Auckland GWN: 2020 – A year of challenges and successes
Auckland GWN komiti members on the curve balls and the wins for 2020
Amy Burrell – Auckland Council Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau
Being based in New Zealand whilst all my family are back home in England (where things aren’t so great!) has been a real mental wellbeing challenge for me this year. It’s meant taking time to make sure my ‘wellbeing toolbox’ is fully equipped with strategies to use when I feel overwhelmed. It’s important to make sure I schedule phone-calls with family and friends, celebrate the things I’m thankful for and focus on my goals. Keeping busy with study and sport helps too. This ‘toolbox’ also comes in very handy with managing work stress too!
Cheryle Makaere – Ara Poutama Department of Corrections
My whakatauki: Kahore tetahi tātou, taea te mahi, ngā mahi taea o tātou katoa – Not one of us can do the work as well as all of us working together
During the first lock-down, it was very easy to overcompensate and work long hours in isolation to make up for not being “in the office, in-person.” Having regular virtual team meetings balanced that default position.
Joanne Hacking – MBIE Hīkina Whakatutuki
This year I found the lack of connection difficult as we lost the opportunity to meet in person, particularly outside Tāmaki Makaurau. Like many other people, I quickly learnt how to use several video conferencing tools and started scheduling conversations with people instead of formal meetings. This helped me to stay connected with colleagues as well as meet people in my new role.
Brooke Clifford – Serious Fraud Office Te Tari Hara Taware
Maintaining a healthy and positive routine with work and home life was a challenge for me. It took me some time to realise that it’s okay to reach out to your family, friends or peers for a helping hand when you feel like you are struggling.
Kim Egerton – NZ Customs Service Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa
It was a challenge living with the higher risk in Auckland and the changing alert levels. I asked my family, friends and colleagues what they were seeing, hearing and feeling. I shared my experience and how this made me feel. This enabled a better understanding for all.
Maria Halligan – Inland Revenue Te Tari Taake
I returned to work from maternity leave during the second lockdown and immediately felt the pressure of juggling work and tamariki. I want to acknowledge all our working mothers for holding it down for their whānau this year whilst still making an impact within their mahi. I coped by using mindfulness and breathing techniques (sometimes whilst hiding in the bathroom!). I reminded myself that although I know I can do it all, I don’t have to. I put a daily plan together for work tasks and the needs of my tamariki which I continue to use working from home a few days a week. They say happy wife happy life – well, I say happy kids, happy mama!