Welcome Kirsten McDougall.

Te Hautū Kahurangi | Tertiary Education Union (TEU) is excited to welcome Kirsten McDougall, who joined the staff in the first week of March as our new Te Pou Whakawhiti / Aumangea | Communications and Campaigns Lead.

Kirsten comes to us from NZEI Te Riu Roa where she worked as Communications Advisor and Director of Communications. Before that, Kirsten was Publicity Manager at Te Herenga Waka University Press, and she’s also a fiction writer.

Kirsten says she’s excited to combine her education and union experience in her new role at TEU.

“I love working in communications because essentially, it’s about telling stories. The best part of my day in union comms is always when I talk to members and hear your stories – what you love about your work and what is challenging for you. I want to get these stories out either into media or onto socials – so your work is seen, and the challenges you face in your work are also seen and shared.”

She says she feels like she’s found her home working in unions.

“Unions are a point of resistance, which is crucial. We can all play an important part in labour justice and social justice. No employer or politician ever freely offered up the 40-hour week or paid parental leave or pay equity, it took union members to make these things happen. Also, world events are bleak right now and community and whānau is what makes living easier and more joyful. Being in a union is being in community. I’m big on bringing fun and joy into work too!”

When she’s not at working Kirsten is trying to finish her fourth novel. She’s a mum to two nearly grown-ups and has lived on the wild south coast of Te Whanganui-a-Tara for years.

If you have a work story to tell, please reach out to her at Kirsten.McDougall@teu.ac.nz