I not only survived but enjoyed the first week in my new role (yay). It is always a bit of a did I make the right call kinda thing when you start a new job I think, and even more so when you are moving somewhere new for it. But not only did I survive, but I also had an overall great time and think I am very much going to enjoy working there.
For those of you who don't know, my new role is Exec Management EA at Ngaruahine Iwi Health Services. I know, it sounds flash as aye hehe. Starting along with me was the rest of the exec team, except the GM, he is the one consistent. The organisation had been through a restructure and from that had created and recruited to an Executive Leadership Team (ELT). There are 6 of us in total, and yes I am part of the exec team. I know, surprising to me too. First organisation I think I’ve ever been in where the EA is considered part of the team, not just the admin for it and reporting to someone else.
My first day was Tuesday (Monday was part of the Easter long weekend) and it started with a powhiri, then a morning tea with the rest of the staff (well the staff that were there, there is a lot of out and about for most of the staff. It’s a very community focused organisation), then we did the IT onboarding side of things. After lunch we started what we would be doing for the next couple of days, which was the exec team getting together to get to know each other, learn more about the organisation and make a plan for going forward. Today was a relaxed ease into your role day, and it really was a very relaxed day. We got shown around the different Ngaruahine Iwi Health Services sites in Manaia, there are three. I also went along to the Yarrows Bakery shop, so glad I am gluten free else I think I would be spending a lot of money there lol. We also got time to chat with some of the other staff and I have already been told I should not be allowed to sit next to about 3 people cos they think we will be trouble lol. See why I like it so much already :) and then there was time to sort out our laptops and work phones, so mine are now all coloured to make me happy (ie purple hehe).
Normally I am going to be based in Manaia, but Wed and Thu we were in Hawera at a local restaurant. I was nervous about the catering side of things, cos you know I’m not the easiest to feed at times… lol. But they totally nailed it. Not only did I get more than just fruit, or plain rice, but I got tasty meals which were full of flavour. And they even went and got some gf bread so they could make me sandwiches like the others got for one of the snack meals. Definitely ate too much though, but I couldn’t send food back in case they thought I didn’t like it (plus it was so yummy that I wanted to eat it all hehe).
Some of the smaller yays of the new role, but still very impt yays, are that my desk is one that I can have as a sitting or standing desk. Car parking is easy as, just round the back of the office (though lets be honest Manaia is not very big so its not like walking would take long if I had to park further away lol). The toilet paper is 3ply (any of you govt or local govt workers will know how amazing that is).
All in all it has been a great week, though I am looking forward to a nice relaxed chilled weekend now. Just me and the two cats that Aunty Susan is looking after… who are not at all demanding dinner while I have been typing this, not at all… lol.
