Toyota New Zealand embraces equity with commitment to improving gender balance

Toyota New Zealand is embracing diversity and building a more equitable workplace where all current and future team members feel welcome and supported.

As the world celebrates International Women's Day, Toyota NZ confirmed its commitment to creating leadership opportunities for women with the help of Global Women, which it supports with a Principal Partnership.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Neeraj Lala, is also a Champion for Change alongside 90 CEO’s and Chairs and a member of the Governance Group.

Neeraj says that while gender balance in the top echelons of Toyota NZ is not yet where he would like it to be, it is gratifying that the most profitable divisions of the company are led by women: Michelle Povey, Assistant Vice President – After Sales Operations; and Susanne Hardy, Corporate Manager – New Vehicle Operations.

“We are becoming increasingly transparent about our gender balance. Being open holds us to account publicly and encourages change within. We have a responsibility to improve the representation of women in leadership roles. 

“It’s important for women at all levels within our workforce to see possible career pathways, whether that’s in hands-on mechanical service teams within our store network, or office bound in professional service roles at Stores or head office,” he says.

Agnes Naera, Chief Executive of Global Women says the partnership with Toyota is a lever of change to unlock the power of women to transform typically male dominated industries. 

Toyota New Zealand’s brand vision of Let’s Go Places encapsulates this vision of moving forward together. Let’s Go Places is built on three pillars of community, mobility and sustainability. Being a Principal Partner and supporter of Global Women is part of the company’s contribution to New Zealand’s growth and development as an equitable society.

“As a Global Women partner and Champion for Change, we are committed to developing our woman managers into exceptional leaders and to securing a pipeline of talent,” Neeraj says. 

“Our goal is to develop our diversity so that Toyota New Zealand truly reflects the communities we operate in. Toyota has deep and long held connections in the community. However, as our communities evolve and grow, we also need to make sure we reflect those changes in New Zealand society.”

As a partner to Global Women, Toyota NZ is committed to driving a 40:40:20 balance at all levels of employment, that is at each level of seniority, 40% of both women and men, with the remaining 20% being of any gender (so it is inclusive of all) allowing for a natural flow of people into and out of the organisation. Toyota NZ is working on a gender and diversity strategy and targets and intends to report on progress in its 2023 Sustainability Report.