Earlier this year, Kat Kaiwai was recognised with a King's Service Medal for Services to Women, civil construction and her community. More recently, she also won the Rural Women New Zealand Rural Champion Award for 2024.
Kaiwai talks about what it means to be recognised for such high honours not only in her local community but across the entire country.
As the sole owner of Tairāwhiti Contractors, she talks about her journey to becoming a business owner and the experience she built up in the industry before taking the big leap out on her own.
Kaiwai also touches on Cyclone Gabrielle and the lasting impact it has had on Tairāwhiti and the surrounding communities even now nearly two years on.
Listen to the full chat between Kai Kaiwai and Dominic George above.
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