Meet Vanessa McBean
Introducing Vanessa McBean, our Director of Human Resources. Vanessa has been with us from the beginning and has recently celebrated her 5th anniversary at Te Pae. She is a key factor in the success of Te Pae Christchurch and has recently helped Te Pae to achieve the HRNZ Sustainability Through People Award. Vanessa’s journey, both professionally and personally, has been one of growth and dedication, and she continues to inspire those around her. We are incredibly proud to have her lead our HR department and to contribute to the ongoing success and evolution of Te Pae Christchurch.
What inspired you to become an HR professional?
Before I even had a formal HR role, I was passionate about training and development and delivering excellent onboarding experiences. I was also active on social committees. A former colleague recognised my potential and encouraged me to pursue HR, and it turns out she was spot on!
What do you enjoy most about your job and working at Te Pae?
I love having the opportunity to build the HR department from the ground up, implementing the culture initiatives I’ve always wanted. It’s also been fantastic to form and grow my team, who have been amazing throughout. Being involved in a new venue opening was exciting – I had experience with hotel and department store openings, so it was great to bring that expertise here. The Te Pae team is exceptional – professional, fun, and resilient.
How is working at Te Pae different from other organisations?
Te Pae offers the unique combination of being the only ASM Global venue in New Zealand while having the backing of the People and Culture team across the APAC region. I take great pride in contributing to the regeneration of Christchurch, a city I’ve grown to love, even though I’m not originally from here. The building’s beautiful design, which incorporates significant meaning, inspires me daily. The variety of events we host makes each day unique, and knowing we’re offering people the opportunity to connect and share innovative ideas is incredibly motivating.
What project at Te Pae are you most proud of, and why?
I’m particularly proud of our focus on wellbeing, which has allowed us to build strong traditions within the team. We have monthly initiatives that align with current venue themes or national and international campaigns. Every season, we celebrate with a sustainable gift for our permanent team. We also surprise our team throughout the year with fun celebrations, like surprise doughnuts or a family picnic in our exhibition hall during winter, complete with bouncy castles and lawn games. Another highlight is our Christmas film event in the auditorium, which is a favourite among the team.
What inspires you?
I’m passionate about enabling people to thrive. We spend so much time at work, and I believe it’s important to create an environment that fosters growth and positivity, allowing our team to develop both professionally and personally.
Any hobbies or interests that are important to you?
I absolutely love gardening. While it’s hard work, it’s incredibly rewarding and relaxing. As a child, I dreamed of living in an art gallery in a botanical garden, and I’m slowly working towards that goal – though I might need to win the lottery to make the art gallery part a reality!
Are there any interesting HR trends you’re keeping an eye on?
I’m fascinated by the potential of AI and am eager to see how my team can effectively incorporate it into our work. I’m also very interested in the growing trend of skills-based recruitment.
What’s next for you, Vanessa?
Opening a new venue creates strong bonds and a culture built on shared experiences. The challenge now are to sustain that culture and keep it engaging for both new team members and those who’ve been with us since the beginning. One project I’m focused on is identifying the skills our team will need in the future.
