[en] X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) measurements were done for the Zr K-edge of Nd₁₆Fe_75.5Zr_0.5 B₈ magnets in the disproportionated, partially and fully recombined states of HDDR process. XAFS results reveal that Zr preferentially occupies Fe(j₂) and Fe(j₁) sites in the Nd₂Fe₁₄B structure for the disproportionated, partially and fully recombined states. The partially recombined sample shows larger magnetic anisotropy but a smaller coercivity than the fully recombined one. Fourier analyses of the XAFS results show the rearrangement of Zr atoms as the HDDR process proceeds; some Zr at Fe(j₁) sites move to Fe(j₂) sites in the partially recombined state but they turn back to Fe(j₁) sites in the fully recombined state. The interchange of preferential site occupancy of Zr between Fe(j₁) and Fe(j₂) sites with proceeding recombination may be responsible for the degree of magnetic anisotropy