Amanda Croft, General Manager at Winstone Aggregates

How long have you worked at Winstone Aggregates for?

I've been here for three years now.

Have you worked in any other roles at Winstone Aggregates?

I’ve previously worked as the Commercial Manager here at Winstone, before recently being appointed to my current position.

How did you learn the skills needed for your current role?

I’ve completed an Engineering degree as well as having worked as a Chartered Accountant, but my key learning has been done on the job. The team at Winstone have a broad range of industry experts who are keen to share their knowledge and passion which when combined with fresh perspectives delivers great opportunities. 

What does your role look like on a day-to-day basis?

Every day so far has brought something different and I don’t think that will change. My day-to-day consists of working to balance safety, operational and growth projects which require me to connect with people across all areas of our business and external stakeholders. The key constant I can see will be continuous learning and curiosity. 

What are your career aspirations?

I love learning and building environments that other people can grow and stretch themselves in. Working in roles that allow me to continue to do this will always be appealing.

What are some of the favourite parts of your job?

The passion of our team, the complexity and opportunity in our business and the fact that every day we can say we are helping build the foundations of communities which our friends and whānau live in. 

What have been some challenges throughout your career?

The biggest challenges have often been about being bold enough to take the opportunities and step forward, as well as balancing my own world to look after myself. With a 4-year-old life can be a bit chaotic but looking after myself meant I can help others and lets me enjoy the ride.

What advice would you give to women wanting to get into the industry?

It is an interesting, complicated industry where fresh perspectives can add real value. Asking questions and connecting with people is the same across all industries - come and have a chat to get to know us. 

Aleesa Jennings, part of the Load & Cart Team at Hunua Quarry

How long have you worked at Winstone Aggregates for?

Since March 2019.

Have you worked in any other roles at Winstone Aggregates?

Yes, I first started off as a part-timer on the Weighbridge team. After a few months passed I became increasingly curious about the machinery used at the quarry, so I started putting my hand up for opportunities for those sorts of roles.

Originally my background was in accounts and finance, as I worked in a corporate job for 10 years before joining the Winstone Aggregates team. Starting a job at a quarry seemed quite left field but it really fit my lifestyle and over time I came to form a strong interest in the career and quarry itself.

How did you learn the skills needed for your current role?

I learned on the job, it’s a lot of hands-on practical learning. I also developed further skills through in-house training.

What does your role look like on a day-to-day basis?

My day revolves around picking up the raw aggregate straight out of the pit, loaded from the digger, and then delivering it to the processing plant. I’m fortunate to have variety in my role. On any one day, I might be cruising around in the watercart, sweeping the roads in the road sweeper or working the weighbridge when cover is needed. For now, most of my day is spent on a dump truck but I can’t wait to learn more machinery.

What are your career aspirations?

I want to continue putting my hand up for new opportunities, I really love learning and I’m not afraid to back myself and put myself forward for new things. I’m aiming high!

What are some of the favourite parts of your job?

A real favourite part of my role is getting to be the person who operates the massive machinery and equipment that’s on-site. It becomes second nature when you operate them every day but there’s still times when you sit back and think “wow, this is still amazing.” 

What have been some challenges throughout your career?

I’ve been fortunate in my role as I haven’t come across many challenges, as for most people the impact that Covid-19 has had is annoying but that’s about it.

What advice would you give to women wanting to get into the industry?

The opportunities here at Winstone Aggregates are endless. If you’re open minded,         have the right attitude and have a good sense of humour you can go a long way in this industry.

 

Allanah Toko-Mikahere, Quarry Supervisor at Roys Hill Quarry

How long have you worked at Winstone Aggregates for?

I started back in October 2016.

Have you worked in any other roles at Winstone Aggregates?

Yes, I first started in a temporary administration role. Eight months down the track I then moved full-time into the role as the Lower North Island Administrator. However, I was always keen to get out there in the yard so when the opportunity presented itself for me to switch roles, I took it in my stride.

How did you learn the skills needed for your current role?

I learned a lot of my skills through time on the job, you learn more as you progress through the years and are given new opportunities to try.

What does your role look like on a day-to-day basis?

My day typically starts with toolbox meetings and safety talks in the morning, then we get the plants up and running and check if any repairs are needed. Over the duration of the day, we do a lot of production checks to make everything is running smoothly, along with checking the ponds and the yard itself is safe. No two days are the same though, different things can happen that change up what we need to do.

What are your career aspirations?

To continue learning as much as I can within my role and the wider industry. I’m currently taking a B Grade course as a part of my Quarry Manager Certificate.   Winstone Aggregates encourages us to get educated on the industry rules, both Health & Safety and environmental focused, which is great.

What are some of the favourite parts of your job?

I love seeing the yard clean and all plants running smoothly at once – it’s very satisfying!

What have been some challenges throughout your career?

One of the biggest challenges I’ve found is simply being a woman coming into a male-dominated industry. However, personally, I’ve been fortunate as the guys that I work with are great and I’ve learnt a lot from them and their experience on the job –    they’re happy to teach and pass on their skills.

What advice would you give to women wanting to get into the industry?

Don’t be scared, just put your hand up and give things a go! Some days might be harder than others, but you’ve got to learn to take everything with a grain of salt and stay resilient. Also, never be too shy to ask for advice!

 

Tori Ngataki, Key Relationships Manager at Winstone Aggregates

How long have you worked at Winstone Aggregates for?

I started working for Winstone Aggregates in February 2020 (last year) just before the outbreak of COVID-19 in Aotearoa.

Have you worked in any other roles at Winstone Aggregates?

No. I previously worked for Fletcher Distributions (PlaceMakers) as the Regional Health and Safety Advisor in the Waikato region.

How did you learn the skills needed for your current role?

I grew up in a large whānau and we would often be at our marae (Whātāpaka) hosting visitors, in wananga and spending time with our family. This is where I learnt about manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, kaitiakitanga and about the importance of Kiingitanga and our people. These values are fundamental to the skills I have developed over the years and I continue to carry these values everywhere I go.

I was fortunate to have graduated with an MBA with distinction in 2018 which has further accelerated my career, but overall the upbringing I had at the marae and with my family is where I learnt fundamental values to support skills I need in this role.  

What does your role look like on a day-to-day basis?

Overall, every day is different. One day I can be taking a group on an excursion along the Waikato River, the next I could be hosting workshops or one on one coaching sessions with senior leaders, to planning or attending meetings on site. The new strategy currently under development keeps me busy and I am excited to be able to share this across the business over the next few months.

What are your career aspirations?

My ultimate career aspiration has always been to work for my people. In the meantime, I am still growing as a young wahine māori and gathering as many skills and expertise as I can to be the best I can be for my people.

What are some of the favourite parts of your job?

Working closely with the environment team, they’re a great group of people who are very dedicated to their work and are very supportive of what I’m trying to achieve.

In saying this, Winstone Aggregates have an authentic approach, in my opinion, about wanting to be more respectful and understanding of Te Ao Māori and how their work impacts on the world around us. I have seen leaders stepping into unfamiliar spaces, I have seen a commitment at all levels and across the business of people wanting to genuinely learn Te Ao Māori and how the business can build enduring relationships with tangata whenua. I think Winstones have shown that they want to make impactful changes of which I enjoy being a part of.

What have been some challenges throughout your career?

Overall, I have been with the Fletcher family for about 5-years and being a young māori woman in a male-dominated industry has always been challenging. In addition to this, my demographic is also underrepresented in leadership and within my workspace. This does not however deter me from being who I am, this just means that I have an added responsibility to ensure that can be as supportive as I can to help others understand who I am as a person and how I work.

In addition to this, my work involves taking people through transformational change. In light of COVID-19, we have already undergone so much change to respond and remain relevant in our current market. My role includes bringing people on a journey that often includes competing priorities. I am confident however that with the right tools and resources and with the support of the senior leaders we can achieve what we need, together.

What advice would you give to women wanting to get into the industry?

The advice I would give to women coming into this space is to understand your purpose and to back yourself. One of my own mentors told me this about 3-years ago and I still to this day carry those words with me. This doesn’t mean that you will always get things right, and often I get a lot of things wrong. But what this means is that you if you’re true to yourself and your purpose, no one can fault you. I also believe that you need to be proud of who you are wherever you come from and whatever your background. We all have something special to contribute to society.

In saying this, I am a proud wahine Māori who grew up in the heart of South Auckland, and at my Marae. I am still learning how to be the best I can be, and I believe all women are powerful and can achieve anything they want to.

Just to finish, I want to acknowledge David Welsh, former GM of Winstone Aggregates, and Ian Wallace for their continued advocacy and support.