Consistently Reliable: Tem Oneroa’s Quiet Contribution to South Wairarapa
When most of South Wairarapa is still asleep, Citycare Property’s Rubbish Truck Operator Te Moana (Tem) Oneroa, is already on the road. His day begins at 3am in Masterton, where he lives, before heading out in the dark to start clearing every town street bin and roadside bin across Greytown, Martinborough and Featherston. By the time the sun comes up, he has already covered 144 bins and swept up anything that needs attention, often before anyone has even noticed.
Tem enjoys what he does for a job and it fits in with his home life. He says, “I enjoy the exercise and don’t mind getting up early in the morning. The job is easy for me. I get to go home at 11am, sleep again, and then have the rest of the day to do something else.”
Tem has been with Citycare Property’s Open Space Maintenance (OSM) team for South Wairarapa for around four years and has only taken one sick day since. Before joining the team, he worked long shifts at a sawmill in Masterton and trained young workers on the equipment. “The twelve hour shifts every day got a bit too much,” he shares.
When Tem applied for a role with Citycare Property, OSM Supervisor Rob McLaughlin didn’t hesitate to bring him onboard. He describes Tem as someone the whole team can count on and he brings a positive attitude to work. “He is very reliable and willing to chip in wherever he can,” Rob says. “He’s cheerful, always smiling, and he is dedicated to the job.”
Tem also serves as an extra pair of eyes for the rest of the open space maintenance team. He reports hazards and anything broken that needs fixing by the team. He also helps keep streets safe, clearing broken glass near the bins even before they’re even reported. During busy times, he also does weed eating and mowing when needed.
Summer brings its own challenges with increased rubbish and busier streets, but Tem takes it in stride. He enjoys the rhythm of the work and the people he meets along the way. “We have good people in the community,” he says.
Outside of work, Tem’s time is centred on whānau. He lives in Masterton and has family in Martinborough. “I spend time with family, and I look after my mum,” he says simply.
Rob says the team’s connection to the community is what keeps them motivated. “People notice when things aren’t done well. These are small country towns, and we live within the communities we work in, so we’re invested.”
The open space maintenance team of nine delivering for South Wairarapa District Council does everything from sports fields mowing, amenity cleaning, cemetery services, roadside spraying, parks and playground maintenance, and litter collection.
In the middle of all that, there is Tem’s steady presence, quietly contributing to keep South Wairarapa looking well cared for.