Aimee-Jane Anderson-O'Connor

I’m interested in what we can learn from the past, and what stories are important to us, personally and culturally.

Aimee says she was originally attracted to Waikato University because it was where her stepfather had studied and later worked (in the library).

“I’d grown up, visiting the campus, visiting Dad.”

Being awarded a Waikato University ‘Ko Te Tangata’ School Leaver’s Scholarship was another drawcard, along with the relative affordability of living in Hamilton.

“Rents were almost half what they were in Wellington and Auckland. And Hamilton had everything I wanted, and it’s central.”

Using art and creativity in the workplace

She says that the skills and knowledge she gained from studying Arts at Waikato have held her in good stead in her current role, where she uses communications, research and writing skills every day.

In her free time, Aimee loves collaborating with friends on writing projects - including zines, personal essays and poems.

She encourages others to embrace arts, culture and creativity, which Creative Waikato’s own research shows is beneficial to individuals and businesses in a multitude of ways.

There is a connection – the more people are involved in arts, culture and creativity, the higher their wellbeing is likely to be.

That research has spurred Creative Waikato to launch a workplace wellbeing programme called Creativity Everyday.

“Creativity in the workplace is really important to people’s job satisfaction. We encourage leaders to make employee wellbeing a priority, and this is one way of doing it.”