The 2024 New Zealand Rainbow Excellence Awards celebrated a competitive array of the country’s top organisations committed to promoting rainbow diversity and inclusion. Held on 3 October in Auckland, the 6th annual awards ceremony saw Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa, Massey University, clinch the prestigious Partners Life Supreme Award and the Simpson Grierson Impact Award.
Booking.com secured an impressive second place overall, with Les Mills International close behind in third for the second consecutive year.
The New Zealand Rainbow Excellence Awards, now in their sixth year, recognise workplace leadership, innovation, and best practices in advancing diversity and inclusion within the rainbow community. This event has become a premier celebration in the country, showcasing organisations championing LGBTQ+ inclusion. Despite challenging economic conditions, Martin King, Director of Pride Pledge and the Awards, noted that a record number of entries were received from various industries, and the gala dinner was once again a sold-out success, demonstrating a strong and growing commitment to rainbow inclusion in Aotearoa.
Massey University’s strategic approach to promoting rainbow and takatāpui (Māori LGBTQ+) wellbeing was highlighted as a multi-year endeavour covering various aspects of university life. This effort included launching their own **Rainbow Orientation** in 2023, which featured a wide range of activities such as lunches, karaoke nights, board and video game tournaments, arts and crafts, flag making, jewellery creation, and even live piercing events. These activities brought over 600 students together across Massey’s three campuses, transforming the way the university is perceived by rainbow and takatāpui students and staff.
Connor McLeod, Massey’s Diversity & Inclusion Advisor, reflected on the impact: “Witnessing hundreds of rainbow people come together, the design and delivery of services specific to us, and the work of our students in their paid roles, has presented a radical shift to the way Massey is perceived amongst rainbow and takatāpui students and staff.”
Martin King praised all finalists and winners, emphasising that their commitment to rainbow inclusion not only benefits their organisations but also has a far-reaching impact on wider communities, paving the way for a more inclusive future for younger generations.
Complete List of Category Winners:
– Elliot Smith, Kiwibank – Pride Pledge Certified Executive Leadership Award
– Josephine Graham, Tonkin + Taylor – The Chorus Ambassadorship Award
– Les Mills International – The Pride Pledge, Pride Network of the Year Award
– ASB Bank – The Pride Pledge Certified Innovation Award
– Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa | Massey University – The Simpson Grierson Impact Award
– Tū Ora Compass Health – The Z Energy SME Rainbow Inclusivity Award
– Tonkin + Taylor – The ASB Emerging Award
– Booking.com – The Les Mills Representation in Marketing Award
– Cross-Agency Rainbow Network (CARN) – The Pride Pledge Non-Commercial Sector Award
– Les Mills International – The Pullman Progress Award
– Pacific Rainbow Games Trust – The SkyCity Community and Advocacy Award
– Partners Life Supreme Award:
– 1st Place: Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa | Massey University
– 2nd Place: Booking.com
– 3rd Place: Les Mills International
