After 20 years in Sydney helping run transportation dispatch for Aldi supermarkets, Kiwi Eva Phillips made the move to Mount Maunganui in 2020 to join her partner who was caring for an older family member. Initially Eva found employment in teaching and says it is something she never thought she would do.

“Helping train people to get their forklift and trucking licence was rewarding, but the labour market was so strong people were going straight into jobs and skipping the training and the school was winding up."

“We had the Winstone Wallboards team visit the school to talk about some of the roles that might be available. Over the years I have always heard good things about the business and thought – I am going to send them my CV.”

Eva didn’t have a specific role in mind to apply for, but the team were impressed with her skills and experience so after interviewing her, she was offered a new role they thought she would be perfect for.

At the end of 2022 she started onboarding training to be the Administration and Transport Supervisor role for the new Tauriko distribution facility and Eva says what she is most excited about is being able to tell her children and grandchildren that she was one of the first to work there.

“When you stand inside the new plant you see the scale of it – it’s huge!  Being part of something right from the beginning, you feel like you’re a part of history, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Eva's been impressed by how welcome she had been made to feel particularly from all the managers who have taken the time to meet all the new employees.

“Winstone Wallboards have a good way of looking after you and making you feel welcome. To me it is like being part of a sports team – you really feel like you are working together and looking out for each other, which forms strong friendships.”

Aside from getting up to speed with her new job, one thing Eva has made the most of since moving to Tauranga is getting out on the golf course more.

“Golf is a big part of my life so when I moved back to New Zealand, I joined Omanu Golf Club.  When I am not at work you will see me helping out in the golf shop and upstairs working in the bar.“

“New Zealand has some fantastic golf courses and Omanu is a beautiful course so it’s great to able to spend my spare time there.”