Tauranga businesses gathered recently to explore practical steps for building a stronger workforce at our Futureproofing Tauranga’s Workforce event. Hosted by Meg Davis, Project Manager at Priority One, and supported by Zespri, Craigs Investment Partners, LT McGuinness, Robotics Plus, and QJumpers, the event offered valuable insights into attracting and retaining skilled talent in the region.

The event began with a keynote from Sam Fitzpatrick, People and Culture Leader at Zespri. Sam shared how Zespri has revolutionised workplace culture by empowering leaders, actively listening to employee feedback, and fostering an environment where people choose to stay. Her insights demonstrated the importance of a values-driven approach to talent retention. This was followed by a panel discussion, moderated by Meg Davis, where experts shared their strategies:

• Natalie O’Donoghue, Robotics Plus, explained how their team attracts niche skills and encourages diverse perspectives to foster innovation.
• Jack McGuinness, LT McGuinness, spoke about the benefits of hands-on trade experience and apprenticeship programmes to develop local talent.
• Angie Smith, Craigs Investment Partners, discussed their focus on community engagement and the role of employee value proposition initiatives in retaining staff.
• Simon Oldham, QJumpers, highlighted how AI tools can proactively source talent in a competitive job market.

The event also introduced the Work Life Tauranga website, a hub for connecting talent and businesses. Job seekers can explore our members, opportunities, resources, and lifestyle benefits, while businesses can access tools to streamline onboarding and attract skilled professionals.

The site’s Journey page offers numerous resources along with a downloadable Welcome Pack to help new arrivals settle into the region. Attendees were given a preview of the Find Your Flow campaign, a video series sharing stories of people who’ve chosen Tauranga as their home. These stories address common challenges—such as work-life balance and job satisfaction—showing how Tauranga offers meaningful solutions. The first episode features Zespri’s Jayde McLean, an inspiring example of our region’s unique lifestyle benefits.

This event emphasised the collaborative effort required to futureproof Tauranga’s workforce. By sharing knowledge and resources, local businesses are taking proactive steps to make the region a top choice for skilled talent.

If you’re ready to be part of this journey, visit the Work Life Tauranga and discover the resources and opportunities available. If you’d like to discuss how Work Life Tauranga can support your recruitment efforts get in touch with Meg Davis for a chat.