Renee Herbert is Kaweka Health’s Procurement Manager. She started her working career as a wool handler and presser for her parents’ shearing contracting business.

Renee learnt from a very young age about business and time management from this industry and this has formed the foundations of her career.

“I often head back home to Te Awamutu to lend a hand in the woolshed …never forget where you started!”

Renee comes to Kaweka Health with 14 years’ experience in healthcare, with a special interest in surgical environments. She started out in disability and mental health, which then led her into the hospital setting. She has worked at Waikato, Capital & Coast and Hawke’s Bay District Health Boards, in a variety of roles, all within Operating Theatre departments. She is also a qualified Sterile Services Technician & Community Support Worker.

Please describe what you do in your role?

Procurement is the ‘heartbeat’ of any business, without goods or services to complete a task or perform, a business cannot function. I am responsible for sourcing, purchasing and supplying consumables and equipment for all clinical and non-clinical functions. It is crucial in my role that I build relationships with a variety of businesses and suppliers to find goods (& services) of high quality, reliability and that are cost effective.

What are you most excited about with being involved in a establishing a new elective surgery facility?

To me, ‘your health is your wealth’ and I am excited Kaweka Health is going to improve health and wellbeing for many Hawke’s Bay (and hopefully wider catchments) of people. Kaweka will be #MakingItBetter now, and long into the future and I am very grateful I am onboard now at the foundations to help build it up.

What has been a highlight so far…

I am really enjoying working with an amazing group of people who all have a wealth of knowledge and experiences that I can learn from. I feel comfortable and well supported from across all levels.