Hall of Fame - HR Person of the Year Award

The HR Person of the Year is awarded to the individual who, across all category winners, has demonstrated the greatest overall leadership in HR practice. The recipient is selected from the pool of individual award category winners, making it the pinnacle of the HRNZ Awards.

Past recipients represent the very best of what the HR profession has to offer. These are people who have not only excelled in their own field, but whose leadership, impact, and commitment to the profession stands above the rest.

Want to be in the running? The path to HR Person of the Year starts with applying for one of our individual award categories. Find out more about the upcoming awards and how to apply.

HR Person of the Year 2025

As an HR academic at the University of Auckland Business School, Deepika Jindal is driven by her purpose to advance the HR profession. Her leadership, rooted in courage, transparency, and thoughtfulness, inspires those around her.

At the University, Deepika is transforming the learning experience for HRM students as Subject Group Lead and directing the Master of Business Management programme. As President of HRNZ’s Academic Branch and a core committee member of Auckland Branch, she is championing best practices and fostering collaborations. She forged a pivotal HRNZ-Business School Memorandum of Understanding, elevating both institutions' profiles.

Deepika’s leadership is fostering strong industry collaborations within the Business School. Her unwavering dedication has earned her multiple accolades, including the University’s and Business School’s Excellence awards and HRNZ’s Academic Impact Award. Deepika’s commitment to nurturing future HR leaders is setting a new benchmark for excellence.

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HR Person of the Year 2024

Karli has whakapapa to iwi and hapū of Mātāatua (Ngāti Awa, Ngāi Tūhoe), Te Arawa (Ngāti Tūwharetoa ki Kawerau), Tainui (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Toa Rangatira) and the Aotea waka (Ngāti Ruanui, Ngā Raurū, Ngā Ruahine). Karli draws strength from her tūpuna to lead transformation and uphold the mana of people and organisations across Aotearoa. Karli’s comprehensive contribution to HR centres on: inclusive leadership practice; collective aspirations for the Aotearoa HR profession; and organisations and their heartbeat/ ringa raupō – people.

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HR Person of the Year 2023 

Laura is a leader in the HR profession in Aotearoa. As Deputy Chief Executive: People, Culture & Safety at Otago Polytechnic (a business division of Te Pūkenga), she contributes locally and nationally to best-practice, people-focussed strategies and workplace culture. Laura is known for her pragmatic, authentic, and engaging approach and for the positive impact she has on all who meet her. She is energetic, enthusiastic and a great supporter of all HR professionals. She contributes to HRNZ both through her role as Branch President of the Otago Branch, but also by driving local membership and promoting our national strategies. 

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HR Person of the Year 2022

The HR Person of the Year Award is selected from one of the individual award winners, based on most impactful Contribution to the HR industry in Aotearoa. 

It was a special night for Melissa Crawford from Vector who won Leadership Award and was awarded the supreme HR Person of the Year award (which is selected from the individual awards winners). Melissa brings a culture of kindness, growth, and valuing people, making their working experience easier through use of effective technologies. Described as a ‘new guard’ thinker who respects and evolves ‘old guard’ skills and experience to ensure success for individuals, teams, and the business. 

HR Person of the Year 2021 

It was a big night for Amy Clarke from Statistics New Zealand who was a finalist in the HR Generalist Award, won the HR Leadership Award and the prestigious HR Person of the Year Award (which is selected from the individual awards winners). The judges were impressed that Amy actively leads a generalist HR team whilst simultaneously operating as the organisation’s subject matter expert in diversity and inclusion, for which it is clear Amy has a major passion.  

In announcing Amy as HR Person of the Year the Chief Judge commented… “Amy deserves this award because she operates at a very senior and effective level as a proven HR leader, an effective HR generalist manager and as a committed and passionate subject matter expert in diversity and inclusion.  Amy makes a meritorious people contribution within her organisation and in the wider community.” 

HR Person of the Year 2020 

Debbie Kirby has improved the outcomes for many Downer people and their whanau through employment and development programmes. She is the acknowledged leader in NZ for Corporate Social Outcome programmes, contributing both to her own organisation and wider NZ. Through constant innovation and working collaborative with various Partners over 8 years she has tackled the tough social issues such as drug usage and the growing numbers of NEETs. Debbie freely shares her experience and expertise genuinely committed to making a difference. Debbie is considered one of the most significant contributors within Downer, having built a capability in the organisation that is now a key differentiator. 

HR Person of the Year 2019 

Katie is an Organisational Psychologist by training with experience in Management Consulting in NZ, Europe and the UK prior to moving into in-house HR roles spanning generalist and specialist HR activity. Katie’s current role is 2IC to the Vodafone NZ HR Director leading the Vodafone New Zealand HR function to drive productivity and performance across the business. 

Katie is a working mother of three children between the ages of 8 and 13, and has a long-standing passion and commitment to supporting women to live the life they most want, through doing all she can to increase gender equality in the workplace. 

HR Person of the year 2018 

Kate joined Fletcher Building in 2011 from Coca-Cola Amatil. The credibility of the central HR function was poor internally and externally and there had been little investment in the function since Fletcher Building was formed in 2001.Over the past six years, Kate has completely rebuilt the HR function to one which is highly valued and respected both internally and externally. Internally she has developed a true centre of excellence which partners with the business to ensure HR programmes are developed to support the business strategy. Her passion for people and personal investment in raising the profile of diversity across the business has had a significant impact on many employees globally. 

HR Person of the Year 2017 

Julie Simpson is the Head of Employment Relationships at The Warehouse Group. She has occupied this role for 3 years and in this time has had a substantial impact in changing the way the business views employment relations; Julie’s approach to employment relations has shifted the business from a compliance focus, to embracing commitment by empowering our Leaders to do the right thing for our team and the business. This has also had a significant impact on our customers and ultimately assisting the business to achieve our strategic objective of helping the communities of New Zealand flourish