Human Resources Advisor (secondment / fixed term to 30 June 2026)

About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga mahi

Join our People & Capability Team! Reporting to the Team Leader Human Resources, we’re seeking an experienced HR Advisor to join our People and Capability HR Service Delivery team. This is a fixed term/secondment opportunity until 30 June 2026, based at either our Auckland or Wellington Customhouse.

You’ll play a key role in supporting HR operations and delivering excellent service to our people. If you’re organised, proactive, and passionate about HR, we’d love to hear from you! We would also be interested to hear from anyone who has a policy background and who comes equipped with sound policy writing skills. As a valued member of the team, you will be at the forefront of providing high-quality and consistent first-line advice to managers and staff across the business.

Joining us on a fixed term / secondment basis, you’ll work in a supportive environment where you’ll be encouraged to share ideas and contribute to improving tools and processes. In addition to your advisory responsibilities, you will lead a review of our People & Capability policies and procedures, update and align them across Customs, and design new workflows for internal forms to ensure efficiency and consistency. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact within a defined timeframe and leave a legacy of best practice.

This role will require you to have a flexible working style, to be able to adapt to the varying workloads, and the ability to manage competing priorities and to meet deadlines. This key role is a great opportunity to gain exposure to a variety of HR activities and to develop your HR skills.

The successful candidate will need to be a confident communicator, a motivated self-starter, and be passionate about all things HR. We are looking for someone who shows strong initiative, is adaptable, has strong attention to detail and a willingness to grow and develop.

The salary on offer for this fixed term / secondment opportunity is $88,737 – $114,287 dependent on relevant skillset and experience - prorated accordingly.

Working at Customs | Mahi ki te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa

We aim to create a great place to work, where our people have a sense of belonging and the capability and desire to meet our future challenges. We are an organisation that is clear about our mission, and this is underpinned by Te Pou Tokomanawa (the Foundations) and our Whanonga Pono (Values). Our work really matters to the safety and success of New Zealand.

Working for New Zealand Customs…

To join Customs in any role you must be a New Zealand citizen or New Zealand permanent resident* and be able to obtain and maintain an Organisational Security clearance.

(*) A New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided continuously in New Zealand for the last ten years, (including five years ago from the date of this application) and resides in New Zealand at time of application.

OR

A New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided continuously in New Zealand for the last five years, (including ten years ago from the date of this application) and resides in New Zealand at time of application who has travelled out of New Zealand for short periods of time i.e. > 6 months in one of the following countries: Australia, United Kingdom, United States or Canada and can provide police certificates from those countries for the period of absence.

Because of the nature of Customs’ work you must have a clear Police record. Organisational security clearances are mandatory and are conducted by Customs. You will also be required to pass a drug test.

How to apply…

To apply, please submit an up-to-date CV and cover letter, via our online process. (Please note, we do not accept applications sent directly to an email address).

Please note Customs will be managing this recruitment independently in-house and will not be engaging with recruitment agencies at this stage.

Deadline for applications is 11pm, Sunday 18 January 2026.

New Zealand Customs Service | Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa is a member of Diversity Works New Zealand and is committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. It provides equal employment opportunities and welcomes applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role.Customs | Te Mana Ārai supports flexible working arrangements and welcomes the opportunity to speak with you about your flexible working requirements.