This section contains information about working at Council, how to apply for a job with us, the recruitment process and what to expect once you've joined us.
Updated:
5/12/2011 4:20 p.m.
Working at Council
Whangarei is an exciting place to live. It is evolving into a cosmopolitan centre with a community and business hub that supports a diversity of residents and visitors. Council is involved in many aspects of our residents’ lives and our focus on attracting and retaining high quality staff promises an exciting future.
We value our staff and have a number of initiatives which support and reward their work.
Organisational culture
The friendly, down to earth and hardworking environment at Council is supported through our Organisational Culture Statement which provides staff with a clear outline of basic expectations required in their role as a Council employee. Direction is also provided through our strong strategic focus, mission, vision and values which help us work collectively towards making Whangarei New Zealand's "Ultimate Living Environment"
Reward and recognition
Our Performance Review process is aimed at providing constructive feedback to staff on a regular basis and recognise the valuable contribution they make to our organisation. Through this process we are also able to tailor personal development and reward those individuals who make the most of their ability to serve our community.
Career opportunities
The variety of work our organisation is involved in and emphasis on equal employment opportunities opens up a huge range of career options for employees.
Combined with our strong committment to developing staff either through formal training opportunities or on-the-job coaching and mentoring, this assists us in our aim of encouraging internal promotion wherever possible allowing staff to reach their full potential.
For further information about career options, follow the link below.
Career Options
Leave provision
All employees start on four weeks annual leave but can accumulate extra entitlement through continued service with Council. Employees joining us directly from other local authorities within New Zealand are able to have their service recognised for the purpose of leave provision.
In addition to annual leave staff can apply once per year for up to two weeks of annual leave without pay for a special trip or event. Other types of leave available include sick leave above the statutory minimum and Loyalty and Performance leave which rewards high performing, long serving staff for their contribution to our organisation.
Health, safety and wellbeing
We place a strong emphasis on the health and safety starting on the first day during which employees start on their comprehensive induction programme. Our Health and Safety Committee ensure all Health and Safety policies and procedures are relevant, up to date and utilised along with driving an annual wellness programme aimed at promoting Health and Safety issues throughout the organisation.
Social Club
All employees are automatically enrolled as members of our social club, free of charge, when they join Council. The club runs numerous activities such as sailing, golf days, bar nights throughout the year which members can access at discounted rates. The highlight of the Social Club calendar comes every two years with a staff concert in which staff are encouraged to take part and display hidden talents to colleagues and their families.
Employee benefits
A large range of benefits are available to all Council employees including:
- discounted health insurance.
- free two yearly eye exam.
- employee life insurance.
- interactive intranet with employee blog and buy, sell and exchange facility.