Tanya Kaihe, Community Investment and Development Manager

Introducing Tanya Kaihe, SKYCITY's new Community Investment and Development Manager. Tanya comes from a social work background working with primarily young Maori and Pacifika to deliver initiatives that impacted social change and justice within these communities. She worked in Auckland and Northland at grass-roots level for some time and over the years moved to more policy related, strategic and senior management roles. We sat down with Tanya to get a better understanding of her role within SKYCITY and what she has in store for the future.

Give us a brief description of your role :

My role has two key focuses : The first is to manage the SKYCITY New Zealand Community Trusts and work with them to maximise the positive impact they have within the community. The second part is SKYCITY’s community investment and development, where I will focus primarily on youth development and creating employment pathways for them within our business. Working with internal managers and staff first, ensuring we have the right resources to create a safe and nurturing work environment at SKYCITY for young people to thrive.

What do you enjoy most about your role thus far?

I have really enjoyed venturing into new territory with SKYCITY. Change often means disrupting the system to implement innovation. In the youth space, I’ve arrived to a blank canvas. I’m working with people who are really passionate and in sync with what the company is trying to achieve.

What sorts of challenges have you encountered in your role or you think you will encounter?

The main challenges so far have been people understanding my role (as it’s a new role within the business) and helping our employees realise that Corporate Social Responsibility not only has an impact externally but also very much internally. It is not a nice to do but a must to do, an expectation of businesses in the 21st century. We need to work out how we’re going to coordinate and socialise that impact, and the related changes, across the whole of SKYCITY.

What made you want to come work for SKYCITY?

I liked that SKYCITY was a large corporate organisation with an incredibly diverse employee population. Not coming from a Corporate space, I saw a challenge that could be turned into an opportunity. I could see that the Board and senior leaders were authentic in their desire to move forward and truly embrace the power of diversity, breaking norms and making a real difference in the community. This will be a real learning curve for some and I liked that SKYCITY employed me (laugh) to assist with the journey. Some great things are already happening, for instance Tahuna Te Ahi (Maori Leadership programme) and Winning Women and emphasis on youth development is really exciting.

What do you enjoy about working at SKYCITY thus far?

(Laughs) I really enjoy the employee cafeteria! I like that everyone I’ve encountered so far at SKYCITY is so open and willing to learn. I believe that “it’s okay not to know, but it’s not okay not to learn”. I like that everyone is ready to step out of their comfort zones and challenge their inner beliefs and biases to expand their views.

What do you hope to achieve throughout your time at SKYCITY?

I want to ensure that everyone at SKYCITY, has a sense of commitment and understanding why we are doing what we do. That investing and developing, in our communities is the right thing to do and is good for everyone. I’d like to establish authentic relationships with external funders, corporate and community partners to get young people into a sustainable and secure job, here at SKYCITY.

What do you believe makes SKYCITY different to other organisations?

When I started at SKYCITY, I wanted to come in with an open mind and no expectations. The number of employees and cultural richest and diversity means it’s a community in itself. Everyone has been so helpful and friendly from the moment you step through the door. There are some real long termers here, who have made SKYCITY a part of their lives, which speaks volumes.

What is your background?

I was born and raised in South Auckland. My mother is Australian, and my father is Maori (from the Hokianga of Nga Puhi desent). I went to Epsom Girls Grammar School and was a high school dropout and went to Queensland to live and meet my Australian whanau. I eventually returned to New Zealand and completed my Social Work Diploma and have worked serving my community ever since. All my children were part of the Te Kohanga Reo (Maori language and traditions) movement and immersed in their culture being Indigenous to Aotearoa. We have 5 children from a blended family, with 4 grandchildren.

I am currently completing my Post Graduate Diploma in Maori Business Development to eventually support my Iwi (tribe) with social and economic development.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Food, food, food! I once owned a café a few years back called Café Te Akau in Weymouth, Manurewa. We were one of the first café in South Auckland to win the Metro Award three years running which, to me, was a huge achievement and something I am very proud of. Safe to say I enjoy all things hospo.

My family also has a background in event management so I enjoy music and going to shows / performances.

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