Helping to create a city that’s easy to get around in is what drives William Tarawhiti, Compliance Supervisor of Hamilton City Council’s Parking Team.
Despite what people may think, the chalking and ticketing of cars are just a small part of being a Parking Officer.
Everything William’s team does is about keeping the city safe, mobile, and delivering transport and parking initiatives.
The Parking team is the professional, friendly, and safe presence the community can rely on. Each Parking Officer becomes an expert in de-escalating conversations and supporting local people and businesses with parking issues.
“We come across heaps of friendly, awesome Hamiltonians doing what we do, which may come as a surprise to some people,” William said.
“Earlier this year we even had a woman anonymously send our team a box of donuts as a thank you for our work. That was a really kind gesture.”
Attitudes towards Parking Officers seem to be changing, with the team regularly receiving written feedback and compliments about their help and efficiency. While the team still come across upset recipients of fines, most are understanding and easily reasoned with.
Having been part of the Council team for more than 10 years, William is fuelled by the goal of becoming world-class, and he’s confident the team is well on the way.
William’s role also involves providing insights and advice that help streamline services for the community.
“We’re getting smarter with our technology which makes it easier for everyone. It’s all about being bold and doing things differently. That’s how we’re going to become best in business.”
The team is starting to roll out licence plate recognition technology and exploring other technologies that will enable the remote monitoring of parking.
It’s rewarding to see the impact the team has on the city, William said. Without them covering hundreds of kilometres every day to keep parking safe and legal, traffic could grind to a halt.
William loves seeing the team learn and grow – it’s what gets him up in the morning.
Through his role he equips them with the tools they need to thrive and watches proudly as they progress their careers.
“It’s about planting seeds, watering them, and empowering them to grow. I love helping our team get to where they want to be.”
The opportunities are endless with Council, which is always busy and diverse, William said. Over his decade with the organisation, he’s learned about policies, bylaws, and legislation.
“There’s a huge number of roles and opportunities you can seize at Council. You’ll always have a new challenge.
“You’ll meet heaps of people that you can learn from, share your ideas with, and develop new skills alongside.”
Have you ever thought about kickstarting your career with Hamilton City Council? We want people who are passionate about our city and driven to make an impact on the community – people who want to shape an awesome Hamilton.
Connect with us and find out about role vacancies here:
