HR Best Practice Case Studies New Zealand
Shaping the Profession E-book
Award-winning HR initiatives
HRNZ is proud to present our annual Shaping the Profession E-book, which you can download for free by clicking on the images below.
Discover how New Zealand's leading organisations are transforming their workplaces. These free e-books feature real HR case studies from NZ HR Awards finalists and winners, showcasing practical approaches to employee engagement, diversity and inclusion, performance management, and workplace innovation.
Each edition includes detailed case studies with measurable outcomes, implementation insights, and lessons learned from award-winning HR initiatives. Whether you're tackling change management challenges or looking for proven best practices, these resources provide actionable examples from organisations across New Zealand.
What you'll learn from these case studies
Each e-book contains detailed analyses of leading HR initiatives from New Zealand organisations. These practical case studies cover:
- Innovative recruitment and retention strategies that have reduced turnover by up to 40%
- Culture transformation initiatives that measurably improved employee engagement
- Diversity and inclusion programs that created more equitable workplaces
- Change management approaches that successfully navigated organisational transitions
- Performance management systems that aligned people strategy with business outcomes
- Wellbeing programmes that supported staff through challenging times
2025 | Te ao Māori, authentic DEI & future-ready workplaces
This edition features award-winning case studies demonstrating culturally grounded workplace transformation. Highlights include Powerco's Leadership Development Programme embedding Te Whare Tapa Whā principles, Dentsu Aotearoa's community-led DEI Council achieving 500% participation growth, and NZ Post's Te Korowai conflict resolution service with 70% resolution rates.
Key Topics: Integrating Te Ao Māori into leadership | Community-led diversity initiatives | B Corp certification | Innovative conflict resolution | Design-led wellbeing programs | Cultural transformation through talent acquisition
2024 | Sustainable futures, strategic workforce planning & evidence-based wellbeing
This edition features organisations building sustainable, future-ready workplaces. Key highlights include Sudima Hotels' comprehensive sustainability framework aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals, PwC's evidence-based Te Hā wellbeing framework co-designed with 600+ employees, and BNZ's strategic approach to increasing workforce representation across all organisational levels.
Key Topics: UN-aligned sustainability frameworks | Evidence-based wellbeing design | Strategic workforce diversity planning | Healthcare talent pipeline development | Future of work transformation | Employee experience co-design
2023 | Hybrid work, pay equity & inclusive innovation
This edition captures organisations adapting to post-pandemic realities while advancing equity. Key highlights include ACC's comprehensive hybrid working framework for 4,000+ employees, Z Energy's systematic approach to closing the gender pay gap (achieving 3.42% vs NZ average of 9.2%), and Education Perfect's innovative supports for non-native English speakers (22% of workforce).
Key Topics: Post-COVID hybrid work models | Gender pay gap and salary transparency | Language diversity and inclusion | Competency framework development for rapid growth | KiwiSaver equity initiatives | Team-based flexible working
2022 | COVID response & wellbeing frameworks
This edition captures organisations transforming through and beyond COVID-19. Key highlights include Far North District Council's complete operating model shift achieving 84% hybrid working with 83% reporting same or better productivity, Auckland Transport's comprehensive Hauora wellbeing framework using the 'Me-We-Us' model, and Te Toka Tumai's NZQA-accredited Rangatahi Programme building Māori healthcare workforce pipelines.
Key Topics: COVID-driven digital transformation | Remote work infrastructure and policy | Technology enablement (workforce apps, scheduling systems) | Human-centered wellbeing frameworks | Flexible workplace design | Māori rangatahi workforce development | DEI five-pillar approach
2021 | Digital Transformation & Resilient Workplaces
This edition highlights how New Zealand organisations navigated the challenges of a global pandemic through digital innovation and holistic wellbeing. Highlights include Vodafone/ One NZ’s Vlife app achieving 100% notification reach for safety plans, Chorus’ mental wellbeing programme driving a 27% increase in share price through cultural resilience, and Summerset’s rapid recruitment campaign appointing 161 new staff in six weeks to protect vulnerable residents during lockdown.
Key Topics: Technology & Innovation | Wellness & Resilience | Diversity & Inclusion | Talent & Development | Organisational Change | recognition & Culture
2020 | Strategic transformation & inclusive excellence
This edition shows a shift towards authentic employer branding, large-scale clinical recruitment, and transformational organisational change. Highlights include 2degrees’ "Something Different" branding achieving a 43% reduction in cost per hire, St John’s Double Crewing Project successfully reaching 96.7% double-crewing coverage to save lives, and LIC’s PACE programme turning a financial loss into a $15.6 million shareholder dividend through employee-led innovation.
Key Topics: Talent acquisition | Diversity & Inclusion | Wellness & Culture | Organisational Change | Learning & Innovation