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Employee Led Networks

Supporting Diversity & Inclusion in the Public Sector

Employee-led Networks in the New Zealand public sector help employees to connect, share ideas and support each other in reaching their potential.

Te Puna Huihuinga Kaimahi (ELN Team) is hosted by Te Kawa Mataaho and supports all cross-agency networks across the Public Service. The ELN Team can also connect and provide advice to organisation-level network leads and people leaders.

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About Employee-led Networks

What are Employee-led Networks?

Employee-led Networks are groups of like-minded people from public sector agencies around New Zealand that come together with common interests. They help employees connect, share ideas and support each other in reaching their potential.

With a range of objectives, the networks help to foster communities and a culture of inclusion, acceptance and mutual respect. Networks play an important part in bringing New Zealand’s public sector workforce together.

Connect with like minded people

Meet like-minded people from your own or other agencies or in other locations across the country. Hear about local, regional and national events, and meet face-to-face with others on topics important to you.

Share your knowledge and experiences

Welcome people into your network and start conversations. You can talk about what’s working and what isn’t. Use your workplace experience to share your stories with others, create new ideas and ways of working. Provide advice and guidance about your network or community to people who need it.

Learning something new

Find out about current issues, topics, or approaches that you may otherwise not have heard about. Learn more about the great work of a network. You can get involved with your network and upskill in areas outside of your day job eg, event management or public speaker and meet experienced colleagues ready to share their insights.

How do you join a Network?

  1. Find your networks

    There are 70 networks that you can get involved in and join.

  2. Fill in the sign-up form

    It will only take a couple of minutes to fill in your details and send your application online.

  3. Receive your confirmation

    In the next 48 hours, you will receive an email confirming that you have successfully joined the network.

FAQ

Got some questions?

Who can join a network?

Anyone employed in the NZ public sector. If you’re on leave from your job, you can still be involved.

What if my network doesn’t exist?

It doesn’t mean there isn’t one. It may not have a presence on this website yet. Contact us to find out if there’s a network you’re looking for. If the network you’re after hasn’t been started, see the information below: ‘Can I start my own network?’

What if my agency doesn’t have a network?

Think about setting one up. See if there are others in your agency who could be interested in being part of a network – you’ll need a few people to get it up and running.

Find an agency that does have a network you’re interested in and contact some of their members in person or via email, phone or Skype. Learn how the network is organised and attend some of their events.

You might be able to be part of another agency’s network while you set up your own, and you’ll already have started connecting.

Can I start my own network?

Yes. Anyone can start a network. Find out if there are other people interested in setting up and belonging to the network. Link-in with other networks and see how they’re organised and the type of activities and events they’re involved in.

What is a network?

Employee led networks are voluntary groups of like-minded people from public sector agencies around New Zealand that come together with common interests. They help employees connect, share ideas and support each other in reaching their potential.

A network is not:

  • exclusive: not just for people at particular levels
  • driven by personal agendas
  • solving all problems in the world
  • imposed on people
  • a passive ‘talking shop’ for people to sit back and wait to be served.

How do I list an event or resource?

Simply complete the forms to submit an event or a resource to our site. Events and resources with a focus on diversity and inclusion which are suitable for listing on the site can be submitted. These may include professional development opportunities, speaker events, conferences, launches, publications, articles, presentations, and more.

Want to know more about us?

The Employee-led Networks Team (ELNs) leads the establishment of this network and is responsible for the contents.

The ELN Team:

Carin Sundstedt, Programme Director 

Anna Robinson, Senior Advisor

Penny Downing, Senior Advisor DEI

Virginia Fordham, Advisor

Phoebe Lockett, Programme Coordinator

 

 

Didn't quite answer your question? Contact us!

Ready to join a network?

Find a network