Which type of work is right for you?

We help job seekers find roles across three different types of work: Permanent, Contracting and Consulting. Each of these comes with different benefits, requirements, and entitlements. We’re often asked for details about the differences between them, so here’s an overview along with some information to help you decide which is the best option for you.

Permanent Employment

As a permanent employee, you work regular, guaranteed hours, with no set end date to your contract.
Permanent roles can be full time or part time, depending on the number of weekly hours of work agreed with your employer in your employment contract.
Anything under 30 hours is generally considered part time and this can be a good option if you want to work around other commitments, like childcare.
Permanent employees are paid either a wage, which is calculated based on hours worked at an agreed hourly rate, or salary, which is calculated based on an annual amount.
Permanent employees are paid directly by the employer, with tax and ACC levies automatically deducted.
As a permanent employee, you’re also entitled to a set of minimum rights under NZ employment law, so once you’ve met certain criteria (like working with the business for 6 months), you accrue entitlements such as paid annual leave and sick leave.

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Benefits of Permanent Employment

If you like the sound of the benefits below and want to explore your options, have a look at our current permanent roles. If you’re still not sure or can’t find a job that suits, contact us to discuss your situation.

Financial Security

The consistent salary/wage of a permanent role ensures you have a steady flow of income to meet living expenses and financial obligations, and allows you to plan for your future with confidence. You’re also entitled to certain types of paid leave (once eligibility criteria has been met) meaning you’re generally less likely to experience financial strain if you need to take time off work in certain situations, like short-term illness.

Opportunities & Benefits

Employers may offer permanent staff avenues for career growth which may not be available with other types of work. This could include training programmes, mentorship opportunities, and chances for you to upskill or specialize in your field. You may also receive other benefits such as health and/or life insurance, additional paid leave, allowances, wellbeing benefits (e.g. free or discounted gym memberships), or other ‘perks’.

Stability

Permanent employment can provide a sense of stability, as there’s no set end date to your contract and you are guaranteed a minimum number of hours of work every week, so you generally know what to expect day to day. You’re also covered by NZ employment laws and regulations, with one benefit being that the risk of sudden job loss is considered relatively low when compared to some other work types.

Ease & Convenience

Permanent roles often have predictable work hours and schedules, allowing you to more easily plan and balance your professional responsibilities with personal and family commitments. You also don’t have to spend time and effort proactively looking for your next role or ensuring you’ve paid the right tax or ACC levies, making permanent employment a more convenient work type than some others.

Contracting

There are two main types of contracts – hourly rate contracts and fixed-term contracts.
In both cases, you contract your services to an organisation on a temporary basis, with a clear start and end date.
Your contract can be part time or full time, and of any duration, with contracts typically lasting several months.
With a fixed-term contract, you’re employed with full entitlements for a limited amount of time, paid directly by the employer on a pro-rata rate.
With an hourly rate contract, you’re self-employed, either as a sole trader or through a limited liability company. You’re paid an hourly or daily rate based on the hours worked.
Being self-employed means you’re responsible for paying your own tax, GST, and ACC levies, though many contractors use software like Hnry to make this quicker and easier.
While hourly rate contractors aren’t entitled to the same employment rights as permanent staff, you enjoy other benefits instead.

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Benefits of Contracting

If you like the sound of these benefits and think contracting could be the right choice for you, then have a look at the jobs we’ve currently got listed. If you’re still not sure or want to discuss how to transition into a contracting role, our expert team of recruitment consultants are here to help – just contact us to chat through your options.

Flexibility & Autonomy

Contractors have much more freedom than typical employment roles, as you control when, where, and how you work. This provides better work/life balance, as you have the flexibility to work around other commitments or pursue other interests. For example, you could work a 3-day week, or work 6 months on then 6 months off, or choose a contract that ends in December to enjoy a long summer break.

Financial Independence

As a contractor, you can adjust your margins to meet market rates more regularly, as you start and finish work more regularly. This can help you improve your financial situation in a relatively short amount of time. A lot of contractors also use software like Hnry to make their financial administration process quicker and easier, with the cost being minimal compared to the earning potential when contracting.

Diversity & Variety

Contracting allows you to choose which organisations you want to work with, roles you want to explore, projects you want to work on, and locations you want to work in. This is hugely engaging, as you’re constantly adapting to new settings, meeting new people from diverse backgrounds, and learning from their experience. It also allows for career experimentation, so that you can find a role you truly enjoy.

Life Experiences & Learning

Regularly changing contracts, projects, and industries is excellent for learning and personal development. It provides ongoing opportunities to broaden your skill set and knowledge base, gain exposure to innovative new companies and technologies, and adapt quickly to changing market demands. With ample networking opportunities, it’s also generally easy to find your next exciting role.

Contracting Through JacksonStone

We’ve been placing contractors into exciting roles for over 10 years. Our team of highly skilled consultants are well-known in the market, and with our high-calibre clients, we can give you access to exclusive opportunities at leading organisations across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Whether you’re an experienced contractor or just starting out, our quick and easy onboarding system, Karmly (formerly Invoxy), ensures a smooth transition into contracting with us. You can either be self-employed as a sole trader and offer your services directly to us, or you can work through a limited liability company. Either way, you invoice us instead of the client, and with the latest time-sheeting technology and streamlined invoicing process, you can rest assured you’ll be paid regularly and on time.

While you’ll still be responsible for paying your own tax, GST, and ACC levies, we’ll handle general issues or administrative matters while you’re on assignment, removing some of the organisational burden. A lot of our contractors also use software services like Hnry to make their financial admin quicker and easier.

You can also choose to take advantage of our insurance policy during your assignment (for a low cost) if you don’t have your own, or you don’t have the level of insurance required for a certain contract, potentially opening up your options to a wider range of roles.

For more information about contracting through JacksonStone & Partners, chat to one of our expert consultants or Register with Us and we’ll be in touch soon.

Thanks for your amazing service, you are definitely the best out there I’ve dealt with and I always felt confident you would have opportunities for me. Your communication is superb…JacksonStone & Partners treat their contractors really well.
– ANONYMOUS

Consulting

Being a consultant is similar to contracting, as you’ll provide your services to an organisation on a temporary basis, with a clear start and end date.
You may work on short-term or long-term projects, depending on client needs.
As a contractor you can be self-employed or work as part of a consulting firm, though we primarily recruit the former.
As a consultant you’ll provide expert advice, guidance, or strategic recommendations to organizations or individuals.
A primary difference between contracting and consulting is that a contractor would generally provide day-to-day duties or work toward a project, whereas a consultant’s role is normally related to a defined outcome, typically with remuneration linked to agreed milestones or deliverables.
Consultants may charge fees based on hourly rates, project fees, or retainer agreements. Payment terms and conditions are typically negotiated upfront.
There is a larger responsibility towards ensuring quality, delivery, and performance from a consultant whereas the client has more control over these measures under a contracting agreement.

Supplier for All-of-Government recruitment and consulting

JacksonStone & Partners is on the all-of-government Consultancy Services panel. If you find a government consulting project that requires you to be on this panel, we are able to partner with you to give you the required access and to manage the administration function for you. We also offer you a number of services to assist you with the project.

Our Government Expertise

Board Appointments

Serving on a board is a role of significant trust, with considerable responsibility over the direction of an organisation or programme of work.
Board positions can be either paid or voluntary, with many board members finding satisfaction from utilising their expertise or the sense of service they’re providing.
Each board will have a differing time commitment. Often, board meetings are held once a month, usually lasting from half a day to a day. You’re expected to have read board reports prior to these meetings.
In this position, you can provide strategic leadership and financial oversight, oversee compliance and risk, facilitate change management, improve cultural capability, or offer independent insight.
Board members often cycle in and out, with new members with different skills being brought on depending on the organisation’s goals and needs.
A wide range of skills are valued on boards, including finance, accounting, legal, HR, regulatory understanding, strategy, sector experience, IT/digital, marketing, health & safety, diversity and governance skills.
Research shows that boards with both diversity of skills and perspectives, including diverse cultural backgrounds, add greater value.

Benefits of Being a Board Member

Being on a board offers you the unique opportunity to shape the future of an organisation and contribute your expertise to critical decisions. Here are a few further reasons why you might like to consider joining a board:

Exposure to Governance

Serving on a board offers a unique perspective on how an organisation operates at a strategic level, which is different from a management role. This experience helps you adopt a more holistic approach to your own work, providing insights into the decision-making process at the governance level. We often hear that having a governance role alongside their usual role gives Senior Executives valuable insights they can apply in their day jobs.

Service to Your Community

Being on a board is a meaningful way to support an organisation that aligns with your values, enabling you to contribute towards real change in your community. You can set direction, standards, objectives and organisational goals at a governance level, making a tangible impact. Many Senior Executives are also asked to contribute to their sector by serving on an industry body, which is a good way to gain experience while helping the success of your sector.

Build Your Credibility

Committing to an organisation’s Kaupapa (purpose) is an excellent way to enhance your credibility and be recognised as an industry or community leader. Serving on a board, in addition to your day-to-day role, allows you to demonstrate your strategic thinking and leadership abilities, establishing yourself as a trusted figure in your community.

Expand Your Network

Joining a board gives you the opportunity to connect with a diverse group of professionals, including other board members, industry experts, community leaders, and those looking to collaborate at a strategic level. These connections lead to valuable relationships, mentorship opportunities, and future collaborations, allowing you to open doors to new opportunities and provide broader support.

Types of Work

Which type of work is right for you?

Permanent Employment