Meet our people: Nicola
Ngati Kahungunu / Te Atiawa
Labour Inspector
Labour Group
"Part of my role is working with perceptions in the Workplace - I am motivated by the challenges here."
I've been with the Department since 2001. I started as a payroll administrator and took up the role of Labour Inspector in 2003. As a Labour Inspector I ensure that employees are provided the minimum standard employment entitlements as set out in relevant legislation.
As well as investigating compliance with legislation, a core part of my work is to provide education about how these pieces of law are understood and applied. Industry and sector engagement means that Labour Inspectors regularly meet with businesses and employer organisations. We also spend time speaking with employees who also have responsibilities under the legislation.
Whether with employers or employees, my approach is to keep the meetings friendly and meet under the premise of equality in the workplace. So my job takes me to a variety of places - farms, building sites, cafés, fishing boats, vineyards, shops, factories, strip clubs and even a prison once!
The Labour Inspectors I work with are from varied backgrounds, such as small businesses operators, police, supermarket workers, lawyers and homemakers - the one thing we share is passion for our work. We enjoy what we do and support each other to promote sharing and learning from our different experiences.
As well as my work as a Labour Inspector, I am also very active in the Department's work on initiatives relevant to Maori. I spent four years as part of a national advisory group and continue to provide strategic advice and planning support to promote the development of stronger relationships in the interests of Maori. I was also lucky enough to be the major contributor to the development, design and delivery of the Department of Labour's programme in support of Maori Language Week 2004, which was recognised by the Department winning the "Local Body - Central Government" award at the Inaugural Maori Language Week awards.
