Tania Gough CMHRNZ

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

I’m incredibly grateful for the fabulous journey I’ve had in the HR profession. I entered the workforce as a shorthand typist during the “personnel era” (yes, back when the fax machine was high-tech!), and have evolved in the complex and strategic world of HR. Fun fact: I can still type 100 words a minute and turns out those foundational skills really do stick!

My early years in generalist HR roles with large organisations laid the groundwork for branching out into learning and development, organisational development, and coaching. That combination of skills has given me a good appreciation of organisational development in a practical sense. By this I mean by how the HR levers can support or undermine organisations.

I am now lucky enough to run my own HR consultancy and focus on the work I love most which is developing leaders and teams to be their best.

What do you love about working in HR?

What really drives me in HR is the opportunity to help people and organisations reach their full potential. At the heart of it all is the belief that everyone deserves to feel valued and be of value in the workplace. That’s where the magic happens and where HR can make a real difference.

I get to bring this philosophy into every action, whether I’m working with a senior team, coaching a first-time manager, or supporting an organisation through change. And along the way, I’ve been lucky to work with incredible colleagues and leaders who’ve nudged (and sometimes shoved!) me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow.

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

One stand-out highlight has been as a facilitator for the Leadership Development course at Outward Bound in Anakiwa for the past 20 years. It’s a truly transformative course and I say that as a self-confessed “city slicker” who once packed a travel iron for my first course.

I’m also incredibly proud of co-founding the Savvy Up programme for emerging professionals. It was born from that classic “I wish someone had told me that when I started out” feeling and we turned those insights into practical tools to help the next generation succeed in the workplace.

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

Becoming a Chartered Member of HRNZ has been a real milestone for me. It was a fantastic chance to reflect on the capability and expertise I’ve built over the years and also a way of showing my commitment to a profession that plays such a crucial role in shaping healthy, thriving workplaces (and, by extension, a better society).

What motivated you to work towards becoming a Chartered Member?

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

I’ll continue to grow and evolve in my work, and just as importantly, I’ll keep looking for ways to support others to do the same. Workplaces are only becoming more complex, and HR professionals have such an important role to play. If I can help others build confidence and capability in this space, then that’s a legacy I’d be proud of.