Roimata Maihi
Foreperson
Hawkins
Winner of the Special Merit Award in the Professional Woman of the year - site based
What inspired you to get into construction?
I have been in construction for 22 years now.
I had applied for 32 office jobs and got only one call back, which was Hawkins looking for a Site Receptionist. I hadn’t fully comprehended that the job would be on a construction site.
Mark Katterns, the project manager, interviewed me, which was a very blunt but straight talk conversation, and I got the job!
In 2000 I had my son and resigned from Hawkins to be a full time single mum; however with the support of Hawkins I was encouraged to return to work and over the years Mark has become a firm whanau friend and coach.
I have been supported by Hawkins in completing my Bachelor of Business in Business Economics, Employment Relations and Human Resource Management and my Construction Management papers. I was chosen to be part of the two-year Hawkins Cadetship Programme which gives participants a strong grounding in the diversity of roles and relationships that support our team construction environments.
What are you most passionate about in the industry? or what drives you to be involved?
I like being challenged. I love learning and I value, team. I am a clear communicator and strong planner.
Since being promoted into a Supervisory role, I know what it is like to be the only wahine and vying to be treated equally.
I am passionate about encouraging and inspiring other wahine mā to join the industry so we can start to balance the scales. Construction industry salaries are high compared to many other wahine mā dominated industries.
The construction industry has clear and diverse pathways to excel. Many of our key Hawkins leaders started as apprentices and have built very successful leadership careers. We have more and more women joining us as apprentices, quantity surveyors and in the BIM-technology areas...but not enough!
I also manaaki (give back) having been a foundation member and wahine leader of Ako Whakaruruhau, Hawkins Maori and Pasifika trades training work matching and mentoring programme, through which I currently mentor six wahine across Hawkins subcontracting whanau. Through our parent company Downer I also facilitated the first Te Ara Whanake Wahine Toa (Maori leadership programme for women) and kicking off the second intake at the end of year.
What would you like to see for the future of women in construction?
Leaders in all trades and management roles. Women owning their own business and most important women supporting women in construction.
Words of wisdom or tips for women at the start of or considering a career in construction
- Take ownership of your career
- Construction will give you skills to build and maintain your own home and build your future
- The Construction industry is all about people and it is vast. We build teams that build whanau that stay together forever!
What is your favourite thing to do for fun?
I love being with my whanau and friends and enjoying each other’s company either over a cup of tea or wine and celebrating each other’s success from the smallest to the greatest feats!
Unuhia te rito o te harakeke, kei hea te kōmako e kō?
Ui mai ki ahau, “he aha te mea nui o te Ao?”
Māku e kī atu,
He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata!
If you remove the central shoot of the flax bush, where will the bellbird find rest?
If you were to ask me, “What is the most important thing in this world?”
I would reply,
“It is people, it is people, it is people!”
What has winning this award meant to you?
The award I receive is recognition of professionalism on site. The hope is that it may inspire all Māori & Pasifika wahine mā
To keep in touch about the awards in 2022 check our awards page
here.
