Your Council

Working here

Do you want to make a difference?

Do you want your contribution to be valued?

We at Northland Regional Council play an important co-ordinating role, working with our district councils, government agencies and community organisations to help shape our region for the better.

Economic development, provision of infrastructure and environmental guardianship are all vital to drive our region forward. Our future challenge is to balance these needs for the benefit of our growing regional community.

Here at the Regional Council, we offer a professional, challenging, positive and fun working environment.  We have a diverse workforce of 140 permanent staff across the region from Kaitāia to Whāngārei.

Induction and orientation 
Our induction and orientation programme is second to none, giving new staff an opportunity to learn more about the Council by meeting people and visiting Council facilities.

Employment relations
We have a positive working relationship amongst staff and with the union.

Flexible working
We’re committed to helping our staff achieve work/life balance. We offer flexible working hours, study leave and generous paid annual and flexitime leave.

Training and development 
Our organisation continually promotes and provides extensive continual learning programmes. It places a great deal of importance on nurturing and developing staff.

Health and well-being
We place a strong emphasis on the health, safety and well-being of our team.  We provide free health checks, well-being clinics, group health insurance schemes and personal protective equipment, if required.  There is also a free counselling service - for work and non-work issues.

Social club
Our organisation has an active staff social club that holds a variety of special events, functions and sports tournaments.

Career opportunities

At the Regional Council, we offer a huge variety of career opportunities. These include employment in:

• accounting
• administration
• biosecurity
• communications
• environmental education
• human resources
• environmental sciences
• finance
• geographic information
• information technology
• management
• planning
• policy
• transport planning and administration.

Working in local government

Variety is the key to working in local government. There is no greater place to find a rewarding and stimulating career across a wide range of workplace activities.

A company called John Robertson & Associates carries out staff surveys for a large number of local government organisations.

The following are a selection general comments from those surveys from employees working in this sector:

Giving staff a sense of personal achievement
Local Government organisations are focused on delivering services to the community and its people. This focus on people is both internal and external. Personal development and achievement within Local Government organisations is one of three key drivers of staff satisfaction – “my job gives me a sense of personal achievement”.

This is primarily because staff in Local Government have a strong sense of purpose and a commitment to making the community a better place. Helping others provides staff with a sense of personal achievement in their work.

Providing flexible ways of working
Flexibility is important in ensuring that people feel they can bring their hearts and minds to work. Family, friends and social activities don’t get left behind at the door. Work is part of life and it is important to provide a flexible work environment that is focused on delivering results. Giving staff space to work freely and nurturing each person by allowing them to express themselves creatively away from their desk is vital for their development.

Great team environment and capable staff
Local Government organisations are people-based and focused on delivering local services to the community and creating a pleasant environment within which people can live and work. This people focus ensures that an  organisation’s teams and people work well together, they have a high sense of belonging to the organisation and confidence in its leadership.

Related links: www.jra.co.nz/resources/localgovt/workingforlocalgovt.html

Useful resources

Career Services
Information, advice and guidance on choosing a career.
www.careers.govt.nz

Local Government Careers
Information about employment options in local councils.
www.localgovernmentcareers.govt.nz

Local Government New Zealand
Local Government NZ provide policy, advice and training to councils.
www.lgnz.co.nz

Local Government Online
Information on local government in New Zealand.
www.localgovt.co.nz

Live and Work Northland
Find out what it's like to live, work and play in our region.
www.northlandnz.com/livework

New Zealand Now
Find out what it's like to live and work in New Zealand.
newzealandnow.info

Immigration New Zealand
Comprehensive information on migrating to New Zealand.
www.immigration.govt.nz

New Zealand Planning Institute
Information about career opportunities in planning.
www.nzplanning.co.nz/Planning-As-A-Career/default.asp