The process for entering the awards is designed to be simple and to allow for diverse applications from organisations of any size.
Applications must be completed online and cost $500 + GST per entry for organisations with more than 500 employees or $280 + GST for oganisations with fewer than 500 employess. Please note that an organisation can enter multiple categories per application.
If your organisation is a charity, not-for-profit or a community organisation and you need financial assistance to cover this fee, please contact Martin King to discuss your options - we'd love you to still be able to enter.
Organisation must self-nominate (in other words apply for themselves). We encourage entrants to craft their submission to the specifications of the categories to which they are applying.
Applications for individuals must be entered by their employing organisation, who should nominate the individual and provide supporting evidence.
The application process will require applicants to provide a summary of their work in the rainbow D&I space, as well as supporting material. This supporting information could include information on the following (depending on what category you are applying for);
Entries are from 9 June 2025 and close 26 July.
ENTRY PROCESS
To enter, you will need to:
The core benchmarks to be considered for an award align with the Pride Pledge Rainbow Inclusion Stocktake Framework, which assesses whether a workplace understands, values and welcomes rainbow diversity. The framework is based on evidence based research and aligns with the core principles of NZS 8200:2015 The New Zealand Standard : Rainbow-inclusive workplaces: A standard for gender and sexual diversity in employment.
Rainbow inclusion competencies which are relevant to being considered in most categories are:
Q: Will there be guaranteed space at the awards for representatives of finalist to attend the awards.
A: Yes, we have pre-allocated seating to ensure our finalist can attend the awards.
Q: Can I book a table and if so, how many seats are there at the table?
A: There are no tables. The awards are theatre style.
Q: Do I have to attend the awards to receive an award?
A: No. You will be notified that you are a finalist in advance, and naturally we would love to have you attend, but understand that this may not always be possible.
Q: Who is invited to participate?
A: The awards are open to all organisations who work within NZ.
Q: Can I/we enter an award in a category our organisation is sponsoring?
A: No, you cannot enter an award category if your organisation is sponsoring this category. We welcome to submit under another category, and you will still be eligible for the supreme award.
Q: Can I/we enter an award in a category where someone from our organisation is judging?
A: Yes, your organisation’s representative will be excluded from judging that category.
Q: Can I nominate another company/organisation/ individual for an award?
A: No, as this is celebrating Rainbow Excellence within New Zealand organisations, the entry must be from within your organisation with supporting material.
Q: Is their any support for charities or not-for-profits to enter the Awards
A: Yes. When an organisation enters, there is no fee charged for not-for-profit and social enterprise entries. Charities and not-for-profits will not be invoiced for entries and their entries will be covered by the support of Pride Pledge organisations. Tickets to The Awards ceremony are not covered. Not for profits are invited to contact us and ask about our charitable discount.
Q: If my organisation won a category previously, can we enter the same category for this year?
A: Yes. We do encourage your organisation to enter a different category and see how well you can stack up against other organisations in a new area of challenge. Only the Supreme Award is off-limits two years in a row. We enocurage all previous winners to enter the ALL-Accor Progress Award.
Q: Are there any special accommodation deals with SkyCity Entertainment Group?
A: Yes, you can get 25% off your booking at selected SkyCity hotels. See the links below for deals at SkyCity Hotel and Horizon by SkyCity
