History of NZATD

The Beginnings

The New Zealand Association for Training and Development evolved from a special interest group of the New Zealand Institute of Management in the early 1980s. The meeting that established the future and an independent organisation occurred at an NZATD conference in Wellington in 1985.

Six groups established themselves under the NZATD umbrella - Auckland, Central North Island, Manawatu, Wellington and Canterbury. Each group maintained a separate constitution and affiliated to the national body. These groups acted independently sharing only the Code of Professional Practice and a biennial conference.

By 1988 it became clear that if the NZATD was to achieve its goals then it would need to establish a national organisation under one constitution. In 1989, Leonie Black as chair of the restructuring committee wrote "The executive of the NZATD are strongly committed to the objectives of the organisation and believe the achievement of them can enhance the position of training and development specialists in New Zealand. We also believe however that whilst we represent a loose affilitation of separate groups the mechanisms to achieve these developments are not in place."

In 1989 at the NZATD conference in Rotorua the new national organisation was launched and celebrated.

NZATD Incorporated

The establishment of the national organisation has lead to significant changes and many dedicated volunteers have contributed to the development.

People and Performance The national newsletter Flipchart was replaced with the journal People and Performance in 1993. In the first years the journal was edited and produced by Ken Seccombe of CCL. Since 1997 editing and production has been handled by Ross Miller of Kotuku Media. People and Performance continues to provide thought-provoking articles, in-depth comment, suggestions and advice. Cover of first issue

Professional Membership
Introducing professional membership was a goal of NZATD from the start.  We needed a way to recognise the skills and knowledge / professionalism of members.

Work started by reviewing competencies and standards from the USA, Canada and United Kingdom. A change in direction was required in 1990 when the New Zealand Qualification Authority came into being and for an extended period NZATD put effort into the development of unit standards for the learning and development professionals.

These unit standards are now integrated into the Professional Membership system. The first professional membership was granted in 1998.

Training Design Awards
Since 1991 NZATD has recognised 'excellence' in learning and development through the Training Design Awards. Recipients of these awards over the years have included:

2008
Optimism Instructional Design Award - The Learning Wave
RWD Technologies Technology Based Learning Award - ASB
STA Delivery / Facilitation Award - John Faisandier, TUF: Thriving Under Fire
The People Group Performance Improvement Award - The Learning Wave

2003 Training Line Facilitation / Delivery Award - Tony Burns, Effective Speaking Ockwell Award for Instructional Design - Shannon Novak, NZ Fire Service 1998 Ace Training Award - Priscilla Cheah, ASB Bank 1995 Boyd Visuals Award - Edna Peters FIRST Training Award - Wendy Redshaw & David Singer, New Zealand Lotteries Commission Microsoft Award for Multimedia Design - Terabyte Interactive 1993 Boyd Visuals Award - James Lynch, Skill Development Associates 1991 Boyd Visuals Award - Edreen Sheath & Anne Evans-Scott, Edreen Sheath & Associates FIRST Training Award - MAF, Palmerston North

Tony Burns receives his award

Mentor Programme
The Mentor programme was introduced in 1998 and brings together many experienced, successful and talented members with those seeking support and guidance in their careers. See Mentoring under Services for more information.

Affiliations
NZATD has established affilitations with a number of organisations over the years including the National Speakers Association of New Zealand (NSA) and Human Resource Institute of New Zealand (HRINZ).

In 2005 a more formal relationship in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding was established with HRINZ. This recognises the complementary membership of the two organisations and the need to maintain independence whilst working together for their respective members. Information from both organisations is shared and members attend meetings and events held by either organisation at the member rate.

National Presidents

The National Presidents of NZATD since it was consituted in 1985 are: 

• Alan Barker (Auckland)
• Russell Robb (Canterbury)
• Leonie Black (Wellington)
• Colin Dawson (Auckland)
• Doug Turner (Auckland)
• Phillippa Elliott (Canterbury)
• Kevin Day (Wellington)
• Beryl Oldham (Auckland)
• Simon Taylor (Wellington)

Under the NZIM structure the National Presidents were: Bob Wrighton and Matt Willoughby Graham.

Life Members

Life membership is granted to individuals in 'recognition for outstanding contribution or services to NZATD and/or to the practice of training and development'.

• Mike Horner
• Russell Robb
• Leonie Black
• Colin Dawson
• Doug Turner
• Beryl Oldham

The NZATD Education Trust

The NZATD Education Trust is a charitable trust set up with the profits from the 1985  Wellington conference.  Click here for more details.

  Links

  Members >>

  Search this Site