Michael Munar is no stranger to starting over in a new country.
The Filipino civil engineer relocated to Qatar in 2022, before emigrating to New Zealand in 2024, to follow his wife’s career in healthcare.
In just two years, he’s become an integral part of the OCS Wellington team, but it was a hard start in a country the couple knew they wanted to make home.
“I was looking for a job in the engineering and construction industry for about five months before I found a role with OCS,” Michael explains.
“It was difficult in the beginning. We arrived with one suitcase each, so we were essentially starting from scratch. My wife went straight into work as a dental assistant, but subsisting on one income meant we still had to accept gifted food and furniture just to make ends meet.”
As a global business with over 130,000 employees, OCS regularly sees the challenges new arrivals face when relocating.
Qualifications and experience don’t always transfer from one country to another, meaning highly skilled individuals are forced to seek work outside their field of training, which can be difficult to accept.
Giving people the opportunity to work, contribute and build stability is one of the most practical ways we can support social mobility.
Roles can be shaped based on a colleague’s skill set. Michael’s role combines general cleaning, specialist services, and property maintenance.
From upholstery and glass cleaning to furniture and fitting repairs, his engineering background supports our integrated facilities services, helping make Victoria University a great place to study, where students and teachers can show up to a clean, hygienic and safe learning environment.
Wellington Area Manager, Emma Wildon, says it’s a privilege to be someone’s first employer in a new country.
“We’ve created a safe grounding base for people who are new to the country, and they’re welcomed into the Wellington whānau.
“I like to think of OCS as having an open door, where we work together to create meaningful employment. Because everyone can work for us, it’s just about finding the right place for them.”
Building a new life twice over has taught Michael to be flexible and resilient, while maintaining his sense of humour.
“When you’re working in a multi-cultural team, you need to learn from your colleagues and adjust how you work together to get the best results,” he says.
“Every role, no matter how small it may seem, contributes to the overall success of the team. Supporting one another and maintaining a positive attitude make a big difference.”
The fast pace of work has challenged Michael to strengthen his communication skills and when things slow down at break-time, he’s using these skills to connect deeper with his team.
“When we sit down to share food, there are many different religions and cultures in the room. We’re conscious of understanding and respecting each other’s beliefs,” he says.
“We look after each other, and it’s taught me that my community is everything.”
Michael says he’s grateful to be part of the OCS whānau, and that he and his wife are now paying forward the support they received, while creating a meaningful life in their new home city.
Looking back, he says the small moments have mattered most, checking in on each other, sharing food and taking the time to understand differences.
“We look after each other here,” he says. “That’s what makes a difference.”
