Recognising diversity and inclusion leadership
This award recognises an organisation that has successfully developed and implemented a specific strategic programme to achieve enduring improvements in diversity and inclusion.
The programme should reflect sustained leadership commitment, active workforce participation, and embedded practices that go beyond policy to create a thriving, inclusive workplace. Judges will be looking for evidence of genuine change that improves employee experiences, fosters holistic wellbeing, and ensures a long-term, systemic impact on both business performance and workplace culture.
Award finalists will be announced in late October 2025, with the winner announced at the Deloitte Top 200 awards show and gala dinner on Thursday 4 December 2025 in Auckland.
Definitions and eligibility criteria
Definitions
Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) is about creating workplaces where all individuals, regardless of background, identity or experiences feel valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. Diversity refers to the differences between people, their characteristics, attributes and backgrounds, and the perspectives they bring. Inclusion is the continuous effort to appreciate diverse groups by fostering safe, inclusive, and cooperative environments where all individuals can actively engage and flourish.
Eligibility criteria
Applications for this award are open to all companies placed on the Deloitte Top 200 Index, Top 30 Financial Institutions Index or Top 10 Maori Business Index and based in New Zealand. The Top 200 indices can be found on the Top 200 website if you’d like to confirm company eligibility.
Programmes must have been implemented for a minimum of two years to be able to demonstrate clear outcomes and material progress.
Judging process and shortlisting criteria
The Diversity and Inclusion Leadership award judging panel undertake a comprehensive review process to select three award finalists and a winner. The shortlisting criteria followed by the judging panel can be found here.
1
Review of written applications
The judging panel undertakes a comprehensive review of all applications to identify a shortlist of organisations to take through to a panel interview.
2
Panel interviews
Shortlisted organisations will be asked to participate in a panel interview with the judging panel. A key representative(s) from the company who can speak to the impact achieved by the diversity and inclusion programme should attend this interview to allow the judges to draw out additional information. Panel interviews will be held at the Deloitte Auckland office on Monday 25 August. Please hold the date. Companies will be notified in late September 2025 whether they have been shortlisted.
3
Award finalists selected
Award finalists will be announced in late October 2025 with the winner announced at the Top 200 awards show to be held on Thursday 4 December 2025 at the Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland.
