A part-time job in the airport bookshop has kick-started a promising aviation career for Hamilton Airport’s 28-year-old Karen Wilson.

So much so, Wilson has already been named Emerging Leader of the Year at the 2025 New Zealand Airport Awards.

The award recognises Wilson’s ‘significant contribution to the sector’ and tops a five-year journey at Hamilton Airport. It’s a long way from Wilson’s original plan to finish a university degree and become a geography teacher.

“I literally had a job at the bookshop to help fund my study and then applied for the receptionist job when it came up.  It was my first real job interview and I remember turning bright red whenever I was asked a question,” Wilson said.

“That job as receptionist gave me a front row seat into how the airport worked and I was absolutely hooked. I love working in the sector, I love the people I work with and I love the variety. We’re in such an exciting growth period in Hamilton and there are so many opportunities.”

For Hamilton Airport chief executive Mark Morgan, the award is well-deserved.

“In the five years Karen has been with us, she’s been extraordinary, so we are really thrilled for her,” Morgan said.

“She started out part-time in the bookshop, became a full-time receptionist in 2020 and in 2022 became operations co-ordinator, a role which she has grown and made her own. We’re a small team and Karen’s role is significant. She leads a team of 20, develops and drives major initiatives, manages our food and beverage outlets, is the single point of contact for all private jet movements, co-ordinates our emergency exercises….there’s not much she can’t turn her hand to,” Morgan said.

“Karen has a quiet confidence and delivers huge impact. She’s been responsible for some big initiatives, and it’s fantastic to see her recognised on the national stage at such an early stage in her career. She’s going to go a long way, and we feel privileged to be part of her journey.”