Human Resources Business Partner
Auckland City Mission
Human Resources Business Partner (Permanent) / Human Resources Business Partner (9-Month Fixed Term)
About the role
We’re looking for pragmatic HR practitioners who understand that people, situations and outcomes are rarely black and white.
Our work supports communities facing complex challenges, and sometimes those we support become our colleagues, bringing lived experience and strength to the mahi. This calls for people practice grounded in both expertise and humanity - understanding context before judgement, supporting leaders through complexity, and providing the right support so individuals, managers and teams can succeed.
You’ll bring a curious, grounded approach with sound judgement and comfort working in complexity. You’ll know when to step in, when to ask questions, and when to think differently, using policy as a guide rather than a rulebook. You focus on practical solutions that support both people and the organisation to thrive.
We are actively living our Te Tiriti commitment through everyday practice. This means staying open to learning, challenging traditional approaches, and recognising that strong people practice is shaped by perspectives beyond HR. We’re looking for someone reflective, open, and committed to learning alongside others.
What you will be doing
As a subject matter expert, you’ll work closely with the General Manager as a trusted HR advisor, providing practical, credible HR expertise and helping shape people practices that reflect our values and real-world complexity.
You’ll balance risk, options and judgement - supporting senior leaders to make sound, people-centred decisions in a compliant and safe way, while recognising that the best outcomes often come from thoughtful navigation rather than textbook answers.
Your day-to-day mahi will include:
- Partnering with leaders to provide trusted HR advice, coaching and support across employee relations, performance, engagement and development.
- Managing a varied employment relations caseload, including performance, conduct, conflict resolution and workplace investigations, aligned with legislation and best practice.
- Assessing risk, exploring options and making clear recommendations that support effective decision-making and positive people outcomes.
- Building strong relationships across the organisation, influencing leaders and contributing to culture, equity, inclusion and employee experience initiatives.
- Supporting people practices grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, equity, inclusion and Māori aspirations within a purpose-led organisation.
What we are looking for
You don’t need to be an expert in every area of HR. We’re looking for an Human Resources professional with strong experience, sound judgement, curiosity, and the confidence to work independently while building trusted relationships.
As a guide, this role aligns broadly with the Designs to Leads stages of the HRNZ Capability Framework – The Path.
We are looking for someone who brings:
- Experience as an HR Business Partner, HR Advisor, People & Culture Advisor, or Employment Relations (ER) practitioner, with the ability to build trusted relationships and navigate complex people matters.
- A genuine commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, equity and inclusion, and the Mission’s values, reflected in everyday practice.
- Strong collaboration skills, with a team-focused approach to sharing knowledge, supporting others, and contributing to continuous improvement in People & Culture practice.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to provide clear, practical HR and employment relations advice to a range of audiences, including senior leaders.
- A tertiary qualification in Human Resources, Business, Organisational Development, or equivalent experience.
- A full New Zealand Driver Licence.
We recognise that skills and experience come from many pathways, including paid work, voluntary work, and community roles such as marae, iwi, church or whānau responsibilities.
What we offer
- Opportunities to strengthen cultural connection through weekly Kapa Haka, waiata, and monthly romiromi.
- Access to EAP and external supervision.
- “Mission Leave” provides an opportunity to focus on wellbeing along with annual and sick leave.
- Tangihanga leave.
- Sick leave available from day one
- Ongoing training and development.
- Staff discounts at Auckland City Mission Op Shops and Pharmacy.
- Access to low cost, fresh produce through the Mission Grocer.
- Convenient access to public transport and discounted parking options.
- Opportunities for career progression within the Mission.
A brief word on how we work… We value connection and offer flexibility where appropriate. This is an office-first role, focused on how we work best together rather than tracking attendance. For a small team doing important mahi, being together supports collaboration, learning, and shared purpose in ways that are hard to replicate remotely.
About the Organisation
Te Tāpui Atawhai - Auckland City Mission works alongside people in Tāmaki Makaurau facing poverty, homelessness, hunger, and isolation.
With over 100 years of service, we deliver integrated support across housing, food, health and recovery, supporting tens of thousands of Aucklanders every year. Our work is grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and guided by our values; Manaakitanga, Rangapū, Atawhai, and Manatika/Mana Ōrite. We believe in people, collective responsibility, and hope - and invite those who share our values to join us.
While our purpose is centred on the people we support, that same philosophy guides how we support our own people. When people feel valued, connected and supported, they are better able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
This is more than an HR role. You’ll join a team grounded in authenticity, compassion, courage and collaboration, and be exposed to experiences that will stretch your thinking and strengthen your practice.
If you value people, collective responsibility and hope, and believe meaningful work is built through strong relationships and shared purpose, you’ll likely feel at home here.
We encourage early applications and may begin interviewing before the closing date, particularly for the fixed-term role. We reserve the right to close applications once suitable candidates are identified.
