Office address: Level 8, SAP Tower, 151 Queen Street, Auckland 1010 
Website: www.cohesionconsulting.nz 
Year established: 2016 
Company type: staffing and recruiting 
Employees: 2 
Expertise: permanent recruitment, search, accounting and finance, contract recruitment, recruitment advisory, training, outplacement, project management, leadership development, organisational design, skill gap analysis, team structuring 
Parent company: N/A  
Key people: Nichola Rawlence and Rachel McNaughton (directors) 
Financing status: N/A 

Cohesion Consulting NZ is based in Auckland and specialises in providing advisory, training, and recruitment services to businesses. The company offers customised solutions, including full-cycle recruitment and bespoke training workshops tailored to organisational needs. The firm collaborates closely with HR leaders to enhance workforce capabilities and operational efficiency. 
 

History of Cohesion Consulting NZ 

Cohesion Consulting NZ was founded in 2016 by Rachel McNaughton and Nichola Rawlence to bring a collaborative approach to recruitment and training. The directors combined over 40 years of expertise to deliver tailored solutions and worked directly on every client brief. Known for their proficiency in contract recruitment, they quickly earned recognition across New Zealand.  

Their training services expanded to include workshops for various audience sizes, from small groups to large conferences, all with practical and interactive methods. By partnering closely with HR and business leaders, the company identified skill gaps and offered strategies for team structures, retention, and leadership development. Cohesion Consulting NZ continues to integrate recruitment, training, and advisory services, immersing itself in clients’ operations to craft effective and people-focused solutions. 
 

Products and Services of Cohesion Consulting NZ 

Cohesion Consulting NZ provides a comprehensive suite of services grouped into three main categories: 

Training 

• customised workshops tailored for individuals, small groups, large audiences, and conferences 
• topics include recruitment, client interview techniques, public speaking, leadership, time management, interview skills, and career development 

Advisory 

• recruitment process improvement and guidance 
• identifying organisational skill and knowledge gaps 
• creating team structures and strategies for staff retention 
• addressing leadership shortages and defining role responsibilities 
• developing induction programs, outplacement solutions, and preferred supplier agreements 
   

Recruitment 

• permanent role solutions, including candidate vetting and optional psychometric testing 
• fast-turnaround contract recruitment with high-quality standards 
   

Cohesion Consulting NZ’s services are designed to seamlessly integrate with client operations. By collaborating closely with organisations, they gain a comprehensive understanding of business requirements. 
 

Culture at Cohesion Consulting NZ 

Cohesion Consulting NZ values simplicity and transparency in its recruitment process and ensures every assignment focuses on matching real market opportunities with client needs. Clients appreciate the personalised, professional interactions, describing them as refreshingly thorough and thoughtful. Additional client feedback includes: 

• insightful process support: provided valuable candidate insights, simplifying recruitment and enhancing its effectiveness 

• exceptional reliability: offered unmatched guidance and support, making clients feel secure and well-assisted throughout the recruitment process 

• precise candidate matching: identified candidates who were ideal for roles both culturally and organisationally 

• broad expertise: supported clients with management training and recruitment, reducing workloads and creating happier teams 

• strategic partnership: quickly became a trusted partner by understanding unique needs and delivering consistently high-quality candidates 
   

Cohesion Consulting NZ emphasises that strong teams are the foundation of business success, focusing on aligning top talent with organisational goals. They create customised solutions by deeply engaging with clients to understand their unique needs. The company offers a comprehensive approach to enhancing workforce effectiveness. 
 

About Cohesion Consulting NZ Directors Rawlence and McNaughton and Key People 

Nichola Rawlence, director and co-founder of the firm, has over 20 years of experience in recruitment across London and New Zealand. Before Cohesion, she held senior roles at Numero NZ, Robert Walters, and Ranfurly Recruitment. She is a University of Otago graduate and completed ATCL in Speech and Drama through Trinity College of London. 

Rachel McNaughton serves as director and co-founder of Cohesion Consulting NZ, leveraging decades of recruitment expertise gained in boutique and corporate environments. Her previous roles include senior positions at KPMG New Zealand, Emergent, and Numero NZ. A chartered accountant, she is an alum of The University of Auckland. 
 

The Future at Cohesion Consulting NZ 

Cohesion Consulting NZ is focused on strengthening recruitment by using advanced technology, extensive networks, and a maintained database to attract outstanding talent. Rigorous evaluations guarantee that candidates meet client needs through interviews, reference checks, and psychometric testing. By offering flexible services and direct involvement from directors, the company aims to consistently deliver bespoke solutions in a competitive market. 

The company recently supported a successful career transition to a key role at Whakarongorau Aotearoa, highlighting its ability to align talent with organisational missions. Their personalised approach helped secure the position by understanding both individual goals and business objectives. This achievement shows that Cohesion Consulting NZ is seeking to create meaningful outcomes for clients and candidates for future growth.