group of people working together within an organisation toward a shared purpose. This may include a functional or departmental team, or a cross-functional or project team formed to deliver specific outcomes. Teams may be small or large, permanent or temporary, but must demonstrate how members collaborate as a unit and contribute collectively to a specific organisational objective.

When preparing your nomination, please write in clear, everyday language. Use specific examples rather than general statements, and include at least one measure (quantitative) and one story or testimonial (qualitative) to demonstrate impact.

Entries should be around 800–1000 words in total. While there is flexibility, entries exceeding 1,800 words will not be accepted. There is no facility to upload supporting documents this year.

Entry Form

• Tell us about your team and the specific challenges you had to address. (150 – 200 words)
• Describe what practices or initiatives you implemented to respond to these challenges, including a reflection on how Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique cultural context may have influenced their design. (250 – 300 words)
• What difference did this make - please share one or two measures and one story. (250 – 300 words)
• Explain how these changes are being sustained, including how your team’s progress is informing or influencing wider practice across the organisation. (150–200 words)

Go to the entry form.

There’s no need to repeat what you’ve already written. Instead, help our judges understand how the work you’ve described specifically made a difference for this group.

The Feature Award component of your entry should be around 250–400 words in total. While there is flexibility, entries exceeding 750 words will not be accepted. There is no facility to upload supporting documents this year.

The entry form will ask you to:

• Describe how your initiative addressed a specific barrier for this group, including one tangible impact it had and how you’re continuing to sustain progress. (250–400 words)

Celebrating the initiative that resonates most deeply with our community for its inspiration, engagement, and meaningful inclusion in action. Chosen by the audience on the night from the winners of the Organisation, Team, and Feature Awards.

The highest honour of the evening, recognising the entry that most exemplifies outstanding impact, innovation, and leadership in advancing workplace inclusion across the board. Chosen by the judging panel from the winners of the Organisation, Team, and Feature Awards and taking into account:

• Complexity of the problem addressed and barriers overcome through implementation;
• Resource limitations and creative solutions employed to achieve results within financial and time constraints;
• Potential to activate change at a larger scale beyond the immediate workplace.