What's your job about?
Waka Kotahi manages all aspects of New Zealand's transport system. My current responsibility and role within Waka Kotahi lie as an Emerging Professional in the Regulatory Policy Team undertaking work towards improving policies regarding Waka Kotahi's vision of Road to Zero. In other words, my role is to support the Regulatory Policy team in producing documents for external and internal use that are user-centric and reader-friendly by applying the Waka Kotahi Writing Guidelines Policy and plain English writing according to the Public Service Plan English Act 2022. This is my first rotation out of three within Waka Kotahi; for the following two rotations, I get to jump into something similar depending on my interests, or something different, and that is one of the joys of being a part of the Emerging Professional Programme- there is a diverse range of fields I get to be apart of. I am heading into the Risk & Assurance team for my next rotation, and the great thing about it is that I get to explore a range of roles within the Legal sphere.
What's your background?
I grew up in Otara, South Auckland. I attended Tongan bilingual classes up until I reached intermediate and have always had strong ties to my Tongan culture since. From there, I went to Papatoetoe High School, and from year ten onwards, I worked part-time while studying to support my parents. Those jobs mainly were within hospitality, retail and factory work and taught me a lot about the real world, but it wasn't something new to me; I always saw my parents waking up in the early hours of the morning and working for long hours, and that's where my motivation came from to take up tertiary education, I wanted to create a better life for myself and my parents. I later attended the University of Auckland, where I studied Law and Arts while working part-time as a Pacific Academic Mentor and in the Airport as a Passenger Services Agent. My first year was probably the most difficult- I didn't meet the threshold to qualify for my second year of Law- However, that didn't stop me from pushing through; I took Law131 again and successfully made it into Law School. My experiences of working while studying were challenging but proved rewarding upon graduating- all the late nights, the tears, and the stress were all worth it. I later took up a couple of internships with Auckland Bioengineering Institute as a Research Assistant and then two others with Kainga Ora and Waka Kotahi, both Policy-related. While undertaking my internship with Waka Kotahi, I was also studying towards my admission as an enrolled Solicitor and Barrister of the High Court and was admitted in November last year, where I then took up a role as a Junior criminal defence Lawyer- however, I later realised practising in Criminal wasn't my groove, and Waka Kotahi's emerging professional programme allowed me to get back into Policy work I enjoyed when I interned there. This programme continues to excite me every day.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
Anyone, and I mean anyone from any background, is suitable for the roles provided within the Emerging Professional Programme. Suppose you are open to new experiences and roles and always willing to ask the tough questions. In that case, there is no doubt there is a place for you in Waka Kotahi's Emerging Professional Programme.
My current rotation is a Policy-based role. I came in with little to no knowledge. Still, the team has been lovely in helping me understand the work I do and balancing LIFE alongside everything else. Though it does get challenging- that's where it's essential to ask questions, whether it be to your manager or Seniors, who are always happy to help!
What's the coolest thing about your job?
The most remarkable thing about my job is the people I've joined the programme with. I entered the programme late, and the process has been seamless. And there is no doubt it is because of the cohort with which I've come into the programme. It is not every day you go into a job with a bunch of people, all from different background experiences, but who are all going through the same things as you are when starting a graduate role. Similarly, although my team ranges from different age groups, everyone is easygoing and gives a family-like vibe. I've started my role with a bunch of strangers who I now call my family and friends at work. Another cool thing about my job is the flexibility; I enjoy being in the office, but sometimes, when life gets in the way, there's the flexibility of working from home. So that has helped a lot, especially being a Pacific person who constantly juggles many things, such as caring for my parents or having even to do school pickups.
What are the limitations of your job?
The limitation of my job is that it is a very seated job. The similar nature of tasks, whether that be typing up documents or having meetings online- you miss the physical aspect of always doing something practical; however, in saying that- every day is different.
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