Caroline Haku joined our Auckland Council Local Government team as Service Delivery Manager in August 2019, expanding her role last year to encompass all works performed in the Waitematā Local Board area. 

Following a recent restructure, her role now includes maintenance and oversight of all assets and facilities within the local area, Caroline says learning the finer details of sump pump repair and HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) maintenance was a great addition to her resume. 

It was an opportunity to learn new skills for the wider team too, as they were undertaking the full range of maintenance services on each asset in the region. 

"Now our people have more visibility of the end-to-end process of maintaining our client's assets," Caroline says. "Before, they may not have understood why a cleaner flagged a specific repair as urgent, but now we collaborate more and can see how important that particular repair is."

"I feel like we're using everyone to the best of their abilities."

Caroline says having a supportive manager in Jason Foster makes her job a lot easier. She appreciates that if she needs help, he's really good at helping her find the answers and learn for herself. 

"As a leader I believe that managing people is mostly the same, whether they are plumbers or cleaners or electricians," Caroline says. 'My role is to find what motivates them and give them the opportunity to do that and do it well, and then you have a happy team.'

In essence she says,

Tahi a te kii, tahi a te wananga - one heart, one mind, one direction.

With several years working for one of the largest recycling companies in the Australia/New Zealand market, Caroline brought to her role at Ventia a strong knowledge of best practice when it comes to waste management and recycling.  

Caroline says part of her role is to search out the best products and solutions to ensure Ventia is supporting our client to reach their environmental goals.

I am always on the lookout for products and processes that are more environmentally friendly.

"That could range from products such as gloves and bags made from plant-based goods to ways to reduce overall usage of non-recyclable products" Caroline says.

The contract currently uses a number of recycled products, including the rubbish bags used in bins throughout the city. The team has also implemented other sustainability measures such as recycling water used in cleaning equipment. 

This year will see Caroline complete her Diploma of Health & Safety, adding yet another skill set to her already-full resume. These studies reinforce Caroline's "Safe for Life" mindset with additional skills and knowledge.

"I'm looking forward to using what I've learned on the job." 

As Kaitohutohu Maori (Strategic Relationships Advisor Maori) Joe Tahana says, Caroline is a great example of Iho Pūmanawa (someone with natural talent) on the team!
 

^{Pictured at top: Caroline Haku , Facilities Manager}