Working for Porirua City Council
This page has information for job seekers about Porirua City Council, how it is structured, and the benefits of working for the Council.
Staff Profiles
This section highlights profiles from selected staff members outlining their role and why they enjoy working for Porirua City Council.
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Jess, HEHA Coordinator
Talofa, my name is Jess. I am of Samoan and Chinese descent and have lived in Porirua all my life.
I started working as the HEHA coordinator for Porirua City Council in October 2008. The main focus of my job is promoting healthy nutrition and physical activity in our community and being born and bred in Porirua. I am very passionate about my job and have always wanted to give something back to my home town.
The thing I enjoy about working at the Te Rauparaha Arena is the staff and the environment, people are always coming and going and there is always so much happening, especially with the Arena being a sports complex. I feel right at home!
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Luisa – i-SITE Information Officer
Hi there! After completing a week's work experience at i-SITE Porirua while I was studying Travel and Tourism at Whitireia Polytechnic, I joined the team at as a Part-time employee in February 2007. I enjoy being part of the team at the i-SITE and quality customer service has always been a focus point which I provide alongside a good sense of humour and great organisational skills.
My daily work involves on-line booking systems, one being InterCity/Newmans for which Porirua is in the top 10 sales offices in New Zealand - others include InterIslander, Bluebridge, Naked Bus, and TranzScenic. We are the first point of call for advice, bookings and directions for national and international visitors and local residents. This includes travel, accommodation, activities, brochures and maps and souvenirs. The i-SITE staff are ambassadors for Porirua.
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Josephine, Litter Control Officer
Hi, my name is Josephine and I work for Porirua City Council in an outdoor role.
Since I started working here I am enjoying cleaning our community so much that I always ask for overtime. My children are so proud of me, which makes me enjoy my job so much more. My goal in life is to make my kids lives better.
I want to be able to show them that even cleaning the streets can have its positives, like respect from the community.
I really get a kick when children want to help me keep the community clean and tidy.
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Doug, Aquatic Manager
I have been involved with water from a very young age, with surf lifesaving being my main summer sports.
The aquatic industry is an amazing place to work; so varied and always challenging your thinking. The people in the aquatics industry are supportive and willing to share information and ideas and especially in the Wellington region where we work together on regional programmes like the water safety week.
One of the main reasons I enjoy my job as Aquatic Manager at Porirua City Council so much is the people you meet on a daily basis. You get the opportunity to see people grow and develop skills and abilities. This is not just our customers, but the staff as well. We have had staff who worked while at university who have become doctors, dentists, police officers.
We have had customers complete the Iron Man and become international representatives, along with others just wanting to exercise or learn to swim. Knowing that you make a difference to someone's life adds to making the facility a pleasure to work in and a joy to come to work each day. |
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Benefits of working for Porirua City Council
Working for Porirua City Council entitles you to a range of benefits. The working environment is friendly and focused on making Porirua City "Amazing"!
Annual Leave
After 3 years continuous service, employees begin accruing annual leave at the rate of 5 weeks per annum. The Council complies with all other legislation regarding leave and entitlements.
Staff Social Club
We have a two Social Clubs to foster and promote social activities among our staff – one for all staff, and one for Depot staff (who can also belong to both clubs). The clubs organise regular social gatherings, Christmas functions, and other events throughout the year. Social club membership also provides a range of other benefits for its members including buying privileges at local businesses and group discounts at events.
Free Pool Entry
To help promote fitness and health, all permanent staff are entitled to free entry to the Arena Aquatic Centre and Cannons Creek Pool, and may participate in personal fitness challenges throughout the year.
Subsidised Arena Fitness Centre Membership
Membership entitles you to full use of the Arena Fitness Centre (cardio and weights), group fitness classes, and the Arena Aquatic Centre. Upon joining, each member will receive an initial fitness assessment and exercise programme.
Southern Cross Healthcare
The Council has a group healthcare scheme with Southern Cross, making available special benefits to staff and immediate families.
Annual Health Checks
The Council provides free annual health checks every year, covering:
- Diabetes screening (blood sugar levels)
- Cholesterol Screening
- Blood pressure check
- Body mass index (height/weight ratio)
- Advice on appropriate exercise and diet
Flu Vaccinations
Porirua City Council provides free influenza vaccinations in April every year.
Eye Tests
The Council provides subsidised annual eye examinations and assistance with the purchase of correcting lens.
Training and Development
All new employees participate in a comprehensive 2 day orientation programme, EEO workplace training and coaching and feedback training. We recognise the need and value of ongoing training and provide both in-house and external training courses. We provide training in software applications using the International Drivers Licence program, and management skills. Staff may also attend conferences and user group meetings of relevance to their areas.
Study Awards
The Council operates an annual Study Award system, where approved employees may receive a financial contribution in order to assist them in pursuing relevant extramural studies. Time off for study, exams, courses or programmes may also be granted.
Employee Assistance
The Council operates an Employee Assistance Programme, a stress management programme, provides workstation assessments and a flexible working policy.
Smoke Free Environment
Porirua City Council operates a smoke free work environment.
Equal Employment Opportunities
The Act requires local authorities to act as 'good employers'. This includes a specific requirement to have an equal employment opportunities policy.
Porirua City Council supports the following principle and practices of Equal Employment Opportunities:
The Principle of the Act is that all applicants and employees have equal opportunity to achieve their potential.
EEO Practices
- That the employment aspirations and aims of target groups (including Maori, Pacific people and ethnic minorities) are recognised, and as far as practicable met;
- That EEO requirements are incorporated into Porirua City Council procedures, practices and policies to ensure the successful management of a diverse workforce;
- That the needs of all staff are taken into account to ensure the working environment is free from discrimination; and
- That training and information is provided to staff to ensure they are fully aware of EEO best practice and are committed to the EEO principle espoused by the Porirua City Council.
The Council's programme encompasses both managers and staff having a role in making EEO real on a day-by-day basis.
Key components of the programme focus on:
- Workshops on harassment awareness and prevention;
- Workshops on Equal Employment Opportunities;
- Support network for trained harassment liaison staff;
- Active support and encouragement for staff network groups.
Performance Management
Porirua City Council operates a performance management system designed to measure and recognise staff performance and achievement.
All staff have an annual performance agreement which includes a training and development plan. These are reviewed every six months.
Staff Newsletters
Monthly staff newsletters are produced by the Communications Team highlighting stories and projects undertaken by staff.
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Our Vision, Mission and Values
Porirua City Council has developed a vision, mission and values which are displayed prominently around Council buildings, on mouse pads, and are used in our key internal documents.
Our Vision is: "Together We're making Porirua Amazing".
Our Mission
In support of the Council … our Purpose is to be the best for the community
- best in service
- best in management
- best in innovation
towards a vibrant progressive caring community.
Our Values
1. Caring – we care about and respect people
2. Inclusiveness – we are one council, one team for one community
3. Innovation – we work with creativity and pizzazz
4. Integrity – we are professional and accountable
5. Fun – we have fun in the workplace
6. Teamwork – we achieve results by working together
7. Partnership – we partner with Ngati Toa – Mana Whenua o Porirua
Each business unit has their own customised version stating how they will support the Council in pursuit of the vision, mission and values.
Council organisation and structure
The Porirua City Council consists of a Mayor and 13 Councillors, elected every 3 years.
The Porirua City Council is managed by a Chief Executive and 5 General Managers, together with the Communications and Marketing Manager. Each General Manager is responsible for a business unit, as shown in the functional organisation chart.
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Recent Council Achievements
Recent achievements from PCC employees and/or business initiatives:
- The Waitangirua Park project has been named the New Zealand regional winner for Australasia of the International Association for Public Participation IAP2 Project of the Year 2011 Awards for outstanding community engagement.
- Porirua City won three Gold Awards in the The International Awards for Liveable Communities. The city came second in the Whole of City Award - Category B (average daytime population of between 20,000 – 75,000) and was judged among the best with a gold award. (Other criteria winners sometimes received silver and bronze). (10 November 2010). (see Photo 1 below.)
- The Village Planning Programme won first place in the Socio Economic section of the Environmentally Sustainable Project Award and Porirua also topped the Community Sustainability criteria in the Whole of City award. (10 November 2010).
- Our Customer Services Manager was runner-up in the ALGIM Customer Service Manager of the Year Award, September 2010.
- The Emergency Management Office at Porirua City Council contributed to the "It's Easy" guide outlining step-by-step instructions for how to prepare for an emergency. This was published by the Wellington Region Emergency Management Group in June 2010, has won the International Association of Emergency Managers 2010 Global Public Awareness Award. View our Emergency Management pages or download a copy of the "It's Easy" Guide.
- ALGIM Supreme Web Award 2010 for the best New Zealand Council website (7 May 2010) and was runner-up in 2011.
- The Institute of Public Administration of New Zealand/Gen-i Prime Minister's Supreme Award for Public Sector Excellence for the Safer Porirua project (in partnership with New Zealand Police and other government and non-government agencies). (18 June 2009). This is the top management award in the New Zealand public sector. (See photo 2 below).
- The New Zealand Post/Society of Local Government Managers (SOLGM) Supreme Award for Local Government Excellence for the Village Planning Programme encouraging communities to actively participate in planning and recognising the distinctive character and identity of the villages within Porirua City, 6 September 2009 (Village Planning Programme). (See photo 3 below).
- The Safer Porirua project is a cross-agency collaboration achieving acceditation of Porirua City as an international safe community under the World Health Organisation (WHO) framework in 2008. View our Porirua Safe As! page for more information.
- Wellington Regional Gold Business Awards 2008 Winner: Workplace Safety. Work-related injuries at Porirua City Council have fallen by 46% since 2004.
- Creative NZ Award 2007 – Pataka Museum of Art and Cultures.
- The Environment and Regulatory Services Group was top equal in MFE survey of all local authorities with 100% compliance with resource consent statutory deadlines.
- Trash Palace – Internationally recognised recycling centre located at our Spicer Landfill, and winner of the Heritage and Environment award at the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards 2010.
- In 2003, the Ara Harakeke (flax pathway) won the inaugural Cycling Advocates Network award for best cycle facility project, and in 2004 the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects award for sustainable design.
Read our recent press releases (pdf files):
Award Photos
The Porirua Team accepting the International Award for Liveable Communities, from left Communications and Marketing Manager Barbara Bercic, Mayor Nick Leggett, General Manager of Strategy and Planning Moira Lawler, General Manager Environment and Regulatory Services David Rolfe, and the Award presenter (name unknown) in Chicago on 10 November 2010.
Accepting the Institute of Public Administration of New Zealand/Gen-i Prime Minister's Supreme Award for Public Sector Excellence. In this photo, from left:
1 Rosie Gallan, Housing New Zealand.
2 Dallas Crampton, Manager, Community Guardians.
3 Police representative, Name unknown.
4 Rob Gregory, New Zealand Police.
5 Peer Nielsen, New Zealand Police.
6 Prime Minister Rt Hon John Key.
7 Hamish McCardle (NZ Police, stand in for John Spence).
8 Mayor Jenny Brash.
9 Roger Blakeley, chief Executive, Porirua City Council.
10 Peter Bailey, General Manager, Asset Management and Operations, Porirua City Council.
11 Jenny Lester, Manager, Porirua Healthy Safer Cities Trust.
12 Jo Vilipaama, Accident Compensation Corporation.
13 Janet Carlyle, Manager Community Development, Porirua City Council.
Accepting the IPANZ award are Porirua City Council's Villages Planning Programme representatives; (centre) Moira Lawler, then Manager Social and Economic Policy, (second left) Ian Barlow, Manager Village Planning Programme and (far left) Claire Giblin, Communications Advisor, accepted the Supreme Award from SOLGM President Steve Parry (second right) and Don Day, Manager Local Government Relations, New Zealand Post (far right).
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Our City's Record
The most recent biennial Quality of Life Survey of 12 cities in New Zealand results showed Porirua is on par with other cities and near the top for areas such as:
- sense of community and local neighbourhood
- overall quality of life
- residents’ perception of positive impact of increased cultural diversity
This survey showed that the proportion of residents who felt they understood how the Council made decisions was 11% higher than the 12 cities' average at 46.1%. Porirua ranked second out of all 12 cities at 51.5% for residents who had confidence that the Council made decisions in the best interests of the city. This was 7.1% above the 12 cities' average. More than two-thirds of residents believed residents have an influence on council decision-making. This was 9.3% above the 12 cities' average.
You can also view the following documents:
Porirua leads the way for quality of life
Porirua is a leading city in economic development and quality of life and celebration of diversity. We aim to recruit, develop and retain high quality staff, and have a comprehensive Human Resources Strategy to support this goal.
Porirua City is 20 minutes north of Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, and is situated around a picturesque harbour. We have a population of approximately 50,500 people, and our residents come from many different cultures. The abundance of natural open spaces and the healthy environment make Porirua City an attractive place for living, working, shopping and relaxation.
There are a range of free parking options around the central city streets, and plenty of food outlets and restaurants. An extensive bus service operates from the central city to all suburbs. The central business district has all the essential business services and two shopping centres within easy walk of the main Council Administration Building.
The Council's library, and Pataka Museum of Arts and Cultures is open seven days a week, with free access for Porirua City residents to library books and most services.
The Te Rauparaha Arena has a range of facilities for public hire and use, including the Arena Fitness Centre, Arena Aquatic Centre, and a cafe.
Working for Local Government
View these three videos on People Shaping Progress produced by the Society of Local Government Information Managers. They will give you an idea what it's like working for a local government organisation.
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