Our Graduates

Megan Lyon, BA
Business Development Manager
Hamilton City Theatres, Hamilton City Council

Currently...
Megan Lyon gets to see lots of shows, all in the name of business. Megan is responsible for business development at three Hamilton theatres; for bringing acts to the city, for marketing and promoting them and making sure that the venues are sustainable. Under Megan’s watch, the council has introduced a subscription season.

"It’s hard to believe but the three theatres host more than 700 events each year, some small community-based, others huge and part of national or international tours. I ran an art gallery in Auckland before taking the Hamilton job. I like combining arts with business, finding new opportunities, and it’s exciting to be part of the drive to grow the arts in Hamilton."

Future Plans:
Megan is planning ways to bring more edgy, fringe theatre to the city and is also part of a push to make more use of outdoor stadia for city events.

Mark Ryan, BBA(Fin)
Student
Waikato Management School

Background:
While his skatey mates were looking for stairs to kick-flip, Mark Ryan was watching movies and reading books about investment and the stock markets. Then he started to buy shares and watch his money grow. "I liked the risk, the adrenalin rush I got playing the markets." And when he saw a new degree that homed in on the business of finance, Mark was literally first in the queue to enrol.

Currently...
"I like the fact the degree is three years and directly covers what I need to learn for financial analysis, and covers it in depth. It means that when I graduate I’ll have choices about where I can work, in a major corporate, a bank, the stock exchange and, ultimately, I’d like to be a private investor."

Mark Westerby, BCS
Director
New Zealand Fringe Festival

Background:
Mark Westerby is an all rounder in the arts world. He’s an actor, singer, producer and currently director of the New Zealand Fringe Festival.

Currently...
It’s Mark’s job to organise the annual festival, to find and coordinate a variety of acts that encompass all areas of the arts including theatre, visual arts and new media.

"It can be a springboard for new and emerging artists – the Conchords started at the Fringe – so we tend to be a bit of an engine room for fresh talent."

Since graduating with his BCS, Mark has worked as a project/production manager at London and Australian Fashion Weeks, the Tropfest Short Film Festival, Sydney Film Festival, as a film producer and most recently, as a performer at Madame Tussauds in London.

In Wellington, where he’s now based, he gets to help promote new talent, and continues to develop his own interests in theatre, film and music.

"Every day is completely different. I enjoy the variety and creativity of this industry."

Aaron Clarke, BCGD
Designer
Juice TV

Currently...
Aaron Clarke walked out of university and into television. Aaron is the music channel’s only full-time designer, spending his days creating motion graphics for television commercials, promotions and programmes, and creating static images for the channel’s printed promotional material.

"I’ve got creative freedom which is great. We’re a small operation, only ten full-time staff and a handful of part-timers, so I get to do all aspects of design.

"I chose to work in television because motion graphics makes sense to me as when I have ideas I nearly always see them moving and TV is a good way to express those ideas, plus it’s a cool industry."

Shevaun Ryan, BCMS(Hons)
IT Developer
Ministry of Social Development

Currently...
A love for computer programming and maths sees Shevaun Ryan sitting pretty in the windy city. She’s writing software by day and enjoying Wellington by night. Shevaun is a junior developer with the IT Applications team for the Ministry of Social Development. With a $16 billion budget, the ministry provides income and employment support to more than a million New Zealanders. It takes care of student loans, superannuation, pensions and community services cards.

"I work on different in-house projects and on larger public ones too. I worked on developing the web application for SuperGold Card and helped write the software for the online National Directory for Family and Community Services."

Future Plans:
"When I started doing computer programming at high school, I knew I wanted to take it further. Now I have great opportunities to gain experience and promotion within the ministry right up to solution architect, and who knows what my IT future will hold after that?"

Richard Annandale, LLB(Hons)/BA

Background:
Richard Annandale had always been interested, in law but it wasn’t until he went to the University of Waikato that he realised he wanted to study and practise law.

Experience as a Waikato Student:
"My time at Waikato University Law School provided me with the necessary skills to hit the ground running when I began working in private practice at Norris Ward McKinnon," Richard says. "The Waikato degree is unique in that it provided me both a theoretical and practical understanding of the law, through mooting, client interviewing and negotiation assessments. Many employers throughout the legal profession recognise the uniqueness of the Waikato degree."

Currently...
Richard says his biggest ongoing challenge is the study and practise of law itself. "As law is constantly evolving with new laws being passed by parliament and interpretations being declared by the court, it is important to stay up with the play! Keeping up with the law is what makes law exciting and ensures that no-one day at work will ever be the same!"

On any given day, Richard may have an appearance in the High Court at Hamilton, give advice on a contract issue, urgently complete research and a letter of advice for a client, meet new clients about an employment issue and finally, play business house hockey for Norris Ward McKinnon.

Byron Harris, BMS(Hons)
Procter & Gamble, Auckland

Experience as a Waikato Student:
In his final year of the BMS at Waikato, Byron Harris did a "499", a practical paper that takes students into an organisation to do a specific project where they put what they’ve learnt at uni into practice. “I did an economic impact report for the Soundsplash organisers and got free tickets and VIP treatment at the festival. I’ve also been asked back to Raglan to do a market research report for them.” He’ll do it if he has time.

Byron can thank the strength and flexibility of his BMS for taking him into the heart of Raglan’s Soundsplash Festival and on to a position with Fortune 500 company Procter & Gamble.

Currently...
Byron has a marketing position with giant multinational Procter & Gamble, one of only two applicants selected. "I was able to argue that my four-year BMS was a stronger degree than those from other places. I could talk about my experience in a wide range of management subjects as well as my specialty areas of economics and marketing."

Jaime Perry, BMPD, Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary)
Teacher
Peachgrove Intermediate

Currently...
Five days a week Jaime Perry leaves her two young children in the competent care of others to take charge of 30 ten and eleven-year-olds.

One year into her teaching job and Jaime is loving it. "I love the interaction and the stage of development that the students are at. Children go through some big changes during their intermediate years and it’s a privilege helping them to cope as they prepare for high school. They’re also at an age where you can have a really good laugh together.

"I think having previously worked in business, having a degree and now a teaching diploma has equipped me well to deal with all those unexpected situations that crop up any time, anywhere during the school day."

Julia Booth, BMus(Hons)
Singer

Experience as a Waikato Student:
Sir Edmund Hillary Scholar Julia Booth is singing her way to success. As a PwC Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artist and New Zealand Aria Competition winner in 2008, the talented soprano is getting right inside New Zealand opera, playing small roles in big productions, learning major roles through understudying and shadow covering, and working with international conductors and artists. "It’s a brilliant way to learn."

Currently...
She also gets to sing with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa in front of hundreds of thousands of people at the SKYCITY Starlight Symphony, attend The New Zealand Opera School and take on other solo spots whenever she can. And she’s no one-talent woman either. "I toured internationally with the Langley Ukulele Ensemble for seven years but since leaving Canada, I’ve barely touched it! One year into my music degree, my passion for singing took over."

Jeroen Brijs, BSc
Advanced Research Technician
University of Waikato

Background:
Spending his spare time in the water and at the beach, Jeroen Brijs has a natural passion for freshwater and marine ecosystems.

Experience as a Waikato Student:
With a Biological Sciences major, Jeroen focused on freshwater and marine biology. He was able to satisfy his curiosity about how these ecosystems work and how we can help protect them, keeping them the way they are now.

Currently...
Jeroen now works at the University of Waikato as an Advanced Research Technician, helping with research on understanding the biology of pest fish in New Zealand. Knowledge gathered from the research is then used to develop new tools and technologies for early detection of pest fish incursions, and to control existing pest fish populations.

"What I do changes day to day. There’s a lot of variation in my job, which means I am learning a lot of new and exciting things” says Jeroen, "I’ve also got to meet heaps of different people, and have been boat electrofishing in a number of different places, such as the Waikato River, Whangamarino Wetland and Waitakere City, which has been a highlight."

Ben Pocock, BSc(Tech)
Senior Keeper and Team Leader
Wellington Zoo

Currently...
Ben Pocock knows all about the mating habits of peccaries. He’s also an expert on the eating habits of pandas. At Wellington Zoo, all the keepers have their "own" animals to monitor for health and behaviour.

Ben also works with New Zealand and overseas wildlife parks and sanctuaries on conservation projects, such as freeing the Malaysian sun bears, monitoring the kaka at Karori Wildlife Sanctuary and kereru tagging projects.

"I like being part of this great big network all working on conservation and education. Being at the zoo, I get to work with animals I’d have to travel to remote parts of the world to study. I’m an advocate for animals in the wild, but I also value the part zoos play in educating the public and in preserving endangered species."

Ben King, BSocSc(Hons)
Trade Specialist
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Currently...
Ben King sees the world with his job. A trade specialist for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), he contributes to advice to ministers about New Zealand’s foreign and trade policies. Ben has put his political science major to good use, working as press secretary for the Minister for International Trade, a trade negotiator, on the ministry’s US Trade Desk, and as Deputy Head of Mission at the New Zealand Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He then spent 18 months at the Trade Negotiations Division of MFAT, before he went to the New Zealand Embassy in Washington.

"I didn’t have a career mapped out when I completed my degree, but a year as Waikato student president gave me a taste for policy issues and I’ve since found myself working in the thick of it. My job helps ensure New Zealand gets the best deals it can in foreign markets. Sounds simple enough but it can get complicated and it’s certainly interesting."

Kim Mitchell, BSW
Student

Experience as a Waikato Student:
After completing the Certificate of Social Services at the Polytechnic, Kim decided social work was her calling.

"Waikato University offers a lot of guidance and help, I have met some amazing, inspiring lecturers and guest speakers. I have also had opportunities that I would not have been able to experience if I had not enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Work."

Currently...
Kim Mitchell is on her way to completing her BSW degree, a new degree offered in Tauranga at the University of Waikato in partnership with the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic.

Future Plans:
Kim eventually wants a career in social work, working with youth or people with disabilities.

Achievements:
In 2008 she was awarded the Bay of Plenty Alumni Adult Learners Scholarship award, and received $1000 which she put towards text books, child care and travel costs for 2009.

Irene Ground, BSpLS
Healthy Communities Coordinator
Waikato Primary Health

Currently...
Irene Ground gets people moving. She helps them make a significant lifestyle changes to improve their quality of life.

"My role is to recruit, train and retain local volunteers as community health coaches to deliver programmes to the community. Most of our programmes are about getting the community started on the journey to wellness, but it is up to them - kei a koe - only they can make the change to make the difference. We are currently running Get Walking, Get Cooking, Get Gardening, Get Moving classes."

"Helping people make small changes can make a big difference to their day-to-day living, and that’s what makes my job so rewarding."

Andrew Peart, BTchg(Primary)
Teacher

Currently...
From building houses to building a love of learning – Andrew Peart has no regrets about his recent career change.

The Hamilton primary school teacher says his career is very rewarding. "No two days are the same, actually no two minutes are the same. I have learned so much and as long as I stay teaching I will not stop learning. I love that fact that with teaching, when the students are switched on, there are 28 pairs of eyes that look up to you with a spark that makes anything seem possible."

He says he left university inspired to make a difference in children’s lives but he has found it works both ways. "Teachers can leave fingerprints on the lives of the students they teach and likewise, students can leave fingerprints on the hearts of their teachers."

Simone de Jong, BTour
Communications and Marketing
Hamilton City Council

Currently...
Simone de Jong knows every event in Hamilton, right down to the tiniest detail. She helps co-ordinate and implement large-scale events for Hamilton City Council, including Hamilton 400 V8s, Balloons over Waikato, Repco Rally New Zealand and Hamilton Gardens Summer Festival. Tourism is constantly evolving in Hamilton, a city where is tourism is booming.

One thing is sure, no two days are the same for Simone. One day she is assisting with brand recognition at an event Hamilton city has sponsored, and the next she is hosting VIPs at a national event such as the V8s.

"Hamilton is attracting tourists through hosting hallmark events and conferences – Events like the V8s are putting Hamilton on the map worldwide" she says.

"Visitor numbers keep growing and we make Hamilton an attractive area to host these types of world-class events. In return, our visitor numbers rise and we create more employment opportunities and income for local businesses.

At the same time we also need to be aware of tourism’s negative impacts such as its effect on the environment. Therefore we also run campaigns such as "greening the V8s" where we try to get as many people to bus, bike or walk in the city when events are on."

Simone also markets the Hamilton brand to New Zealand, through various methods including working with key council services and facilities to implement and co-ordinate marketing plans.

Sarah Hailes, BSc, MSc
Marine Technician
NIWA, Hamilton

Currently...
“I thoroughly enjoy my work and the seven years I spent at university completing my BSc and MSc have been worth the effort. The thing I love about my work is that every day is different and I am involved in some really interesting and often unique research.”

Chris Ferguson, BSc(Tech)
Graduate Chemist
Orica Chemnet, Mt Maunganui

Background:
Chris Ferguson embraced the opportunities his BSc (Tech) presented him with, completing a 12-month work placement in the UK before returning to New Zealand and scoring a top job at Orica Chemnet.

Currently...
“My daily work consists of a mixture of quality control on the products we make, helping develop and trial potential new products, and assisting customers with any queries or problems they have.”

Nicole Hancock, BSc, MSc(Hons)
Coastal Process Technician
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)

Currently...
"I am involved in a wide range of marine science research and commercial projects around New Zealand. Our group works on all kinds of jobs, from small individual projects, through to large multi-year research field experiments. I love the variety and every year there are new challenges and opportunities. My days are diverse; I go out in boats and deploy instruments to collect oceanographic data, then analyse it on the computer; or I compile existing data and analyse it in GIS. My favourite part is discussing and interpreting the dataset and writing it up. There is always something new to learn, so I find working in science really rewarding."

Laurie Williamson, BA (Hons)
Policy analyst/researcher

Currently...
“Education Studies is a very worthwhile subject to consider. It has helped me develop the ability to critically analyse the importance of education in society.”

Greg Van Eyk, BE
Technical Graduate
Fonterra

Currently...
“I work on projects looking at problem-solving issues or developing new products and learning everything there is to know about milk product manufacturing, from milking cows right through to product storage in supermarkets.”

Kai Zhang, BTour
Duty Manager
Mercure Hotel, Wellington

Currently...
“The hospitality industry is an exciting place – my job is to ensure we provide a quality service and product in a fast-paced environment, for our guests. I am so much more aware of the theoretical understanding of hospitality after studying at Waikato University – I wouldn’t be able to do my job without it.”

Bronwen Davies, BA, BEd, DipT

Currently...
“I love foreign languages, and drama and English have been a private hobby for me, not to mention providing more job opportunities in the teaching arena.”

Vanitha Subramaniam, MSocSc
National Operations Manager
Sustainable Business Network, Auckland

Currently...
“The Sustainable Business Network is a membership organisation that helps New Zealand businesses on the journey to become sustainable. My role is running the internal operations including managing HR, IT and administration. I am also responsible for 15 staff nationally.”

Mark Kingsford, BMS (Hons)

Currently...
“The skills learnt in case competitions stand you in good stead when you’re out in the business world. The competition gives students a great opportunity to analyse an actual business and decide on practical strategies for growth – skills that are used on a daily basis in the work we do.”

Matt Cooper, BTchg
Teacher
Hautapu School

Currently...
“Teaching was definitely the right career choice for me. I love how every day is different. I get to spend time inside the classroom and outside doing a range of things such as camp and sports days. Watching children grow and learn because of something I’ve done is a real thrill.”

Kylie Reynolds, BA, DipT (Secondary School)
Drama, English and Dance Teacher
Te Kuiti High School

Currently...
“I enjoy the opportunity to pass on the passion I have for the Arts and to motivate students to achieve their personal best. There is never a dull moment and some days it doesn’t even feel like work because I have so much fun!”

Amanda Banks, BSocSc, MSocSc
Policy Adviser
Environment Waikato

Currently...
“Women’s Studies helped me to understand my place in New Zealand as a Pakeha woman and also to understand how different things are for other women in other countries and societies. It also helped develop my tolerance and understanding of other cultures – this is particularly important in local government where you’re dealing with such a cross section of the community.”

Akanisi Nabalarua, LLB/BMS (Hons)

Background:
Akanisi Nabalarua has embraced the opportunities offered by her conjoint degree in Law and Management (LLB/BMS(Hons)). Now in her final year, she says she appreciated the practical work experience and the chance to take part in competitions. On the practical work front, Akanisi, who majored in Strategic Management in her BMS, has just completed her “599” project. She compared New Zealand and Fiji employers and how they implement work and family practices to assist employees, and considered the assumption that the different family culture in these countries has an influence in the workplace.
On the competition side, she represented Waikato in the Witness Examination competition at the Australian Law Students’ Association Conference in Tasmania in 2008. She followed that with a student exchange to the University of Ghent in Belgium where the law papers she studied have been credited to her Waikato law degree. On her return, Akanisi successfully applied for an internship at the United Nations, which meant eight fantastic weeks in New York. “I never thought that my experiences and study at Waikato would help me get an internship at the UN Headquarters in New York City, working with amazing students from around the world, but it just goes to show that we can compete and stand our ground with the best.”
Akanisi’s involvement in university life has extended beyond study: she was on the committee of the Pacific Island Law Students’ Association, a Waikato Management School student mentor, a student ambassador to secondary schools and a Law tutor at College Hall.

Ally Naylor, BA
Production Coordinator/Producer
DPOD

Currently...
Ally Naylor’s happiest when she’s in the thick of things. That means her role as Production Coordinator at DPOD, one of New Zealand’s busiest digital printers, is perfect for her. As well as being personally responsible for 100 clients – managing their print requirements from quote through to finished product – she leads a five-person production team and is on DPOD’s management team. Ally, who majored in Screen and Media Studies and Linguistics, also controls the company’s digital and wide format teams in their Wellington office and manages the design studio. “I love my job because it’s about people and quality, I work with a fantastic team who are all supportive, and I get to work on a huge range of projects with genuinely great clients. The atmosphere here is young, energetic and creative. No day is ever the same.” Ally’s commitment extends beyond her job description: “I’m just basically in charge of keeping everyone positive to make sure we maintain our reputation as the best digital printer in Wellington.”

Marietjie Muijs, BCS
Group Account Director
The Promotions Factory, Australia

Currently...
Marietjie Muijs is seeing red – literally. She works with one of the world’s most famous brands to ensure its iconic colour is on every thirsty shopper’s mind. Marietjie is Group Account Director at the largest privately owned below-the-line marketing agency in Australia, The Promotions Factory, and she manages the agency’s biggest account, Coca-Cola. She works with marketing and brand managers within the huge Coca-Cola family to make sure their below-the-line (outside of mainstream media advertising) marketing and promotions fit with the group’s strategy. She’s a frequent inter-Aussie traveller and her support on the Coke brands, products and marketing campaigns also takes her overseas. She also developed a range of CocaCola FIFA 2010-branded merchandise for the Soccer World Cup in South Africa.

Tim Dawson, BCGD
Owner and Director
Ghost Street

Currently...
Tim Dawson loves being his own boss. He recently set up a web design company, Ghost Street, which sees him take on a range of roles from art direction and design through to programming and development. Tim has worked for leading businesses and agencies, designing and building websites, but his appreciation for graphic work and media propelled him out on his own. “I love the excitement of being on the leading edge of technology. I also enjoy being able to work closely with clients to help them realise their business identity.” Proving location is no restriction to web work, he’s just built a website for the Sydney Opera House Bar, a complex project requiring Flash animation, a content management system, and audio and video players. Then there’s the highly creative work he really relishes: “Creating engaging experiences for the user, more than websites but actual brand interaction platforms. That’s what I really love.”

Matt Brown, BCMS (Hons)
Site Reliability Engineer
Google Dublin

Currently...
From Waikato University to internet giant Google – Matt Brown is going places. Matt has always had an interest in the internet and his BCMS degree has given him the essential skills needed in computer science. “I started working in IT doing small scale consulting while still in high school, I continued that through my degree and I’ve now been employed full-time for five years since graduating,” says Matt. Currently, Matt works as a Site Reliability Engineer for Google. He leads a team of six system administrators and programmers who are working on systems to improve the efficiency of Google’s internal computing infrastructure. “Not much stays constant in our industry for long,” says Matt. “The benefit of the BCMS degree is that you learn the skills you need to teach yourself and stay up-to-date as technology changes and develops.” The best thing about Matt’s job is being able to contribute to other Google products and see them used by thousands of people.

Carine Poot, BECom (Hons)
Search Specialist
PHDiQ

Currently...
Carine Poot’s a professional searcher who has found her feet in advertising. As a Search Specialist at PHDiQ, the digital division of leading media agency SparkPHD, Carine helps clients develop search engine marketing strategies that will ensure maximum web exposure. “This means everything from helping plan search campaigns to writing the copy for ads. My job also involves quite a bit of research to keep up to date with the industry as things change pretty quickly online.” Before moving to PHDiQ, Carine was with Saatchi & Saatchi where her highlights included helping record behind-the-scenes footage of a TV commercial shoot for the web, and helping plan and execute an award-winning campaign on a social networking site. “My ultimate career goal is to become a Digital Strategist. I’m passionate about strategy and helping businesses to understand how they can best use digital channels.”

Carla Bond-Smith, BE (Hons)
Business Manager, Paediatric Nutrition
Fonterra

Currently...
Carla Bond-Smith is working for frazzled mothers and babies everywhere. The BE(Hons) graduate in Biochemical Engineering joined global dairy giant Fonterra on leaving Waikato. As a Product Technologist, she developed and commercialised several hydrolysate (broken-up protein) ingredients for specialty infant formula aimed at preventing milk protein allergy. Adding a few Strategic Management papers to her CV after graduating then enabled her to join Fonterra’s Paediatric Nutrition team as the link between her technical and marketing colleagues. Now she’s been promoted to Business Manager, where she is responsible for developing ingredient strategies and driving new product development projects to increase growth in Fonterra’s paediatric ingredients business.

Louisa Davies,
Research Consultant
Urban Economics, Brisbane

Currently...
Louisa Davies has made a career out of the study of people and places. Her job as a research consultant at Urban Economics is to help her clients – from retailers and property developers to local, state and federal authorities – better understand the communities they operate in. “The work for developers might mean providing them with locational advice to identify the best site for them to develop for a particular use, like a childcare centre, or helping them understand the market feasibility of their proposed development. With local councils, State Government and Federal Government we provide an independent advisory service and help with strategic planning for future growth.” She also helps prepare reports for court hearings when there is conflict over development and provides ongoing advice to Brisbane Airport Corporation over its master-plan for the airport’s expansion. Louisa is applying every day the principles learned in her Geography major: “It’s about understanding how different people interact with their environment and surroundings, and the influence their cultural, religious, socio-economic and environmental values have on that.”

Tim Shepheard, BMS
National Account Manager
IDC Australia

Currently...
Behind every new technology launch are hours of market analysis and strategic planning and that’s what Tim Shepheard thrives on. An analyst with IT and telecommunications technology research company IDC, Tim’s work involves helping customers to understand the ICT market and forecasting consumer and business trends. His customers – the likes of HP and Telecom – rely on this independent research when creating and implementing strategies. “Because we work at the senior executive level, you get to have a real input into the strategies of major companies. It’s really rewarding to then see this playing out in the market.” Tim’s role also includes providing media commentary when required, a good way of building an industry profile. While he’s currently enjoying the buzz of Sydney after transferring from IDC’s Auckland office, he has his sights set on IDC London. “One of the best parts of working for a worldwide company and for global clients is the chance to travel on the job.”

Donna Tuwhangai, BMPD
Project Manager / Programme Coordinator
Maniapoto Māori Trust Board / Te Waka Pu Whenua

Currently...
Donna Tuwhangai is living her commitment to her people every time she goes to work. Part-time work with Maniapoto Māori Trust Board after graduating led to her role as a project manager responsible for developing a rangatahi (youth) strategy. She began by organising a summit so rangatahi could share their ideas on effective iwi development and learn about Maniapoto history and traditions. “We had over 100 rangatahi involved, aged from 10 to their early 20s.” She is also researching the implementation of a Geographic Information System as part of a site of significance project and examining how the technology could help analyse iwi demographics. Blending past and future is also a theme in her other part-time job as programme coordinator with Māori adult education centre Te Waka Pū Whenua. The centre focuses on improving interaction between kaumātua and youth. Equipping them to communicate with mokopuna via the internet is one example; a garden where kaumātua work with children, teaching them about soil health, plant care and planting by the Matariki calendar is another.

Joe Hitchcock,
Indie Film Director

Currently...
Storybook royalty to no-budget horror to tortured model elves – it’s all in a day (and night’s) work for Joe Hitchcock. To date Joe, who majored in Screen and Media Studies, has worked on four Hollywood movies as well as his own projects. His role as Art Department Assistant on 30 Days of Night, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, James Cameron’s much-anticipated Avatar and Yogi Bear encompasses everything from building models to image touch-up. As if that’s not plenty to be getting on with, Joe won an AMP Scholarship in 2006 to make his own stop-frame animation film The North Pole Deception. The painstaking process (“It takes one 12-hour night to do 10 seconds”) will eventually yield a short film about Santa’s tortured elves – a message about serious human rights issues told through humour. When he’s not helping out Hollywood, Joe works as a freelance Director of Photography/Camera Operator. He was DOP on wife Marama Killen’s feature film Kaikahu Road, due for festival release next year, and is also branching out into music videos. Seems he’s living his own sequel: 30 Days of Nights Without Sleep.

Kori Lentfer, BSc(Tech)
Engineering Geologist
Coffey Geotechnics

Currently...
Kori Lentfer likes to get his hands dirty. The Engineering Geologist’s fascination with soil and rocks has taken him around the world as a consultant, including work in the United Kingdom and a stint in the Middle East working on large infrastructure projects. Now based in Tauranga, his job with global specialist ground engineering consultancy Coffey Geotechnics is just as varied. He works on multiple projects, from small-scale construction sites to his current major project, the 28-turbine wind farm Meridian Energy is building inland of Raglan. Here, Coffey Geotechnics is responsible for earthworks construction monitoring and certification, along with investigating opportunities during the project for design refinement that will reduce construction costs. Like every project, it began with a blank slate. “You start off not knowing anything about a project or particular site and you have do your research, investigation and testing to develop a ground model, and then continually prove and refine your model. It’s really satisfying.”

Andrew Corkill, BSocSc (Hons)
Reserves Planner
Hamilton City Council

Currently...
Andrew Corkill is helping to recover a small slice of New Zealand’s ecological past. He is Hamilton City Council’s liaison person on the Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park project, which is transforming 60 hectares of barren farmland into native lowland and wetlands like those that used to cover the Waikato before humans arrived in New Zealand. It’s a far cry from a graffiti-covered skateboard park but, as a planner within the Parks and Garden’s Unit of the council, that’s in his domain as well. Andrew, who majored in Geography, works on strategies to prevent criminal behaviour in the city’s 205 parks and reserves. Whether it’s organising community planting days or getting bushes cut back so there are fewer places for troublemakers to hide, Andrew enjoys it all. “It’s great to have a job that gets you out and about, and I also find it satisfying not just to do the planning, but to see the plans put into practice.” His role in the Waiwhakareke project involves working with the other partners, the community, iwi and environmental groups. “It’s the first time such a large-scale restoration of indigenous ecosystems has been undertaken in New Zealand and it’s great to be playing a part in it.”

Gabby Rogers, BSpLS (Hons)
Active Communities Coordinator
Sport Waikato

Currently...
“It’s better to wear out than rust out,” is the advice Gabby Rogers gives her clients. As an Active Communities Coordinator, Gabby’s job is to get Waikato people moving. This involves motivating and educating the public about creating a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise. It requires tasks such as giving workshop presentations, coaching, establishing exercise and prevention programmes, and visiting homes. Her clients include the elderly, community trainers, first-time athletes and people with health problems. And she loves her job: “Seeing people achieve something that they initially did not think possible or seeing athletes push through limits is really rewarding.” She is particularly fond of two of her more elderly clients who are now free from aches and pains after carefully following her programme of strengthening exercises.

Hera Harding, BTchg(Primary)
Teacher
Fairfield Primary School, Hamilton

Currently...
If you take a stroll around Fairfield Primary School with teacher Hera Harding, you will be greeted with smiling children shouting out, “Hello”. The popular and passionate teacher loves her job. She says it is “everything” about her students that makes her enjoy each day. Providing children with a lifelong passion for learning and a desire to make a difference are two of many reasons Hera chose teaching. Looking back, she has no regrets about her decision: “It is a satisfying career. It is also rewarding watching students’ confidence and knowledge grow and seeing them face new challenges on a daily basis.”