Keri Bloomfield is general manager operations, of the Human Resources Institute of New Zealand (HRINZ). HRINZ is membership organisation for people who are interested or involved in the management and development of human resources. Bloomfield is also one half of the ‘brother and sister’ duo that runs the successful Wellington Scorching Triathlon and Duathlon series – fun and professional triathlon series. Six years ago, in its first year, the series attracted 30 participants and now attracts over 1500 participants every season.
How would you describe the NZ identity?
She is sharp, fresh, energetic, ‘doer’, and hard-worker. Not afraid to get her hands dirty and roll up her sleeves, she’ll often be found ‘mucking in’ with the boys.
What will be our next major challenge?
Managing the urge to work too hard, and be too busy with the ‘day-to-day’ demands of our working relationships with colleagues, clients and suppliers. The challenge also lies in balancing our ‘hard-working Kiwi nature’ with ensuring quality time for friends and family and our passions.
What do we need to do to prepare ourselves for this?
We need to actively ensure and promote healthy balance within our personal lives and find time to include those things we are passionate about. Concentrate on making the time to eat well, exercise every day, and book in ‘me’ time to give you the clarity to step back from life and see the bigger picture, and put life into balance. For me, it is about dividing my life into sections so I can give 100 percent to my day job, as well as harness my free hours to combine my interest in triathlons and event management, by working with my brother to help create fun and professional triathlon and duathlon series in Wellington. Encouraging others and facilitating the belief in their own abilities is one of my passions. To have self-belief and the personality to have fun and laugh at yourself, helps make it easier to fit it all in. So, my message is to embrace, but balance, the Kiwi hard-working identity.
