Media Release
8 August, 2014
ANZ celebrates diversity and signs up to Rainbow Tick
ANZ announced today it has signed up to Rainbow Tick programme, committing to formal benchmarks around lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender, intersex (LGBTI) participation in the workplace.
The Rainbow Tick is New Zealand's first diversity certification programme. It tests whether a workplace values and
welcomes sexual and gender diversity and the LGBTI community through auditing, focus groups, training and action plans.
Antonia Watson, Chief Financial Officer, ANZ New Zealand, and Patron of the NZ Chapter of the ANZ Pride Network, said
the Rainbow Tick was a demonstration that ANZ welcomed diversity and inclusiveness and valued the contribution of its
talented LGBTI staff to the success of the bank.
“Banking is about relationships, being in tune with the needs of our customers and having a deep understanding of their
lives and what they want to achieve,” Ms Watson said.
“Our customers are incredibly diverse, and a wide range of ideas and perspectives – to which our LGBTI staff make an
invaluable contribution – is an important strength of our business.”
For the past six years ANZ has been an active supporter of Auckland’s Big Gay Out and was proud to particpate in the
Auckland Pride Parade.. In addition, it has provided various community grants through the ANZ Staff Foundation to
organisations such as Outline, The New Zealand Aids Foundation and Rainbow Youth.
“The Rainbow Tick formalises our support for our LGBTI staff, and provides a framework for us to ensure we remain
welcoming of skilled people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” Ms Watson said.
Craig Bonnington, Business Development Manager and NZ chapter lead of the ANZ Pride Network says ANZ’s ongoing support
for the LGBTI community is something he’s really proud of.
“It’s great to be a part of a company where diversity is more than a buzzword and inclusiveness is part of the culture,”
he said.
ENDS