Neha Kandalkar

Tell me about your journey, how did you get to be a Hottie?

I moved to New Zealand from India in 2007 as a student and instantly fell in love with the country and knew that this is where I would like to settle. I lived in Rotorua for 7 years before I got a break to move to Auckland. I joined House of Travel in 2014 and because of the work culture, I am still here.

Take us behind the scenes - what does a day in your life look like?

I usually start my day early with a cup of coffee while reviewing my emails and checking the agenda for the day. This helps me prioritize tasks and address any urgent matters. I typically have a online meeting with my team to discuss progress and any roadblocks. The rest of my morning is often spent working on timelines. I try to take a break around noon for lunch, often using this time to step away and clear my head. Sometimes, I go for a quick walk. At the end of the day, I review what we have accomplished, update project statuses, and plan tasks for the next day. I find this helps me stay organized and focused.

What advice would you give someone just starting their career or is interested in your role?

Be flexible and open-minded about your career path. Sometimes, roles that don’t fit your original plan can provide great experience and lead you to unexpected places.

Is there anything people don’t understand about your job that you wish they did?

At times the complexity of the nature of our work. It can be more complex than what it appears to be.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I enjoy working with colleagues, problem-solving, impacting the organization or customers positively and learning opportunities

How would you explain to your friends and family what working here is like?

Working here is a great experience! The environment is supportive and collaborative. There are plenty of opportunities for professional development and learning.

What is it about House of Travel that keeps you coming back?

The collaborative and supportive culture here makes me feel valued. I appreciate how we work together as a team and celebrate each other's successes

What are you looking forward to currently, in your role and personally?

Professionally I am looking forward to contributing to maximise automation and make processes better. I’m excited to see how automation will have a potential impact on our teams’ goals and to learn from my colleagues during the process. Personally I am looking forwarding to developing myself as a leader.

Any last comments you’d like to make?

I've truly enjoyed my time here, especially working with my team, House of Travel allows me to enhance my skills in accounting!