At just 25, Hawke’s Bay-based temporary traffic management supervisor, Kyla Tamati, is building an impressive career in infrastructure.
When you ask her how she got there, she keeps the answer simple: show up, work hard, have a great attitude and stay open to learning.
Kyla, who has been with Downer for nearly five years, began her career in temporary traffic management (TTM). Soon after, her positive attitude and willingness were recognised by a Downer sealing team and she was poached.
“I was actually with the sealing team for most of my time with Downers so far, and worked through getting all my different licenses; classes 2 to 4, dangerous goods, wheels, tracks, rollers – everything”. Kayla also completed her NZ Certificate in Infrastructure Works (Bitumen Surfacing) (Level 3) through Connexis.
“I really enjoyed sealing, especially the hands-on nature of it, but I did get to a point where I wanted something a bit more challenging and a bit more people-focused,” Kyla says. That opportunity presented itself when a more senior role opened up back in the TTM team and Kyla immediately put her hand up to try her hand at the role on a temporary basis. She again impressed with her can-do attitude and ability and was made a permanent supervisor of the TTM team in October 2025.
She now manages the TTM for 14 different Downer work sites, planning all the daily activity, schedules and a team of 38 people. It’s meant stepping into a leadership role at a relatively young age, which has meant making a few adjustments for Kyla.
“A lot of the team are similar age to me so that’s been a bit of a challenge. I just have to remind myself I’m in charge. I’ve learned to be mindful and polite in how I address and understand people.
“There are times when it’s easy for people to think they don’t need to take me seriously, but I just keep showing up, doing my job and working hard,” she says.
Kyla also recently attended a Connexis Lead Well workshop aimed at growing leadership skills among those in the infrastructure trades.
“The main thing I took away from the Connexis Lead Well workshop was that everyone works differently and has their own experiences. So, back at work I’ve learned to be more understanding of my team and use different styles of communication with each person.
“It’s been working well, I feel like I have developed a better relationship with some team members by using a different method of communication with them.”
Meanwhile, one of the common misconceptions many people have about TTM, that Kyla is keen to change, is that it’s a simple job; just stop/go signs and a few road cones.
“People always think traffic management is really basic and easy, but there’s a lot more to it. It doesn’t seem easy when you do it! I’m always busy with the planning and coordination.
“In the end the job is about people and keeping them safe, which is really important and satisfying,” she says.
“I like the challenge of having to think for yourself and manage people. That’s the skill that I wanted to learn when I decided to put my hand up for the job.”
Kyla’s short term career plan is to complete more training, ideally TTM, though is still considering exactly what that might be. Beyond that she’s keeping her options open and is keen to keep up training as the tool for a successful career in different areas of civil construction.
“I think success really is about showing up everyday and having a good attitude. That’s how you get the opportunities to try new things.”