NZ Transport Agency - Waka Kotahi Graduate Stories

I love being surrounded by such an enthusiastic team who are motivated to make change in the transport system, and this inspires me every day to keep advocating for change.

I found that the transport company I was working at was very interesting because while I was researching and collecting data, there was some interesting data about how transport works and new ways to deal with transport in general.

I enjoy being in the office, but sometimes, when life gets in the way, there's the flexibility of working from home. So that has helped a lot, especially being a Pacific person who constantly juggles many things, such as caring for my parents or having even to do school pickups.

In the Insights team, we utilize primary research to understand and represent the needs, behaviours, and attitudes of people, allowing us to confidently develop our networks and services in partnership with them.

The best part of the emerging professional programme is the supportive network of other graduates present within the organisation who have fostered a friendly and approachable work culture.

Usually, you start a job by yourself, whereas in my role I got to start with a bunch of new friends and people who I knew were feeling just as nervous and out of place as I was.

It’s fun to be working in the environment and sustainability field, especially in the transport sector, as this is an industry where we can make a real difference in regards to New Zealand’s carbon emissions.

Be yourself and be true to yourself.

Don’t leave things until the last minute. I still do this, and it never ends well.