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Best Recruitment Agencies in Wellington

We assessed 19 recruitment agencies in Wellington and ranked the top 5 on their public review record: rating quality, review volume and how recent the reviews are. The 10 listed below hold 1,520 Google reviews between them. No business can pay for a place in these rankings. Last updated 8 August 2026. How we rank →

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Before you hire

Recruitment agency fees vary widely, and the best agency for a role depends heavily on their network in your sector. Ask about their placement rate for roles similar to yours, how long placements typically take to fill, and what guarantee or replacement policy applies if a hire does not work out.

Top 5 Recruitment Agencies in Wellington

The top 5 recruitment agencies in Wellington are Trade Assist, Archway Recruitment, Key Skills Recruitment, McLaren Recruitment, and Beyond Recruitment, ranked by Top5 score. Scroll for our take on each, plus what to ask before you hire.

  • 1

    Trade Assist | Staffing + Recruitment (Wellington)

    ★ 4.8 331 reviews +2 Top5 Score 179 -1
    5★ 300 4★ 20 3★ 5 2★ 1 1★ 5

    Trade Assist turns around job placements quickly, with several workers moving from first contact to starting a role within 24 hours across forklift, factory, and temporary work. Consultants like Florian and Jay are noted for clear communication and making sure workers have the right gear and role information before they start.

    Reviews most often describe: Job seekers wanting fast placement without self-hunting

    • ✓ Candidates placed into roles within one day of first contact
    • ✓ Consultants proactively find work so candidates don't have to search
    • ✓ Staff keep communication going throughout the placement process

    location_on Shop 66/82 Johnsonville Road, Johnsonville, Wellington

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 2

    Archway Recruitment

    ↑ 1
    ★ 4.9 139 reviews +9 Top5 Score 168
    5★ 134 4★ 2 2★ 1 1★ 2

    Archway Recruitment connects candidates with relevant roles across permanent, contract, and temporary placements, taking care to assess team fit and candidate aptitude rather than simply matching job description keywords. Consultants like Grant, Thomas, Olivia, and Simone keep both candidates and hiring managers informed at every stage, from application through to letter of offer.

    Reviews most often describe: Candidates and hiring managers wanting genuine fit-focused matching

    • ✓ Recruiters work both candidate and hiring manager sides of the process
    • ✓ Updates given at each step from application through to offer
    • ✓ Fast turnaround from initial contact to interview being scheduled

    location_on floor 4/326 Lambton Quay, Wellington Central, Wellington

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 3

    Key Skills Recruitment Limited

    ↑ 1
    ★ 4.7 192 reviews +7 Top5 Score 168 +1
    5★ 170 4★ 8 3★ 5 1★ 9

    Key Skills Recruitment gets candidates into temp, permanent, and first-time roles by taking time to understand individual strengths and match them to the right employer. Consultants like Ryan, Masi, Josh, and Rebecca follow up regularly once a worker is placed, checking in weekly and visiting worksites to make sure things are going well.

    Reviews most often describe: First-time job seekers and workers needing ongoing support

    • ✓ Recruiters make contact and book interviews within one business day
    • ✓ Weekly check-ins with placed workers throughout the assignment
    • ✓ Helped candidates with little experience land permanent full-time roles

    location_on 62 Hutt Road, Petone, Wellington

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 4

    McLaren Recruitment

    ↓ 2
    ★ 5.0 109 reviews +2 Top5 Score 167 -2
    5★ 105 4★ 4

    McLaren Recruitment has built a clear track record placing candidates in the for-purpose sector, with employer clients returning across multiple recruitment rounds and consistently receiving high-quality shortlists. Candidates moving through the process report being kept informed at every stage, with consultants like Ngan and Susie making time to answer questions and prepare people properly before interviews.

    Reviews most often describe: For-purpose sector employers needing high-calibre, consistent candidates

    • ✓ Candidates kept informed and updated throughout the entire process
    • ✓ Employers in the for-purpose sector return for repeat recruitment rounds
    • ✓ Both candidates and hiring managers feel genuinely supported, not processed

    location_on 1/155 The Terrace, Te Aro, Wellington

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 5

    Beyond Recruitment Ltd

    ↑ 1
    ★ 4.8 164 reviews +2 Top5 Score 166 +2
    5★ 152 4★ 3 3★ 2 1★ 7

    Beyond Recruitment places candidates across temp, contract, and permanent roles, with consultants like Laura, Louise, Kathy, and Kirstie taking time to understand individual backgrounds before matching people to roles. Some candidates who spent months job-searching independently secured a position within weeks of signing up, and the agency maintains active relationships with placed workers over years, not just through a single assignment.

    Reviews most often describe: Job seekers wanting communicative, long-term recruiter relationships

    • ✓ Candidates placed within weeks after months of searching independently
    • ✓ Consultants share interview tips and role preparation resources proactively
    • ✓ Recruiters maintain ongoing contact with candidates across years and multiple contracts

    location_on Perpetual Guardian House Level 10/99 Customhouse Quay, Wellington Central, Wellington

    map Map Is this your business?

Before you hire a recruitment agency in Wellington

Drawn from 153 customer reviews collected for this page. The first answer is what it costs.

What do recruitment agencies typically charge in New Zealand? expand_more

Employers, not job seekers, pay recruitment fees in New Zealand, and this is protected by the Employment Relations Act 2000. Contingency fees for permanent placements run from 10% to 20% of the placed candidate's first-year salary, with most standard roles sitting between 12% and 15%. Senior, executive, or specialist technical roles can attract fees of 20% to 25% of annual salary. If any agency asks you as a job seeker to pay a fee, report it to the Labour Inspectorate within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, which enforces this rule.

How do I know if an agency specialises in my industry or role type? expand_more

Ask directly how many roles of your type the agency placed in the past 12 months and whether they have a consultant dedicated to your sector. Reviews for some Wellington agencies show that genuine specialisation produces noticeably better candidate matches, with one civil and construction-focused consultant praised for deep industry knowledge that saved employers significant time screening unsuitable applicants. An agency that can describe the current market for your role, including salary benchmarks and candidate availability, is drawing on real sector experience rather than generalist guesswork. If a consultant struggles to name competitors in your field or relevant candidate profiles, treat that as a signal they are filling your brief from a broad pool rather than a targeted one.

What happens if the placement doesn't work out? expand_more

Replacement guarantees in New Zealand sit between 8 and 12 weeks for most roles, extending to 3 to 6 months for senior or executive placements, and agencies will usually find a replacement candidate rather than issue a cash refund. These terms are entirely contractual because recruitment agencies in New Zealand operate without a specific licensing regime, so the service agreement you sign is your only protection. Read that agreement carefully before signing, paying attention to conditions that can void the guarantee such as a change to the role, redundancy, or your own conduct as an employer. Send written notice to the agency immediately if a placement fails, as most guarantees require prompt notification within a defined window to remain valid.

What are the warning signs of a recruitment agency you shouldn't use? expand_more
  • –An agency that schedules an interview, then cancels on the day without rescheduling and stops returning calls or emails is a clear sign of poor process management.
  • –Asking a candidate to provide a urine sample before disclosing the employer name or salary suggests the agency is prioritising client demands over basic candidate respect.
  • –A consultant who stops responding after taking a brief, or who repeatedly re-advertises the same role without contacting applicants already in the pipeline, is not managing the process properly.
  • –Failing to provide honest feedback about why a candidate was not progressed wastes the candidate's time and signals the agency does not invest in the people it registers.
  • –An agency that offers you work and then quietly gives the placement to someone else without explanation shows unreliable follow-through.
  • –No written confirmation of job details such as salary, hours, and days of work before placement begins indicates a lack of basic process discipline.
What should you ask before engaging a recruitment agency? expand_more
  • –Ask how they screen candidates beyond reviewing a CV, including whether they conduct structured interviews and reference checks before presenting anyone to you.
  • –Confirm the fee structure in writing, including the percentage of first-year salary, what services are included, and whether there are any additional costs for advertising or testing.
  • –Request the full terms of their replacement guarantee, specifically the duration, what triggers it, and which circumstances would void it.
  • –Ask for a realistic timeframe from brief to shortlist based on recent placements in your sector, not a best-case estimate.
  • –Clarify how they will keep you updated during the search, including how often you will receive progress reports and through what channel.
  • –If you are a job seeker, confirm in writing that no fees will be charged to you at any point, as charging candidate fees is illegal under the Employment Relations Act 2000.

Recruitment Agencies ranked 6 to 10 in Wellington

They scored below the top 5 on the same public review record.

  • 6

    Robert Walters - Recruitment Agency Wellington

    ↓ 1
    ★ 4.9 181 reviews -1 Top5 Score 166
    5★ 169 4★ 8 3★ 1 1★ 3

    Robert Walters guides candidates through permanent and contract placements, with individual consultants like Allie, Emily, and Reuben maintaining contact at every stage from first interview through to post-placement check-ins. Faster-than-expected outcomes in a difficult Wellington job market come up repeatedly, with candidates landing roles that match goals discussed at the very start of the process.

    Reviews most often describe: Candidates wanting consistent, personalised support throughout placement

    • ✓ Consultants keep candidates updated after every individual interview
    • ✓ Recruiters continue checking in with candidates after they start a role
    • ✓ Consultants set realistic expectations while actively building candidate confidence

    location_on Harbour Tower 2 Hunter Street, Wellington Central, Wellington

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 7

    Enterprise Recruitment Wellington

    ↑ 1
    ★ 4.6 146 reviews +2 Top5 Score 163 +6
    5★ 124 4★ 7 3★ 1 2★ 1 1★ 13

    Enterprise Recruitment places candidates and employer clients in civil, construction, and general roles by taking time to understand individual circumstances, culture, and career goals before making a match. Named consultants like Ben, Natalie, Michelle, and Tarrin keep candidates updated from application through to hire, and employer clients credit them with saving significant time through well-screened shortlists.

    Reviews most often describe: Candidates and employers wanting personally matched, well-communicated placements

    • ✓ Candidates kept updated from application stage through to being hired
    • ✓ Recruiters take individual circumstances into account before suggesting roles
    • ✓ Both candidates and hiring clients praise named consultants by first name

    location_on 1/205 Jackson Street, Petone, Lower Hutt

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 8

    Salt

    ↑ 1
    ★ 4.9 73 reviews Top5 Score 155 -1
    5★ 71 1★ 2

    Salt places candidates across temporary, contract, and permanent roles, with consultants like Leanne, Ronnie, Allie, and Sue taking time to understand individual backgrounds, career goals, and the kinds of roles each person is actually open to before making introductions. Several people pivoting from unrelated backgrounds or entering the workforce for the first time found themselves placed in multiple successive assignments that built the experience needed for a permanent move.

    Reviews most often describe: Career changers and first-timers wanting mentorship-style support

    • ✓ Candidates placed in roles within 24 to 48 hours of first contact
    • ✓ Consultants take time to understand career goals before suggesting roles
    • ✓ Ongoing check-ins throughout the length of a temp assignment

    location_on KiwiWealth House Level 7/20 Ballance Street, Wellington Central, Wellington

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 9

    Technical Recruitment Solutions Ltd

    ↑ 1
    ★ 4.8 65 reviews +1 Top5 Score 152 -1
    5★ 59 4★ 4 1★ 2

    Technical Recruitment Solutions fills briefs across both candidate placement and employer hiring, with named consultants including Tony, Luke, Olivia, and Adam each managing their side of the process closely. Hiring managers credit the team with delivering strong candidates within short timeframes, while job seekers report being kept informed at every stage and guided through the process with transparency.

    Reviews most often describe: Employers wanting fast, well-briefed candidate turnaround

    • ✓ Consultants keep candidates updated throughout the entire hiring process
    • ✓ Hiring managers receive well-matched candidates within short timeframes
    • ✓ Multiple named consultants praised for clear, proactive communication

    location_on 187 Featherston Street, Wellington Central, Wellington

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 10

    Hays - Recruitment Agency Wellington

    ★ 4.2 120 reviews Top5 Score 149
    5★ 92 4★ 3 2★ 3 1★ 22

    Hays places candidates across temporary, construction, and professional contract roles, with several workers securing their first shift or interview within the same week of making contact. Named consultants like Maya, Ashley, and Ben follow up after placement to check that the role remains the right fit, something candidates across multiple industries single out as a point of difference.

    Reviews most often describe: Candidates wanting same-week placement and post-start check-ins

    • ✓ Recruiters respond to calls and texts within minutes of contact
    • ✓ Post-placement check-ins to confirm role is still a good fit
    • ✓ Same-week placements reported across construction and office roles

    location_on Level 9/318 Lambton Quay, Wellington Central, Wellington

    map Map Is this your business?

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About this ranking

How are the top recruitment agencies in Wellington chosen? expand_more

We build this page from Google Maps results for recruitment agencies in Wellington. Each one is scored on its public rating and review record. Businesses outside the area, or whose reviews describe a different line of work, are left out. See how we rank for the full method.

How often are rankings updated? expand_more

Every category and city is recrawled on a rolling cycle, about once a month. This page was last checked on 8 August 2026.

Can a business pay to appear in this list? expand_more

No. Top 5 and Also Recommended positions are merit-only and cannot be purchased. Verifying a business is free. A subscription adds a website link on the card, a public profile page, and competitor and ranking history in the owner's dashboard, none of which affects ranking position. See what a subscription includes.

Why isn't my business listed? expand_more

We build this page from Google Maps results for recruitment agencies in Wellington. The usual reasons for missing out are a Google Business category that does not match, too few reviews to score near the top, or an address outside the area we cover. At the last update, the smallest review count among the 10 businesses listed here was 65. Check where you rank or read how rankings work.