Home is where the heart is
Sue Foley may have held down some of the most senior positions in New Zealand, but she’s never left Rangitı¯kei. Her lifestyle property near Marton is where she heads to and relaxes at weekends after a busy corporate day somewhere in New Zealand.
She might be director of external relations at Westpac, chairwoman of Food HQ at Massey University, on the board of the Central Economic Development Agency, and an adviser to isport, established by Richie Mccaw to financially help young sportspeople, but home is where she grew up. ‘‘This region has a heart and I’ve never left it,’’ she says.
Foley, 62, grew up on a farm north of Bulls, rode a pony, attended Rangitı¯kei College and dabbled in photography, winning a national school award.
By the sixth form, she wanted a job. She found it as a medical photographer at Palmerston North Hospital. ‘‘I took photos of everything from new buildings to bodies, to body parts to whatever overseas lecturers wanted in their portfolios,’’ she says.
After 21⁄2, years, Foley was ready
for something else. The job for an 18-year-old had some horrifying aspects, such as photographing victims of child abuse. Taking wedding photos was a happier option.
She’d always been interested in horses and had worked in a racing stable. When Des Coppins, the editor of Friday Flash, engaged her to record the track work at Bulls Racecourse, she found a profession she loved.
‘‘I entered journalism without formal training. I worked for Friday Flash and wrote a racing column for the Rangitı¯kei Mail under the name of Rag Doll,’’ Foley recalls.
She took photos and wrote huge captions that almost grew into stories. It impressed editor Paul Melody. Her grounding in Rangitı¯kei led her to TV One as a freelancer and then to Radio Station 2XS in Palmerston North. She learned on the job, writing and voicing stories and reading the news. She’d married young and wanted her son, Byron, to complete his education here.
By 1992, after seven years at 2XS, Foley applied for the position of press secretary to leader of the Opposition Mike Moore. She was interviewed by a panel and told them her hero was Janis Joplin. They liked Sue, but not her music, and she didn’t get the job.
But 1993 was election year and Moore also needed an on-the-road press secretary. She was the ideal choice. She launched his book, became immersed in his campaign and witnessed the chaotic election night. There were more pendulum swings than pendulums and, by the following morning, Jim Bolger had won the narrowest of victories.
Recalling her earlier television involvement and wanting to be where the action is, Foley returned to TV.
She became assistant bureau chief for TV3 in Wellington and then chief of staff in Auckland. Her years were exemplified by working with John Campbell and producing 20/20.
One piece of advice from Paul Melody stayed with her. He told her it wasn’t enough to travel through life – it was more important to leave a mark.
Foley was determined to do just that. In 1999, she left TV to work for Team NZ and the America’s Cup Village. Sir Peter Blake won the cup in 2000 and she worked closely with him. Later she became chairwoman of the Sir Peter Blake Trust. Her next challenge was Tranz Rail. ‘‘The company was in free fall, resulting from financial problems and, as the ‘PR sheila’, I handled the serious issues.’’
Tranz Rail’s trains, ships and trucks offered plenty. Foley stayed at the helm through a change of ownership to 2008. When Westpac came calling, Foley was ready for money, investment and relating to people. She set up the external relations unit and became its director in 2010.
If you’re ever at Palmerston North Airport early on a Monday morning you’ll find her ready to fly to Auckland or anywhere.
The Manawatu¯ region is home among her sheep, cats, dogs, pony and roses. Her partner is there and so is Byron, who’s returned to Marton as a music teacher. The region gives Foley a perspective. ‘‘Both in politics and at Westpac, I give them a provincial voice. I’m the voice of the region. I’m incredibly fortunate to grow up in Bulls. It’s given me attitude and the ability to do stuff. I want to impress on people that anyone from anywhere can do it.’’