FOSTERING PEOPLE


Walking into one of my favourite cafes in Raglan a couple of weeks ago I noticed a man writing. I asked him if he was journaling and he replied that he was (I love to see people writing with a pen and reading books in cafes). I began reading a magazine and he carried on writing. After a while he and I started talking (No surprise there!). We talked about family and community. Introductions followed and we then talked about our occupations. Leonard is a director of Fosters, a commercial construction and property development company in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. I was intrigued to know if the company also espoused community and family. 
Later, I wandered through their website and sure enough they do. There were a number of references to ‘serving the community’, ‘what it means to build thriving communities’, ‘ it gives us great satisfaction to be able to give back’. 
In practice, in 2024 they gave $374K to community support initiatives. They also believe strongly in looking after their team beyond normal employment relationships including hardship loans and medical expenses. 
The company enjoys empowering their staff and celebrating success together. Now I know, our cynical natures will think, do they really do that? Well, after my conversation with Leonard and being, I believe, a good judge of character, I can see that he lives the Fosters values and the  statement,  Me mahi tahi tatou mo te oranga o te katoa (Maori language) with the English translation, We should work together for the wellbeing of everyone.

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