Office address: 125 Saint Georges Bay Road, Auckland 1052 
Website: www.thepeopleplace.co.nz  
Year established: 2017 
Company type: human resources services 
Employees: 7 
Expertise: HR advice, people strategy, performance management, compliance, recruitment, capability development, onboarding, exit and separation, policy and procedure, leadership coaching, organisational culture, employee engagement 
Parent company: N/A  
Key people: Nat Milne (managing director), Deanne Grzelka and Simon Hart (managing consultants), Melissa Stininato (principal consultant), Charlotte Schorling and Kate Walker (senior consultants), Anna Shaw (manager) 
Financing status: N/A 
 

The People Place, based in Auckland, delivers innovative HR solutions for New Zealand businesses. Their services include recruitment, training, and comprehensive HR consulting tailored for SMEs. This firm specialises in practical and people-centric support for the entire employee lifecycle. 
 

History of The People Place 

The People Place was founded in 2017 by Nat Milne, a top-performing HR consultant and manager at a leading NZ recruitment firm. The company was envisioned to balance meaningful business outcomes with a strong focus on people and work-life integration. Inspired by reflective moments on Kohimarama Beach, the idea was to create an organisation that supports both economic growth and employee well-being.  

The firm has delivered practical HR, recruitment, and training solutions, playing a vital role in supporting the country’s SME community. Over the years, their expert team has integrated into client businesses and enhanced recruitment processes by strengthening organisational practices to drive sustainable growth. The People Place’s specialised training programs led by experienced consultants aim to provide tools and insights to help Kiwi managers achieve lasting success. 
 

Products and Services of The People Place 

The People Place offers a comprehensive range of HR solutions to enhance workforce engagement and organisational performance. Key services include: 

• recruitment: bespoke hiring processes to secure the right talent
   
• leadership recruitment: sourcing top-tier leadership candidates
   
• training: targeted programs to enhance managerial skills
   
• HR consulting: actionable advice on employment relations and change management
   
• stress-free productivity: practical strategies via their Beminded NZ platform
   
• employer branding: guidance to strengthen employer reputation and talent acquisition 
   

The People Place provides a free, no-obligation 30-minute consultation to address questions, discuss requirements confidentially, and outline potential solutions. This seeks to enable businesses to receive practical and personalised support. 
 

Culture at The People Place 

The People Place carefully listens to clients’ needs and partners with them to develop tailored solutions. They enhance recruitment and onboarding processes, creating engaging and welcoming experiences for new hires. Feedback consistently highlights their ability to understand and address specific business challenges effectively, while also emphasising their: 

• reliable support: clients appreciate having a dependable team ready to handle all HR needs
   
• personalised approach: their deep understanding of client requirements ensures not just candidates but the right fit for each organisation
   
• comprehensive solutions: the full-service HR package addresses every detail, ensuring seamless management; no aspect is overlooked
   
• trusted partnership: long-standing clients praise their capability and the peace of mind provided by consistent and high-quality services 
   

The People Place helps Kiwi organisations by solving workforce challenges and offering solutions that benefit employees and companies alike. Their team delivers effective and actionable guidance. They partner with clients to achieve impactful and timely results. 
 

About The People Place Managing Director Nat Milne and Key People 

Nat Milne is the founder and managing director of The People Place and also co-founded Beminded NZ, a results-oriented training program. Previously, she held leadership roles at Madison Recruitment as a business manager and at Brothers in Arms as program lead and office manager. She earned a BA in Politics and French from The University of Auckland. 

The People Place's key team comprises experts dedicated to delivering effective HR solutions: 

• Deanne Grzelka, managing consultant-recruitment, oversees recruitment strategies, ensuring talent aligns with client business goals
   
• Simon Hart as a managing consultant-leadership and culture, facilitates leadership development and cultural improvement for high-performing teams
   
• Melissa Stininato serves as a principal consultant in The People Place, applying extensive HR expertise to craft tailored people-focused strategies
   
• Charlotte Schorling is a senior consultant, providing operational HR support and implements strategic projects
   
• Kate Walker acts as a senior consultant, specialising in leadership development and driving employee engagement
   
• Anna Shaw, brand and marketing manager, leads branding and marketing to enhance visibility and client engagement 

The Future at The People Place 

The People Place continues to guide organisations in addressing workplace culture challenges to enhance performance and resilience. Their article called Start Here: Improve Workplace Culture highlights strategies like clarifying mission plans, refining operations, and promoting team trust to build sustainable success. These activities will reinforce the company’s role as a trusted partner in driving organisational growth during times of change. 

The firm values and celebrates the unique passions and talents of its team members by integrating these qualities into their workplace culture and operations. Simon Hart was featured in a company post for balancing leadership consulting with leading an indie band, highlighting how creativity enhances teamwork and professional structure. This commitment to supporting individuality strengthens The People Place’s mission to build a thriving workplace where both employees and organisations excel.