When Maureen started with OCS 46 years ago, she thought it might be a short-term job. Her parents were already on the cleaning team in Masterton, and when a vacancy came up, she stepped in to help. Nearly five decades later, she’s still here – the longest-serving colleague in the company.
In that time, she’s worked in government offices, medical centres, a high school, and ACC sites. She’s seen the job change from ashtrays on desks to today’s colour-coded cleaning cloths, health and safety standards, and formal Standard Operating Procedures. During COVID-19, she took the extra cleaning protocols in her stride.
“You just get on with it,” she says. “Do the job properly, and you can be proud of it.”
She still remembers walking into a site at the start of the evening in those early years, switching on the floor scrubber in an empty hallway, and thinking how satisfying it would be to leave everything fresh and tidy by the time she locked up.
A career built on people
For Maureen, it’s always been about more than the work itself. It’s the people she’s met along the way – colleagues who became close friends, supervisors who trusted her to run a site on her own, and customers who treated her as part of their team.
She especially remembers her time at Masterton Medical, where all of the staff always made her feel welcome.
“They were so nice. The manager was great. It makes all the difference when people see you as part of the place.”
Some of those friendships lasted decades. One of those was Diane Taylor, an OCS colleague who joined the team at the same time as Maureen and who passed away last year. The two often compared notes over the phone about the ups and downs of the job, sometimes joking about leaving together.
“She’d ring and say, ‘I can’t do this any longer. Are you going to go?’ And I’d say, ‘Not yet – let me know when you are.’”
That connection, along with friendships formed on the job, has been a constant thread in Maureen’s career. From tea breaks in the old six-storey departmental building to Monday catch-ups with her friend Trudie – a fellow cleaner from those early days – the camaraderie has been just as important as the work itself.
Flexibility has also helped Maureen stay so long. With family spread across the country, she’s been able to take time for birthdays, school sports, and now, looking after her son’s puppy when needed.
Still showing up
Today, Maureen works an hour and a half each evening at ACC. The shorter shifts suit her, leaving more time for her growing whānau.
“I’ve been really lucky. OCS has looked after me, and I’ve met some wonderful people along the way. I really enjoy my work, and I can’t see myself giving up anytime soon.”
She takes pride in keeping standards high, even on a quiet shift where she might not see another soul. It’s a habit built over decades – arriving on time, doing the job properly, and knowing her customers can rely on her. For Maureen, that’s what trust looks like.
Her 46 years are a reminder that progress isn’t only about new technology or systems. It’s about people who show up, day after day, living the values of Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment – and who keep the wheels turning behind the scenes. Thank you, Maureen, for your care and commitment!
