The SME Stream

What separates truly high-performing organisations from everyone else?
In this episode of HR Unlocked, Lisa Oakley sits down with Estelle Curd, Chief People Officer at Kami, to explore leadership, organisational culture, startup growth, and the role people leaders play in building exceptional workplaces.
Drawing on experience across Rocket Lab, Armstrong's and Kami, Estelle shares practical lessons from founder-led organisations where belief, purpose and high standards drive extraordinary outcomes.
From middle leadership and organisational culture to Women in STEM, flexible work, employee experience, and authentic leadership, this conversation explores what it really takes to build workplaces where people perform at their best while staying connected to meaningful work.
What You'll Learn
Why founder-led organisations often create exceptional cultures

The critical role middle managers play in organisational performance

Why leaders should seek respect before popularity

How purpose and a clear "why" drive engagement and performance

The importance of clarity, transparency and difficult conversations

How HR can create meaningful employee experiences instead of simply managing compliance

Why flexibility still requires clear expectations and accountability

Practical ways organisations can attract more women into STEM careers

How authentic leadership builds trust during uncertainty

Why New Zealand produces world-class talent and how organisations can help it thrive

Key Takeaways
High-performing cultures begin with leaders who model high standards

Respect creates accountability more effectively than authority alone

Great HR is visible, people-focused and deeply connected to the business

Difficult conversations become easier when expectations are clear from the beginning

Strong employee experiences are built through connection, purpose and trust

Career pathways become more accessible when organisations actively create opportunities

Authentic leadership means being honest, vulnerable and consistent

New Zealand organisations have the talent and capability to compete on the global stage when leaders believe in their people

About Estelle Curd
Estelle Curd is Chief People Officer at Kami, where she leads the global people strategy for one of New Zealand's fastest-growing education technology companies.
Her career spans Rocket Lab, Armstrong's and global technology businesses, with expertise in scaling organisations, leadership development, organisational culture, employee experience and people strategy across New Zealand, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Estelle is passionate about helping organisations build high-performing cultures through great leadership, meaningful work and exceptional employee experiences.
Why This Episode Matters
As organisations navigate rapid growth, changing workforce expectations and increasingly flexible ways of working, leadership has never mattered more.
This episode provides practical insights for HR professionals, business owners and leaders looking to build stronger cultures, develop better managers and create workplaces where people genuinely want to perform, contribute and stay.
Resources
Kami: https://www.kamiapp.com
Connect with Estelle Curd on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/estelle-curd-21717699/
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National is committing to no new taxes if re-elected – but the jury is still out over whether that means no tinkering to existing taxes.
This means the party is scrapping both a bed tax and bank tax – something that's disappointed Mayors in tourism hotspots around the country.
Meanwhile, Labour's banking on its capital gains tax to get us back to surplus by 2029/30.
They released their fiscal strategy at the weekend, targeting spending and revenue at around 33% of GDP - and net debt at 20% "over time".
So, what do these competing approaches mean for the economy, and for taxpayers.
Today on The Front Page, independent economist Cameron Bagrie is with us to explain who stands to win or lose, and what voters should be looking for in the numbers before election day.
Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.
Host: Chelsea Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee
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National's Nicola Willis refuses to rule out an increase to the ACC levy if she's returned as Finance Minister.
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The National Party has confirmed it's not going to introduce any new taxes if elected for a second term.
Earlier this month, it indicated it was looking at new bank tax settings and progressing a bed tax, but they've ruled those out.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the party was very clear two weeks ago - and they've clarified these new taxes have been ruled out.
"The three parties of the coalition - National, New Zealand Fist and ACT - agreed to explore it, only explore it...and we've come to our campaign position, which is that we will not do it."
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Labour’s fiscal strategy, debt promises and how it compares with National’s approach. Herald Business Commentator Fran O'Sullivan.
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