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The New Zealand Leadership Awards

Robert Walters Presents: The New Zealand Leadership Awards

Supported by New Zealand Rugby

In recent years, the landscape of leadership has been tested and transformed. Across all sectors of our nation, there are individuals who have made an indelible impact within their organisations, driving growth and change against the odds.

The New Zealand Leadership Awards is more than an event; it's an acknowledgment of the resilience, innovation, and tenacity that define our nation's leaders. These awards are a platform to recognise and celebrate these professionals who have not only met the challenges of our times but have used them as a catalyst for meaningful change.

As we partner with New Zealand Rugby, a beacon of legacy and leadership for 130 years, we are thrilled to spotlight the next generation of leaders. We're on the lookout for existing powerhouses and emerging talents who are shaping the future of business and beyond.

Applications are now open! Explore the award categories listed below and either nominate yourself or a colleague for the New Zealand Leadership Awards today!

Nominate now

The Awards Process

Nomination Phase

Simply nominate yourself or an exceptional leader by completing the form below. The process is straightforward, involving just one question. It's designed to respect your time, requiring only a few minutes for submission.

Judging Process

Each nomination will be evaluated by our panel of industry experts and leaders. Using predefined criteria, they'll establish the shortlist. If you're shortlisted, an interview with the judging panel will follow, allowing for a deeper understanding of your leadership experiences.

Awards Ceremony

Finalists will be invited to our black-tie awards night in Auckland, taking place on the 15th of August 2024. This event is an opportunity for networking and recognition among peers. It's an evening dedicated to leadership excellence in Aotearoa.

Our Panel of Expert Judges

We're thrilled to announce the distinguished panel for the New Zealand Leadership Awards. Comprising industry experts like Dame Therese Walsh, Peter Beck, Ta Mark Solomon, Dame Patsy Reddy, and more, our panel brings exceptional leadership insights and a strong commitment to New Zealand's business growth.

Click the link below to see all 30 of our esteemed judge's

View all judges

Watch below as Conrad Smith explains the awards process

Xero SME Business Leadership Award The SME Business Leadership Award recognises and honours outstanding leadership, innovation, and impact within the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector. Nominate now! Nominate now
Air New Zealand Large Business Leadership Award Recognising exemplary leadership and strategic vision within the realm of large enterprises, this award celebrates achievements that drive success and contribute to the broader business landscape. Nominate now! Nominate now
RJH Entrepreneur/start-up Leadership Award Honouring the trailblazers and visionaries who demonstrate outstanding leadership in entrepreneurship and startups, this award celebrates innovation, resilience, and transformative impact. Apply/nominate now! Nominate now
Fonterra Sustainability Leadership Award Acknowledging leaders committed to environmental and social responsibility, this award highlights outstanding contributions to sustainable business practices, fostering positive change for a better future. Apply/nominate now! Nominate now
Hnry Innovation Leadership Award Celebrating pioneers who push the boundaries of creativity and progress, this award recognises leaders who drive innovation, spark change, and contribute to the advancement of their industries. Apply/nominate now! Nominate now
SkyCity ED&I Leadership Award Recognising champions of diversity and inclusion, this award honours leaders dedicated to fostering equality, creating inclusive workplaces, and driving positive societal change. Apply/nominate now! Nominate now
Anthony Harper Community Leadership Award Embracing those who make a meaningful impact on local communities, this award celebrates leaders dedicated to social responsibility, community engagement, and making a positive difference. Apply/nominate now Nominate now
Meredith Connell Public Sector Leadership Award Highlighting exemplary leadership within the public sector, this award recognises individuals driving positive change, innovation, and effective governance for the betterment of society. Apply/nominate now! Nominate now
Pacifica Leadership Award Celebrating leaders of Pacifica heritage who demonstrate exceptional contributions and positive influence within their communities and fields of expertise. Apply/nominate now! Nominate now
Māori Leadership Award Recognising leaders of Māori descent who exemplify outstanding leadership, cultural preservation, and positive impact within their communities and beyond. Apply/nominate now! Nominate now
NZ's Most Incredible Leader Honouring an exceptional leader who stands out for their remarkable vision, inspirational guidance, and outstanding contributions to their field, this award celebrates unparalleled leadership excellence. A shortlist for these two awards will be created from all category applicants during judging, with no direct applications or nominations accepted. Nominate for another award category
NZ's Most Incredible Emerging Leader Recognising a rising star in leadership, this award acknowledges an emerging leader with extraordinary potential, innovation, and a promising impact on their industry or community. A shortlist for these two awards will be created from all category applicants during judging, with no direct applications or nominations accepted. Nominate for another category

Important Dates

Nominations open: 4th March - 24th May

Judging period: 27th May – 24th June

Interview phase: 27th June - 18th July

Finalists announced: 19th July

Event: 15th August

Nominate an Incredible Leader

Nominate yourself or an outstanding leader now! The process is simple – just answer one question. It takes only a few minutes.

To view the critera for each award category and terms and conditions, click here.

Please send any questions or queries to: recruitment@robertwalters.co.nz

Official Sponsors

Charity Partner

FAQs

The New Zealand Leadership Awards will be held on the 15th of August at the Auckland Museum Dome.

Anyone can be nominated for the New Zealand Leadership Awards. Whether you are an individual looking to showcase your own leadership skills or a professional wanting to nominate someone you believe deserves recognition for their outstanding existing or emerging leadership qualities, we encourage everyone to participate.

Nominations will be open for a three-month period, from March 4th to May 24th.

Initial nominations will be via a one question form on our website (this doesn’t take long). If your nomination makes it through to the shortlisting round, this is when we will arrange online meetings where we will go into the nominee’s leadership skills in more detail in order to choose a winner.

The judging for the New Zealand Leadership Awards will be conducted by a panel of high-calibre individuals. We want to ensure that the judging process is credible and that all finalists and winners are chosen by a diverse and experienced group of professionals.

Yes! The New Zealand Leadership Awards celebrate leadership in all forms. Nominate individuals who have shown remarkable leadership qualities, regardless of their employment status.

Yes, we welcome sponsorship and partnership opportunities for the New Zealand Leadership Awards. If you or your organisation are interested in becoming a sponsor or collaborating with us to support this event, please reach out to our team: nzmarketing@robertwalters.com

Official recruitment supporters of NZ Rugby

Teamwork, resilience, determination, world-leading. All values that are shared between Robert Walters, the All Blacks and Black Ferns.

As proud recruitment supporters of the Teams in Black, we know that when we find our incredible, that's when we can go on to fulfill our unique potential.

Find your incredible

The New Zealand Leadership Awards

Robert Walters Presents: The New Zealand Leadership Awards

Supported by New Zealand Rugby

The Awards Process

Nomination Phase

Judging Process

Awards Ceremony

Our Panel of Expert Judges

Watch below as Conrad Smith explains the awards process

Award Categories

Important Dates

Nominate an Incredible Leader

Official Sponsors

Charity Partner

FAQs

When will the New Zealand Leadership Awards take place?

Who can be nominated for the New Zealand Leadership Awards?

How long will nominations be open for?

What is the nomination process?

How will the judging process work?

Who will be judging the New Zealand Leadership Awards?

Can I nominate someone who is not currently working in an organisation?

Will there be any opportunities for sponsorship or partnership with the New Zealand Leadership Awards?

Official recruitment supporters of NZ Rugby

New Zealand Leadership Awards