HR Solutions for New Zealand Businesses

Compare top HR software and services tailored for the New Zealand market. Find the perfect solution to manage your workforce, ensure compliance, and drive growth.

8 providers reviewed | Updated August 2024

Small Business (5-50 employees)

Sage HR, Breathe HR, BambooHR

From $5/employee/month

Medium Business (50-500 employees)

Employment Hero, BambooHR, Deputy

From $6/employee/month

Large Enterprise (500+ employees)

Workday, Employment Hero

From $100+/employee/month

Employment Hero

4.5/5
NZ Focused

From $6/employee/month

per employee/month

All-in-one HR platform designed for modern businesses with comprehensive employee management capabilities

Key Features

  • Employee self-service portal
  • Performance management
  • Leave tracking & approvals
  • Digital onboarding

+4 more features

Best For

Growing businesses (20-200+ employees) needing comprehensive HR automation

MediumLarge
Industries: Professional Services, Healthcare, Retail, Manufacturing

Pros

  • Excellent user interface
  • Strong NZ employment law compliance
  • Mobile app
  • Good integration options

Cons

  • Can be complex for very small teams
  • Some advanced features require higher tiers

BambooHR

4.3/5

From $8/employee/month

per employee/month

User-friendly HR software focused on simplicity and core HR functions for small to medium businesses

Key Features

  • Applicant tracking system
  • Time-off management
  • Employee database
  • Performance reviews

+4 more features

Best For

Small to medium businesses (10-500 employees) wanting intuitive HR management

SmallMedium
Industries: Technology, Professional Services, Non-profit

Pros

  • Very intuitive interface
  • Excellent customer support
  • Good mobile experience
  • Strong reporting

Cons

  • Limited customization
  • No built-in payroll for NZ
  • Advanced features cost extra

Workday

4.2/5

Custom pricing (typically $100+/employee/month)

per employee/month

Enterprise-grade HR and finance platform with advanced analytics and global capabilities

Key Features

  • Global HR management
  • Advanced analytics
  • Talent management
  • Learning platform

+3 more features

Best For

Large enterprises (500+ employees) needing sophisticated HR and finance integration

Large
Industries: Enterprise, Government, Healthcare, Financial Services

Pros

  • Highly configurable
  • Excellent analytics
  • Global compliance
  • Strong security

Cons

  • Very expensive
  • Complex implementation
  • Overkill for smaller businesses

HR Partners

4.1/5
NZ Focused

From $150/month for basic support, custom packages available

per employee/month

Full-service HR consultancy providing outsourced HR support and advisory services across New Zealand

Key Features

  • HR advisory services
  • Policy development
  • Employment law compliance
  • Training programs

+3 more features

Best For

Businesses (10-100 employees) without dedicated internal HR teams

SmallMedium
Industries: Professional Services, Construction, Retail, Healthcare

Pros

  • Local NZ expertise
  • Flexible service packages
  • Strong legal knowledge
  • Personal service

Cons

  • Not a software solution
  • Response times can vary
  • Higher cost for ongoing support

Sage HR

4/5

From $5/employee/month

per employee/month

Cloud-based HR software with strong focus on employee experience and core HR functions

Key Features

  • Employee records
  • Leave management
  • Performance tracking
  • Shift scheduling

+4 more features

Best For

Small to medium businesses (5-250 employees) wanting affordable HR software

SmallMedium
Industries: Retail, Hospitality, Small Business

Pros

  • Affordable pricing
  • Easy to use
  • Good mobile app
  • Quick setup

Cons

  • Limited advanced features
  • Basic reporting
  • No NZ payroll integration

Deputy

4.2/5
NZ Focused

From $4.50/user/month

per employee/month

Workforce management platform specializing in scheduling, time tracking, and team communication

Key Features

  • Employee scheduling
  • Time & attendance
  • Leave management
  • Task management

+4 more features

Best For

Businesses with hourly workers and complex scheduling needs (retail, hospitality)

SmallMedium
Industries: Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, Field Services

Pros

  • Excellent for scheduling
  • Strong mobile app
  • Good for hourly workers
  • NZ compliance features

Cons

  • Limited traditional HR features
  • Better for operational than strategic HR

PeopleHR

3.9/5

From $7/employee/month

per employee/month

Comprehensive HR software with strong recruitment and performance management capabilities

Key Features

  • Recruitment management
  • Performance reviews
  • Learning management
  • Employee database

+4 more features

Best For

Medium businesses (50-500 employees) with active recruitment and performance focus

Medium
Industries: Professional Services, Technology, Manufacturing

Pros

  • Strong recruitment features
  • Good performance management
  • Flexible configuration
  • Decent reporting

Cons

  • Interface can feel dated
  • Limited NZ-specific features
  • Some features require add-ons

Breathe HR

4.1/5

From $5/employee/month (minimum 5 users)

per employee/month

Simple, people-focused HR software designed for small businesses with essential HR features

Key Features

  • Employee records
  • Holiday tracking
  • Sickness monitoring
  • Document storage

+4 more features

Best For

Small businesses (5-50 employees) wanting simple, affordable HR management

Small
Industries: Small Business, Professional Services, Creative Agencies

Pros

  • Very user-friendly
  • Affordable pricing
  • Good customer support
  • Quick implementation

Cons

  • Limited advanced features
  • No NZ-specific compliance
  • Basic integrations

Core HR Management

Employee records, leave management, performance reviews, and basic HR administration.

From $5/employee/month

Talent Management

Recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and learning & development systems.

From $8/employee/month

Compliance & Advisory

Employment law compliance, policy development, and HR consulting services.

From $150/month

Complete Guide to Choosing HR Software in New Zealand

Essential NZ Considerations

  • Employment Relations Act Compliance: Ensure your chosen platform handles NZ employment law requirements, including minimum wage calculations, holiday pay, and sick leave entitlements.
  • Privacy Act 2020 Compliance: Look for systems with strong data protection measures and clear data governance policies for employee information.
  • Local Payroll Integration: Verify compatibility with NZ payroll providers like Xero Payroll, MYOB PayGlobal, or PaySauce.
  • Public Holiday Management: Automatic handling of NZ public holidays, including regional variations and Mondayisation rules.

Implementation Timeline

1
Week 1-2: Requirements gathering and vendor selection
2
Week 3-4: Contract negotiation and system configuration
3
Week 5-6: Data migration and testing
4
Week 7-8: Staff training and go-live

Cost Breakdown

  • • Software licensing: $5-100/user/month
  • • Implementation: $2,000-20,000 one-time
  • • Training: $1,000-5,000
  • • Data migration: $1,000-10,000
  • • Ongoing support: 15-20% of license cost

Key Questions to Ask

  • • What NZ compliance features are included?
  • • How does data backup and recovery work?
  • • What are the integration capabilities?
  • • What support is available in NZ time zones?
  • • How is pricing calculated and what's included?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • • Choosing based on price alone
  • • Underestimating implementation time
  • • Skipping staff training
  • • Ignoring data security requirements
  • • Not planning for future growth

Industry-Specific HR Recommendations

Professional Services

Focus on project time tracking, performance management, and client billing integration.

Recommended: Employment Hero, BambooHR

Retail & Hospitality

Emphasis on scheduling, time tracking, and managing hourly staff across multiple locations.

Recommended: Deputy, Employment Hero

Healthcare

Compliance tracking, certification management, and complex scheduling requirements.

Recommended: Employment Hero, Workday

Manufacturing

Safety training tracking, shift management, and skills/competency recording.

Recommended: Employment Hero, PeopleHR

Technology

Agile team management, remote work support, and continuous performance feedback.

Recommended: BambooHR, PeopleHR

Construction

Site-based management, safety compliance, and mobile-first solutions.

Recommended: Deputy, HR Partners

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between HR software and HR services?

HR software provides self-service tools and automation, while HR services offer expert guidance and outsourced support. Many NZ businesses benefit from a combination of both.

How much should I budget for HR software?

Expect $5-15/employee/month for basic systems, $15-50 for comprehensive platforms, and $50+ for enterprise solutions. Factor in implementation costs of $2,000-20,000.

Do I need NZ-specific HR software?

While not mandatory, NZ-focused solutions like Employment Hero and Deputy offer built-in compliance features that can save significant time and reduce legal risk.

How long does HR software implementation take?

Simple systems: 2-4 weeks. Comprehensive platforms: 6-12 weeks. Enterprise solutions: 3-12 months. Factor in data migration, training, and testing phases.

What integrations should I look for?

Essential integrations include payroll systems (Xero, MYOB), accounting software, email platforms, and time tracking tools. API availability is important for future needs.

How do I ensure employee adoption?

Focus on user-friendly interfaces, comprehensive training, clear communication about benefits, and gradual rollout. Employee self-service features often drive adoption.