Summer Q&A: Delivering great service an early lesson for airport chief

Auckland Airport chief executive Adrian Littlewood. Photo / Nick Reed

What was your first job?

Working in Georgie Pie, Greenlane, while still at school.

What did it teach you?

Even if you're selling pies for $1 you should still be delivering great service with great attitude. Also a $1 pie tastes better at 2 in the morning.

What was the best advice you got from your parents?

To be very curious about the world around you and take a broad approach to education. You've got to know how to learn and know how to adapt in a rapidly changing workplace. I studied law, English, economics and anthropology.

How will you relax over the summer break?

Spending a week at Taupo Bay and taking the family around the South Island in a camper van.

What are the big challenges ahead for your company?

The airport is in a period of rapid growth after being largely stagnant for around a decade. How do we maintain that momentum with tourism about to become the biggest export earner? The airport has installed new baggage belts in the international terminal, remodelled screening areas and over summer has hired 50 students to help passengers through the terminal.

And for the wider economy?

How do we open up ourselves as a country to investment to increase our effective capacity? The RMA needs to be improved to ensure that infrastructure is built in time to meet demand.