BETTER WORK BY DESIGN

Independent people and culture governance

Senior HR governance and people strategy advice for growing New Zealand organisations, with a particular focus on medium-large sized businesses with 50–350 employees. I offer services ranging from HR strategy to fractional HR leadership. My advice is practical, commercially grounded, and aligned with current New Zealand employment and privacy law ensuring your people and business grow together.

When you’re growing, the picture gets harder to see

 

Most organisations reach a point where the people side of the business has grown faster than the systems supporting it. Nothing has necessarily gone wrong, but agreements may have been written for the organisation at a different stage, while policies and practices have evolved in ways no one has had time to properly map out. Your people team may be stretched and lack the capacity to step back from day-to-day operations.

That is where I come in, a roadmap provides an evidence-based view of what is working well, what needs attention, and the clearest sequence of priorities.

If you need senior HR advice or embedded leadership, a fractional HR engagement gives you expert support alongside your team without the commitment or cost of a full-time hire.

How I can help

I offer fixed-scope strategic HR roadmaps and ongoing fractional HR leadership. I personally lead every engagement and only work with a limited number of clients, so I can develop a deep understanding of how your business operates.

WorkTheory Roadmaps

Strategic, fixed-scope roadmaps $9,500 + GST, with actionable recommendations to gain the clarity to move your business forward.

HR & AI Governance

An independent look at how your people systems are holding up, including how AI is being used in people processes. Scored across eight domains against current New Zealand employment and privacy law, OECD AI Principles and MBIE’s Responsible AI Guidance for Businesses.

Good AI governance protects trust & keeps people data safe, while employers stay accountable for how AI tools use personal information. Read: AI and the Privacy Act

Inclusion & Accessibility

Inclusivity of your workplace is scored across five domains designed to sit alongside the Aotearoa Inclusivity Matrix. The roadmap provides you with insights into where you're doing well and where you have gaps, along with actionable feedback to close them.  

Inclusion strengthens innovation & decision-making, contributing to competitive advantage. Read: The business case for inclusion

Fractional HR Engagements

Senior expertise when your business needs it most, without the expense of hiring a full-time permanent role. Options from $2,200 + GST per month

Senior HR Advisory

Flexible remote Senior HR advisor on hand for your biggest decisions for a minimum three month term, then month to month

Fractional Head of HR

Embedded Head of HR working within your business.

Engagement designed to fit the needs of your business. Starting on a minimum 3-month term for immediate traction on priorities.

Ad hoc Senior HR support

For a piece of work that can't wait for additional internal capacity. I'll scope the work with you and I give you a price based on a hourly rate of $295 + GST or a fixed price to suit your budget. To find out more book a 15-minute no-obligation chat or email hello@worktheory.co.nz with any questions you have.

Not sure where to start?

A starter session gives you a focused 60-minute conversation, a written brief within 48 hours with your three priorities for the next 30 days, and a follow-up call at two weeks. Choose people clarity, AI readiness or workforce change. Priced at $950 + GST, credited against your first month if you go on to work with me within 30 days.

Prefer to write?

Tell me a little about your organisation and what you'd like help with, and I'll get back to you within three working days. 








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"Phillipa recently designed a new initiative to support Māori rangatahi and Pacific youth not in paid employment, education or training (NEET). It’s an initiative that will further strengthen our objectives."

Sudesh Jhunjhnuwala ONZM, Founder Sudima Hotels

"Phillipa played a pivotal role in driving initiatives that champion employment and workplace inclusion; her efforts transcended local boundaries, influencing practices and policies on an international scale."

Phil Turner, Chief Executive, NZDEN

Recognition & Accreditations

Recognition

  • HR Director of the Year 2023, HRD New Zealand Awards (Gold)
  • Hot List, Best HR Executives NZ 2024, HRD New Zealand Awards

  • Building Sustainability through People, Winner, HRNZ Awards 2024

  • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Finalist, Robert Walters NZ Leadership Awards 2025
  • Chartered Member, Human Resources New Zealand (CMHRNZ)

Accreditations

  • Thomas International Personal Profile Analysis (PPA) Practitioner 
  • Workplace Inclusion Professional, Te Uru Tāngata Centre for Workplace Inclusion
  • Governance Essentials, Institute of Directors
  • MBA with Distinction, Australian Institute of Business

Member of Auckland Chamber of Commerce