HR BUSINESS PARTNER

Waikato Regional Council; Hamilton; Hybrid; NZD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Waikato Regional Council in Hamilton is seeking an experienced HR Business Partner to partner with leaders, tackle complex people challenges and contribute to organisational change. This is a Hamilton-based 12-month fixed-term opportunity with potential for extension, full-time preferred, and flexible working arrangements.

You will provide trusted HR advice across the employee lifecycle, including employee relations, performance, recruitment, remuneration, change and workforce planning.

Qualifications

• Significant HR, People & Capability or related experience, likely 6–8 years in a similar role
• Strong knowledge of employment relations, legislation, remuneration principles and contemporary HR practice
• Experience supporting organisational change, workforce planning, organisational design and culture initiatives
• Experience in local government, public sector or a unionised environment would be an advantage
• Partner with managers and senior leaders to provide practical HR advice across the employee lifecycle
• Ability to build trust quickly and deliver sound, practical guidance

Responsibilities

• Partner with leaders to deliver practical people solutions across the employee lifecycle.
• Contribute to organisation-wide initiatives that shape our future workforce and culture.
• Support workforce planning, talent management, succession planning, organisational design and culture initiatives.
• Work collaboratively across People & Capability to deliver consistent, integrated and people-focused solutions.
• Communicate clearly, exercise sound judgement and manage confidential information with care.

Skills

Employee relations

Change management

Talent management

Workforce planning

Organisational design

Leadership partnering

Education

Tertiary qualification in HR or related discipline

Job description

Posted 3 weeks ago

Description

Mō te tūranga | About the role

This is an exciting time to be working in local government.

As organisations across the sector respond to changing expectations, legislative reform, workforce challenges and evolving community needs, skilled HR professionals play a critical role in helping leaders navigate complexity and build capable, future-ready teams.

We're looking for an experienced HR Business Partner who enjoys partnering with leaders, tackling complex people challenges and contributing to organisational change. If you're energised by variety, influence and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Hamilton-based 12‑month fixed‑term opportunity with potential for extension (full‑time preferred).

Flexible working arrangements available.

Partner with leaders to deliver practical people solutions across the employee lifecycle.

Contribute to organisation‑wide initiatives that help shape our future workforce and culture.

Partner with leaders and managers across assigned Directorates to understand workforce needs, people challenges and opportunities.

Provide trusted, practical HR advice across the employee lifecycle, including employee relations, performance, recruitment, remuneration and change.

Coach and support leaders to strengthen capability, confidence and effectiveness as people leaders.

Support workforce planning, talent management, succession planning, organisational design and culture initiatives.

Work collaboratively across People & Capability to deliver consistent, integrated and people‑focused solutions.

An experienced HR professional who builds trust quickly and provides sound, practical advice.

Enjoys partnering with leaders to solve people challenges and support strong organisational outcomes.

Confident navigating complex employee relations, organisational change and sensitive people matters.

Communicate clearly, exercise sound judgement and manage confidential information with care.

Brings a collaborative, enterprise‑wide mindset and contribute positively to a one‑team culture.

Committed to ongoing cultural capability and understand the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in a local government context.

Tertiary qualification in Human Resources, Organisational Psychology, Business, Employment Relations or a related discipline

Significant HR, People & Capability or related experience, including partnering with managers and senior leaders, ideally 6–8 years in a similar role

Strong knowledge of employment relations, employment legislation, remuneration principles and contemporary HR practice

Experience supporting organisational change, workforce planning, organisational design, performance and culture initiatives

Experience in local government, the public sector or a unionised environment would be an advantage.

Mō te tīma | About the team

Reporting to the HR Manager, you'll be part of a supportive People & Capability team.

Work alongside HR Business Partners, an HR Advisor, P&C Coordinators and a dedicated P&C Analyst.

Partner closely with our Learning & Development and Health, Safety & Wellbeing team.

We provide trusted HR support across an organisation of approximately 700 employees.

We work hard to care for the mighty Waikato, so current and future generations will benefit from a healthy environment, strong economy, and vibrant communities.

Our mahi is as diverse as the region we care for and the people who share it. Our work helps look after our region's water, soil, air, geothermal areas and coasts - so we can all enjoy these precious resources for generations to come.

Customers sit at the heart of everything we do, and all staff have an important role to play in the delivery of exceptional customer service.

By partnering with iwi and working with many others in our communities, our collective kaitiakitanga will make the Waikato region even better.

Together, we’ll create a sustainable future that will make a positive difference to people’s lives.

Applications will be reviewed as they come in, and this role will close on Sunday 11 October 2026.