Establishment of the EEO Trust 

The Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) Trust was established in 1992 on the recommendation of the Working Party on Equity in Employment. It had 30 foundation members and its aim was to promote the business benefits of EEO to employers throughout New Zealand.

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Creation of the EEO Employers Group

In 1996, the EEO Employers Group was established to enable members to demonstrate their commitment to a diverse workforce. The EEO Trust works in partnership with EEO Employers Group members to create versatile and successful workplaces.

Recognising companies committed to EEO and diversity

In 1998, the inaugural EEO Work & Family Awards took place. These later became known as the EEO Trust Work & Life Awards. Entrants submit comprehensive applications to demonstrate their commitment to encouraging diversity and work-life balance within their organisations. Many of New Zealand's leading workplaces have been recognised in these prestigious awards. In 2007, a diversity category was introduced to recognise employers that encourage and support a diverse workforce. In 2008, the awards were broadened to recognise a wide range of diversity initiatives.

Relevant EEO research

In 1998 the independently researched EEO Trust Diversity Survey was launched. It is completed by members of the EEO Employers Group and other New Zealand workplaces, and measures the adoption and success of a range of EEO and diversity practices. In 2006, a Work-Life Survey was introduced and is now conducted on alternate years from the Diversity Survey.

Over the past 15 years, the EEO Trust has established close working relationships with workplaces, international experts in EEO, researchers and government departments to undertake research and develop information and guidelines to assist workplaces effectively harness the talents of New Zealand's diverse population.

EEO publications and projects

• The Diversity Effect, launch in 2008 of a lively and engaging magazine on EEO and diversity.
• The Diversity Effect symposium was held in 2007, bringing together international and local thought-leaders on a wide range of issues related to diversity in the workforce.
• Work and age report 2006
• Making a difference: Why and how to work effectively with Māori 2006
• Parenting and work report 2005
• Disability and employment research report 2005
• Employing disabled people toolkit 2005. 
• PeoplePower a collection of more than 60 case studies was developed in partnership with the Department of Labour in 2004. PeoplePower explores the business benefits of a diverse workforce and is available on-line or as a hard copy booklet. 
• Work and relationships research report 2003/2004
• Relationships and work toolkit 2003/2004
• What do Kiwi dads want? research report 2003
• Tools for Tapping into Talent, a training resource for recruitment consultants, published 2000/1.
• Strategic alliance with the UK Employers Forum on Disability resulted in the development of People, Disability and Work, a national resource on disability issues for employers, published 2000/1.
• Employment experiences of Sri Lankan migrants survey and research published 1999/2000.
• 1996 launch of the biannual Work and Family Bulletin (later called Work & Life Bulletin).
• Work and Family Directions project where the EEO Trust worked with 52 champion New Zealand workplaces to develop a range of best practice family-friendly strategies.
• EEO Self-Assessment Kit published in 1997.