Office address: Level 4/5 High Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010 
Website: www.rice.co.nz 
Year established: 2009 
Company type: staffing and recruiting 
Employees: 4 
Expertise: agency recruitment, internal recruitment, executive search, human resources, recruitment leadership search, contract recruitment, talent acquisition, career advisory, employer branding, diversity hiring strategies, workforce planning 
Parent company: N/A 
Key people: Sean Walters (managing director), Jonathan Rice (director), Anastasia Lee (candidate services), Claudia Dawson-Jenner (rec-to-rec recruitment) 
Financing status: N/A 

Rice & Co, based in Auckland, provides permanent and contract recruitment services for the HR and recruitment industries. They specialise in internal recruitment roles and have placed over 675 candidates, including 436 agency roles and 178 in-house positions as of November 2024. Their sourcing methods blend traditional approaches, online strategies, direct outreach, and social media to connect top talent with New Zealand’s leading internal teams. 
 

History of Rice & Co 

Rice & Co was founded in 2009 by Jonathan Rice, addressing the need for quality rec-to-rec services during New Zealand’s post-global financial crisis recovery. Initially operating from a home office, the firm opened its Auckland office the following year and expanded its range of services. The firm was joined by Sean Walters in 2011 which enabled the company to broaden its focus to include in-house recruitment and HR roles.  

Over the years, the firm became a well-known expert in connecting recruiters with career opportunities and offering practical advice and discreet support. Rice & Co became known for helping recruiters succeed in a competitive landscape and has partnered with many of the country's leading recruitment agencies. The firm remains a resource for professionals seeking meaningful connections and career advancement in the recruitment industry. 
 

Products and Services of Rice & Co 

Rice & Co delivers tailored recruitment solutions for HR and recruitment professionals. Their offerings include: 

• recruitment services: matching top talent with recruitment agencies and internal HR teams for permanent and contract roles
   
• job listings: providing an accessible platform for candidates to discover opportunities in HR and recruitment
   
• commission comparison tool: enabling recruiters to assess their commission plans against industry standards
   
• commission plan builder: offering tools for creating and comparing recruitment commission plans
   
• Rice Report: an anonymous benchmarking tool for consultant earnings within the recruitment sector
   
• ACCESS: a portal for clients and candidates to interact with services efficiently

Rice & Co enhances its services with their Whiteboard Blog, offering valuable insights into recruitment trends, industry challenges, and company updates. The blog also shares personal stories and experiences while creating a unique perspective for readers.
 

Culture at Rice & Co 

Claudia Dawson-Jenner from Rice & Co has described culture as similar to ‘making yogurt’ and requires the right ingredients and attention to create a positive environment. This highlights the importance of understanding specific workplace needs rather than relying on general ideas. The company aims to help candidates and employers build thriving cultures tailored for long-term success. 

Rice & Co and JOYN Recruitment, a provider of innovative recruitment solutions, share similar workplace cultures under their shared leadership. Both organisations balance independent work with collaborative support. This approach is supported by strong systems and advanced tools, creating empowering environments that prioritise work-life balance.
 

About Rice & Co Managing Director Sean Walters and Key People 

Sean Walters serves as the firm's managing director, leading its network of talent acquisition professionals. He previously built his career in recruitment across sectors like retail, technology, and financial services in the UK. He co-founded an executive search firm before moving to New Zealand and used his expertise to grow Rice & Co's reputation in recruitment. 

The leadership team at Rice & Co brings diverse expertise and a shared commitment to driving success across the recruitment industry: 

• Jonathan Rice serves as a director, leading the firm with a strategic vision and fostering partnerships with top New Zealand recruitment agencies
   
• Anastasia Lee, candidate services, supports candidates by providing tailored career guidance and facilitating successful placements within the recruitment and HR industries
   
• Claudia Dawson-Jenner works in rec-to-rec recruitment, connecting high-calibre recruiters with agencies and internal HR teams and ensuring optimal career matches 
   

The Future at Rice & Co 

Rice & Co focuses on promoting ethical practices and high-performance cultures within recruitment. Their recent insights discussed in their blog highlight the importance of making values-driven choices in professional relationships. The company prioritises quality hires and ethical collaboration to empower recruiters seeking meaningful growth and lasting success. 

In a November 2024 article, the firm highlighted its ethical stance on restraint-of-trade clauses in recruitment. The article advocates for balanced terms, such as a three-month limit, to protect both business needs and employee rights. This perspective reinforces Rice & Co’s dedication to integrity and upholding trust in the recruitment industry.