Office address: Whitby House, 7 Alma Street, Buxton Square, Nelson 7010
Website: www.intepeople.co.nz
Year established: 1989
Company type: human resources services
Employees: 50+
Expertise: HR strategy, outplacement and career consulting, training and development, health and safety, talent management, policies and procedures, employment relations, performance management, remuneration, change management, business consulting, recruitment, staffing
Parent company: N/A
Key people: Paul Bell (managing director); Melisa Kappely, Sally Wyn-Williams, and Nick Carter (partners); Graham Mahuika (GM); Julie Baxendine (business partner); Marianne Wilkinson (ER partner)
Financing status: N/A
Intepeople is a 100% New Zealand-owned HR consultancy which operates from offices in Nelson, Blenheim, and Wellington. For over 30 years, they have provided innovative recruitment and HR solutions to connect businesses and individuals across Aotearoa. Their expertise spans long-term career placements, temporary staffing, and comprehensive HR services, making them a trusted partner in workforce management.
Intepeople was founded in Blenheim in 1989 by Judy Fanselow as Fanselow Human Resources to address growing HR needs in the region. The company expanded to Nelson in 1996 after a family relocation, establishing a new branch. When Paul Bell joined in 2005, the firm transformed into Fanselow Bell and broadened its HR services across the area.
The business rebranded as Intepeople in 2013 to reflect its evolving role as a leading HR provider. It was named one of HRD’s 2021 5-Star Recruiters in NZ for excellent service, top candidate sourcing, and strong retention rates. It merged with Brannigans, an HR consultancy, in April 2024 to form The People Collective, a group offering HR, recruitment, and workplace safety services.
Intepeople offers a wide range of HR services tailored to meet the needs of businesses across various industries:
Intepeople provides tailored HR solutions to support businesses in building effective teams and fostering strong workplace cultures. They assist organisations across the country with recruitment, leadership development, and workplace challenges. By connecting talent with opportunities, the firm helps individuals and businesses thrive together.
Intepeople supports a collaborative culture where staff engage in diverse roles, from sourcing top talent to planning workforce strategies. Their team provides practical advice, tackles complex workplace challenges, and focuses on making a tangible difference for businesses. Employees describe the work as dynamic, meaningful, and geared towards adding real value to their clients’ success, underpinned by shared values:
The company actively supports local communities by contributing time, resources, and expertise to initiatives that reflect their values. Intepeople believes strengthening communities leads to a better world and aligns with their mission. Their commitment is evident in partnerships with organisations that drive meaningful change:
Intepeople and Intesafety embrace cultural values through a bespoke karakia gifted by Kururangi Consulting Ltd as a koha. This partnership ensures their business practices align with tikanga and foster meaningful client relationships. This reflects a deep respect for cultural protocols in all professional interactions.
Paul Bell is the managing director and partner of the firm, chair of NBS, and a director at The Global People Collective. His earlier roles include principal adviser at MFAT and senior positions at Westpac NZ and Contact Energy. Bell studied at London Business School, Melbourne Business School, and the University of Canterbury.
Intepeople’s leadership team includes experienced professionals who specialise in various aspects of HR, recruitment, and organisational strategy:
Intepeople recently hosted a session with Matatū Rugby Team head coach Whitney Hansen, exploring strategies for building high-performing teams and effective leadership. The event highlighted the connection between coaching principles in sports and business success, promoting insightful discussions. This partnership with Matatū reflects the firm’s commitment to empowering organisations and individuals through collaboration and shared expertise.
The company collaborated with Brannigans to introduce specialised recruitment services in support of schools across New Zealand in finding exceptional leaders. This initiative was led by education expert Rosie Robinson and aimed to align candidates with each school’s unique vision and culture. Through tailored recruitment processes, Intepeople continues to help organisations achieve their goals by providing strategic and people-focused solutions.
