Charlene Waiti CMHRNZ

Tēnā koutou katoa!
Ko Motatau te maunga
Ko Hikurangi te awa
Ko Mataatua te waka
Ko Tau Henare te marae
Ko Ngāti Hine i raro i te korowai o Ngāpuhi tōku iwi
Ko Charlene Waiti (née Shortland) tōku ingoa
Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.

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

After completing a Bachelor of Commerce in Management Science and Information Systems, and working as an IT contractor for multiple companies, I realised that IT wasn’t my long-term path. I joined Drake for temporary work, which became my entry into HR through an HR Coordinator role at Auckland Council. Within weeks, I was promoted to HR Advisor, supporting multiple portfolios including the 2011–2012 Auckland Super City merger an experience that strengthened my resilience and expanded my HR expertise.

After my husband and I relocated our family to Whangārei, I found the HR market challenging, so I took a short-term role with Ngāti Hine Health Trust and consulted across Te Tai Tokerau before stepping away from HR for a year to manage a local gym, a valuable reset. Within a year, I was recruited into a global HR role with First Advantage, where I travelled internationally, supported the APAC region, and was fortunate to work under an exceptional leader and mentor, Michael Pilnick, who greatly shaped my approach to HR.

Seven years later, I moved to Oranga Tamariki, Ministry for Children to bring my expertise home and contribute to work supporting our most vulnerable. I led HR Operations across the North Island until the function was disestablished during a major restructure. After updating my LinkedIn to #OpenToWork, I was quickly approached for a fixed-term People & Capability Manager role at Northpower, which led to my current position as Chief Human Resource Manager at Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua. I’m now a Chartered HR Professional and a member of the HRNZ Chartered Leaders Forum, milestones that reflect both my journey and commitment to excellence in HR.

Starting in a foundational HR Coordinator role taught me the value of learning from the ground up. Each step no matter how early built the capability, confidence, and resilience that ultimately led me through senior leadership roles and to becoming a Chartered HR Professional. My journey proves that starting from a base position doesn’t limit you; it builds the foundation for exceptional growth.

What do you love about working in HR?

As I reflect, every opportunity has reinforced why HR is my passion. I didn’t set out to become an HR professional, yet the industry had other plans, and I’ve been fortunate to experience significant growth and excel in my mahi. I love the ability to make a real difference in people’s lives, whether by helping individuals grow professionally and personally, building their confidence to succeed, or introducing ideas they can apply both at work and in their everyday lives.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is embedding Te Ao Māori principles into HR practices, where inclusivity, cultural competence, and ethical decision-making are at the heart of everything we do. Seeing those outcomes and knowing situations are handled well is what makes HR meaningful, and sometimes those moments spark something greater, giving us the privilege to make them happen.

Are there any specific highlights of your career that you wish to share?

I’ve been fortunate to experience many career highlights, from shaping better HR practices, weaving in Te Ao Māori principles and implementing stronger policies to coaching and mentoring leaders, and guiding organisations through complex challenges such as COVID-19. I have also built a broad portfolio of qualifications related to HR, health and safety, mental health, mediation, and accreditation across various programmes.

While these achievements are significant, what matters most is the impact on people. Guiding individuals through challenges, building confidence, elevating teams, and strengthening leadership capability are the moments that truly count their ripple effects can transform the entire organisation. When managers lead and support their teams effectively, engagement and performance flourish, especially for those working in the field.

The greatest rewards come from words of appreciation, like: “You reminded me of my value when I had forgotten it”, “You helped me see a path forward when I thought there wasn’t one”, or “I now understand how to lead my team despite our differences”. And the comment that humours and humbles me the most: “I can’t wait for you to be my boss again”.

Those moments are the true highlights of my career: knowing I’ve played a part in helping others succeed in their journey.

What are your thoughts on Chartered Membership? How do you feel about being a Chartered Member?

Becoming Chartered represents unspoken credibility; it is recognition of years of experience, integrity, and a commitment to uplifting people, organisations, and culture. It reflects the mahi behind the scenes, the tough calls, strategic thinking, late nights, the courage to stand for what’s right, and the heart I bring to every space. It grounds me in professionalism while allowing me to serve my organisation, my people, and the kaupapa of building workplaces where everyone can thrive.

After 18 years in an industry I love, achieving Chartered status is a significant milestone. It authenticates the skills, capability, and HR approach I have intentionally shaped to drive change and challenge outdated practices. I am excited to join a reputable community of Chartered HR professionals and to participate in the exclusive Chartered HR Leaders Forum, another meaningful recognition of capability.

Being Chartered reminds me that my voice and judgement matter. My contributions shape culture, support leaders, and influence the future of HR in Aotearoa. I am proud to represent Māori excellence, demonstrating that our values, resilience, and ways of leading are not only relevant - but they are also powerful.

Chartered Membership provides an opportunity to shape workplace cultures that uphold manaakitanga (care and respect), nurture kaitiakitanga (guardianship and sustainability), embrace kia mau te kaupapa (holding fast to purpose), and champion kotahitanga (unity and collaboration). These principles guide my leadership and commitment to creating workplaces that prioritise well-being, equity, and inclusion, underpinned by empathy and compassion - qualities AI can never replace.

Reaching this milestone brings a deep sense of accomplishment for me, my whānau, and my whakapapa. This achievement is for all of us, and for those who aspire to become Chartered Members, even when representation is limited. Every step forward creates space for others to follow.

What motivated you to work towards becoming a Chartered Member?

My motivation was both personal and professional. Seeing my son become a Chartered Engineer in Australia and NZ, (the second youngest in NZ) was a proud inspiration, and the support and encouragement of all my Tamariki Whānau gave me the momentum I needed to take the next step in my career.

Professionally, I wanted to formalise my standing in HR and challenge myself to reach new heights. After 18 years in the industry, becoming a Chartered Member felt like a natural next step, a way to strengthen my credentials, demonstrate my commitment to best practice, set a benchmark for future goals, and enhance my impact as a leader who champions inclusivity, drives innovation, and embeds culturally grounded practices that reflect Te Ao Māori and incorporate Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles.

What are your next steps in terms of your career now that you are a Chartered Member?

Now that I am a Chartered Member and part of the Chartered Leaders Forum, my focus is on leveraging my position to elevate my impact as a leader and contribute to HRNZ and the HR profession at a higher strategic level. I aim to strengthen leadership capability, embed high-performance and culturally grounded workplaces, and champion kaupapa that prioritise integrity, well-being, and long-term sustainability.

My intention is to uplift others by mentoring emerging HR professionals, amplifying Māori and indigenous excellence, and creating opportunities for underrepresented voices. Becoming Chartered is not an endpoint, it’s a platform to keep learning, drive meaningful change, and shape workplace culture across Aotearoa in ways that leave a lasting impact for people, organisations, and communities.

Looking ahead, Chartered Fellowship is part of my future plans, though I recognise there is more to contribute and develop in this space first. For me, HR is owning the outcome, staying true to the kaupapa, and making a meaningful difference every day.

Ngā mihi nui

Charlene Waiti