We caught up with Liveable Space Asset Performance Team Leader Natalie Waihi on the work she and her team do to keep our reserves and community assets looking beautiful.
What’s your role and what do you enjoy about it?
I am the Liveable Space Asset Performance Team Leader. Our team is responsible for the maintenance and performance of recreational reserves and community assets (i.e. parks, playgrounds, sports fields & public conveniences), the places and spaces that make Tairāwhiti awesome. We also deliver community capital projects. Working for the community is rewarding and dynamic. Any improvement we can make for the community is a win, big or small. The challenges motivate me to find solutions.
What are the challenges of the job?
Differing expectations are placed on Council from our community and meeting these can be challenging. The recent number of extreme weather events has been disheartening with many of our spaces and places impacted and no longer available for the same public access as before. Remediating and reopening these sites has been the biggest task and challenge in 2023.
How could the public make it easier for you to get your job done?
Kia atawhai te whenua. Kia atawhai te tangata. Be respectful to our places. Always be kind - our people are people too and they work for council to contribute to the betterment of Tairāwhiti.
How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
Hanging with my whānau and kuri, enjoying the beach and māra kai