Kia ora Lesleigh

“I think we're still on a journey but I’m proud to work in an environment where my culture isn’t just accepted, it’s embraced.” – Lesleigh Ricardi 

For Tauranga local Lesleigh Ricardi, celebrating her culture is important. Growing up in Tauranga she moved to Australia in 2002 but returned to New Zealand more than seven years ago to give her children a direct line to their iwi and active involvement in their marae.

 

“I am Māori but I'm also a working mother and a team leader in a corporate environment,” Lesleigh says. “It’s important for me to set an example for other Māori women in the community and be proud of who I am and where I come from.”

 

Reflecting on the past 12 months, Lesleigh is pleased to see ANZ introduce a te reo Māori language option on all ANZ ATMs in New Zealand.

 

“It shows the bank supports the revitalisation of Maori language in a meaningful way,” she says. “Particularly, it creates opportunities for Māori speakers to fold te reo into their everyday lives. It’s awesome.”

 

 

A key member of ANZ’s Māori and Pasifika Staff Group, Lesleigh is actively involved in developing ways to increase Māori cultural awareness within the bank.

 

“I love that ANZ considers ideas, they don't just go ‘no, not going to do that, don't have the time, don't have the resources’,” she says. “ANZ cares about its customers and it cares about its staff, particularly those who are Māori.”

 

Lesleigh Ricardi has worked at ANZ for the last 15 years and is currently branch manager at Tauranga Crossing in Tauriko, New Zealand.

 

 

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