What is your current title for work?

5th Year Plumber, Gasfitter, Drainlayer, Roofer Apprentice

Your current organisation for work:

Masterlink Ltd hosted by Auckland Plumbers Group Ltd

How many years have you been in the construction industry:

13 Years Overall. 7 years in the Plumbing Industry

When did you decide working in construction was the thing you wanted to do:

I always chose woodwork as a subject at school. My high-school gateway teachers Mrs Pene & Mrs Luketina introduced me to off-campus courses to gain extra credits, they sent us to MIT & Unitec. From there I always knew I wanted to be some type of tradie, working outdoors all over town, just didn’t know which one at the time, little Hera back then would’ve been cracking up laughing if you told her she’d be a Plumber these days!

What are you most passionate about?

Helping my whanau and community , when I get the time and chance to, helping my marae and upskilling my whanau as much as I can when and where ever I can. I am passionate about inspiring my whanau and wahine maori to Kickstart their trade careers by showcasing my Mahi and daily antics onsite via social media. I don’t see a lot of wahine maori across the construction industry, there is a few of us, just not enough of us yet, I’m hoping to help change that narrative sooner rather than later. 

Why did you join NAWIC?

I was offered the amazing opportunity to become an emerging leader Ambassador, I feel I can bring a new personality and perspective to NAWIC and also use this opportunity to learn from a lot of trail blazing women who could teach me a lot more and help me grow as well. I also love the feeling of being apart of such an amazing supportive organization that has been around for a long time and will only continue to grow and get bigger each and every year!!

What would you like to see for the future of women in construction?

I would love to see more representation of women in the construction industry, I think the BUILDHER project is amazing and definitely a great step in the right direction! It needs to be consistent representation as well, so that it starts to become the new norm. We need to move with the rest of the world otherwise we’ll get left behind! Our country is on the rise and we need more women to help build our infrastructure if we are going to keep up! 

Definitely Fair & Equal pay!!! 

More pop up workshops across the country! Especially in small towns and for all ages! This will help encourage and support our future women from such young ages giving them a headstart in their career pathways. 

Words of wisdom or tips for women at the start of or considering a career in construction:

Take the first step sis! You won’t know until you take that first step and make that call! 

Be your absolute authentic self! 

Enjoy every moment and reach out to navigate the bad moments when the going gets tough! You’ve got a whole community of Lady Tradies to support and uplift you or tell you “we ain’t got time to cry today sis, LESSSHGOOOO” ! 

Take every challenge head on, head strong!! 

Your never to young or too old to start a new career pathway! Everyone has value to add. 

What is your favourite thing to do for fun:

I’m such an outdoor person and love to be one with nature! You’ll either find me at the beach diving for kaimoana or sitting under a tree reading my digital book if I’m not hanging out with my whanau going on random adventures all over the motu!

Spending time and creating core memories is my favorite thing to do with my kids and husband.