Search
Log in
Back to News and Media

Queenstown’s United Nations of Waste Management

How’s this for diversity? At Queenstown’s Materials Recovery Facility there are 10 full time workers who are a United Nations of nationalities and ethnicities: Spanish, Brazilian, Czech, Māori, Chilean and Afrikaans.

Branch Manager Mat Saunders says people who immigrate to Aotearoa are often attracted to Queenstown and Wanaka and, with lots of local opportunities, many choose to stay permanently.

Waste Management is thrilled to have such a diverse group in the whānau. To honour the rich heritages of their team, Queenstown translates its monthly Health & Safety talks into Māori, Portuguese, Spanish and Czech. 

imager9jp6.png

Intoducing Olga:

Olga Kaplanová came to New Zealand in 2014 from the Czech Republic. She started at Waste Management in July 2022 and has worked her way up to become one of the team's multi-skilled recycling operators. Olga enjoys making a difference in the community and likes the opportunities available to upskill - including learning how to operate complicated machinery and yellow gear. And of course she loves her team’s diversity! Olga is one to watch at Waste Management as she always shows great teamwork, leadership and initiative. 

Kia ora Olga and Queenstown! Truly living our Waste Management value of Together.