AT’S male-dominated team criticised
Increased gender diversity is needed in Auckland Transport’s (AT) male-dominated executive team, women’s groups say.
International research shows that a more diverse workforce benefits businesses’ bottom-line, and New Zealand’s Ministry for Women says more needs to be done to ensure women move into leadership roles.
Despite this, AT’S executive team, which is the highest level of management and decision making in the council organisation, is made up of nine men and one woman.
AT said in a written statement it was committed to diversity and inclusion.
Positions were appointed on the relevant skills and experience required for the job, it said.
‘‘We always hire on this basis but acknowledge we need to broaden the search and talent pool we hire from in the first place.’’
Throughout AT women made up 43 per cent of staff, it said.
Women in Urbanism spokeswoman Emma Mcinnes said AT’S executive team was not representative of Auckland’s population.
It was hard to imagine how a team lacking in gender diversity could address the needs of all Aucklanders, Mcinnes said.
Gender quotas could be implemented to increase diversity on the team, she said.
Global Women chief executive Miranda Burdon said there was an onus on public entities, like AT, to have diverse leadership as
‘‘Diversity has been shown repeatedly to make good business sense.’’ Miranda Burdon
it was in the best interests of the public it served.
‘‘Diversity has been shown repeatedly to make good business sense, and although it may initially require a bit more work to change a non-diverse team, that effort is worth it at a social and economic level,’’ Burdon said.
The executive team should follow AT’S board of directors lead, which was 45 per cent female, she said.
Developing a pipeline where talent could be channelled through management levels was key in addressing diversity problems, she said.
Research found if there was only one woman present on an average-sized board, there was a tendency for them to find it hard to voice their perspectives, she said.
AT said it had a diversity and inclusion leadership team focussed on ensuring progress in these areas.