NorthTec redundancy spurs Northland woman to creative path

Raewyn Lindsay unexpectedly found herself jobless at the end of last year, finding solace in painting, bushwalks and figuring out what her core skills are. Photo / Brodie Stone

In December last year, Northland’s annual average unemployment rate was 5.7%, above the national average of 5.3% for the same period.

After more than a decade working at NorthTec, former learning and resources librarian Raewyn Lindsay unexpectedly found herself joining that percentage.

“You knew that something was coming,” she said, but she didn’t foresee being left jobless.

“I was like, ‘Okay’ ... I didn’t want to crumble with these changes.”

During an unsettling year of restructures, Lindsay began painting.

“As the stress of the changes came upon all of us, me particularly, I used that stress to go to my art room ... so it was an emotional release.”

When she officially lost her role in December after it was disestablished, Lindsay threw herself fully into her new hobby.

Lindsay grieved the loss of her role, which she said wasn’t “just a job”.

“I loved my job.”

She gained joy from guiding and supporting students, and treasured the relationships she built with other kaimahi [staff].

Following the redundancy, Lindsay rebuilt her CV and worked on cover letters, leading to a lot of self-reflection.

“... I didn’t realise how much I’d learned over the 11-and-a-half years,” she said.

She saw how many of her skills were transferable as well.

Lindsay regularly checked SEEK and Trade Me for roles fitted to her, all the while painting in her home studio.

About a month ago, she spoke with The Bach, who helped organise her first exhibition at the foyer of cafe Mokaba at the Whangārei Town Basin.

Raewyn Lindsay with her piece "Steadfast". Photo / Brodie Stone

She created posters, developed her Facebook page, made labels, named her art and designed a catalogue.

“... It feels such an accomplishment, such an achievement and ... I’m just happy,” she said.

Finding solace in her art wasone of the many ways Lindsay kept herself busy while working toward employment.

Raewyn Lindsay with "Release", another of her pieces that she will be showcasing at an exhibition this month. Photo / Brodie Stone

She also joined a local walking group and regularly ventured up Parihaka. She said leaning on her faith also helped hold her together.

Her message to those in a similar position was to allow space for grief, develop their CV, take care of their well-being, and meet new people.

“I can’t reiterate how important that is to people when they’re going through redundancy, when they leave their redundancy, you have to take care of yourself.”

Career guidance and employment specialist and director at New Focus NZ, Muriel Willem, said redundancy could feel deeply personal for some.

“... Many describe how profoundly the experience affected them.”

Willem said connection, reflection and caring for one’s wellbeing could make the time following redundancy one of renewal.

Periods between roles were an opportunity to reconnect with one’s self.

Hobbies and personal interests could provide a sense of enjoyment and purpose, while free community courses could help develop new skills, she said.

“I remember a client who was struggling in a difficult job market. During that time, she rediscovered her talent for scrapbooking and card-making.”

“What began as a hobby eventually grew into an opportunity to teach others her craft.”

Raewyn Lindsay's month-long exhibition comes after she was made redundant in December last year. Photo / Brodie Stone

Another client used the gift of time to begin writing the memoir she had long hoped to complete, Willem said.

The disruption of redundancy could pose important questions like what a person wanted from their next role, what skills were transferable and what work environment suited them.

“Redundancy may feel like an ending, but it can also be the start of something new – a chance for growth, fresh opportunities, and unexpected possibilities.”

“Stay positive, and the silver lining will find you,” Willem said.

Lindsay said she viewed any job rejection as “redirection”.

“Obviously, I don’t have a job yet, but it just means just the right one hasn’t come up, that’s all,” she said.

“... The interesting thing is ... I have no idea where I’m going. I really don’t, and it’s actually really exciting.”

Lindsay’s art will be exhibited in the foyer at Mokaba cafe from March 22 until May 24.

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.

*The previous version of this story stated Northland’s annual average employment rate was at 5.7% this should have been unemployment. This has been amended.