Top of mind Tēnā koutou katoa. My name is Amy Clarke, and I’m thrilled to be able to write the introduction for this edition and introduce myself as the newest member of the HRNZ whānau.
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t the time of writing, we were optimistic the worse of the pandemic was behind us. Sadly this is not the case, so please treat this issue as a look to the future, towards some of HR’s challenges ahead. I've recently started as the Manager, Professional Standards and Development. As part of my role, I will be responsible for ensuring we deliver good-quality content to members through all our channels. I’m really looking forward to bringing my voice as a member and an HR professional to conversations internally and externally. And I’m also looking forward to linking in with communities I am a part of and involved in outside of my day-today mahi and ensuring I bring an LGBTQI+ point of view to whatever table I’m sitting at. I think one of the greatest tasks for our future is challenging the old rhetoric of ‘doing something the way we’ve always done it’. Tied closely to this is recognising where we have strengths as individuals and as a profession, and where we need to look outwards to seek the expertise of others. Diversity and inclusion is a topic that sits close to my heart, and I think the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us really valuable lessons about what agility, flexibility and inclusivity in organisations can achieve. One of our challenges should be ensuring we
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build these lessons into how we work in the future. For me, I’ve seen workplaces become more inclusive, more understanding and more human through the past 18 months. I know this experience isn’t consistent across Aotearoa and sometimes isn’t consistent across organisations or even teams. I’d love to challenge us all as trusted advisers and experts in our workplaces to ensure we are championing positive change, and that when we talk about working flexibly, we explore all the opportunities involved. Inclusive spaces and practices will benefit everyone, not just our minority communities. If you’re interested in learning more about the work being done with minority communities, check out the links below. A wealth of resources and documents are out there to kick off your learning journey. And many of these organisations either offer or can link you in with more formalised learning pathways, including running training for your workplaces. For now, look after yourselves and each other. Ngā mihi mahana
National rainbow organisations: OUTLine NZ Confidential, free, LGBTQI+affirming support line and face-to-face counselling, phone 0800 688 5463 (0800 OUTLINE). www.outline.org.nz
RainbowYOUTH
Support and referral services, dropin centres, peer-support groups and resources for queer and gender diverse youth and their wider communities across Aotearoa. www.ry.org.nz
InsideOUT
Resources, education, hui and tools to produce safer schools and communities for young people of minority genders, sexes and sexualities. www.insideout.org.nz
Gender Minorities Aotearoa
Information about gender-affirming healthcare and changing ID documents, a free binder project, access to free facial IPL, drop-in shop and centre, a database of community support services around the country, and an online peersupport group, based on a kaupapa Māori approach. www.genderminorities.com
Amy Clarke
