The annual Adecco New Zealand Prime Ministers Dinner

On Tuesday the 9th of October, Adecco had the privilege of hosting the annual Adecco New Zealand Prime Minister’s Dinner for the 5th consecutive year.

^{We were honoured to welcome Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to the Adecco New Zealand Prime Minister’s Dinner to celebrate our 50th Anniversary, the achievement of the 209 New Zealand Paralympians and the launch of the campaign towards Tokyo 2020!}

The evening marked Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) 50th Anniversary as the National Paralympic Committee for New Zealand. During the event PNZ announced plans to officially recognise and celebrate the achievements of New Zealand’s 209 Paralympians since Tel Aviv 1968 during the lead-up to Tokyo 2020 in just two years. New Zealand has now competed at 23 Paralympic Games and won 221 medals.

The announcement was shared with 160 guests, including Paralympic representatives from all five decades and Tokyo 2020 hopefuls. New Zealand Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, remarked during her keynote address just how much pride she has in New Zealand’s Paralympians. She applauded plans to celebrate their exceptional sporting achievements and noted the profound impact they continue to have on societal perceptions of disability. 

PNZ plans to stage a series of 12 community events around the country within the communities that have so openly supported their Paralympic heroes over the past 50 years. Each of the 209 Paralympians, or family members if they have passed away or cannot travel, will be numbered and officially recognised by the Paralympic Movement. The project has been made possible thanks to funding and support from the Lotto Environment & Heritage Committee and New Zealand Chambers of Commerce, both in attendance.

^{Sophie Pascoe, New Zealand’s most decorated Paralympian with a phenomenal record of 15 Paralympic medals, is one of the speakers at the Adecco New Zealand Prime Minister’s Dinner to celebrate 50 years of incredible achievements by New Zealand Paralympians.}

Dr. Selwyn Maister (Chairman, Paralympics New Zealand and Olympian number 236) said: “It’s an enormous honour to represent your country. Next month will mark exactly 50 years since the first team represented New Zealand at Tel Aviv 1968. To be able to announce plans to officially recognise our 209 Paralympians will be poignant for those many people involved in Para sport over the past five decades.”

Mike Davies (Managing Director, Adecco New Zealand) said: “It has been an absolute privilege for Adecco to support this amazing organisation for the past ten years. These 209 athletes and those that will follow them, have and will continue to contribute a massive amount not only to the sport but the makeup of this country, particularly changing how Kiwi’s see disability and diversity.

He continued: “We are constantly amazed and in admiration of Paralympics New Zealand, the organisation and those people that are part of it.”

"I’m inspired by Paralympic New Zealand’s vision of ‘Excellence and Equity through sport’. You are part of a worldwide social change movement which uses the power of sport to promote a more diverse and inclusive society - an objective that is right in line with what this Government seeks to achieve," Jacinda Ardern said.

Athlete Careers Programme

In 2011, Adecco New Zealand became one of 15 countries in the world to include Paralympians in the Athlete Careers Programme. The Athlete Careers Programme provides personalised programmes that assist athletes’ transition from the training field to the workplace. Adecco takes the athlete’s unique background and capabilities, and each job placement is tailored to find the best match for them. Employers also benefit from the Athlete Careers Programme as well because the programme means they get new team members who have great work traits, including: high drive, patience, and gritty endurance. For more information about this programme please contact Tracy Smith, Adecco Corporate Social Responsibility Manager 09 365 5716

^{Among many other unforgettable moments – one very exclusive surprise: The Vector Lights on Auckland Harbour Bridge were lit up in GOLD! Just stunning! #VectorLights #Spiritofgold}