What's your job about?

Waka Kotahi is working to improve the transport system for all New Zealanders. I am currently in the Urban Mobility team, which has a focus on how we move around our cities sustainably. I am involved in several projects, and a typical day often involves meetings related to these. One project I am involved in is a community severance programme, focussing on making reparations for how our state highway network has impacted small towns around the country. The psychological and physical barrier of a large road through a small town has created a damaging effect on communities. A typical day working on this project involves having meetings with councils, to discuss the impact on their towns, and any problem areas they have noticed. Once I have gained this important context, I will write up scope for each town. My colleagues and I are hoping to secure funding to improve the lives of these communities.

What's your background?

I grew up in Hastings, Hawkes Bay, and attended Havelock North High School. I found my passion for the environment through the Duke of Edinburgh Award, where I volunteered at a local bird sanctuary and completed many tramps around the country. I enrolled in Victoria University of Wellington straight out of high school, studying a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Economics and Environmental Studies. In my final year of study, I was applying to every graduate programme advertised. I had hoped to go travelling after graduating, but as this was in the midst of COVID-19 lockdowns, I had to change my plans. I found out I had been accepted into the Waka Kotahi Emerging Professionals Programme towards the end of 2020 and have now been working here for just over a year. The impact of transport on the environment made the role at Waka Kotahi a perfect fit for me.

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Yes, definitely. Although I have a major in environmental studies, the most important characteristic is passion for the environment. There are no specific skills learned at university required for the work I do. A desire to see a better New Zealand is crucial. Everything I have learned about sustainability and transport has been on the job, but having that desire makes learning and working so much more enjoyable.

What's the coolest thing about your job?

I love that my team is making physical changes that improve people’s lives. It’s so satisfying seeing things I have worked on making a tangible difference. When I see photos of the community using the services we have implemented, it’s a great feeling and helps motivate me to continue what I’m doing.

What are the limitations of your job?

There is a lot of jargon in the transport industry, and I found it really difficult to get up to speed in the first few months of working here. Much of the work I am involved in specifically relates to the transport industry, so the skills may not be transferable to another job. However, the soft skills that I have learned while at Waka Kotahi are invaluable, so I’m not too worried.

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...

Go back in time and meet yourself at university... What would you advise him or her?

1. Join a club! The club scene at VUW wasn’t huge, so I never really got involved. On reflection, this would have been a great opportunity to meet new people, and have some different experiences
2. Don’t leave things until the last minute. I still do this, and it never ends well
3. Apply for an internship. I found it difficult to get a job as I didn’t have relevant work experience