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Staff Profile: Christine Lovett
Christine Lovett is the Service Centre Manager at the Whanganui Collectables and Solutions Centre. She manages the dedicated staff who package, process and deliver all of New Zealand Post’s stamps, coins and other collectables. Chrissie has been with New Zealand Post for more than 25 years.
When did you join New Zealand Post and what was your role?
I joined what was known as the Philatelic Bureau in 1995 as a philatelic officer. In 2010 I became Operations Team Leader and in 2019 I stepped into the role of Service Centre Manager.
When I first started, I was part of a large team that put together our annual albums and annual stamp packs and collectables. Today we are an efficient team of 21 in Whanganui, and we work alongside the six people in the Wellington team.
I would like to acknowledge the loss of two of our valued colleagues in 2020: Teresa Crowley (Customer Service) and John Arundel (Inventory Support). They are dearly missed by everyone here.
How would you describe your day-to-day role in 2021?
I recently faced some new challenges as Service Centre Manager, as did the rest of the world, as we figured out how to work under the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. We managed to stay focused and adapted quickly to new ways of working. We were proud that, despite the circumstances, we were still able to achieve a timely delivery of products.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is being involved with the development of design concepts and seeing them turned into high-quality products. I am very passionate about our stamps and coins and very proud to be in my position.
Tell us about your favorite stamp or coin issues and why you loved them.
There are quite a few to choose from, having been here for 25 years! I loved the artwork in the 2001 Art from Nature stamp issue. I love when we’re able to print stamps celebrating sporting wins - it makes me proud to be a Kiwi. I also love our quirky Kiwiana designs. My favourite coin issue was quite recent - Te Riu-a-Māui - Zealandia, which was issued in 2019 and sold out within 48 hours.
If you could do another job for a day, what would it be and why?
I’d be a PA for the Jane Barnes Band. I love music so it would be great fun.
Tell us something surprising about you.
I’m in my early 60s but I think it’s never to late to learn new things. I love to swim, so I’ve purchased a surf board.