Life at Contact

Working at Contact (Te Mata Hiko)


Put simply, Contact (known in Māori as Te Mata Hiko) is a bunch of good humans doing a bunch of good things. It may sound cliché but it’s true. We’re a big company, but also a small company – nimble, resourceful, and at times all-hands-on-deck with lots on the go.  

We’re big on growth and progression, which looks different from person to person. Some are happy where they are career-wise, and that’s cool – we’ll still rustle up plenty of learning opportunities. Others want to stretch and challenge themselves beyond their current role; we’re fully supportive of that too. Goals and development are discussed regularly with your leader to help you get to where you’re going. 

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Belonging at Contact (Te Mata Hiko)


Manaaki whenua, manaaki tāngata, haere whakamua 

"If we take care of the land and take care of the people, we will take care of the future".  


Our Vision 

We aim to build a better Aotearoa New Zealand by reflecting the diversity of our customers and communities. We strive to create a culture where inclusion is deeply embedded, allowing our people to truly be themselves. 


Our Commitment

At Contact we want all our voices to be heard, and all communities to be represented. We’re continuing to build a diverse and inclusive team that better represents our communities and ensures a broader range of perspectives in our decision-making. Here’s what we’re doing: 

  • Pride in ContactSupporting Rainbow Inclusion through our Pride Network, driving initiatives that allow our team to bring their whole selves to work. We are a committed member of the Pride Pledge.
  • Women’s Network: Focused on achieving gender balance through a number of initiatives. We partner with Global Women: Champions for Change, an initiative monitoring the progress of participating organisations towards our shared goal of gender balance, which is 40:40:20 (% of men:women:open). Another key partnership is with Women in Geothermal (WING) to promote diversity and better female representation in the geothermal industry. Our Women’s Network is set up with the funds and authority to support women across Contact.
  • Ngā Pūngao o Te Moana (The Energies of the Ocean)Our network aspires to amplify the voices and perspectives of Māori and Pasifika employees within Contact. By advocating for policies that recognise and champion the unique role of Māori and Pasifika, we aim to create an environment where everyone feels empowered to thrive.
  • Unconscious Bias TrainingTraining offered to all employees to help identify and reduce unconscious bias.
  • Diverse RecruitmentDiversity starts at the recruitment stage with best practice talent acquisition from advertising that reflects Aotearoa New Zealand through to the promotion of diverse panels for interviews.


Wellbeing 

When we say the wellbeing of our kaimahi is our priority, we mean it. The proof is in our Wellbeing Tick accreditation (year two) and the access to free professional therapy through our partnership with Clearhead. There’s also the Wellbeing Network that organises a range of programs and resources to support your physical, mental, and emotional health.  

Our Wairakei crew have a weekly walking group, boot camps, biking events, waka ama and a strong squash contingent. Contact also supports social sports teams and regular social events to make sure it’s not all work and no play.  

On top of that, our free skin checks have led to the early detection of melanoma in some staff members. Along with regular onsite visits from occupational nurses, we ensure both your physical and mental health are well taken care of. 


Growing Your Whānau 

We are proud of our comprehensive and far-reaching parental leave policy, providing financial security and flexibility for Contact team members who are starting or adding to their whānau. Our Growing Your Whānau Policy offers benefits for primary carers including: 

  • Salary top-up: To full salary for the 26-week Government paid parental leave period
  • KiwiSaver Employer contributions: Full employer contribution for the duration of parental leave
  • 6 months flexible working: Returning employees can choose to work 80% of their normal weekly hours, while receiving 100% of their normal pay for the first 6 months
  • Childcare koha: $5,000 (pre-tax) as a contribution towards childcare
  • 10 days paid Special LeavePregnant employees will receive 10 days paid special leave for pregnancy-related appointments
  • Annual Leave: Paid at normal pay when employees return from parental leave
  • Fourth Trimester3 months free electricity for employees with a new baby who are Contact customers
  • Food package: Pre-prepared meals on the arrival of baby

The benefits for partners (over and above legislation) include: 

  • Partner’s leaveFour weeks paid leave, which can be taken flexibly over 13 months
  • Fourth TrimesterThree months free electricity for employees who are Contact customers on eligible plans
  • Food package: Pre-prepared meals on the arrival of baby

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Growing at Contact (Te Mata Hiko)


Ka whangaia, ka tupu, ka puawai 

That which is nurtured will grow and blossom


At Contact, our people are driven by curiosity and a thirst for knowledge. Through our learning platform, Contact University, employees complete thousands of courses annually, enhancing their skills and knowledge across diverse topics. 

Our annual performance cycle supports this growth by setting individual goals and KPIs at the start of each financial year. This process includes a formal year-end performance review with feedback from leaders, complemented by informal check-ins throughout the year to discuss progress. 

We value our permanent kaimahi with a competitive remuneration package along with a range of benefits designed to support your well-being and professional growth. Our comprehensive benefits include: 

  • Flexibility - our flexible mahi guide outlines how we support our people to work how, where and when works the best (where appropriate we can adjust working hours and locations to suit you such as part time vs full time and hybrid vs work from home options as well).
  • KiwiSaver Employer Contributions - if you contribute to KiwiSaver, Contact will contribute 3.5% to your KiwiSaver, which will be further increased to 4% on 1 July 2025 
  • Purchased Leave - you can purchase additional leave and spread the cost throughout the year 
  • RedMed - free health insurance cover provided through Southern Cross Health
  • 'Good to be Home' - an annual payment towards your home set up & wellbeing 
  • Contact Share - our plan which enables you to own Contact Shares 
  • Product Discounts - access to our staff prompt payment discount rate as well as discounted broadband.
  • Corporate discounts - from automotive discounts to fitness offers to banking offers, and even some retail therapy, we’ve partnered with a range of services to offer you discounts on every day and special day purchases.  

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