Jana Te Aroha Anderson APHRNZ

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

Before moving into HR, I spent 10 years in the travel industry managing teams across different locations. I loved supporting people to grow and seeing them step into their potential. That’s where I first became curious about what helps people thrive at work and how leadership and culture shape those everyday experiences. At the same time, I couldn’t help noticing how rarely I saw Māori in leadership roles or in spaces where opportunities were being created. That really stayed with me. It made me want to be part of changing the system, to create pathways that are more inclusive and reflect the strengths our people bring. That shift in focus led me into recruitment and development roles, and eventually into the kaupapa I’m now part of.

What do you love about working in HR?

I'm drawn to mahi that creates experiences where people feel seen and valued, not just as workers but as whole people. It’s a chance to bring manaakitanga and whanaungatanga into spaces where decisions are being made. I’m especially interested in how we design systems that reflect relationships, not just tick boxes. When care and fairness are embedded from the very first kōrero in recruitment, it sets the tone for everything that follows. That’s the kind of change I want to be part of: where people aren’t just hired, but genuinely supported to grow and belong.

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

I’m proud of the mahi I’ve done to co-lead and grow the Te Rito Summership Programme at Plant and Food Research. The programme supports Māori tertiary students through a summer internship experience that’s values led and grounded in Te Ao Māori, with many returning for multiple years or going on to join the workforce. It’s been incredible to see tauira grow in confidence and leadership through the programme, and to work alongside others in shaping a more inclusive pathway into science and research. Beyond Te Rito, I’ve contributed to broader equity kaupapa including cultural capability frameworks, inclusive recruitment practice and remuneration equity working groups. A key driver in all of this is supporting Māori through increased representation, visibility and meaningful opportunities across the workforce.

What are your thoughts on the Accredited Professional Member process?

I see the Accredited Professional Member process as a valuable opportunity to pause and reflect on your mahi, impact and ongoing practice. For me, it's also a chance to bring a Te Ao Māori lens to the profession, helping to expand what good looks like in Aotearoa, grounded in cultural values and collective wellbeing.

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

Yes, I’m open to working toward Chartered Membership as a natural next step. It aligns with the strategic and equity focused mahi I’m involved in and provides a platform to influence change across systems. I see it as part of a longer journey to grow my own practice and contribute to a wider shift in how people and kaupapa are centred in our mahi.

What are your next steps in terms of your career?

At the moment, I’m completing a Master’s in Technological Futures. Through this, I’m exploring how Te Ao Māori values can shape more inclusive recruitment systems, particularly as AI and automation play a growing role in hiring. I’m interested in the potential to develop a reflection based tool that supports values aligned recruitment kōrero and challenges some of the assumptions embedded in current hiring practices. If the kaupapa I’m exploring resonates with you, whether you're working in HR, tech, equity, or simply care about building better systems, I’d love to connect. My Master’s mahi is just one part of a wider journey to reimagine recruitment in a way that is inclusive, culturally grounded and future focused.