Some nights are about celebration. Others become a reminder of what makes an industry worth being part of. This year's NZ Rec Gala delivered both.
Against the backdrop of Auckland's Hilton Hotel, recruitment professionals from across Aotearoa came together to celebrate the achievements shaping our industry today and setting the direction for tomorrow.
The 2026 New Zealand Recruitment Industry Awards recognised individuals and organisations whose work continues to lift standards across recruitment, staffing and workforce solutions. Their success reflects more than strong commercial performance. It speaks to the quality of leadership, the strength of relationships and a commitment to creating better outcomes for clients, candidates and communities.
Every winner had a story to tell.
Some challenged traditional ways of working through innovation. Others built workplaces where people thrive, developed future leaders, or consistently delivered exceptional results in highly competitive markets. While their approaches differed, they shared a common thread. A focus on doing the work well, doing it with integrity and never standing still.
That is what makes these awards so meaningful.
The winners of the 2026 Recruitment Industry Awards are:
Excellence in Business Innovation (sponsored by Kamal)
Hunter Campbell
Excellence in Candidate Care
Dynamix Recruitment
Excellence in Client Service (sponsored by Smartsourcing)
Dynamix Recruitment
Excellence in Safety and Wellbeing Culture
Advanced Personnel Services
Outstanding Boutique Agency (sponsored by Synaptico)
Good Together
Outstanding Medium Agency (sponsored by Coversure)
Dynamix Recruitment
Outstanding Large Agency (sponsored by APositive)
Stellar Recruitment
Rising Star
Paul Miller -Stellar Recruitment
Recruitment Professional (sponsored by SEEK)
Fleur Clough - Sprout People
Recruitment Leader
Kymberly Tupai - Stellar Recruitment
CEO Outstanding Contribution
Sue Harrison - Tradestaff
The calibre of this year's finalists made the judging process no easy task. Simply reaching the finalist stage is an achievement that reflects dedication, resilience and a genuine commitment to excellence.
To our winners, ngā whakamihi nui ki a koutou, and congratulations on a well-earned achievement. To every finalist, you should be incredibly proud of what you've accomplished. Your work continues to strengthen our profession and inspire those around you.
And Congratulations to the winners of the People's Choice Awards!
People's Choice Unsung Hero - Bronwyn Wilson - Franklin Smith/Walker Smith
People's Choice Outstanding Vendor Service - Kathryn Edwards - Trade Me Jobs
As the evening came to a close, there was a real sense of optimism in the room in the face of a challenging market. New Zealand's recruitment industry is evolving, embracing new opportunities and continuing to deliver value where it matters most.
Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa - thank you to everyone who entered, judged, supported and celebrated this year's awards.
Together, you're helping shape a stronger future for recruitment across Aotearoa.