Driver Spotlight: Taylor Whittle

A Decade of Dedication

Taylor has been with WM New Zealand for ten years. Reflecting on his journey, he shares, "All drivers in Whakatane start off with the smaller trucks. I was an LEV driver when I first joined and serviced kerbside recycling for about four and a half years. My operations supervisor proposed the idea of getting my Class 3 licence, so I got it and spent two years driving rear loaders and gantry trucks. I then had the opportunity to progress to Class 4, and now I drive side loaders and hook trucks for kerbside collections. I am also a qualified BI trainer. I’m like your VTNZ instructor that passes your driving licence test but for trucks."

A Diverse and Rewarding Role

When asked what he enjoys most about his role, Taylor emphasises the variety and responsibility it brings. "I have become a multi-skilled driver driving different trucks, so not one day is the same for me. When I’m not on the road, I’m in the office doing driver audits and looking through the documents to ensure our driver training is in order and that they are being completed properly. We don’t want people to tick boxes for the sake of doing so; we want to ensure we are delivering exceptional and safe services."

Why WM?

Taylor appreciates the stability and growth opportunities WM offers. "We are an essential service. During COVID, a lot of businesses and roles were laid off, but fortunately, with WM, our services were needed so we still had job security. WM provides a lot of opportunities to upskill their people, and with us drivers, we can have our different licences. Once you have this, there’s a lot of flexibility in the work we do so it’s never boring."

Team Spirit and Community Connection

Taylor also values the camaraderie among his colleagues in Whakatane. "We’ve got a great team here. Even if most of us spend our days inside a truck, we’ve made good connections with each other. A lot of us have been with the company for about five to six years, so we’ve gotten closer and communicate and meet up outside of work. Our bosses also care about us. We look after each other. A good team means I can enjoy going to work every day."

Community Appreciation

One of the highlights for Taylor is the appreciation from the community. "Us drivers, we’re used to hearing about complaints, no matter how much we try our best to complete our jobs properly – whether it’s driving too fast or dropping waste. The moment we receive a compliment or a nice note from someone, it immediately brightens our day, even if it’s all the way to the last hour of the service. It’s nice hearing the words, ‘thank you’, ‘thank you for doing the best in your job’, ‘this wouldn’t be possible without you’. It makes us feel valued and reminds us that we are doing important work for the community."

A Helpful Tip for Residents

Taylor offers some practical advice for the community. "For us side load/side arm drivers, we often find it difficult when bins and crates are placed so close together. What may be a 60-second job becomes a manoeuvring challenge. We know that residents might think it’s nice and orderly to have bins lined up closely, but it would be a great help for us if you could space them out a bit. About 90% of kerbs will have room for this, and this would make it easier and more efficient for us to collect 1000 bins every day. Make sure it's also not in the way of trees and concrete powerlines; otherwise, we damage the property, our trucks, or we have to get off the truck to reposition the bins, which takes time. It’s an educational piece that would be handy for everyone to know."

A Personal Insight

Taylor reveals a lesser-known fact about himself. "I’m loud and outspoken at work, but I started off as a quiet and shy team member, and I was once intimidated by big personalities. It took me years to come out of my shell, but now I am more confident and comfortable in voicing my opinions. I also extend this to my teammates and become their voice when they can’t express their thoughts and opinions."

Words of Wisdom

Finally, Taylor shares some advice for his fellow team members and drivers. "Give it a go! Before WM, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I was doing different courses until I got the opportunity to work here. Now, I’ve achieved a lot of things through the company, and I enjoy what I do. Also, don’t be afraid of having a voice. If you’re unhappy, don’t sit and hold back. Speak up. Don’t be scared of being made fun of. Remember there are no stupid questions."

As we kick off Driver and Operator Appreciation Week, we are proud to celebrate the dedication and achievements of drivers like Taylor Whittle, whose hard work and commitment keep our communities clean and safe every day.