Our People: Annette Douglas

If you’ve ever had your pay land in your bank account like clockwork, you’ve got Annette Douglas to thank.

Today marks 25 years of service for Annette, WM New Zealand’s long-serving Payroll Manager – and a key figure behind the scenes who many describe as the most important person in the business.

Annette joined the company in 2000, back when Brad and Jen were Hollywood’s golden couple, Y2K was making headlines, and WM New Zealand (then known as Waste Management) was listed on the NZX under CEO Kim Ellis. At the time, the company had just 500 staff, and payroll was a very different world.

“On Monday mornings, the fax machine would start beeping first thing and wouldn’t stop until midday,” Annette recalls. “That was all the timesheets coming in from across the country.”

A quarter-century later, our people, systems, and size have all grown – but Annette’s dedication has remained a constant. In 2024 alone, she and the payroll team processed a staggering $164 million in wages and salaries. Through system upgrades, legislation changes, and regular audits, she’s calmly guided us through every challenge, always with a smile.

Reliable, accurate, human

Over 25 years, there have only been four instances where staff didn’t receive pay on time – a phenomenal track record by any standard. These days, technology means errors can be fixed more easily, but back then, it was a nail-biting process with little room for error.

Through it all, Annette’s leadership has kept the payroll team steady and smiling. Her ability to stay cool under pressure, combined with her genuinely kind and approachable nature, has made her not just a safe pair of hands but a much-loved presence across the organisation.

“We’re not doing brain surgery,” she says pragmatically. “Any issue that comes up, we can sort it. There’s nothing we can’t fix.”

Annette has also contributed to WM New Zealand’s broader people-focused efforts – including serving on the Gender Pay Gap Committee, where she’s proud to report WM’s current gap sits at just 2.8%, well below the national average.

More than a job

Over the years, Annette has raised two children, navigated multiple business transformations, and seen WM New Zealand evolve into one of New Zealand’s leading environmental services companies. She’s stayed because she’s proud of the work we do – and the people who do it.

“I see our trucks out on the road and I know we’re making a difference,” she says. “Without us, everything would grind to a halt.”

Chief People Officer Craig Plested sums it up best: “Annette is one of those incredible people who form the backbone of WM New Zealand. Her knowledge, care, and consistency have been invaluable to our team – and she’s also just a genuinely lovely human being.”