Regional Roundup: Waikato Branch

It is widely known that Waikato is the dairy capital of New Zealand, but it also has a large manufacturing sector, mainly meat and dairy products. It’s a major source of agricultural production, generates electricity for up to 20 per cent of the country’s population and has excellent opportunities for education and training. Hamilton may be known as ‘The Tron’, but within an hour’s drive, we have two different coasts, Auckland airport, countless outdoor activities to help you restore and refresh, a vast variety of career opportunities and, last but not least, it’s still an excellent place to raise a family!

Our branch committee of eight members is a neat group of people, with each lending their unique strengths and ideas to the team. We always welcome new people joining, and there’s plenty to keep us busy. The most exciting aspect, of course, is deciding which event topics our HRNZ members would find the most beneficial to their personal development and their businesses.

The committee enjoys a close relationship with several local businesses. Our main sponsor, Tompkins Wake, is our go-to organisation for our annual employment law event; which took place in February. The Effect, specialists on the vital topic of mental health at work, is also a sponsor and has given talks on topics that fit under the broad umbrella of mental health. Linda Hutchings is always hugely popular with our members; her talks draw the biggest crowds due to her passion on the subject of leadership and mentoring. Linda always provides us with straight-up advice and tangible takeaways, like, for instance, asking, “What is your company’s definition of leadership? Is it clear to those aspiring to deliver it?”. We look forward to having her back later this year.

The 2019 year was interesting. We had a talk by local immigration specialists, Neazor Brady, who clarified what the future of the immigration landscape might look like and what options companies will have. Our third sponsor, Lawson Williams, recruitment specialists, shared with us the findings from their National Turnover Survey. We discussed turnover rates, retention rates of star performers, and how to increase this rate, what low performers are attracted to and more. A key thought-provoking question was, “What might be the effect on the business if we don’t train our staff and they stay with us?”. Another successful event was our panel of three CEOs who made themselves available for a question and answer session on what business leaders want from their HR teams. Our team had prepared questions, but those from the audience also made for an interesting debate.

As we head into 2020, we bid farewell and many thanks to our Branch President, Beverley Taylor, who has kept us all going with her relentless enthusiasm. It’s always a rewarding journey to be part of the HR scene in Waikato.

Marianna Pehrson is an HR and recruitment advisor with Dairy Goat Cooperative. She has been communications and promotions officer with the HRNZ Waikato Branch for the past two years.