HR Business Partner

Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand Te Pae Hauora o Ruahine o Tararua MidCentral; Palmerston North; On-site; NZD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A health organization in Palmerston North is seeking an experienced HR Business Partner to act as a strategic partner for hospital services. The ideal candidate will have 8+ years in a complex HR environment and strong relationship management skills. Responsibilities include implementing HR initiatives and supporting operational goals. Applications close on 15th October 2025.

Qualifications

• Significant experience working in HR partnering role (8+ years).
• Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills.
• Sound knowledge of NZ employment and H&S legislation.

Responsibilities

• Establish strong relationships as a provider of P&C services.
• Ensure P&C initiatives are planned and communicated effectively.
• Provide advice and support on full range of P&C services.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Relationship management

Influencing skills

Problem-solving skills

Decision-making skills

Job description

• HR Business Partner, 2 positions available - based in MidCentral & Whanganui
• Permanent Full Time
• Individual Employment Agreement

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the Role

The HR Business Partner is the strategic partner to the Hospital and Specialist Services group at MidCentral and Whanganui hospitals, contributing to improving the health and well-being of New Zealanders by working closely with senior leaders to deliver effective People & Culture (P&C) initiatives, practices and systems that align to business requirements and goals.

The HR Business Partner will either lead or assist with the implementation of strategic HR work and projects as well as transformational change across the organisation.

• Establish strong relationships and credibility as an effective provider of P&C services to senior stakeholders across the service, anticipating and proactively addressing business workforce opportunities and challenges in line with P&C strategies and plans.
• Ensure P&C initiatives are appropriately planned, communicated, and implemented to managers and their teams and that delivery meets the needs of the service.
• Develop and maintain the service's goals and challenges (beyond the P&C function), to assist with the successful delivery of operational and strategic outcomes via relevant 100 day and annual/multi-year plans.
• Provide advice and support to managers on the full range of P&C services in accordance with employment agreements, strategies, frameworks, policies and relevant legislation.
• Lead employment relations and change management activities supporting fair, consistent and prompt processes, and successful outcomes.
• Proactively work with managers to identify opportunities for performance, productivity and engagement improvements and initiatives.
• Promote an environment that encourages constructive and collaborative engagement and a shared problem-solving approach with unions and employees.
• Working in collaboration with the wider P&C functional teams, assist with the implementation of initiatives to actively promote and support the Health NZ culture, values, and employee engagement.
• Maintain current knowledge of employee/employment legislative and industry activities.

About you

You are an experienced HR Business Partner who is passionate about building organisational capability. You understand HR strategy and how to engage, influence and deliver outcomes throughout teams within a complex, fast paced and ever-changing environment. You will have an efficient, pragmatic and approachable style with the ability to build productive relationships with people at all levels.

This role requires the following skills:

• Significant experience working in a HR partnering role (in the range of 8+ years) in a complex multi-entity, geographically distributed and/or unionised environment.
• Strong interpersonal, relationship management and influencing skills are a necessity, along with experience working with leaders during change.
• Have a sound knowledge of NZ employment and H&S legislation.
• Experience in giving meaningful effect to the expectations outlined in Te Tiriti o Waitangi in either your role or at a leadership level.
• Strong problem-solving skills, sound judgment, and confident decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated professional and personal credibility while operating with integrity and transparency.
• Ability to make difficult and challenging decisions that support strategic goals and vision.
• Ability to influence at all levels of the organisation.
• An exceptional communicator, able to create impact and demonstrate proactive stakeholder relationships.

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal by 5pm, 15 th October 2025. If you have any questions about the role, please contact [e-mail]

Job details

Job Reference:

Job Reference: 1887950

Location:

North Island - Manawatu / Whanganui - Palmerston North

Job type:

Job type: Permanent Full time

Expertise:

Non-clinical - Human Resources - Human Resources