As we eagerly await the announcement of the winners of Fund for Good, we are excited to share some of the incredible things that previous Manawanui Fund for Good recipient Connor is doing.
 

Connor is a motoring enthusiast who loves trucks and heavy vehicles. He received a Fund for Good grant in 2018 which helped him get his class-4 truck license.
 

Growing up while being on the Autism Spectrum, Connor struggled to complete qualifications at school and felt let down by the education system. Connor's foster mum, Lyndal has supported Connor through over 59 jobs, but they both knoew his real passion was driving trucks, diggers or tractors.
 

Getting his class-4 trucks license helped Connor to get more job opportunities that aligned with his passion, improved his self-esteem and made him feel supported. To learn more about Connor in video format click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hAQTzQ9YnE

Connor was recently featured in the New Zealand Trucking magazine for his immense personal growth and ability to overcome challenges. We have asked Connor some questions about his life and how things are going 4 years on.

Where are you working now and how are you finding it?

I have gone out doing contract work in trucks again – this week I am contracting back to Golden Transport, where it all started in Auckland.

Do you have any tips for others dealing with discrimination when applying for jobs?

Tell them straight up what’s going on for you and what you need from them.

My foster mum also wrote out an email for my employer that I used early on to help my employers understand some of my struggles. Now that I’m more confident in myself I can tell them about my Autism in my own time. Recently I was discriminated in the work place. I told management I expected the guy to issue me a written apology.

They made the man issue me a written apology and sent it to me. That made me feel good.

Know your rights and what you can do it if happens to you and how far you want to take things.


For anyone with a passion, but struggling to find a career, what words of support or suggestions could you offer?

Never give up. Find your people and the ones who support you in the workplace- they are out there but you have to approach them.

I make lots of phone calls and texts to the companies I want to work at as it shows I’m confident. Making those calls proactively are important rather than just applying for jobs. Most of my jobs have come about this way. Be yourself and again make it clear on what support looks like for you. Explain where you struggle.

Ask for help. My foster mum applied to the Fund for Good for me to get my Class 4. This was huge for me. It was a step up into the big trucks. You don't get paid a lot in the littel truckls so it was a struggle for me to find that sort of money to for the licenses. Without Fund for Good, my foster parents support and supportive people in the industry, I don't think I would I would be where I am today. Have people who can back you when things go wrong too, I have my foster parents and they help me a lot in the background when things don't turn out the way I want them to.

Connor embodies the spirit of Manawanui and we are so happy to have been able to help support him in his success story.
 

A big thank you to Connor and his agent Lyndal for answering our questions and providing an update on where he is now. We wish you all the best and can't wait to see what you achieve.

Ka pai Connor!