Looking Back on the First Six Months

When we joined NZAB at the beginning of 2026, we knew we would learn a lot, but we underestimated just how much we’d grow in a short space of time. Over the past six months, we’ve had the opportunity to work alongside farmers, bankers, and rural professionals, gaining hands on experience and developing skills that can’t be learnt from a textbook.

 

There have been plenty of new challenges, steep learning curves, and moments that have pushed us both outside our comfort zones. But what we have learned is, this is what makes the graduate experience so rewarding.

 

We have decided to interview each other about our experiences so far. As two graduates based at opposite ends of the country, Brenna in the Waikato and Franny in Canterbury, we’ve had the chance to experience different regions, farming systems, and client relationships while sharing many of the same challenges and milestones along the way. From proudest moments to biggest learnings, we’re sharing an honest reflection of our first six months at NZAB and the journey we’ve been on as graduates.

 

Here’s what we had to say:

Brenna: Looking back on your journey so far, what has surprised you most about working in the agricultural finance and advisory industry?

Franny: Coming into the agricultural finance and advisory sector as a graduate, I expected a lot of my time to be spent behind a desk working with spreadsheets and financial data. While this is still a big part of my job, what has surprised me is how much of the industry is about people. Now that might seem a little naïve, but coming from university, where most of our learning was done on a computer; it was easy to assume the work place would be similar.

Every farming operation is different and what I’ve quickly learnt is that understanding the people behind the business is just as important as understanding the numbers. The best advice I have been given is how important it is taking the time to get to know the clients, understanding their goals and see what they are trying to achieve.

I have really enjoyed getting out on farm and meeting clients face to face. These conversations give me a much better understanding of these farming businesses and also help build the relationships that good advisory work is based on.

 

Franny: What is your proudest moment six months into the NZAB Graduate Programme?

Brenna: My proudest achievement six months into the NZAB graduate programme is the confidence I’ve gained in myself, my work, and my ability to work alongside clients and teammates. When I started, many aspects of the role were completely new to me, and the job pushed me well outside of my comfort zone.

Looking back, that challenge has been one of the most rewarding parts of the experience. Being exposed to new situations, working directly with clients, and taking on greater responsibility has helped me grow both professionally and personally. Six months ago, I never would have imagined the level of confidence I have today, and that’s something I’m incredibly proud of. While there’s still plenty to learn, I can already see how much progress I’ve made which makes me excited for what lies ahead.

 

Brenna: Many graduates experience moments where they feel out of their depth. Have you experienced this, and how did you overcome these challenges?

Franny: Feeling out of your depth is something I think everybody experiences. Moments where I have felt out of my depth include being handed a task I’m not confident with, being asked to rework something that I thought was completed, and even just the general overwhelming feeling of transition from a student to working full time. These moments are uncomfortable, but I think they are more common than what people let on.

What I’ve learned is that those moments are all just a part of the learning process. When you’re surrounded by people who have years, or even decades of experience, it is very easy to compare yourself to them.

What has helped me most is reminding myself that everyone started somewhere. The people I look up to now were once graduates too. All these challenges are all part of the process, and each one teaches me something different.

 

Franny: What is one piece of advice you received from someone in the team that has stuck with you?

Brenna: One piece of advice I’ve received that has really stuck with me is, not to doubt whether you’re good enough to be here. You worked hard to get this opportunity, and it’s important to back yourself and have confidence in your abilities.

In roles like ours, confidence matters. NZAB is continually proving itself alongside long-established industry players, so having belief in yourself and the value you bring is important. The advice was simple, if you don’t think your capable of being the best, you’ll always hold yourself back. Trust your skills, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to step up when opportunities come your way.

 

Brenna: What do you think makes the NZAB culture unique compared to other workplaces?

Franny: My observation of what makes NZAB culture unique compared to other workplaces is how approachable everyone is. Coming in as a graduate, six months in, I’ve never been made to feel like the new person in the room. What I think is really special, is the chance to work alongside genuinely talented professionals. The office has a welcoming feel to it, and that makes a big difference. Being able to ask anyone a question regardless of who they are or what their role is pretty cool.

The office is also a fun place to be. People work hard, but there is also plenty of banter, and a few laughs throughout the day. And no shortage of opinions or some free life advice being handed out, whether you asked for it or not. It is these small interactions that I’ve learnt help create a culture where people enjoy coming into work.

As a graduate, all of these have made a huge difference to my experience. Colleagues are generous with their time, always willing to share knowledge, and genuinely wanting you to do well. It is a culture that encourages you to keep learning, ask questions, and take on new challenges. Knowing you have that support is what has really stood out to me in my first six months here at NZAB.

 

Franny:  If you could go back and give yourself advice on your first day, what would it be? 

Brenna: If I could go back and give myself advice on my first day, it would be not to worry about having everything figured out. As a graduate, your job isn’t to know all the answers, it’s to learn, focus on being curious, ask questions, and take every opportunity to build your knowledge. Your surrounded by the best of the best, use that to your advantage.

I’d also remind myself that I’ve got a team that genuinely wants to help me. Everyone at NZAB is incredibly supportive and wants to see you succeed. The more willing you are to ask, listen, and learn, the more confidence you’ll gain and the more you’ll get out of the graduate experience.

Looking back on the last six months, it’s interesting to see how much we’ve learned and how our experiences have both differed and overlapped. For our final question we thought about the main reason we are both here, and that is:

 

What attracted you to NZAB and made you want to work for NZAB?

Franny: When I came across NZAB, what stood out to me was the genuine difference the team makes for farmers and rural businesses. In the six months I have been here, getting out on farm and spending time with clients has shown me just how meaningful the impact can be. Seeing it first hand, rather than just hearing about it, has made me realise that the work we do genuinely helps people and their businesses.

 

The culture was another big reason why I wanted to join NZAB. Starting full time work can be pretty daunting, so it was important to find a workplace where people are approachable and willing to help. The team has been even more welcoming then I could have ever expected. People work incredibly hard, but there is also plenty of laughter throughout the day. Life advice is often given, most of which is never asked for, but always seemed to be offered anyway. It is all these small interactions that make coming in everyday very easy.

 

As a graduate trying to find a role with a combination of great people, meaningful work and the opportunity to keep learning every day is the goal, and I think I have managed to secure all three here at NZAB.

 

Brenna:  One of the biggest things I knew when finishing university was that I wanted a career where I could help farmers. Growing up with both my dad and grandad farming, I saw firsthand the hard work, commitment, and long hours that go into running a farming business. Watching the challenges they faced made me realise that I wanted to contribute in a way that could make life easier for farmers and help them achieve their goals.

 

While I wasn’t completely sure what that career would look like, everything started to fall into place when I was introduced to NZAB and the work they do. The opportunity immediately resonated with me because it combined my passion for agriculture with the chance to support farmers through practical advice and financial solutions. I could genuinely see myself building a long-term career here.

 

What stood out most was NZAB’s relationship-focused approach. They place a strong emphasis on building trusted partnerships with farmers, bankers, and other rural professionals, ensuring clients have the support and expertise they need to succeed. Being part of an organisation that is so deeply connected to the rural sector and committed to helping farming businesses thrive made it an easy decision for me.

 

Six months in, we’ve both learned a lot, made plenty of mistakes, asked more questions than we can count, and gained a much better understanding of what life at NZAB is all about. While our experiences in Waikato and Canterbury have been different in so many ways, they’ve also highlighted the things that make NZAB such a great place to start a career: supportive people, meaningful work, and endless opportunities to learn. We’re looking forward to seeing what the next six months brings.