By Hannah Mason, BNZ Business Partner and member of the Rangatahi Advisory Panel
The views expressed by Hannah are her own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of our multi-year Leading Partner, BNZ, whom Hannah represents.
I’ll be honest, when I first came across The Aotearoa Circle, I didn’t know who they were. Someone had sent me a document titled Protecting New Zealand’s Competitive Advantage, and I remember thinking, what is this, and why should I care? But as I read it, I was struck by how relevant it was, especially in my work with trade customers at BNZ.
The paper helped me make sense of the huge global shifts underway, and how those changes might affect our clients here in Aotearoa. It wasn’t just another report, it was a call to think bigger and act smarter about the future of our natural and economic resilience.
Then, a few months ago, I was shoulder-tapped to put my name forward for the Circle’s Rangatahi Advisory Panel. The more I learned about the Circle’s kaupapa, the more it aligned with my own values, particularly around environmental and economic resilience, and long-term thinking.
Personal and professional alignment
Through my work and personal life, I’m seeing firsthand the real-world impacts of climate change and natural disasters from insurance challenges to community displacement. Having family affected by Cyclone Gabrielle made it even more personal. That’s why I’m particularly excited about the Circle’s work on the Natural Infrastructure Plan.
It’s a space where my professional life and personal values overlap, thinking not just about economic systems, but how we can design infrastructure that strengthens communities and protects our environment for generations to come.
That long-term, intergenerational thinking, something I’ve learned more about through te ao Māori, is something I wish was more common across the country. We need to be making 100-year decisions, not five-year ones because the choices we make today will shape the Aotearoa our tamariki and mokopuna inherit.
One of the things that excites me most about being on the Rangatahi Advisory Panel is the platform the Circle provides. Being able to sit alongside experienced leaders and contribute to real decisions, that’s huge. And the listening to the insights of the other RAP is broadening my own mind. We all come from different backgrounds - business, science, community, agriculture. Knowledge is power and being able to share that knowledge with my clients, friends, and whānau feels like a ripple effect of positive change.
Lessons from 2020
My own passion for sustainability really started back in 2020, that unforgettable year when the world stopped. I was finishing my degree in International Business and Finance at Otago University, and, like everyone, I was watching the world change around me.
What really struck me was how quickly the environment responded when human activity slowed down. Waterways that hadn’t seen fish for decades were suddenly alive again. Air quality improved in major cities. It was an eye-opener; proof our actions as businesses and consumers have massive, immediate impacts on the environment.
That experience reshaped how I saw my future. I knew I wanted to stay in business banking, but I also knew that sustainability needed to be part of that journey. That’s why I’ve since gone on to do my Master’s in Sustainable Business through Otago, and I’m almost at the finish line now.
My master’s research focuses on how employees use plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) supplied by their companies. People are choosing to use their fuel cards instead of charging their car. It’s a small but telling example of how incentives and behaviour don’t always align with sustainability goals. By understanding that gap, I hope to encourage more sustainable practices, not just in policy, but in everyday behaviour.
Looking ahead
What excites me about being part of The Aotearoa Circle is connection. Connection to people, to place, and to purpose. It’s about using what I know, learning from others, and helping shape decisions that will make Aotearoa a better place now, and for generations to come. We’re so lucky to live in such a beautiful country – and it’s worth protecting.
