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Diversity Awards NZ

Programme Overview

We are committed to showcasing the full breadth of workplace inclusion in Aotearoa New Zealand. Te Tiriti o Waitangi is the foundation of our unique cultural landscape, and from this foundation flows the multicultural and multidimensional inclusion that strengthens us all. This includes disability, rainbow, migrant and ethnic communities as integral to our collective future. Through these awards, we highlight not only excellence but also the diversity of stories, ensuring every community can see itself represented.

The Diversity Awards NZ™ programme recognises excellence at every level — individual, team, and organisation.

  • Organisation Awards: Entries are differentiated by size, with categories for small/medium organisations (fewer than 100 employees) and medium/large organisations (more than 100 employees).
  • Team Awards: Open to all teams regardless of size. A “team” is defined as a group of people working together towards a shared purpose, whether within a department, across functions, or on a specific initiative.
  • Individual Awards: Celebrating the achievements of individuals who demonstrate leadership, innovation, or emerging influence in advancing workplace inclusion.


Our Awards programme is also multidimensional: in addition to the core categories, entrants can choose to have their Organisation or Team submission considered for a Feature Award.

Feature Awards highlight excellence in specific dimensions of inclusion — such as disability, rainbow, migrant and ethnic communities, generational equity, neurodiversity, socioeconomic opportunity, and respectful culture — ensuring that initiatives with particular impact in these areas are given dedicated recognition. Each Team or Organisation Award can be entered in one Feature Award category.

All Organisation, Team, and Feature Award winners are also eligible for recognition in the Pinnacle category. This includes two top honours: the Supreme Award, selected by the judging panel, and the People’s Choice Award, decided by the audience on the night.

Cost for entry

Individual Awards

Entries are free for individuals employed by organisations that are members of Te Uru Tāngata Centre for Workplace Inclusion. A fee of $350+GST applies to entries from individuals who are not employed by a member organisation. Invoices will be issued after submission. Entries will only be accepted for consideration once payment has been received.

Organisation and Team Awards

Entries are free for organisations that are members of Te Uru Tāngata Centre for Workplace Inclusion. A fee of $350+GST applies to entries from non-member organisations. There is no additional cost if you request to be considered for a Feature Award. Invoices will be issued after submission. Entries will only be accepted for consideration once payment has been received.

Category Descriptions

Individual Awards
  • Inclusive Leader of the Year
    Recognising a senior leader who has driven sustained change for workplace inclusion through vision and action.

  • Workplace Inclusion Professional of the Year
    Celebrating a practitioner who has shown excellence and innovation in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion practice.

  • Emerging Inclusion Champion of the Year
    Honouring an early-career professional who has shown courage, creativity, and commitment to inclusion beyond their formal role.
Organisation Awards
  • Inclusive Workplace Award
    Recognising an organisation that has built an inclusive workplace where people of all backgrounds thrive.

  • Breaking Barriers Award
    Recognising an organisation that has removed systemic barriers to create fairer opportunities for its people.
Team Awards
  • Respectful Culture Award
    Honouring a team that has built a culture of dignity, respect, and trust where people feel safe to contribute and thrive.

  • Cultural Competence Award
    Recognising a team that demonstrates cultural humility and intelligence by actively learning about, valuing, and applying knowledge of diverse cultures to strengthen relationships and outcomes.

  • Employee Networks Award
    Celebrating the impact of employee-led networks that give voice to underrepresented groups, strengthen connection, and drive meaningful change from within.
Feature Awards
  • Bridging Generations Feature Award
    Celebrating efforts that build understanding, connection, and opportunity across generations.

  • Disability Confidence Feature Award
    Celebrating initiatives that remove barriers and enable disabled people to participate and succeed at work.

  • Fair Futures Feature Award
    Celebrating initiatives that break cycles of socioeconomic disadvantage and open pathways to lasting equity and opportunity.

  • Gender Equity Feature Award
    Recognising initiatives that advance gender equity by removing barriers that hold women back - opening pathways to leadership, fair pay, and full participation across the workplace.

  • He Ara Māori Tohu
    Shining a light on initiatives that honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and embed tikanga Māori to create genuine pathways for Māori inclusion, leadership, and equity in the workplace. 

  • Migrant Pathways Feature Award
    Honouring organisations that open fair pathways for migrant and ethnic communities to thrive in Aotearoa workplaces.

  • Neurodiverse Talent Feature Award
    Recognising initiatives that unlock the potential and celebrate the strengths of neurodiverse employees.

  • Rainbow Belonging Feature Award
    Recognising workplaces that create safe, affirming, and empowering environments for rainbow communities.
Pinnacle Awards
  • People’s Choice Award
    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.

  • Supreme Award
    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.

For more information on the categories, judging criteria and how to enter, head to the Categories and Entry Criteria page.

Awards terms and conditions can be found here.