From probation officer to Retirement Commissioner: Diana’s stories will take you through a career that started with student work at the Roxdale Apricots factory (being paid 50 cents an hour while the bloke next to her was earning 84 cents).

Alongside paid work, Diana has been involved with a variety of charities, usually focussed on justice and equity. Her non-profit roles started with “roll your sleeves up” work and street protests, but now see her at the board table involved in governance.

Diana began work as a probation officer in Christchurch when she was 22 years old. Hitting the glass ceiling, she moved into other public service management roles, including heading up the Equal Employment Opportunities unit at the State Services Commission.

She worked in the new electricity SOE Contact Energy and became the GM Hydro in charge of the Roxburgh and Clyde Dams. After stint in the private sector with AMP, she set up a savings scheme for children.

This morphed into Whai Rawa, the Ngai Tahu saving scheme, which she chaired and led to her role as Retirement Commissioner, promoting financial literacy and the introduction of Kiwisaver.

Following her last full-time job as CE for Wellington Free Ambulance, Diana has joined the boards of Lifetime Retirement Income and four charities, three local: Kaibosh, WELLfed and The Depression Recovery Centre.
Our Story — Whakamātūtū