STORY KYLIE HAWKER-GREEN
RJ LEFT: Marcel and RJ on site.
Catbagan smiles a lot. He has a lot to be happy about. A new job as Supervisor of a Reservoir Services team that allows him to utilise his skills and expertise gained from working around the world in the geothermal and oil and gas industries. And, at the time this article was being prepared, his first baby was due any day. Of course, being separated by over 8000 kilometres from his wife at this time might be challenging for some, but RJ is passionate about creating a better life for his family. He plans to visit his wife and new child back in the Philippines soon and bring them to New Zealand to settle in Taupō. “I hopped off the plane direct from Manila in May this year, and it was only 4 degrees,” RJ says, “so it was straight into town to buy a warm jacket! Since then, I have come to love Taupō; it is a very friendly place with a clean and healthy lifestyle. I think my family will love it here and I’m hoping to be based in Taupō for many years.” RJ is one of many international staff employed at MB Century, a multi-national geothermal and energy solutions company with over 60 years
PHOTOS JEREMY BRIGHT AT GRABB
in Taupō. “Our international crew add an incredible dynamic to our operation,” Marcel Manders, MB Century CEO, explains. “With over 400 staff across our South-East Asia business units, we recognised early that we need highly skilled and suitable people. So we look far and wide to find the best, with RJ being just one example. Not only do our international team add their global perspectives and best practice experiences to our business, they also share their skills and knowledge with our Kiwi team which helps them to grow and develop. It’s definitely a win-win.” MB Century is known internationally and within Taupō as one of the biggest employers in the district, contributing more than $10m into the local economy annually. With core services including drilling for oil, gas and geothermal, reservoir management, steamfield design, and power station maintenance the business has diversified from the early days of drilling for the Wairakei Geothermal Power Station. “Continued diversification and investment in growth are definitely
ISSUE#01 G R E A T O P P O R T U N I T I E S . C O . N Z
5.