At Massey University in Palmerston North, Specialist Cleaner Andrew Brown is known for more than his spotless floors — he’s known for the pride he takes in every job. His colleagues and customers see it too: Andrew has achieved every OCS TRUE Star — in fact, six of them in total — for Trust, Respect, Unity and Empowerment.
Originally employed as a flooring specialist, Andrew’s role has evolved over the years to include window cleaning, carpet cleaning, and even single-level building washes. Whether it’s resurfacing laboratory floors or preparing new buildings after construction, he approaches each task with passion, quiet determination and care.
“It’s about pride,” says Andrew. “You go into a space that’s tired and marked, and when you’ve finished, it looks beautiful again. You can see the difference your work makes — and that’s a great feeling.”
It’s this pride that earned him the nickname Super Duper Cleaning Guy — a title first given by a Massey staff member after seeing his three-day effort to restore a grease-stained floor in the university’s Food Lab. Armed with a steamer and persistence, Andrew brought the once-blackened surface back to its original yellow sheen. Months later, the same team were still asking for “the Super Duper Cleaning Guy” by name.
“Andrew’s work speaks for itself,” says Donna Marshall, Area Manager – Manawatū. “He treats his work environment with respect, follows our processes, and puts in the effort needed to get things right. Whether it was the tough window work or taking on extra jobs when the branch was stretched, Andrew steps up without hesitation.
“He’s also generous with his knowledge — training others in flooring and specialist work with real enthusiasm. Andrew brings our TRUE values to life every day.”
After nearly five years with OCS, Andrew shows what it means to live our TRUE values every day. He takes time to do the job right, mentors casual team members, and never loses sight of the value of good work. He’s also humble about recognition — to him, the TRUE Stars are simply a reflection of how OCS colleagues look out for one another.
“Even just someone saying, ‘Thanks, that looks great,’ means a lot,” he says. “It’s about being appreciated for what you do — and appreciating others, too.”
For Andrew, no two days are the same. From specialist cleaning across Massey’s sprawling campus to readying rooms for visiting sports teams, he finds satisfaction in seeing the results — clean spaces that make others’ days easier.
He believes cleaning offers far more variety and purpose than many people realise.
“It’s not the same every day — that’s what I like about it,” he says. “You’ve got to hold yourself to a high standard, because the work you do matters. If you put in the effort, people notice. You can build a career here if you really want to.”
Andrew’s story reflects what OCS stands for: honest work done well, people supporting each other, and pride in making places better for everyone who uses them.