HR Partner - Central North Island (Autonomy)

Kiwirail; New Zealand; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

KiwiRail is seeking an experienced People & Performance Partner to support leaders and teams in the Central North Island from Hamilton or Tauranga. You will provide operational HR partnering, coach managers through complex people matters, and lead ER, performance, and investigations with autonomy.

You’ll be the sole on-ground HR partner in the region while remaining connected to the national team for shared initiatives, peer reviews, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 4–6 years’ experience in HR advisory or business partnering roles.
• Strong ER case management experience.
• Experience handling performance issues and investigations.
• Proven ability to support operational leaders in complex environments.
• Ability to work autonomously as a sole-charge HR partner.
• Strong judgement and interpersonal skills across frontline to senior stakeholders.
• Practical, solutions-focused approach aligned to health and safety and KiwiRail values.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational HR partnering support across a diverse portfolio.
• Coach and guide managers through complex people matters with a focus on ER, performance, and investigations.
• Act as the sole on-ground HR partner for the central North Island regions, with autonomy and portfolio ownership.
• Collaborate with the national People & Performance team on initiatives and improvements.
• Support leaders and teams to build a safe, inclusive, high-performing workforce.

Skills

HR advisory

ER case management

Investigations

Stakeholder management

Sole-charge HR

Health & safety

Communication

Education

HR qualification

Related field degree

Job description

KiwiRail is seeking an experienced People & Performance Partner to support leaders and teams in the Central North Island from Hamilton or Tauranga. You will provide operational HR partnering, coach managers through complex people matters, and lead ER, performance, and investigations with autonomy.

You’ll be the sole on-ground HR partner in the region while remaining connected to the national team for shared initiatives, peer reviews, and continuous improvement.