How Freerange is Empowering NZ Businesses with Smarter HR

Freerange, based in Auckland, is an award-winning people and culture consultancy on a mission to transform how businesses approach HR. Led by co-founders Kerryn Strong and Sarah Brooke, the team works primarily with mid-sized SMEs across a variety of sectors, helping them tackle complex HR and compliance needs with a blend of expert advice and smart technology. 

Since partnering with Employment Hero in September 2024, Freerange has embraced our leading HR and payroll solutions as a strategic extension of their services.

“Partnering with Employment Hero allows us to offer a complete HR solution to our clients — not just advice, but a platform they can actually use every day.” – Sarah Brooke

Helping Clients Win With HR — And Payroll

Freerange first introduced Employment Hero to a mid-sized construction business with intricate HR and payroll needs. What started as a conversation around HR software quickly became a broader opportunity. After reviewing a range of platforms, Employment Hero came out on top as the all-in-one platform of choice, Freerange helped the client solve not only their HR challenges but also identified how payroll could fit into a unified solution.

That first success story set the tone. Since then, Freerange has referred a number of businesses to Employment Hero who have adopted the platform to power their HR processes.

“Employment Hero helps us demonstrate value early — especially when clients are still relying on spreadsheets or legacy systems. The platform speaks for itself once they see what’s possible.” – Kerryn Strong

A Scalable Model That Works

Unlike traditional referral models, Freerange has embedded Employment Hero into the way they deliver ongoing services. Their clients don’t just buy the software — they receive continued support and advisory services from the Freerange team, tailored to their business needs.

This approach helps Freerange grow services revenue while ensuring clients get real value from the platform by embedding it into daily use and equipping teams with the know-how to use it effectively. From onboarding to everyday HR advice, Freerange acts as both implementation guide and strategic partner.

“Employment Hero helps us stay close to our clients. Because we support their HR processes through the platform, we remain part of the day-to-day conversation — not just an annual check-in.” – Kerryn Strong

Building Better Businesses Through Belief in the Product

What makes Freerange stand out is their commitment to Employment Hero’s full potential. They aren’t just referring a tool — they believe in the vision of an all-in-one employment platform and that belief comes through in how they pitch the product, train their clients, and how they support them long after implementation.

This alignment makes for a powerful partnership. When Freerange brings Employment Hero into a conversation, it’s already positioned as a solution, not a question.

“We don’t treat Employment Hero as an add-on — it’s fundamental to how we help our clients grow and stay compliant.” – Sarah Brooke

The combination of deep HR expertise and commitment to platform adoption ensures clients aren’t just sold software but are empowered with the tools and knowledge to succeed in employment. Freerange translates Employment Hero solutions into client outcomes with a proactive and consultative approach that is always focused on long-term value.

“Working with Employment Hero gives us confidence. We know we’re recommending a platform that evolves with our clients’ needs — and that we have the support we need to grow alongside it.” – Kerryn Strong

Looking Ahead

As more New Zealand businesses seek smarter ways to manage people, Freerange is well-positioned to meet that demand with Employment Hero as their platform of choice. By embedding software into strategy, they’re helping clients work smarter, stay compliant, and grow stronger.

Ready to elevate your consultancy and empower your clients?Discover how partnering with Employment Hero can help you drive unparalleled client success, unlock new revenue streams, and solidify your position as a forward-thinking advisor. Explore the benefits of our Partner Program today.