Terms & Conditions of Entry
To participate in the 2023 AdmiNZ Administrative Professional of the Year Award, please complete the online application form and upload relevant files to support your application.
All applications will remain strictly confidential.
Finalists will be selected from their online application, of which three will be chosen.
Finalists are required to attend a two-part assessment process in New Plymouth on Saturday 26 August 2023 at the Devon Hotel. This will consist of a panel interview and a lunch function as part of the annual AdmiNZ Conference where each finalist will be asked to give a short speech of 3-5 minutes.
The announcement of the award recipient will be made at the AdmiNZ Gala Dinner on Saturday night with the award recipient giving an acceptance speech.
The judge’s decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
Your application is accessible to the award coordinator and independent judging panel. All information relating to applications received, will be destroyed after the conclusion of the award process.
Names and email addresses only will be retained to form a database for promotional purposes of AdmiNZ only and will not be shared with a third party.
Every endeavour has been made to ensure the presentation of all prizes as advertised; however, in the unlikely event that a sponsor is unable to honour their commitment due to unforeseen circumstances, the award recipient and finalists acknowledge that AdmiNZ will not be expected to supply or replace the prize.
Prizes are not transferrable and are not redeemable for cash.
The winner will be required to enter into an agreement as confirmation of their willingness to undertake speaking engagements and promotional activities for AdmiNZ for a 12-month period post the award presentation.
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Eligibility / Non-Eligibility
The Administrative Professional of the Year Award is open to all administrative professionals throughout New Zealand. All applicants must be employed in an administrative role and be committed to a career as an administrative professional.
Members of the current AdmiNZ Board are not eligible to enter.
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Judging Panel
We are excited to have the following judges confirmed on our 2023 Administrative Professional Award panel. We are awaiting the details of our final judge, which will be updated once confirmed.
Dawn Baxendale
CEO, Christchurch City Council
Christchurch City Council chief executive Dawn Baxendale sets high expectations for herself and for her teams.
Dawn moved to Christchurch in September 2019 and with over 30 years working in local government, Dawn has built a reputation as someone with energy and enthusiasm who works collaboratively with others to get results. She is also known for taking a keen interest in performance (people and finances) of the organisation she leads to deliver for the community.
Her roles have often involved working closely with politicians and political parties and a wide range of administrations and organisations, including the European Union and the World Bank.
She has been at the forefront of public sector reform in Britain, including regeneration, economic development skills, unemployment, health and social care.
“I genuinely believe that public authorities need to be at the heart of their communities. Local authorities should be leading and influencing the economic, environmental and community legacy that will remain for decades to come and creating healthy places that people for generations enjoy living and working in.”
That ethos extends to the people within the organisation. Dawn truly understands the value of administrators and in an organisation as large as Christchurch City Council. The business support team, assistants and of course the front of office team are key to ensuring the community are kept at the heart of what we do. Administrators are most often the first point of contact with residents and as a Chief Executive, Dawn encourages all administrators, and in fact, all staff, to strive to be the best they can be to ensure our staff and communities are working with the best Council in NZ.
Janine Hawthorn
AAPNZ (Life Cert. Fellow) Dip Biz Admin; Dip Social Policy
Janine has been a member of the Association of Administrative Professionals of New Zealand Inc. for over 25 years initially with the Whanganui Group and for most of her time as a member of the Manawatū Group. She is currently a Fellow with Certification and is working towards achieving a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Social Policy. She has held various positions on the National Executive Team as well as on her own Manawatū Group’s Management Team. She was a Director and Co-Chair of the Association’s company AdmiNZ Professional Development Limited and is currently Deputy Chair of AdmiNZ Professional Development Subcommittee.
Janine is a qualified workplace assessor and is currently one of AdmiNZ workplace assessors and moderators.
Janine has had an extensive career in administration working in Local Government for the past 40 years commencing as a Junior Word Processing Operator working her way through the ranks to Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive and Mayor followed by a management role as the Governance and Administration Manager.
Janine is currently working in the field of Community Wellbeing. Although no longer practising in an administrative role, Janine continues to have a strong interest and a passion for the administration profession but more particularly in working with others in developing a career and qualification pathway for administrators to work towards. This is one of the reasons why she has accepted the honour of being one of the judges for the OfficeMax AdmiNZ Administrative Professional Award 2023.
Andrea Tonner
Operations Director/Assistant to Chief Executive, BusinessNZ
Andrea joined BusinessNZ in May 2016. As the Operations Director she manages the day-to-day running of the office and ensures the right processes and practices are adhered to across the organisation. She also manages the Chief Executive’s diary and appointments and works closely with the Board.
Andrea is also responsible for the professional leadership of the Admin Support Hub Team, the management of support functions for BusinessNZ events, and for health and safety matters.
She brings with her 16 years of experience from her previous role as Executive Manager at the New Zealand Bankers’ Association.
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Application Content
The application criteria consists of an 'opening statement' and four questions, which forms the basis of the application.
Application Questions
- Explain why you chose administration as a career path. Include your achievements and career highlights to date.
- In your current role, explain how you may resonate with the following AdmiNZ statement: Leaders and facilitators of effectiveness, change and productivity for organisational success.
- What do you enjoy most about being an administrative professional? Provide two examples of work undertaken that supports your statement.
- If you were to become the recipient of this award, how would you use it to influence others and what impact would it have on your career?
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Previous Recipients
2022 Hannah Gibbons (Christchurch)
2021 Kasey Ainsworth (Christchurch)
2020 No Award Held
2019 Tracey Fleet (Dunedin)
2018 Mary Huffadine (Wellington)
2017 Valerie Lang (Christchurch)
2016 Dianne Parker (Wellington)
2015 Rebeka Adamson (Manawatu)
2014 Bronwyn Marshall (Christchurch)
2013 No Award Held
2012 Kay Lindsay (Hamilton)
2011 Kelly Brown (Christchurch)
2010 Tracey Simpson Smith (Manawatu)
2009 Debra Clark (Christchurch)
2008 Katherine Jones (Auckland)
2007 Vicki Faint (Wellington)
2006 Moira Jones (Wellington)
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