Kiri’s journey to joining the Quayside Finance team has been a remarkable story of perseverance and dedication. From her early schooling at local Mount College through to tertiary education as a mature student at Toi Ohomai, Kiri’s commitment to her studies and professional growth is impressive.

Growing up, Kiri’s parents owned a well-known aluminium business, which she believes seeded her interest in accounting processes and bookkeeping. This early exposure to business operations inspired her to pursue a career in accounting.

Kiri’s whakapapa to Maniapoto and Ngāpuhi is a source of immense pride. This strong connection to her heritage is a foundation of her identity. As a dedicated mother to three Tamariki – Evelyn (12), Frankie (7), and Billie (5) –  Kiri’s ability to balance family, work, and studies showcases her grit.

A natural sports enthusiast, Kiri has been an active participant in netball with the Harbourside Netball Club, as well as volleyball, tennis, and walking locally. Unfortunately, a ruptured achilles tendon has recently slowed her athletic pursuits, but not her spirit.

In 2021, Kiri began working with Zespri, handling accounts payable for the financial year-end. Simultaneously, she embarked on her diploma at Toi Ohomai. The experience ignited a passion for accounting, leading her to extend her studies into a Bachelor of Accounting degree. This decision opened new doors for career advancement.

When the opportunity arose to join the Māori Internship programme, Toi Ki Tua, Kiri eagerly seized it, becoming a part of the Quayside team in November 2024 for a 16-week placement. Joining the Finance team led by Davide Caloni and guided by her line manager, Nicole Stafford, Kiri quickly integrated and took on significant responsibilities.

Kiri’s day-to-day duties at Quayside have included reconciliations, journal entries and preparing management accounts of five different real estate entities in Xero, as well as end-of-month and end-of-quarter support, including preparation of GST returns and assistance with half year reporting. Her contributions have been instrumental in various financial processes, and her dedication has not gone unnoticed.

Reflecting on her experience, Kiri shared, “The work I’ve undertaken at Quayside during this internship has really related to my area of study. I’ve been given opportunities to learn more about Xero and accounting software, financial control processes, and putting things i have learned into practice. This is really relevant in transitioning from studying into the workforce.”

With ambitions to become a Chartered Accountant (CA), Kiri acknowledges the challenges of balancing her studies and family commitments. “I’d like to further myself and get my CA, but obviously it wouldn’t be as fast as a younger student because of my whānau commitments,” she says.

This month, Kiri has completed her final paper in her degree and is set to graduate soon with a degree in management accounting. This remarkable achievement is a testament to her grit and determination.

Nicole Stafford, Kiri’s line manager, commends her contributions to the team. “Kiri is a really good match for the team. She’s very personable, will front-foot things, ask questions when necessary, and works well with her peers. Recently, Kiri has really stepped up and taken on more responsibility, allowing her colleagues to focus on other project deliverables. In addition, she’s flexed into payables, using Xero as an everyday tool, which has deepened her understanding. She’s had broad exposure and I’ve noticed her confidence grow.”

Kiri has seamlessly blended into the fabric of the team at Quayside, appreciating the commercial focus alongside the integration of culture. She notes, “I was really blown away when I found out that every Monday morning at our team stand-up, everyone takes turns doing the opening karakia and the team joins together to sing a waiata. I’ve never been in a workspace where that happens. I like the appreciation of culture.”

Kiri’s journey is a lovely example of taking charge of one’s destiny, balancing personal and professional commitments with grace and determination. We wish her well for the next stage of her career and know she’ll be a great asset to any organisation lucky enough to employ her.