GRC Best Practices in New Zealand and Australia

How Strong Risk and Compliance Hiring Builds Resilient Organisations

Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) best practices are no longer just regulatory requirements in New Zealand and Australia. Today, they’re integral to how high-performing businesses manage uncertainty, maintain integrity, and operate with confidence.

But even the most robust framework won’t deliver results without the right people in place. At Tyler Wren, we specialise in helping organisations hire the right Risk and Compliance professionals to bring their GRC strategies to life.

Understanding GRC and Why It’s Essential

GRC is the structured approach organisations use to align their governance, risk management, and compliance functions. When embedded properly, GRC helps businesses:

• Achieve goals while managing uncertainty
• Comply with regulatory requirements
• Strengthen trust with customers, regulators, and employees

The three key pillars of GRC are:

• Governance – How the organisation sets direction, makes decisions, and holds people accountable
• Risk Management – Identifying, assessing, and mitigating threats to the business
• Compliance – Ensuring all operations meet legal and regulatory standards

In our local context, this includes New Zealand’s Privacy Act 2020, AML/CFT regime, and guidance from the DIA and FMA, as well as Australia’s APRA, ASIC, and CPS 230.

Implementing GRC Best Practice Step by Step

While every organisation is different, there are some universal best practices that help create a strong and scalable GRC structure.

1. Establish a recognised framework

Start with globally recognised models such as ISO 31000 or the NIST Framework. However, these must be tailored to your sector and local regulatory expectations across New Zealand and Australia.

2. Define clear ownership and responsibilities

Without clarity, things fall through the cracks. Identify who is accountable for governance, risk, compliance, and assurance activities across your teams — and make sure roles are documented, communicated, and understood.

3. Standardise and simplify your policies

Templates, clear formats, and a “policy on policies” approach can create consistency, reduce confusion, and streamline internal reviews. This also helps meet audit and conduct expectations.

4. Conduct regular and meaningful risk assessments

Don’t just review risks annually. Set regular intervals to assess emerging risks across cyber security, operations, reputational exposure, and third-party vendors. In New Zealand and Australia, risk identification is a regulated responsibility.

5. Implement practical controls and track compliance

Controls need to be embedded into day-to-day operations. Use real-time monitoring, regular reporting, and proactive reviews to ensure everything is operating as expected — and address breaches before they escalate.

6. Automate where possible

Whether you’re in banking, insurance, or a private enterprise, automation tools can help manage tasks like compliance attestation, policy distribution, and risk tracking more efficiently.

The People Side of GRC

Why Culture Matters Just as Much as Controls

Even the best systems will fall flat without an engaged team and a strong culture of integrity. Embedding GRC effectively requires communication, buy-in, and behavioural reinforcement.

Keep communication human and clear

Move away from jargon-heavy documents. Use short, clear summaries, infographics, and simple explainer videos to make policies more relatable and easier to digest, especially for front-line staff.

Provide ongoing training and awareness

Training shouldn’t be a box-ticking exercise. Instead, provide regular, relevant refreshers and context-driven scenarios to help people apply what they’ve learned in real-world situations.

Review and adapt frequently

Regulations shift, technology changes, and business risks evolve. Schedule policy and framework reviews every 6 to 12 months to remain compliant and future-ready.

GRC Talent is in High Demand

Why You Can’t Afford to Get It Wrong

Across both Aotearoa and Australia, demand for experienced GRC professionals continues to rise, but supply remains tight.

As regulatory scrutiny intensifies, businesses need individuals who bring more than technical knowledge. They need professionals who can:

• Interpret regulation and apply it commercially
• Build strong working relationships across the business
• Lead cultural change and influence behaviour

However, these skills aren’t easy to find, and they’re rarely active on job boards.

Why Work With a Specialist Risk and Compliance Recruiter

This is where Tyler Wren adds real value. We understand the local risk and compliance market, speak the language of GRC, and have built strong talent networks across the sector.

We don’t just fill jobs — we partner with organisations to create long-term GRC capability.

For clients, we:

• Collaborate to design fit-for-purpose role scopes
• Benchmark salaries and team structures
• Source passive candidates with niche experience
• Support hiring from initial brief through to onboarding

Whether you’re hiring a Senior AML Analyst, a Head of Risk, or building out a conduct or ESG programme, we help you find the right professionals to meet your goals.

For candidates, we:

• Work with Kiwi and Aussie returners looking to come home
• Provide honest advice tailored to your experience and ambitions
• Help you prepare for interviews and navigate offer negotiations
• Introduce you to purpose-driven organisations that align with your values

We also understand how international experience can translate into local value, especially in roles that demand strategic thinking and global context.

Final Thoughts on GRC Best Practice and Hiring

Building a strong GRC framework means more than having the right policies. It means hiring the right people to manage, support, monitor, and drive compliance across the business.

In New Zealand and Australia, businesses that invest in GRC capability are not only meeting regulatory obligations, they’re creating safer, more transparent, and more future-focused workplaces.

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Looking to strengthen your GRC team or explore your next role in Risk and Compliance? Let’s talk. 📞 Gary Bloxham +64 (0) 9 974 9072 🌐 www.tylerwren.co.nz

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