Support often shows up in everyday moments — taking time to share experience, backing someone who is learning something new, or offering guidance that helps someone move forward. When people know their team has their back, it creates an environment where everyone can perform at their best.
This year’s International Women’s Day also aligns with a moment of pride for WM New Zealand. On Monday night, Sarah Whiteman, General Manager for WM New Zealand South, was named WM New Zealand’s 2025 Leader of the Year.
Sarah’s leadership is reflected in the strength and unity of the team around her. Having begun her journey with WM New Zealand in sales, she built a deep understanding of the business from the ground up. Through strong commercial judgement and sharp business acumen, she has become a leader respected not only for delivering results but also for how she achieves them.
Her team describe her as inspirational, supportive, and highly credible. She sets clear expectations, backs her people, and creates an environment where high performance and strong relationships go hand in hand. The trust and engagement within her team are a testament to her consistent, people‑centred leadership.
Over the coming days, WM New Zealand will share more stories from women across the business, showcasing the diverse journeys, experiences, and contributions that help shape who we are today.
International Women’s Day is also a reminder that a workplace culture is built through the way we treat each other every day. If you notice behaviour that doesn’t feel right, speak up — we all play a role in supporting a respectful, inclusive workplace.
And if you’d like to mark the day in a simple but meaningful way, take a moment to acknowledge the women in your life — at work, at home, or within your whānau. A few genuine words of appreciation can make a lasting difference.
Operations Supervisor Sarah Tipping shares how trust, recognition and empathy are strengthening teams and customer outcomes at WM New Zealand.
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WM New Zealand supports South Auckland communities tackling moth plant, providing safe disposal solutions that protect waterways and prevent environmental spread.
WM New Zealand celebrates Tui Tane-Mowat’s leadership achievement, supporting wāhine Māori development through programmes grounded in Te Ao Māori and real-world leadership.
