Categories & Criteria 2025
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Individual Categories
HR Professional of the Year
Sample Entry & Criteria Template | Reference Template
This Award recognises an individual who has exhibited excellence in either a generalist or specialist role. They are a Chartered Member of HRNZ who exhibits all the attributes of a professional in the way they approach their work. The person is known for making a difference within their organisation and be interested in making a contribution to the HR professional overall.
Eligibility: At least 4 years experience in an HR Practitioner role (employed in HR roles since 2019 or earlier) and a Chartered Member of HRNZ.
Emerging HR Practitioner of the Year in association with recruitHRpeople
Sample Entry & Criteria Template | Reference Template
Recognises an individual in the early stages of their human resources career who is making a significant impact and showing potential for future leadership
Eligibility: HR practitioners with less than four years' experience (commencing work in an HR role in 2019 or later). Must have achieved accreditation as an Accredited Professional.
HR Student of the Year Award
Sample Entry & Criteria Template | Reference Template
The HR student of the Year is designed for outstanding students enrolled in a major in human resource management (or management or another field relevant to HR work) as part of their undergraduate or postgraduate degree. This Award is oriented to students who have the potential to be highly successful HR practitioners.
Eligibility: Current student enrolled in a major in human resource management (or management or another field relevant to HR work) in their final year of study. Must be a paid student member of HRNZ.
Leadership Award in association with Inspire Group
Sample Entry & Criteria Template | Reference Template
Recognises an individual who has shown outstanding leadership for the HR profession through either leading the implementation of exemplary practice within their own organisation or through their contribution to the profession overall in New Zealand. The individual will have demonstrated courage in addressing key workplace challenges and be known as a brave and empathetic leader.
Eligibility: Practitioners with significant experience as a leader in an HR operational role or subject matter expert role.
Outstanding Service Award in association with Strategic Pay
This prestigious award recognises HR professionals who have served as a respected HR Professional or Academic and have helped to shape the profession and change the way that HR is perceived in the wider business community over an extended period of time.
Eligibility: The recipient of this award is decided by the HRNZ Board.
HR Person of the Year
Awarded to the individual showing greatest overall leadership in HR practice.
Eligibility: The recipient of this award will be determined from the pool of individual category winners [except Outstanding Service Award].
Individual / Organisation Categories
Volunteer[s] of the Year Award
Sample Entry & Criteria Template (Group) | Reference Template
Sample Entry & Criteria Template (Individual) | Reference Template
This award recognises the work and impact and commitment of volunteers within the HR community. Submissions for this award can be made by an individual or group, as well as by HRNZ’s various branch committees.
Eligibility: Applicants must be a member of HRNZ to be considered for this award.
Mana Tangata - Emerging or Leader Māori HR Award
Sample Entry & Criteria Template Individual | Reference Template
Sample Entry & Criteria Template Organisations | Reference Template
The Award is for individuals/organisations who have implemented significant programmes that involve integrating Māori cultural values and tikanga into their practices including HRM policies. Entry into this Award category requires demonstration of tangible improvement in outcomes for Māori in the workplace. The Award can be entered at an Emerging or Leader level depending on where the organisation/individual sees themselves on the journey.
Eligibility: Applicants do not have to be a member of HRNZ to be considered for these awards. HR expertise or belonging to an HR team is not essential, but alignment to HR practice and proven engagement with HR teams is essential.
Organisation Categories
These categories are designed for organisational entries who have shown excellence in specific functional areas.
Eligibility: All organisation categories must demonstrate clear alignment to their specific category. Organisations do not have to be members of HRNZ in order to enter.
Talent Acquisition Award in association with H2R Consulting
Sample Entry & Criteria Template | Reference Template
Recognises outstanding initiatives and strategies used within an organization to respond to talent shortages. Submissions will be from organisations that have formulated and implemented innovative strategies for attracting talent to their organisation.
Learning and Development Award in association with Complete Learning Solutions
Sample Entry & Criteria Template | Reference Template
Recognises excellence in learning and development initiatives that have contributed significantly and strategically to organisational capability outcomes.
Diversity and Inclusion Award
Sample Entry & Criteria Template | Reference Template
Recognises excellence in identifying and acting in a way that shows that a “one size fits all” approach to managing people does not achieve fairness and equity of opportunity for everyone. Good people practices demand that people priorities are both consistently fair but also flexible and inclusive in ways that are designed to support business needs.
Wellness Programme Award
Sample Entry & Criteria Template | Reference Template
Recognises outstanding initiatives and/or strategies promoting the health, safety and wellbeing of employees in their workplace.
Future of Work Award
Sample Entry & Criteria Template | Reference Template
Recognises organisations who have evolved new ways of working embracing new technology and future thinking about work practices and embedded these practices into their standard operating model. Will likely include flexible work practices, leveraging technology, recognition of the diversity of employee needs and innovations in HR policy.
Building Sustainability through People Award
Sample Entry & Criteria Template | Reference Template
Recognises commitment to initiatives that contribute to improving organisational sustainability aligned with the UN SDG’s. This Award can be given at either an individual or organisational level. This Award can be entered by applicants who are at the start of their sustainability journey and have had notable success with early initiatives.
Organisational Change and Development Award
Sample Entry & Criteria Template | Reference Template
Recognises excellence in initiatives that demonstrate innovation and a responsible approach to organisational change and development.
HRNZ Supreme Award in association with AMP
Awarded to the organisation showing greatest overall leadership in HR practice. Will be awarded to a winner in one of the organisational categories.
Eligibility: The recipient of this award will be determined from the pool of organisation category winners.
