Celebrating all the women at Fullers360 and Waiheke Bus Company

Most of us know it, but we don’t always stop to think about the people behind the scenes who make every sailing, bus journey and island adventure possible. Across Fullers360 and Waiheke Bus Company (WBC), our women play a big role in keeping things moving. Whether they’re on the water, on the wharf or in support teams, they help lead crews, support passengers and keep operations running smoothly every day.

To mark International Women’s Day on Sunday, 8 March, we caught up with several women from across our business to learn more about their roles, what each day looks like and the people who inspire them both personally and professionally.

International Women’s Day is a chance to celebrate the achievements of women. And while marine and transport might not always be the first industries people picture when they think of women-led careers, the wāhine across Fullers360 and Waiheke Bus Company are demonstrating otherwise - from engineering, skippering vessels and driving buses to keeping operations ticking along each day, women are a vital part of our business.

Each of the women we spoke with had some great stories to share, along with a few insights into what it takes to keep this organisation running and it’s not always what you might think.

Here’s what we found out.

The unique roles that keep Fullers360 moving

From the moment customers step onto the wharf, a whole team of people work to keep journeys running like clockwork. We started by asking each woman to tell us a bit about the role she plays in making each journey happen.

Amelia Connor – Wharf Ambassador - “I work closely with customers to create a personally customised experience on Waiheke Island.”

Alisha McDowall – HR Manager “My role focuses on partnering with leaders across the business to support the employee lifecycle - from attracting talent to development and wellbeing.”

Amanda Manson – Deckhand and Engineer - “I’ve worked here for 18 years, starting at the bottom and working my way up to Engineer and Deckhand. Recently, I’ve had the privilege of working with the Net Zero Project team for a contracted period, integrating the first electric vessels into our fleet.”

Faaaliga Lafoga – OBSD (Onboard Services) - “Working on the sister boats; Torea, Korora, Te Kotuku, my role includes running the café and helping secure the vessel safely alongside the wharf.

Shaleni Sen – Marine Operations Office - “In the Marine Operations team, I help keep services running smoothly and support our frontline crews so passengers can travel safely.”

Teuane Baxter – Skipper Marine - “My role is to lead the crew, drive the boats and help provide a great experience for our guests.”

Nique Van-Selm – WBC Supervisor -“Day-to-day operations fall under my watch, so making sure services run safely and efficiently is all in a day’s work.”

Odile Labuschagne – WBC Supervisor - “As I am responsible for daily bus allocations and operations, I manage rosters, drivers and tours across the Eastern and Western Explorer services.”

A day in their world

While customers might be taking in the sparkling waters of the Hauraki Gulf and enjoying a smooth journey, there’s a lot happening. From coordinating services via super-mega spreadsheets and TV screens to answering customers’ questions to dealing with the odd curveball we know can get thrown into any given day, every job is different. So, what does a typical day in their life actually look like?

Alisha - “For me every day is dynamic and people centred. I might be working on people strategies, coaching leaders, or helping improve culture and engagement.”

Nique - “I find work a bit like a bag of RJ’s Liquorice Allsorts - no two problems look the same. I coordinate buses, support drivers, manage breakdowns, lost property, and keep customers on the move.”

Amanda – “No two days are the same, which is exactly what I enjoy. I find routine boring. I love interacting with passengers, meeting new people and helping train our crew.

There's always more than meets the eye

As we’ve learnt, it takes a lot to keep everything shipshape and it’s worth noting that much of it happens out of sight. So we asked: what’s something people might be surprised to learn about their job? Because who doesn’t love a fun fact…

Alisha - “Many people think HR is mostly policies and paperwork. In reality, the role centres on partnerships, coaching leaders and helping shape culture across the business.”

Amanda - “I’m one of our longest-serving Union Delegates. I’m involved in helping influence positive change within the workforce, which I’m really passionate about.”

Faaaliga - “Over time you get to know many of the regular customers. You also get to see how much the service means to visitors experiencing New Zealand for the first time.”

Teuane - “Alongside skippering the vessel, I’m also a qualified onboard engineer. It’s possible to work your way up from barista to Skipper and Engineer - just like I did.”

Odile and Nique over at Waiheke Bus Company, don’t just talk the talk, they walk the walk too – the thing that surprises people most about their jobs is that they can both drive a bus!

One day, many meanings

When we asked about what International Women’s Day meant to them, the themes were clear: it was all about celebrating the strong women who inspire and support them, while recognising the progress made toward a more equal future.

Amanda - “It’s an opportunity for women around the world to share their stories, support each other and encourage others to be proud of who they are and what they do. It’s also a moment to recognise and celebrate achievements.”

Faaaliga - “Honouring women in all walks of life and recognising how hardworking and strong we are.”

Shaleni -“Celebrating the resilience of women, especially those balancing work, family and life challenges.” 

You can't put an old head on young shoulders

Or so they say, but wisdom has a way of being passed down. For the women at Fullers360, that inspiration has come from mothers, mentors and friends and in one case, a very well-known animated fish. We all have those little nuggets of advice that pop into our heads at just the right moment, so we asked the team what piece of advice from another woman has stayed with them. Here are a few words of wāhine wisdom that have really stuck.

Alisha - “Remaining calm is your superpower. Your integrity shows when your behaviour stays steady, even when a tornado rips through your day.”

Amelia “Just keep swimming.” – Dory, Finding Nemo

Teuane - “Trust the process, trust yourself, never stop learning - better days are always ahead.”

Shaleni “Be strong but stay kind.”

Celebrating the women who inspire us

As for who inspires them in their everyday lives, many of the answers started close to home - mothers, sisters, mentors and colleagues whose strength and support have helped shape each woman’s journey.

Amanda - “Mum. She always encouraged me to chase everything I wanted to do. I know my motivation and drive for improvement comes from her and I'm grateful of the traits she instilled in me”

Alisha - “For me it was an organisational psychologist I worked with who inspired me through her empathy and the knowledge she shared.”

Faaaliga - “My sister - she inspires me to face problems head-on and stay confident in myself.”

Odile - “The amazing women in our operations office who support each other every day.”

Shaleni - “My mother - her resilience and strength guide me every day.”

And now, for their final word

As our time with this fantastic bunch of women drew to a close, we asked if they had one word to describe their female colleagues at Fullers360 and Waiheke Bus Company.

Alisha: Unstoppable

Amelia: Strong

Amanda: Resilient

Faaaliga: Hardworking

Nique: Exceptional

Odile: Splendid

Shaleni: Inspiring

Teuane: Tough

These are simple answers that speak volumes. There’s a strong sense of respect, camaraderie and appreciation for the talents each woman brings to Fullers360 whether they’re front and centre of the business or working below deck. Together, we can create a future where every woman has the opportunity to thrive in business and beyond.

This International Women’s Day and every other day we say thank you to all the incredible women working across our organisation. For the small jobs, for all the jobs and unseen work that always gets done. For the role you play at work and the role you play at home. No matter your part in this business, you help make Fullers360 the incredible team it is today. Today we celebrate you!

Lastly, a big thank you to all the incredible wāhine who took the time to share and contribute to this piece. We couldn’t have done it without you.

See you on the water 💙