Abby Sambrooke APHRNZ

What led you to a career in HR/ the position that you are in currently? 

My path to HR started with genuine curiosity about organisational psychology during my Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Psychology and Management. I've always been intrigued by understanding how and why people do what they do - particularly in workplace settings. 

When I joined Cello, I initially wore multiple hats including HR, Office Management, and Executive Assistant duties. As we grew in both size and maturity as an organization, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to choose a specialisation path. HR was a natural choice because it allowed me to apply that foundational interest in organisational psychology in a very practical way. 

What really drives me is the recognition that we spend such a significant portion of our lives at work. Being able to support a positive and inclusive environment where people can grow and develop feels incredibly rewarding and meaningful. It's about creating workplaces where people can thrive, not just survive.

What do you love about working in HR?

What I love most about working in HR is the incredible variety and depth the role offers. Every day brings different challenges - one moment I might be working on strategic initiatives like leadership development programmes with external specialists, and the next I'm supporting an individual employee through a career transition or onboarding a new team member. 

There's a real strategic impact to the work that goes beyond just administering policies. I'm actively involved in shaping our workplace culture and organisational development across multiple locations. Whether it's updating our compliance frameworks or developing leadership capabilities through management training workshops, I can see how these initiatives directly influence how people work and interact.

The human connection aspect is incredibly rewarding. Being there for people during key moments - whether they're starting their journey with us or navigating challenges - and knowing that I'm contributing to creating a positive and supportive work environment where people can grow and develop.

I also love that it allows me to apply that organisational psychology foundation from my degree in very practical ways. I get to observe and understand what actually motivates our teams and how different approaches impact behaviour and culture.

Finally, the field itself is constantly evolving, which means I'm always learning. From working toward my Chartered membership to staying current with best practices, there's always an opportunity to grow and bring new insights to the organisation.

What is an achievement so far in your career that you are proud of?

I'm particularly proud of achieving my HRNZ Accredited Professional status, which represents not just personal growth but a formal recognition of the expertise I've developed over my career.
But equally meaningful is the role I've played in supporting our organisation's significant growth - from 45 to over 120 FTE employees. This wasn't just about scaling up existing processes; it required fundamentally building and improving our HR systems and processes as the company matured.

I am grateful to have had the chance to transition from wearing multiple hats across various functions to focusing primarily on HR while establishing it as a strategic function rather than just administrative support. This evolution allowed me to lead major compliance initiatives and policy development projects while successfully managing comprehensive HR operations across multiple locations.

Throughout this journey, I've been able to focus on creating and enhancing our workplace culture and employee experience. Seeing how thoughtful HR strategy and systems can directly support both individual growth and organizational success has been incredibly rewarding.

It's been fulfilling to apply that organisational psychology background in ways that have real, measurable impact on how people experience work and how the business operates.

What are your thoughts on the Accredited Professional Member process?

The Accredited Professional Member process was exceptionally well designed and supported. From the outset, everything was clearly explained, which helped me understand exactly what was expected and how to approach each component.

Having an HRNZ mentor throughout the process was fantastic - it provided that personal guidance and accountability that made a real difference. Being able to discuss challenges, get feedback on my progress, and have someone who understood both the process and the profession was invaluable.

The workshops run by the HRNZ team were equally valuable. They provided practical insights, networking opportunities with other HR professionals going through the same journey, and helped bridge the gap between the theoretical requirements and real-world application.

Overall, the process felt rigorous but achievable, and the support structure made it a genuinely positive professional development experience rather than just a hurdle to overcome.

Do you plan to now work towards becoming a Chartered Member?  

Absolutely! I've already started on the path toward Chartered membership. After such a positive experience with the Accredited Professional process, I'm excited to continue that professional development journey. Chartered membership represents the next level of professional excellence, and I want to ensure I'm equipped with the highest level of expertise as our organisation continues to evolve.

What are your next steps in terms of your career?

My immediate focus is completing my Chartered membership journey, which I'm already progressing through. This will ensure I'm equipped with the highest level of expertise as our organization continues to evolve.

I'm excited to continue expanding my strategic influence, particularly in areas like leadership development and organisational design where I've seen real impact. Staying current with emerging HR trends is also important - the field is evolving rapidly, and I want to bring fresh insights to support our people and business objectives.

Longer-term, I'm interested in taking on more senior leadership responsibilities and contributing back to the HR community, whether through mentoring other professionals or getting more involved with HRNZ activities.