Brittany Smith APHRNZ
What led you to a career in HR/ the position that you are in currently?
After completing my degree in Psychology at the University of Otago, I realised I had a real passion for the organisational psychology papers. I saw the value in working in an environment dedicated to making the employment lifecycle a genuinely positive experience. After all, work is where many of us spend so much of our lives, and it should be a place where people feel valued, supported, and set up to succeed.
That interest naturally led me toward HR, and after completing my HR postgraduate study, the career path felt clear. I loved the blend of people, behaviour, systems, and culture, and I wanted to be part of shaping workplaces that feel good to be in. I was fortunate to begin my career in recruitment, which gave me practical grounding and real-life experience, ultimately helping me move into the role I’m in now. Stepping fully into HR became a natural progression one that aligns with both my academic background and my passion for improving how people experience work.
What do you love about working in HR?
I love that HR gives me the ability to influence the day-to-day experience of people at work in what I hope to be a meaningful way. I also enjoy the variety. No two days are the same and it keeps you on your feet. The mix of problem-solving, people work, and improving systems suits how I like to operate, and it keeps the role challenging and meaningful.
What is an achievement so far in your career that you are proud of?
I started out as an HR/Office Administrator in a company that had no internal HR function and very few established processes. With no one above me who had HR knowledge, a lot of my early development came from trial and error, making mistakes, and figuring things out as I went. It was a steep learning curve, but it pushed me to build capability quickly and to understand the practical side of HR in a very real way.
Over time, I’ve worked my way into a sole-charge HR role where people actively came to me for advice, support, and clarity. That experience gave me confidence in my judgement and helped me understand what it takes to build people systems from the ground up. Looking back, I’m proud of how I navigated that space and how it shaped me into the HR professional I am today.
What are your thoughts on the Accredited Professional Member process?
I’ve found the Accredited Professional Member process really valuable. It’s a good opportunity to reflect on the scope of work I do, benchmark myself against industry standards, and recognise the level of responsibility and impact I’ve taken on. It was a much easier process than I initially thought and wish I hadn’t put it off for as long!
Do you plan to now work towards becoming a Chartered Member?
Yes absolutely. I’m finding the chartered pathway really helpful because it aligns my day-to-day work with the professional standards I’m aiming for. Working towards the Chartered Member gives me that clear framework for what I need to achieve, and it’s helping me shape my long-term career plan!
What are your next steps in terms of your career?
In the short term, I want to continue strengthening the people function in my workplace, embedding our culture, developing leaders, improving the employee lifecycle, and using data from our staff to shape a strong people strategy.
In the longer term, I see myself moving into a more established senior HR role where I’m partnering closely with the SLT in a strategic capacity and confidently operating as a trusted HR advisor.