Interview: Our People: Jack Sandoe

Meet Jack Sandoe, the groundskeeper for LPC since September 2019. Jack looks after our four sites, making sure they are well maintained, and we chatted to him about why he loves working at the Port. 

 

What does your job involve?

I maintain the grounds at MidlandPort, CityDepot, Lyttelton Port and Te Ana Marina. This involves mowing the grass, spraying, watering and whatever really needs doing. Part of this is keeping the grounds up to standard around the water retention areas for Resource Consent and maintaining weeds for MPI.

What’s the most unique part of your role?

It changes based on the day. It’s impacted a lot by the seasons and weather so over the year my priorities and duties shift. This means planning is essential.

What challenges do you enjoy in your job?

Before I started, the groundskeeping was contracted to different companies. Because I am starting this role from scratch, I have to set everything up, ensure the role is efficient and manage all the work over the four sites. It’s a challenge but I enjoy it.

What makes you proud to work at the Port?

The Port is taking steps to make the machinery I use efficient and environmentally friendly. The battery-powered lawn mowers are less noisy and move away from using fossil fuels.

Who or what inspires you?

The people that work here. I had a lot of questions when I first started and everyone that I talked to has been very helpful, friendly, and understanding. This has been everyone, from the management through to those I meet on my breaks.

What’s something people may not know about you?

Before starting at LPC, I was a groundskeeper for organisations that support those living with a disability for 30 years. It was great watching children grow and teaching them about gardening and the outdoors.

Subscribe for the latest Port news

Website design and development by BECK & CAUL