Awarding Excellence at the 2018 NZ HR Awards

The 19^th Annual NZ HR Awards hosted by Human Resources Institute of New Zealand was held at SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre on the 22^nd February with a record crowd in attendance.  The sell out crowd of almost 400 delegates came together to recognise excellence in HR and how the profession is a crucial contributor to business success.

Of the 16 awards presented on the evening, beverage manufacturer Lion were notable winners taking two awards back to the Lion den.  The Award for Organisational Change and Development in association with principal sponsor Human Synergistics was the precursor for a new award inclusion in the 2018 programme, the Award for Outstanding Workplace.

The Warehouse continued its year on year success at the NZ HR Awards with Employment Brand Manager Leslie Taylor being awarded HR Specialist of the year for her work encouraging retail as a career at the "big red shed."

It wasn't just big businesses taking away awards on the evening as the not for profit organisation Lifewise, APT, MMN repeating their 2017 NZ HR Award win for HR Business Contribution Award for Small Enterprises/Not-for-Profit, a first back to back win for any organisation at the awards evening.

Organisers of the NZ HR Awards had one surprise up their sleeve however, as an unlisted and uncommunicated acknowledgement of a lifetime of excellence took place moments before the presentation of HR Person of the Year.  HRINZ and its National Board wanted to acknowledge a contribution to the profession, community, industry and Institute that had it not been for the work and time of Frances Tweedy we as an Institute may not be currently in the position we are in today.  Frances Tweedy was awarded the Institutes highest accolade of Distinguished Fellowship (DistFHRINZ).  Tweedy's contribution to HRINZ started as far back as 1956 and has held almost every notable position possible with the organisation such as: Auckland Branch President (1984 - 1987), National Vice President (1987), National President ( 1987 - 1989) and from 1990 a member of the Professional Grading panel and Mentor to many HR Professionals.  Frances was welcomed to the stage with resounding applause and standing ovation and it was evident that the acknowledgement of her time and loyal service was appreciated.

Following some recent tough weeks in the media, Fletcher Building may have reason to smile with the success of their former Chief People and Communications Officer Kate Daly being another major winner on the evening taking home the HR Generalist of the Year in association with Strategic Pay early in the night and closing out the evening with the prestigious accolade of HR Person of the Year.

Daly, now Director of People and Communications at BNZ was a stand out high achiever and Chief Judge of the NZ HR Awards Geoff Summers DistFHRINZ says, "Kate is a very deserving winner of this award for many reasons.  Kate is a well qualified senior practitioner with extensive experience both internationally and in New Zealand."

Summers added, "her recent role has been with New Zealand's largest public company and not only has she excelled in the role but she has also enabled her team to excel with a large number of awards won."

"It is obvious that Kate has made a significant contribution to good people management within Fletcher Building.  The judges also noted that Kate generously shares her knowledge and experience outside of her employment and is a Board or Panel member of many unpaid bodies where her HR and business expertise contributes to the achievement of those organisations' laudable objectives" says Summers.

The Human Resources Institute of New Zealand would like to congratulate all the finalists and winners of the NZ HR Awards for their outstanding achievements and continued success within a very challenging profession.

The full list of winners is as follows: