Andrea is a Software Engineer at Datacom but also Manager of Wynyard Quarter's Daldy Street Community Garden.
"A major issue facing the world is the degradation of the natural environment. I try to take every opportunity to be in touch with nature and develop a real love for it, and promote initiatives that will help revive the earth. I think if we have a strong intention to make a positive difference, opportunities to do so will sprout (gardening pun intended)"
We caught up with Frith Walker - Manager of Placemaking at Panuku - she’s been working on the waterfront for many years, including projects like Silo Park.
Commercial & Marina Ops Coordinator at Viaduct Marina.
”I came to New Zealand for a six week stay to complete my Yacht-Master certificate 11 years ago, and never left. (I took leave from my job as a deckhand on a Superyacht in the Bahamas and never returned. I hope they are not still waiting for me to come back.) I took a job at the Viaduct as a temporary fill in and loved it so much I am still here 10 years on. I have been extremely fortunate that I have fallen in to some amazing opportunities.”
Geeling Ching is one of the fun-loving, open-minded, forces behind the ASB Waterfront Theatre as the Business Development Manager.
”I work with a lot of young women in our usher and front of house teams at the Theatre. I love to see their youthful enthusiasm and even though this is a time of great change, a lot of the challenges I saw growing up have remained the same. I pass on the same advice I would give my teenage self. I offer them non-judgmental support and try to have as much fun as I can with them. They are pretty special people and I love them. They’re the daughters I never had.”
After swapping Law for Environmental Management at university, Paula found her calling in project and development management, and its a good thing too. As Panuku Development Auckland’s Waterfront Development Manager Paula has a large and varied portfolio of projects to deliver across Wynyard Quarter and we’re lucky to have her.
If you’re there (on Queens Wharf) at sunrise when you see this absolutely gorgeous cruise ship coming in and the sun coming up and it’s quite magnificent. It welcomes our tourists and visitors - it’s got that role of welcome and enhances our manaakitanga - our hospitality.
“It’s a privilege to be able to go out of our way to help and go that extra mile to make (a cruise passengers) visit to Auckland the best it can be.” - Janis.
"We get asked all sorts of questions. Visitors look at my name tag and ask "Where's Louise". The strangest question would have to be "Is a rugby pitch really 100mts?" - Thelma.
Thelma Phillips and Janis Cohen, Karanga Kiosk and Cruise Ship Volunteers.
Having carefully curated a career in events and placemaking, Leehane Stowers has an impressive CV rich in experience. What makes Leehane so great at her job? She leads with emotion, passion and heart. In this City of Neighborhoods podcast Leehane tells us about International Families Day and what makes recognition events such as this, so important to Panuku.
Katelyn Orton is a small town girl from rural Australia. Listen to how she went from growing up on a farm to leading one of the busiest and largest regeneration portfolio’s in New Zealand. And leading a team of 70% women to boot.
We chat with Tina Symmans - Chair of America's Cup Events Limited about her career and her work on the waterfront getting Auckland Ready for the America's Cup.
We chat with our Waterfront Kiosk Managers Karen Jensen and Jo Findlay about the interesting and varying work they do in Wynyard Quarter and Queens Wharf. From the day to day running of the kiosk to helping out stranded tourists and injured visitors, our kiosk staff are immensly talented.