Core HR

Mānawatia a Matariki ✨

As Matariki rises, we’re reminded that the Māori New Year isn’t just a cultural is an opportunity for meaningful reflection.

The core principles are:

Matariki Hunga Nui: Remembrance

Matariki Ahunga Nui: Celebrating the Present

Matariki Manako Nui: Looking to the Future

These should be reflections for any area of life, encouraging us to pause, appreciate what we have, and set intentions for the year ahead.

Ngā mihi o Matariki, te tau hou Māori.

Most people HATE HR.

And fair enough.

HR gets a bad rap:

It’s often seen as unrealistic, full of jargon and policies that don’t reflect the real day-to-day of running a business.

But here’s the thing: when HR is done right, it’s not about policies for the sake of it.

It’s not the work police turning up to take your fun away, or loading you up with extra admin just to tick boxes.

It’s about creating structure that actually helps your business thrive, reducing legal risk, and freeing up your time to focus on the stuff that really matters.

In our blog, we've broken down how small businesses can get the benefits of great HR without needing a fancy HR department.

Read it here:

HR Tips for Small Businesses: How Smart, Scalable HR Drives SME Success in NZ — Core HR Discover practical HR tips for small businesses in NZ. Learn how outsourcing HR and using simple systems can improve hiring, compliance, engagement, and culture without the corporate price tag.

Inclusion is a corporate buzzword.

Until you realise it’s one of the smartest business strategies for SMEs to drive real and tangible success.

We know that inclusive workplace policies often sound like something reserved for big corporates with big budgets. But here’s the truth:

- Inclusive teams make better decisions 87% of the time
- Inclusive teams are 21% more productive
- Inclusive teams experience 19% higher retention

That’s real data that makes a real difference.

Read our blog for a deeper dive into why building inclusion into your everyday operations is a must for business success.

Why Inclusive Workplaces are Good for Business — Core HR Discover the measurable benefits of an inclusive workplace, from productivity to retention, and how NZ SMEs can start building a better workplace culture today.

💗 Happy Pink Shirt Day! 💗

Today is a reminder that bullying happens everywhere, even if it doesn’t seem so obvious, and it's everyone's responsibility to stand against it.

Take professional settings for example: 1 in 5 New Zealanders have experienced frequent bullying at work in the past year.

Workplace bullying can be especially hard to tackle. It’s often subtle, persistent, and isolating, fueled by complex power dynamics and fear of consequences that leave people feeling powerless to speak up.

That obviously needs to change.

Let's make Pink Shirt Day a prompt to check in, speak up, and show up for others.

Whether you're a business owner, a manager, or a team member, you have the power to create a safer, kinder environment.

Start conversations. Set expectations. Call out harmful behaviour.

Annual Leave is a benefit - don't let it be a burden! ❌

When leave balances are left unchecked, they can build up, creating a financial strain and reducing productivity. The reality is, everyone deserves a break to recharge. Letting leave pile up doesn’t just affect your budget; it affects your team’s well-being, too.

Let's look at strategies for managing annual leave effectively so you can keep costs under control and support a healthier, happier workplace. 👇Use the photos below!

Celebrating all workers this Labour Day weekend! 🎉💼

Here’s to the hard work and dedication that keeps our businesses thriving. Enjoy your well-deserved break everyone!

Nau mai ki te Wiki o te Reo Māori!

This week, we celebrate the beauty and importance of Te Reo Māori, by embracing and promoting this taonga (treasure).

As an HR company, we want to use this week as an opportunity to encourage the use of Te Reo in the workplace, not only to foster inclusivity but to acknowledge and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Aotearoa.

Whether in meetings, emails, or day-to-day conversations, small efforts can make a big difference in normalizing Te Reo Māori.

Check out an official resource below to get you started!

Finding a new job is great — and so is adding new talent to your team!🌟

We love the hiring process because of its win-win potential for both employers and employees. The biggest obstacle in its way? The employment contract. 📑

Do you know what you must, should and shouldn't write in the contracts your new employees sign? Whether you're unsure or feeling confident, we've got a valuable essential guide you might find useful.

Check it out below!

The 10 minimum clauses you must have in your Employment Contracts — Core HR In New Zealand, every employee is required by law to have an employment contract which adheres to the minimum standard of the Employment Relations Act (2000). But an employment contract is more than that, it is also a powerful resource for you and your business.  A clear employment contrac

What every employer should know about Abandonment 🚨

Abandonment of Employment is when an employee leaves their role without notice (put simply), but it is almost never clear-cut to determine! Generally, employers need to make sure they don’t make assumptions or rush the process to avoid mishandling the issue.

👇Check out a quick crash course below!

📢 Core HR has a new team member!

We are excited to welcome Ashley Ganda to the team 🎉 She joins us to offer support in office administration and accounts support duties, with previous years of experience in similar roles.

Great to have you on board, Ashley! We all look forward to your amazing contributions!

The stats speak for themselves: feedback is HARD.

To paint the picture:
· 65% of employees want more feedback at work but,
· only 33% of managers feel comfortable providing it and,
· 21% admit to avoiding feedback sessions altogether.

Delivering feedback (especially negative) is one of the hardest things to do as a manager. No one wants to look like the bad guy and not everyone is comfortable navigating a difficult conversation. Regardless, feedback sessions need to happen for everyone’s growth and success.

Whether it's positive or negative feedback that needs delivering, it needs to be done with delicacy and maturity to have its intended effect The good news? It doesn’t have to be unpleasant for either party.

A few years back, we put together a few essentials to keep in mind when delivering negative feedback. This is timeless info, check it out below!
https://www.corehr.co.nz/guides-resources/not-afraid-delivering-negative-feedback?rq=feedback

Geeking out over employment fine print is not for everyone, but understanding your rights and obligations is!

Ever heard of Restraint of Trade? Do you know what it means for employers and employees? More info in the slides below ⬇

In general, making sure any clause in your employment contracts is enforceable is a good idea. For some extra attention, send us a message!
https://www.corehr.co.nz/ec-review-specialoffer