Honouring excellence and innovation in HR

The NZ HR Awards recognise and celebrate the individuals, teams and organisations shaping the future of human resources in Aotearoa. Hosted by HRNZ, in partnership with Principal Partner AMP, the awards spotlight the innovation, dedication and leadership driving best practices across the profession.

The 2025 event carried special significance, coinciding with HRNZ’s 40th anniversary. A record-breaking number of entries, across more competitive categories, underscored the remarkable evolution of HR in New Zealand. More than 450 HR professionals and business leaders gathered for an unforgettable evening of networking, inspiration and well-deserved recognition.

As HR continues to play a crucial role in shaping workplace culture, employee experience and organisational success, the NZ HR Awards remain a testament to the profession’s resilience and adaptability. This year’s winners exemplify the innovation and leadership that will drive HR into the future.

Special Awards

HR PERSON OF THE YEAR –DR DEEPIKA JINDAL CMHRNZ

The highest individual accolade, the HR Person of the Year Award, celebrates a leader whose impact in HR has been transformative. In 2025, this was awarded to Dr Deepika Jindal CMHRNZ, who also received the Leadership Award for her outstanding contributions to the field.

As an academic at the University of Auckland, Deepika has played a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of HR professionals. Her work as President of HRNZ’s Academic Branch has been instrumental in bridging the gap between research and real-world HR practice. With multiple industry accolades and university awards, Deepika’s leadership has left a lasting mark on HR in Aotearoa New Zealand.

HRNZ SUPREME AWARD –DENTSU AOTEAROA

The HRNZ Supreme Award, which recognises overall excellence in HR practice, was awarded to Dentsu Aotearoa The company also took home the Diversity and Inclusion Award for its groundbreaking ‘Authentically Led’ programme, a forward-thinking initiative that transformed its traditional DEI committee into an employeedriven council. With five dedicated communities: Māori and Pacific Islander, Rainbow, Neurodiverse, Early Careers, and Women at Work; the programme set a new benchmark for workplace belonging, equity and inclusion. By empowering employees to lead inclusivity efforts, Dentsu Aotearoa has redefined what it means to create a truly diverse workplace.

OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD – NICK MCKISSACK CMHRNZ

This year’s Outstanding Service Award recognised Nick McKissack CMHRNZ, Chief Executive of HRNZ, for his transformative leadership in the sector. Under his guidance, HRNZ has strengthened HR’s strategic influence, championed sustainability and bicultural initiatives, and led major technological advancements. His work in shaping industry conversations and fostering relationships with universities has significantly improved the HR profession.

Individual Award Winners

HR PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR – BARBARA DAXENBERGER CMHRNZ

As People and Culture Director at Tonkin + Taylor, Barbara Daxenberger CMHRNZ was recognised for her leadership in strategic resourcing and HR service delivery. Her initiatives, including the Career Compass Programme and Rewards Framework, have created a highly engaged workforce while fostering a culture of psychological safety.

EMERGING HR PRACTITIONER OF THE YEAR – CAITLIN WARD APHRNZ

Caitlin Ward APHRNZ, HR Coordinator at Danone Nutricia, was celebrated for her contributions to the company’s Digital Manufacturing Acceleration Project. Her leadership in community engagement and the Employee Value Proposition has significantly boosted both productivity and inclusivity.

HR STUDENT OF THE YEAR –POPPY FOGARTY

Poppy Fogarty, a student at the University of Otago excelling in HR and marketing, won the HR Student of the Year award for her outstanding contributions to the profession. As an HRNZ Student Ambassador and intern at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, she played a significant role in advising on HR matters, drafting legal documentation and supporting employees through organisational change. Her passion, dedication and ability to navigate complex HR challenges highlight the bright future of the next generation of HR leaders.

Mana Tangata Award Winners

The Mana Tangata Māori HR Awards honour individuals and organisations embedding Māori cultural values and tikanga into HR practices.

EMERGING MĀORI HR AWARD –KACEY GRAHAM

Kacey Graham, Leadership and Capability Manager at Powerco, was recognised with the Emerging Māori HR Award for leading the development of Powerco’s Leadership Development Programme, incorporating Te Whare Tapa Whā principles. Her efforts have driven cultural awareness, broken unconscious bias and created a more inclusive workplace.

LEADER MĀORI AWARD –TE WĀNANGA O AOTEAROA

Te Wānanga o Aotearoa received the Leader Māori Award for its innovative Kaupapa Māori Employee Value Proposition, which significantly improved employee engagement (from 73 per cent to 81 per cent) and reduced turnover to just 2.89 per cent. The initiative positions the organisation as a leader in fostering a culturally rich workplace.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD – AUCKLAND BRANCH COMMITTEE

The Volunteer of the Year Award was awarded to the Auckland Branch Committee for their commitment to the HR community. Their initiatives, including West Auckland Café Connect, university partnerships and collaborations with industry leaders, have expanded professional networks and supported students entering the workforce.

Organisational Award Winners

TALENT ACQUISITION AWARD –NEPTUNE PACIFIC DIRECT LINE

Neptune Pacific Direct Line (NPDL) received the Talent Acquisition Award for successfully implementing a proactive and highly effective recruitment strategy that secured 11 finance data specialists in just four months. Their innovative approach to talent sourcing, internal upskilling and employer branding set a benchmark for streamlined, high-impact hiring.

LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT CAPABILITY AWARD –DANONE NUTRICIA

Danone Nutricia won the Learning and Development Capability Award for its ShopFloor First initiative, an innovative training programme integrating handson coaching with advanced technical learning modules. This approach significantly enhanced operational efficiency, quality assurance and workforce engagement.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AWARD – DENTSU AOTEAROA

Dentsu Aotearoa was recognised with the Diversity and Inclusion Award for its ‘Authentically Led’ initiative, which led to a 500 per cent increase in DEI council membership. This employee-led approach successfully strengthened workplace inclusivity, belonging and equitable career opportunities.

WELLNESS PROGRAMME AWARD – DB BREWERIES

DB Breweries received the Wellness Programme Award for its WholeMe programme. This is a holistic wellbeing strategy providing tailored stress management, mental health support and work–life balance initiatives for over 400 employees.

FUTURE OF WORK AWARD –FONTERRA CO-OPERATIVE GROUP

Fonterra won the Future of Work Award for its Engineering++ SWAT initiative, a forward-thinking workforce strategy addressing industrywide talent shortages. By implementing targeted upskilling programmes, fostering strong mentorship networks and prioritising diversity in recruitment, Fonterra has built a sustainable talent pipeline that ensures long-term success in an evolving job market.

BUILDING SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH PEOPLE AWARD – TE PAE CHRISTCHURCH CONVENTION CENTRE

The Building Sustainability through People Award went to Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre for its commitment to embedding sustainability into every facet of its operations. Achieving Qualmark Gold, Toitū Gold and Net Carbon Zero certification, Te Pae has demonstrated industry leadership in sustainable business practices by integrating environmental responsibility into its workplace culture and employee engagement strategies.

ORGANISATIONAL CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT AWARD –NEW ZEALAND POST

New Zealand Post was honoured with the Organisational Change and Development Award for its Just Transition (JT) programme, developed in partnership with E Tū union. This initiative provides structured support for employees navigating business transformation, offering retraining opportunities, career pathway guidance and job security measures. By prioritising employee wellbeing through transparent change management, NZ Post has set a benchmark for responsible workforce transformation.