Hundreds of industry heads were in attendance at tonight's NZ HR Awards where two impressive records were set.
Hundreds of industry heads gathered at Auckland’s SkyCity Convention Centre tonight where the Human Resources Institute of New Zealand hosted a record-breaking awards ceremony.
With 315 guests in attendance, the 18th annual NZ HR Awards not only became the most highly-attended event in its history, it also gave out the most awards to date.
“This year’s finalists and winners have demonstrated an extraordinary level of achievement in their categories,” said Chris Till, chief executive of HRINZ. “With a record number of awards being presented, this evening highlights how truly impactful our profession is in workplaces.”
Guests are seated at the 18th annual NZ HR Awards, held at Auckland's SkyCity Convention Centre
Nineteen awards were presented, compared to just 13 handed out in 2016, with the Diversity and Inclusion Award being introduced for the first time.
One of the run-away winners of the night was the Warehouse Group which managed to secure three organisational awards for its efforts in corporate social responsibility, talent development and management, and HR technology.
The firm’s head of employment relations, Julie Simpson, also received two individual awards – one for HR Specialist of the Year and another for HR Person of the Year.
“Thank you very much,” said Simpson, upon accepting her first award. “I love what I do and I love working at the Warehouse Group.”
Amy Bonham, winner of the Emerging HR Practioner of the Year Award, speaks to HRM about the win.
The full list of tonights winners:
Emerging HR Practitioner of the Year in association with Melbourne Business School: Amy Bonham
HR Generalist of the Year in association with Melbourne Business School: Caroline Harvie
HR Specialist of the Year: Julie Simpson
HR Researcher of the Year: Professor Jane Parker MHRINZ
Volunteer of the Year: Claire Bourne
Award for Health, Safety and Wellbeing in association with Southern Cross Health Society: Post Haste Limited
Learning and Development Capability in the Public Sector in association with the Skills Organisation: Counties Manukau District Health Board
Award for Corporate Social Responsibility: The Warehouse Group
Award Talent Development and Management in association with Lee Hecht Harrison: The Warehouse Group
HR Business Contribution Award for Small Enterprises / Not for Profit Sector: Lifewise, APT, MMN
Award for HR Technology in association with ELMO Talent Management: The Warehouse Group
Award for Organisational Change and Development in association with Human Synergistics: The University of Auckland
The Christian Dahmen Memorial Award for HR Innovation in association with ON-Brand Partners!: Cigna NZ
HRINZ Branch of the Year: Wild South
Supportive CEO of the Year in association with Strategic Pay: Lance Walker
Award for Workplace Engagement Programme of the Year in association with Gallup: TSB Bank
Award for Recruitment Excellence: RWA Technology People
The Award for Diversity and Inclusion: Noel Leeming Group
HR Person of the Year 2017: Julie Simpson