Hall of Fame - Outstanding Service Award
Some contributions to the HR profession can't be measured in a single achievement
The Outstanding Service Award is one of HRNZ's most prestigious honours, recognising HR professionals and academics who have dedicated themselves to elevating the profession over the long term. These are the individuals who have not only excelled in their own right, but who have actively shaped the way HR is understood, valued, and respected in the wider business community.
Their influence is lasting. Through their work, their advocacy, and their example, past recipients have helped shift perceptions, raise standards, and leave the HR profession in a stronger place than they found it.
This is a rare and significant recognition, one that reflects a career's worth of commitment to something bigger than any single role or organisation.
The recipient of the Outstanding Service Award is selected by the HRNZ Board, in recognition of the weight and significance of this honour. To learn more about the next awards, visit our awards page.
Outstanding Service Award winners
Nick McKissack CMHRNZ
Outstanding Service Award 2025, in association with Strategic Pay
This year’s award was presented to Nick McKissack CMHRNZ for his transformative leadership at HRNZ. With a career spanning executive leadership, finance, and governance, HR has remained a constant thread in his journey. As Chief Executive, he has strengthened HR’s strategic influence, championed sustainability and bicultural initiatives, and led major technology advancements - all while advocating for HR professionals at every level.
Nick’s impact extends beyond HRNZ, shaping industry discussions through the Future Workplace Forum and strengthening ties with universities to support the next generation of HR leaders. His pragmatic, future-focused leadership has left a lasting legacy on the profession.
Julia Stones DistFHRNZ
Outstanding Service Award 2024, in association with Strategic Pay
Julia Stones is a highly respected HR professional and career coach with over 25 years of experience in the UK and New Zealand. She has guided HR professionals at every career stage toward success, including her impactful roles as a former HRNZ Board member and elected National President, where she advanced key initiatives like Chartered Membership and CPD.
In 2024, Julia received the HRNZ Outstanding Service Award, which honors professionals who have significantly shaped the HR field and elevated its perception in the business community. This prestigious award, decided by the HRNZ Board, recognises her lasting contributions to the HR profession.
Kirsten Patterson, CEO of the Institute of Directors, DistFHRNZ
Outstanding Service Award 2023, in association with Strategic Pay
Paul Toulson DistFHRNZ, Massey University
Lifetime Achievement Award 2022
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Associate Professor Paul Toulson DistFHRNZ. A registered psychologist by training, Assoc Prof Toulson has worked as a Human Resources Management academic for over 36 years at Massey University. Paul was HRNZ National President from 1997 to 1999 and is a long-standing member of the HRNZ Academic Branch and has been involved with the Manawatū Branch Committee. Paul was also the founding Editor of the New Zealand Journal of Human Resources management (NZJHRM), which he continues to contribute to as an Editorial Review Board Member. A true gentleman in every sense of the word, Paul’s contribution to the HR industry across Aotearoa is simply exceptional.
Geoff Summers DistFHRINZ
Lifetime Achievement Award 2020, in association with Strategic Pay
Geoff has made an outstanding contribution to the New Zealand HR profession over the past 30 years as a subject matter expert and consultant specialising in Human Resources.
Geoff has significant experience as Director of Human Resources within state sector organisations. As Director and Principal Consultant with Strategic Pay he consulted to a wide range of private, public and not-for-profit organisations across New Zealand.
Geoff is widely recognised as an expert in his field. He has served on a range of Advisory Boards, including the Governing Council of Te Wananga o Raukawa, The Samaritans Hutt Valley, Samaritans New Zealand. He was appointed by the Minister of Labour to serve on the Ministerial Committee that reviewed the Code of Good Faith for Collective Bargaining in 2004. He is currently Deputy Chair of the Remuneration Authority, a Trustee on the Wellbeing Wellington Trust and Chair of the Advisory Board of Victoria University’s Centre for Labour, Employment and Work.
A graduate of Massey University with both an MBA and Masters in Business, Geoff has taught management skills and HR Management on the Victoria University MBA program. He has also taught Human Resource Management in International Business on Victoria University’s International MBA program at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Geoff is a Past President of HRNZ and continues to be actively involved with HRNZ, including Head Judge of the annual HRNZ Awards. Geoff’s contribution to the HR profession in New Zealand has been recognised in him being awarded a Distinguished Fellowship of HRNZ. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Management New Zealand.
Richard Rudman DistFHRNZ
Lifetime Achievement Award 2019, in association with Strategic Pay