The Recruitment Network
The Recruitment Network is a New Zealand nationwide staffing agency founded in 2007 that supplies temporary, permanent, and temp-to-perm workers to hospitality, events, cleaning, food production, primary agriculture, and government clients through three regional offices and a mobile app/candidate portal.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersChristchurch, New Zealand
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Recruitment Network does
The Recruitment Network (legal name: The Recruitment Network Ltd, "TRN") is a privately held New Zealand nationwide staffing and recruitment agency founded in 2007 and headquartered in Christchurch. The company operates through three regional offices — Christchurch (Southern), Auckland (Central/Northern), and Wellington (Central) — and supplies temporary, permanent, and temp-to-perm staff to employers across hospitality and events, cleaning and facilities management, food production and supply chain, aged care, retail, government and institutional, and New Zealand primary industry (viticulture, horticulture, fisheries). At scale the company reports approximately 5,000 active clients, 4,000 active staff members, and a database of roughly 70,000 people across its operating history.
The core service offering is a horizontal staffing platform with three engagement models: Temporary Staffing (managed-services economics with TRN handling payroll, timesheets, holiday pay, KiwiSaver, and ACC cover), Permanent Placement (transaction-fee model with no upfront cost, free international advertising, and a 3-month replacement guarantee), and Temp-to-Perm (sliding-scale conversion fee based on hours worked, allowing clients to trial candidates). The technology stack is built on the RDB Web Suite (third-party, from The Access Group) and exposed to end users via the TRN Candidate Portal (portal.trn.org.nz) and the TRN Mobile App, which provides push-notified job opportunities, offline-capable timesheet recording with geofenced reminders, shift acceptance, travel-expense submission, and a client-facing booking app. Online client invoicing is processed via Stripe.
TRN's go-to-market combines an inside-sales recruiter model (regional teams actively matching vetted candidates and handling administrative paperwork for employers) with self-serve digital channels for candidates. Revenue derives primarily from temporary staffing margins and permanent placement transaction fees, supplemented by a 2.7% credit card surcharge on online invoice payments. The company is independently owned and appears founder/family-led (Michael Pugh as Board Director; Liz Stegerhoek Pugh associated with a founder/leadership role), with Rob Alexander as Commercial Director and Jared Luff as General Manager (Auckland). No external institutional investors, private equity, or venture capital involvement is disclosed.
The Recruitment Network firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Recruitment Network
- Legal name
- The Recruitment Network Ltd
- Website
- https://trn.org.nz
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- The Recruitment Network is a New Zealand nationwide staffing agency founded in 2007 that supplies temporary, permanent, and temp-to-perm workers to hospitality, events, cleaning, food production, primary agriculture, and government clients through three regional offices and a mobile app/candidate portal.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Recruitment Network industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Staffing and Recruitment Services
- NAICS
- Temporary Help Services (561320), Employment Placement Agencies (561311)
- SIC
- Services-Employment Agencies (7361)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Temp-to-Hire Staffing (BPACACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Hospitality, Travel & Events Direct Hire (BPACAFAL), High-Volume / High-Turnover Temp Staffing (BPACACAF), Government & Public Sector Direct Hire (BPACAFAK)
Keywords
Where The Recruitment Network is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Christchurch
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices3 records
Markets served
The Recruitment Network business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Permanent Placement Fees: Employers pay only upon successful placement of a candidate. No upfront cost to clients. Includes free international advertising campaign, 3-month replacement guarantee, and recorded verbal reference checks.
- Temporary Staffing Margins: Supply of vetted temporary staff to employers with markup. TRN handles all administration including timesheets, payroll, holiday pay, KiwiSaver contributions, and ACC cover. Invoiced weekly with one invoice covering multiple staff.
- Temp-to-Perm Conversion: Discounted sliding scale conversion fee based on hours worked by candidate during temporary period. Allows employers to trial candidates before permanent hire.
- Credit Card Processing Fee: 2.7% credit card surcharge applied to online payments for client invoicing.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Permanent Placement - No upfront cost model |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Temp-to-Perm - Sliding scale conversion discount |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Online Payment - Credit Card Surcharge |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Temporary Chef Rates |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Recruitment Network product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Recruitment Network is a nationwide New Zealand staffing and recruitment agency supplying temporary, temp-to-perm, and permanent staff to employers in hospitality, events, food production, cleaning, aged care, retail, and primary industries. Recruiters source, pre-screen, police-vet and drug-test candidates, and TRN handles all administrative burden including payroll, timesheets, holiday pay, KiwiSaver and ACC cover. Services are delivered via a three-office regional recruiter network and supported by an online candidate portal and a proprietary mobile app.
Product overview
The Recruitment Network is a New Zealand-wide staffing and recruitment agency offering a unified staffing platform with three core service models: Temporary Staffing (on-demand flexible workforce), Permanent Staffing (placement with no upfront cost and 3-month guarantee), and Temp-to-Perm (trial before commitment). Their services span specialized verticals including Hospitality & Events, Cleaning, Chef/Culinary, and Food Production staffing. Technology-enabled through the TRN Mobile App (for timesheets, job notifications, and staff booking) and the TRN Candidate Portal (for job applications and assignment management). Founded in 2007, they operate nationwide with offices in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, serving 5,000 clients with 4,000 active staff.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Temporary Staffing
- Permanent Placement
- Temp-to-Perm Conversion
- Hospitality & Events Staffing
- Cleaning Services Staffing
- Events Staffing
- Chef Staffing
- Food Production Staffing
Quantifiable outcome
- Supplying 300 staff for Cup Day peak event
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use The Recruitment Network
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Recruitment Network technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature4 records
The Recruitment Network partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Arapawa Blue PearlsminorClient/customers featured in client logos section on website.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Recruitment Network competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- ManpowerGroup New Zealand: Global workforce solutions company operating in NZ with services across temporary staffing, permanent placement, and recruitment process outsourcing. Operates in same verticals as TRN with broader portfolio and multinational backing.
- Adecco New Zealand: Global staffing giant with established NZ operations providing temporary staffing, permanent placement, and workforce solutions across all major verticals. Competes broadly with TRN in hospitality, food production, and administrative staffing with greater scale and brand recognition.
- Hays New Zealand: Global specialist recruitment firm with NZ offices focused on professional white-collar and skilled trades placements. Overlaps with TRN in hospitality and food production verticals but skews toward higher-skilled permanent placements.
- Randstad New Zealand: Global staffing leader with NZ presence offering temporary staffing, permanent placement, and HR solutions across multiple industry verticals. Comparable to TRN in service breadth and target verticals, though larger and more diversified.
Regional players
- H2R Consulting: NZ-based recruitment consultancy specializing in permanent and contract placements across hospitality, retail, and commercial sectors. Comparable to TRN in NZ market focus and hospitality vertical specialization with emphasis on permanent placement.
Direct peers
- Kiwi Recruitment: NZ-based boutique recruitment agency focused on hospitality, tourism, and commercial staffing across New Zealand. Directly comparable to TRN in NZ market and hospitality vertical specialization with similar temp and perm offering.
- Programmed New Zealand: Trans-Tasman staffing and workforce solutions provider offering temporary, permanent, and managed workforce services across NZ industries including hospitality, food production, and events. Directly competes with TRN in NZ hospitality and industrial verticals with similar business model.
- AWF Group: New Zealand's largest generalist staffing agency supplying temporary and permanent staff across industrial, commercial, and hospitality sectors. Directly comparable to TRN in both services offered and NZ geographic footprint, with similar focus on temp and temp-to-perm placements.
Others
- Indeed New Zealand: Global online job search platform operating in NZ. Functions as an enabling channel where TRN competes for candidate attention rather than direct competitor; relevant for understanding candidate acquisition dynamics in the NZ market.
- Trade Me Jobs: New Zealand's dominant online jobs marketplace operated by Trade Me. Not a direct recruiter but a complementary channel where NZ employers and job seekers connect; adjacent to TRN's online candidate portal distribution model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Recruitment Network social profiles
Digital presenceThe Recruitment Network compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
The Recruitment Network financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Recruitment Network leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles19 records
The Recruitment Network funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Recruitment Network M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Recruitment Network
What does The Recruitment Network do?
The Recruitment Network is a nationwide New Zealand staffing and recruitment agency supplying temporary, temp-to-perm, and permanent staff to employers in hospitality, events, food production, cleaning, aged care, retail, and primary industries. Recruiters source, pre-screen, police-vet and drug-test candidates, and TRN handles all administrative burden including payroll, timesheets, holiday pay, KiwiSaver and ACC cover. Services are delivered via a three-office regional recruiter network and supported by an online candidate portal and a proprietary mobile app.
Is The Recruitment Network a public or private company?
The Recruitment Network is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was The Recruitment Network founded?
The Recruitment Network was founded in 2007. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is The Recruitment Network based?
The Recruitment Network is headquartered in Christchurch, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does The Recruitment Network make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Permanent Placement Fees are the primary driver. The others are temporary Staffing Margins, temp-to-Perm Conversion and credit Card Processing Fee.
Who are The Recruitment Network's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are ManpowerGroup New Zealand, Adecco New Zealand, Hays New Zealand and Randstad New Zealand. H2R Consulting is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are Kiwi Recruitment, Programmed New Zealand and AWF Group. Others are Indeed New Zealand and Trade Me Jobs.
Does The Recruitment Network have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Recruitment Network.
What industry is The Recruitment Network in?
The Recruitment Network's product category is Staffing and Recruitment Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACACAG, Temp-to-Hire Staffing, with a secondary code of BPACAFAL, Hospitality, Travel & Events Direct Hire. Its NAICS code is 561320 and its SIC code is 7361.