Champions for Change marks a decade of commitment and measurable progress on leadership diversity
- Champions for Change today marks the ten-year anniversary of the collective’s commitment to drive measurable progress toward diverse workforces in Aotearoa New Zealand
- This year marks the eighth report release, with 42 organisations reporting againstgender, ethnicity and pay equity commitments
- In 2025, 30% of Champion CEOs are women – more than double the nationalaverage – with boards on track to achieve full gender balance by 2027
Thursday 25th September 2025, Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa New Zealand –
Champions for Change, a collective of over 80 leading CEOs and Chairs anchored by Global Women, today releases its eighth annual Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Impact Report, marking ten years of commitment to driving measurable progress towards gender-balanced leadership through the transparent collection and public reporting of diversity data. Champions for Change brings together New Zealand’s most influential leaders, committed to driving equity and inclusion at scale.
Founded in 2015, Champions for Change is guided by the 40:40:20 framework. This sets a clear aspiration: 40% women, 40% men and 20% of any gender at every level of an organisation. By embedding this balance into boards, senior leadership teams and wider structures, Champions ensure representation is intentional, measurable and sustainable. This year’s report draws on data submitted by Champion organisations, continuing members’ commitment to track progress transparently over time and to shift the dial towards a New Zealand workforce that is accessible, progressive and successful for everyone, everywhere.
The results show gender balance is now within reach across most categories. Thirty-one
organisations have already achieved gender balance in their overall workforce, and with
sustained attention – particularly on board appointments – many Champions are on track to
reach full board-level balance by 2027.
Key findings of the 2025 report include:
- At CEO level, 30% of Champion organisations are now led by women; which is more than double the national average. Of the six NZX50 female CEOs, five are Champions
- Five organisations – BNZ, PwC, Westpac, NZTE and AIA – have closed their “power gaps” entirely, achieving gender balance at every level of their organisations
- Gains are not limited to traditionally inclusive sectors: Champions are making inroads into industries historically dominated by men, including transport, manufacturing, construction and energy.
- In five out of eight industries, Champions outperformed their competitors, showing that meaningful change is possible in every sector when leaders commit to accountability.
Antonia Watson, CEO of ANZ New Zealand and Co-Chair of Champions for Change says:
“Champions for Change’s tenth anniversary is a significant milestone. Champions are united not just by reporting commitments, but by a shared drive for change.
“Through an intentional focus on building gender-balanced leadership, thirty percent of Champion CEOs are now women, boards are on track to reach balance by 2027, and five organisations have closed their power gaps entirely.
“These results show that setting goals and being transparent about progress works. Diverse workplaces tend to drive stronger governance, sharper decision-making, and more innovative teams – all of which helps long-term business performance.
“We are making measurable progress, and while there is more to do, this report proves that collective commitment and focus on gender equity can deliver change.”
Roger Gray, CEO of Port of Auckland and Co-Chair of Champions for Change says: “This is more than a reporting initiative – it is a strategic movement to create long-term, measurable change across every sector of the economy. Together, Champions are shaping a future where inclusive leadership is the norm, not the exception.
“These findings matter because they show that progress is possible across every sector – even in industries like transport, manufacturing, construction and energy that have traditionally lagged. Reporting shows that Champions are outperforming peers in five out of eight industries, proving that equity is not only socially right but also commercially smart.
“At Port of Auckland, we are accelerating gender equity and inclusion alongside strong business results, demonstrating that diversity is a driver of resilience and long-term performance.”
Beyond reporting commitments, Champions continue to make inroads day to day to advance their collective mission. Over the past year they have worked together to deliver practical, sector-leading initiatives including gender pay gap reporting and publishing an evidence-based playbook to help organisations measure and grow authentic belonging.
In April, more than 50 CEOs and Chairs convened at Waitangi to reaffirm their shared commitment to inclusive and representative leadership in a post-Treaty nation. Later this year, Champions will also launch a parental leave framework that sets aspirational
benchmarks for inclusive policies.
This year’s Champions for Change Diversity and Inclusion Report 2025 can be found here – including an overview of ten years of progress and the full-length report, with all 2025 data in detail published on globalwomen.top/.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Contact:
For media enquiries, please contact: Isobel Kerr-Newell on behalf of Champions for Change
and Global Women
isobel@artemiscomms.co.nz | +64 27 886 0140
Imagery: Download headshots of Antonia Watson (CEO of ANZ and Co-Chair of
Champions for Change) and Roger Gray (CEO of Port of Auckland and Co-Chair of
Champions for Change) here.
About Champions for Change and Global Women:
Champions for Change, a strategy of Global Women, is a collective of leaders, who
connect, learn and lead change for working communities and cultures in Aotearoa New
Zealand. Their vision is to see accessible, progressive and successful employment for
everyone everywhere. It includes 80+ of the nation’s top executives (CEOs and Chairs)
representative of Aotearoa’s private and public sector organisations and a workforce of more
than 170,000 employees. As a collective they come together to shine light – building
awareness and knowledge and take action – creating accountability and impact.
www.championsforchange.org.nz
Global Women is a non-profit membership organisation that has been driving diversity in
leadership through promoting, encouraging and facilitating the development of women for 15
years. The organisation is proud to partner with and support some of New Zealand’s most
ambitious organisations, who are committed to driving increased diversity and inclusion in
their workplaces. With over 400 Global Women members, the community is recognised for
their ability to influence and impact, advocate for diversity, equality and leadership. Global
Women’s Breakthrough Leaders and Activate leadership programmes have catapulted
forward the careers of over 400 women. www.globalwomen.org.nz
