Ben Thomas Email and Phone Number
I am committed to learning about the world and making a difference in the lives of others. With an enduring passion for people and guided by the values of Manaakitanga and Kaitiakitanga, my unique journey has been shaped by a profound desire to serve and care for others while pursuing personal growth and embracing challenges. A career should be fulfilling and serve a greater purpose. My professional experiences have been diverse and unique. Completion of internships at two New Zealand Consulates-General in Asia, in Shanghai through MFAT and Ho Chi Minh City through New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), has equipped me with experience in foreign affairs, project management, and policy advising.These offshore experiences, alongside my career as an international flight attendant, mean I am resilient and well-versed in working in an intercultural environment, providing care and manaakitanga to external stakeholders, quickly forming strong relationships, and working within a team to ensure priorities are met and achieving high-level outcomes. Proven experience in safety and security critical environments demonstrates my adaptability and sound judgment in managing confidential information, strong security awareness, contingency planning, and ability to act decisively. Education is power, and commitment to personal and professional growth saw me enter university as a mature student and graduate with a Bachelor's in Global Politics and Human Rights at the University of Auckland. A highlight in my academic journey is being honoured twice as a recipient of the Prime Minister's Scholarship to Asia. New Zealand's relationship with the Indo-Pacific region is significant and essential for regional stability. Undertaking two scholarships in Asia, in Viet Nam, and Greater China provided insight into how Aotearoa can strengthen our relationship with the region while promoting New Zealand as a cooperative partner.As I embark on the next chapter of my journey, I am excited to embrace new challenges and opportunities for growth. I seek to leverage my diverse skill set, global perspective, and ability to form strong relationships to create meaningful differences in the lives of others. I am excited about the opportunities ahead and am committed to working alongside others to bring about positive change in the lives of individuals and communities alike.
New Zealand Customs Service
View- Website:
- customs.govt.nz
- Employees:
- 413
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Policy Analyst, Asia, International And GovernanceNew Zealand Customs ServiceAuckland, Nz
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Policy Advisor Intern, New Zealand Consulate-General ShanghaiNew Zealand Ministry Of Foreign Affairs & Trade Jun 2024 - Aug 2024Shanghai, China• Spearheaded the drafting of written content including formal messages, policy briefs, and speeches.• Conducted in-depth research, analysing information and reporting on issues relevant to New Zealand's interests.• Assisted in planning and executing high-level visits and events, including a Ministerial visit. Demonstrated manaakitanga and hospitality toward external stakeholders.• Established collaborative relationships with a broad spectrum of external stakeholders, including from across NZ Inc. and with in-market stakeholders.• Established strong relationships with local team to ensure strategic priorities and high-level outcomes met.• Planned and organized workload effectively to prioritize tasks, ensuring timely completion and high standards of work.• Leveraged former experience to assist in consulate contingency planning sessions. Ensured information protection, adherence to security procedures. Managed confidential information with integrity, aligning with organizational values of security.• Actively embraced Te Ao Māori, and where I had the knowledge, shared knowledge with locally employed staff. Promoted Tikanga and highlighted cultural similarities between Aotearoa, New Zealand, and China. Contributed to the success of an Asia New Zealand Foundation Māori Creative (Digital) Business Delegation visit.• Travelled to Jinhua in Zhejiang province to celebrate students' graduation from Jinhua Wintec International College, a partnership between Jinhua Polytechnic and Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec). Travelled to Lianyungang in Jiangsu, where I met with members from the local business, political, and conservation work communities to recognise the sister city relationship between Lianyungang and Napier in New Zealand while exploring ways New Zealand and Lianyungang can continue furthering our relationship. -
Business Development And Consular Intern, New Zealand Consulate-General Ho Chi Minh CityNew Zealand Trade And Enterprise Jan 2023 - Feb 2023Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam• Developed an understanding of the workings of the New Zealand - Viet Nam bilateral relationship.• Developed an understanding of the mechanics of everyday Consulate work.• Undertook market research into the health supplement industry of Viet Nam.• Drafted and finalised a report advising New Zealand companies in the health supplement sector interested in expanding into the Vietnamese market. • Use data to create market/competitor analyses.• Participated in planning various New Zealand trade promotion activities, including a Food & Beverage expo showcasing New Zealand products. • Attended meetings with customers/other consulate colleagues for learning purposes, including ANZAC day event planning meetings and marketing campaign planning meetings.• Attended meetings with and worked alongside the Consulate Generals of Australia and the United Kingdom to plan ANZAC day.• Attended a consular advocacy meeting hosted by the Consulate General of Canada alongside consular staff from Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada to learn about Vietnamese family law. • Prepared market updates advising New Zealand companies operating in the fruit export and pilot training sectors.• Visited Maison Chance, a home for disabled people, orphans, and underprivileged children in Vietnam as a representative of the New Zealand Consulate to maintain and nurture the existing relationship. Learnt more about the organisation's work and inspected solar panels donated by the New Zealand Aid Programme. -
Inflight Manager, International ShorthaulQantas Feb 2020 - May 2021New Zealand• Lead high performing teams in fast-paced, challenging and ever changing environment to deliver an exemplary customer experience for our customers, whilst also ensuring the safety and well-being of customers and crew. • Ensuring procedures, standards of conduct, and company guidelines are adhered to and complied with. • Providing team reviews identifying weaknesses and opportunities for improvements, and acknowledging and rewarding excellence in people behaviors.• Mentoring and encouraging development of crew. • Dealing with grievances about behavior and misconduct. • Address customer inquiries; interpret and deliver information; propose suggestions; provide guidance; identify, investigate and negotiate conflicts.• Time management, dealing with time pressures, meeting airline on time targets, and ensuring an on-time departure.• Timekeeping as well as compiling detailed daily “Trip Reports”, reporting delays, service failures, catering issues, crew performance, and communicating and following up with other areas of the organisation.• Following up with compliments/complaints from customers.• Pre-flight planning. • Promoting Qantas brand values, service pillars, maintaining service standards, and providing crew with a positive role model. -
First Class And Business Class Flight Attendant, International LonghaulQantas Feb 2017 - Feb 2020Australia• Providing First & Business class customers with premium customer service.• Consistent demonstration of excellence in customer service and safety, demonstrating organisations brand values and service promises. • Consistently built relationships with key customers, and used communication skills and the ability to juggle multiple priorities to ensure both the safety and comfort of our premium customers. • As a "preferred Galley Operator", drove the service in premium cabins, ensuring food and beverage service quality and presentation as inspired and designed by Chef Neil Perry and top tier restaurant Rockpool. • Ensuring premium passengers as well as high tier frequent flyers are looked after through out their flight.• Complaint handling.• Onboard Duty free sales to First & Business class customers.• Carrying out safety and security tasks as per operating procedures.• Carrying out advanced first aid and firefighting tasks as per operating procedures. • Maintaining a high NPS (Net Promoter Score) on all flights.
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Flight Attendant, International LonghaulQantas Jan 2016 - Feb 2020Australia• Demonstrated an excellence in customer service, safety and security. • Managed daily obstacles from dealing with in-flight emergency situations, medical situations, delay management and service recoveries. • Developed cross -cultural communication skills and the ability to face new challenges. • Contributed positively to the team’s performance. • Developed an ability to adapt to situations in a sensible, warm, caring and safe manner. • Developed an understanding of cultural diversity and was aware of sensitivities towards customers who may have needed further assistance. • Carrying out safety and security tasks as per operating procedures. • Carrying out advanced first aid and firefighting tasks as per operating procedures. • Maintaining a high NPS (Net Promoter Score) on all flights. • Onboard duty-free sales.Aircraft Endorsements: • B747-400 • A380-800 • A330-300 • A330-200 • B737-800
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Flight AttendantJetconnect Limited Jan 2016 - May 2021Auckland, New Zealand -
Senior Gate AgentMenzies Aviation Feb 2015 - Dec 2015Auckland, New Zealand• Providing a premium customer experience to customers travelling on Emirates Airlines and Qantas Airways.• Leading and co-ordinating gate staff.• Ensuring check-in and gate control procedures are followed. • Smooth handling of passengers at departures, arrivals, and boarding gate.• Discretely and empathetically supporting customers requiring special handling.• Ensuring safety, border immigration, and visa regulations are followed.• Dangerous goods knowledge.• Excess baggage calculations.• Communicating information such as delays to large groups of customers.• Working towards a safe, scheduled on-time departure. -
Attractions HostWalt Disney World Aug 2014 - Jan 2015Orlando, Florida Area• Working at Walt Disney Worlds flagship theme-park: Disney’s Magic Kingdom.• Creating an unsurpassed guest experience. • Maintaining Disney’s reputation for the highest standard of guest customer service in a fast-paced environment.• Monitoring guest flow, crowd control, and maintaining safety and security standards.• Communicating to large groups of guests. • Loading and unloading guests from attraction.• Working with “FastPass” the ticket distribution system.• Maintaining a clean and “Show Ready” environment for our guests. • Representing New Zealand and being an ambassador for our nation.
Ben Thomas Education Details
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‘A’ Average. 7.5 Point Gpa. -
Political Science And Government -
Chinese Language And Literature
Frequently Asked Questions about Ben Thomas
What company does Ben Thomas work for?
Ben Thomas works for New Zealand Customs Service
What is Ben Thomas's role at the current company?
Ben Thomas's current role is Policy Analyst, Asia, International and Governance.
What schools did Ben Thomas attend?
Ben Thomas attended The University Of Auckland, The University Of Hong Kong, Silk Mandarin - Language Training Institute.
Who are Ben Thomas's colleagues?
Ben Thomas's colleagues are Marie Mckenna, Jason Iwikau, Zoe Alderdice, Ivan Barczak, Kalyn Kereopa, Natasha Wanoa, Martinique Roberts.
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