Office address: 1st Floor, Terrace Conference Centre House, 114 The Terrace, Wellington 
Website: www.mclaren.co.nz 
Year established: 1989 
Company type: staffing and recruiting 
Employees: 7 
Expertise: professional recruitment services, HR consulting, organisation development, executive search, reference and background checks, psychometric testing, skills assessments, temporary staffing solutions, employee engagement strategies 
Parent company: N/A  
Key people: Kirsty McLaren and Nikki Walshaw (directors), Ngan Nguyen (principal consultant), Stacey Aubry (para consultant), Susie Harris (team coordinator), Jane Addington and Christy Hutchinson (recruitment specialists) 
Financing status: N/A 
 

McLaren Associates, a boutique recruitment and HR consultancy, has been providing comprehensive workforce solutions across New Zealand for over 35 years. The firm is based in Wellington and specialises in permanent, temporary, and contract recruitment for various roles, including Common Administration and Corporate positions. The company is a New Zealand-owned firm with expertise in the not-for-profit sector. 
 

History of McLaren Associates 

McLaren Associates was founded in 1989 to provide a people-focused alternative to traditional recruitment services in New Zealand. The firm has always prioritised meaningful connections and specialised in the not-for-profit sector and earning recognition as a trusted All-of-Government provider. They have expanded their services over the years to include recruitment for all levels, from entry positions to executive and board appointments.  

The team focuses on building strong relationships and balances expertise and approachability to deliver effective solutions for clients and candidates. After 35 successful years, McLaren Associates rebranded and realigned their goals to better reflect their purpose and straightforward approach. Despite this, their commitment to helping organisations and individuals succeed remains unchanged. 

Products and Services of McLaren Associates 

McLaren Associates offers tailored solutions to meet a variety of recruitment and HR needs: 

• permanent recruitment: hiring services for roles across all industry sectors, from entry-level to executive and board positions
   
• temporary and contract recruitment: staffing solutions for short-term needs, including Common Administration and Corporate roles 
   
• unbundled recruitment services: support for position descriptions, job evaluations, interviews, psychometric testing, skills assessments, and executive searches
   
• HR consulting services: expertise for not-for-profit, public, and private sectors in recruitment, assessment, and HR advisory 
   

McLaren Associates offers recruitment solutions for roles across all levels. While serving various industries, they excel in helping not-for-profit organisations build high-performing teams. 
 

Culture at McLaren Associates 

McLaren Associates promotes a professional yet approachable work environment and values integrity, respect, positivity, and personalised service. The team combines expertise with a transparent and consultative approach to meet client needs. Their style is often praised by clients as reflected in feedback: 

• efficient processes: clients describe the recruitment experience as seamless and stress-free
   
• strong cultural alignment: candidates are carefully matched to organisational values
   
• proactive support: the team provides well-researched, high-quality candidates
   
• genuine connections: consultants offer personalised and supportive guidance
   
• clear communication: timely updates and professional service throughout recruitment 
  ​​​​​​​

The firm supports NZ’s not-for-profit sector through partnerships and initiatives. McLaren Associates engages with the Positive Business movement to promote ethical practices and sustainability. Their partnership with CarbonInvoice™ offsets carbon emissions, and they proudly back the Special Children’s Christmas Party to bring joy to children across Aotearoa. 
 

About McLaren Associates Directors Kirsty McLaren and Nikki Walshaw and Key People 

Kirsty McLaren is a director, co-owner, and senior consultant at the firm, recruiting for roles ranging from graduate positions to executive and board levels. She previously held recruitment roles at KiwiRail and Société Générale and worked as a consultant at Toshiba, Morgan Stanley, and Madison Recruitment. McLaren earned a bachelor of arts in business psychology from Massey University. 

Nikki Walshaw is also a director, co-owner, and recruitment consultant at McLaren Associates, working across sectors to place candidates from graduate to executive-level roles. Before this, she served as a commercial manager at Hudson and held recruitment consultant positions at Morgan Stanley and Hudson Global Resources. Walshaw holds bachelor’s degrees in tourism management, psychology, and education from Victoria University of Wellington. 

The key team at McLaren Associates is supported by experienced professionals who contribute significantly to its success: 

• Ngan Nguyen acts as a principal consultant, specialising in strategic workforce solutions and guiding clients through complex recruitment processes
   
• Stacey Aubry is a para consultant, offering essential administrative and logistical support to ensure seamless recruitment operations
   
• Susie Harris serves as team coordinator, managing internal workflows and maintaining communication between team members and clients
   
• Jane Addington as a recruitment specialist, focusing on sourcing top candidates and managing recruitment projects for various industries
   
• Christy Hutchinson acts as a recruitment specialist, concentrating on candidate assessments and matching talent to organisational needs 

The Future at McLaren Associates 

McLaren Associates celebrated 35 years of connecting employers and talent across the country in April 2024. The company marked this milestone by refining its identity to better represent its transparent and purpose-driven approach to recruitment services. With this renewed focus, they aim to strengthen partnerships and create meaningful connections that drive success. 

The company recently partnered with Do Good Jobs, a platform dedicated to connecting people with purpose-driven careers, to host a career development session. The event offered practical advice on interview techniques, negotiating benefits, and improving job prospects in the impact sector. This initiative highlights opportunities for McLaren Associates to expand their support for professionals and strengthen connections with values-driven organisations in the future.