HEALTH AND SAFETY BUSINESS PARTNER
Join one of New Zealand’s leading regional ports and play a strategic role in strengthening safety leadership, critical risk assurance, and culture across a complex operational environment.
Napier Port is central New Zealand’s gateway to global markets and a vital contributor to a thriving regional economy. Proudly based on the eastern shipping route, we are committed to innovation, excellence, and the wellbeing of our people, customers, and community.
You’ll join a values‑driven organisation where health and safety is not just a requirement, but a shared responsibility embedded in how we work every day.
Guided by our purpose: Together, we build a thriving region by connecting our customers, people and community to the world.
Reporting to the Health & Safety Manager, this permanent role sits within our experienced Health & Safety team. You will operate as a trusted business partner to leaders and teams across assigned operational and corporate areas of the Port, providing strategic and operational health and safety leadership.
What you’ll be doing:
- Partner with leaders and teams to deliver Napier Port’s Health and Safety Roadmap, with a strong focus on critical risk assurance.
- Lead and coordinate core health and safety initiatives, frameworks, and improvement programmes across assigned business areas.
- Provide expert advice and coaching to leaders, managers, employees, contractors, and other PCBUs on health and safety best practice.
- Initiate and embed industry best‑practice approaches to health and safety across the Port.
- Participate in and support Health and Safety Committees, investigations, risk assessments, and assurance activities.
- Contribute to key health and safety management processes including risk management, auditing, planning, assurance, and reporting.
- Support effective contractor health and safety management and engagement.
- Champion a strong, proactive safety culture through leadership behaviours and everyday interactions.
- Prepare insights, reporting, and recommendations to support informed decision‑making.
- Model Napier Port values in all interactions and decision‑making.
What you’ll bring:
- A recognised qualification in Health and Safety or a related discipline.
- Significant experience in a senior Health & Safety advisory or business partnering role.
- Strong working knowledge of New Zealand health and safety legislation and regulatory expectations.
- Experience working within complex, operational or industrial environments.
- Proven ability to influence, coach, and build effective relationships at all levels of an organisation.
- A practical, risk‑based, and solutions‑focused approach.
- High levels of professionalism, integrity, and sound judgement.
- Capability in change management and continuous improvement.
- Full, current New Zealand driver licence.
Level 4 Practitioner certification is highly desirable, along with experience in hazardous substance management and critical risk frameworks.
Why Napier Port?
At Napier Port, safety underpins everything we do. You’ll be part of a collaborative, committed Health and Safety team working in a unique operational environment, where your leadership and expertise will make a tangible difference to people, performance, and the wider region.
Applications close: Wednesday 1 April 2026. Note: You must have current eligibility to work in New Zealand.
To apply: Please submit your CV and a brief cover letter via SEEK, or the Napier Port website.
Disclaimer: At Napier Port, we value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, supported, and able to contribute their best. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
Napier Port does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. Napier Port is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.
Applications for this role will take you to the advertisers site.
