Potatoes New Zealand connects with various women in the industry as part of International Women’s Day to discover the amazing work they do in the sector.
Name: Bobby Hall
Company: Potatoes New Zealand
What do you do in your current role?
I am the Finance Manager for Potatoes New Zealand, and this role covers finance, payroll, database and operational aspects.
What do you particularly enjoy about it?
I chose roles where I get lots of hands-on and variety in my day-to-day work and get to meet genuinely nice people. Variety means that you are always learning, and it is this that I really enjoy.
Change, adoption and innovation is what makes me smile.
How long have you been with your organisation?
2 years on 1 April
How do you find working in the potato industry/primary industries?
You can’t beat working with people who produce food and are passionate about it. Horticulture seems to be where lots of great people work.
Have you encountered any specific challenges?
Haha…. growers are busy so replying to an invite isn’t top of their list, but they always turn up. 
Please share any standout moments in your life?
Standout moments are a hindsight thing, and the good thing about them is that they all make you the person you are.
My most recent personal standout is walking the Routeburn Track in near perfect weather.
What does your organisation do for inclusion and diversity?
Potatoes New Zealand has very open eyes and works with a lot of people and organisations. If you treat everyone with respect, there is total inclusion and no lack of diversity.
What or who inspires you?
My children who are all in their 30’s and know that anything is possible if you work hard at it.
What do you wish you had known before you started in your profession?
That accounting can be so much more than just numbers if you find a business where the product (potatoes) is real and delivers a great outcome (feeding people)
What would you tell another woman interested in working in the potato industry/primary industries?
Give 150% to any role, take that learning and zigzag in your career to give yourself a wide set of skills – and then the world will give you opportunities.
International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women’s achievements or rally for women’s equality. #AccelerateAction
Find out more at www.internationalwomensday.com