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Moana Williams
Manager Strategic Relations and Communities @Watercare Services Limited
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WORK HISTORY
Manager Strategic Relations and Communities @Watercare Services Limited
Auckland, NZ
Stepping into my current role has been one of the most defining stages of my leadership journey. It brings together everything I care about – people, purpose, trust and connection – and places it at the centre of work that affects every Aucklander.I lead the engagement and consultation that shapes major water infrastructure projects, ensuring communities are heard and their insights influence long-term decisions.My work involves translating complex, technical projects into conversations people can understand and participate in. From region-wide servicing strategies to the future of biosolids management, I design engagement approaches that help people see the “why” behind the work and feel confident contributing to it. This requires empathy, clarity and the ability to navigate diverse viewpoints, often in challenging or emotionally charged environments.A core focus is honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi and embedding the values of mana whenua in our engagement. This means building genuine relationships, taking the time to listen and creating space for shared understanding. I also work closely with internal teams – engineers, planners, project managers and communicators – to align messaging, anticipate issues, and strengthen trust through transparency.Managing community sentiment is a significant part of the role. Concern, opposition, and misinformation are natural in large-scale projects, and I lead the work to respond early, openly and respectfully. It’s demanding work, but deeply important because public trust is earned conversation by conversation.What I value most is seeing connection turn into progress. When people understand why a project matters, when they see their feedback reflected, when they feel respected in the process – that’s when engagement creates real impact. I’m proud to help Watercare strengthen these relationships and support decisions that honour both technical excellence and the communities we serve.
ABOUT MOANA WILLIAMS
I’ve always believed leadership isn’t something you claim – it’s something you live. It’s built in the small moments when you choose to listen, show courage, and stand alongside others. For me, leadership began long before I had the title. It grew from adversity, empathy, and an enduring belief that people are at the heart of every decision worth making.Over more than two decades, I’ve worked across learning, organisational development, and engagement, developing teams that thrive on trust and shared purpose. I learned early that true influence isn’t about directing from above but leading from within – being in the trenches when it matters, empowering others to grow, and creating space for every voice to be heard.That belief has guided my journey to Community Relations and Consultation Manager at Watercare, where I lead engagement for some of Auckland’s most significant infrastructure projects. From the Biosolids Strategy to long-term servicing plans, my role is to help communities understand the why behind the work and to ensure their insights shape what comes next. Because infrastructure may be technical, but its success is human.I work with a dedicated team to strengthen trust between the organisation and the people we serve. We design engagement that is inclusive, transparent, and culturally grounded – honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the values of mana whenua. We navigate the complex, emotional spaces that come with large-scale projects, turning opposition into understanding and consultation into collaboration.What drives me most is the purpose behind it all. Water is a taonga – a living force that connects and sustains us. Protecting it requires not only sound engineering but also social licence built on respect and shared responsibility. My mission is to help bridge that gap: bringing together planners, engineers, and communities so that every decision reflects both technical excellence and collective wisdom.Leadership through connection means seeing the human side of systems, the relationships behind results, and the opportunities within challenge. It’s about showing up, listening with intent, and translating complexity into clarity. That’s how trust is built – one conversation at a time.If my areas of interest intersect yours, let\'s connect!
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