Te Akau Team Member of the Quarter

Te Akau Racing is delighted to announce our latest Team Member of the Quarter - based at Te Akau Stud - Shanti Brown – Executive Assistant!

“My main role is helping David & Karyn with all the different tasks they perform, and manage all the huge number of activities and meetings required in their diaries,” Shanti said.

“I work very closely with Karyn and do a lot of admin work in the office at this time of year with helping to register and name all the horses that Te Akau buys at the sales. I am in charge of distributing and collecting all the documents required for NZTR from every owner who buys a share, and doing everything I can to make the owner experience streamlined and welcoming. 

“My job varies a lot day to day, and throughout the year, and I just do what is needed on the day. It keeps life very interesting for sure. I help with owner’s events, functions, and in essence an organiser.

“It is an awesome job working closely with Karyn and David. They are genuinely the most down-to-earth people I have ever worked for, and we have become very close friends. 

“Karyn and David make you feel more like family than an employee and I just feel so proud to work for such hard working and passionate people. 

“They are both constantly teaching me, supporting me in all that I do and have helped me grow so much as a person over the five years that I have worked alongside them. I love my job and feel very fortunate to have a role that suits me so much.

“My background is actually Hospitality. I went from working 60+ hour weeks in a very stressful kitchen environment where you are often overlooked for all that you do and I was just getting completely burnt out. 

“This was something I have never had experience in before and was totally random but I just needed a different career path and needed change. 

“Very quickly Karyn, David, and I created a really close bond. As Te Akau has grown, the role of having me as their Executive Assistant has helped in their busy lives and eased a bit of the admin pressures for Karyn. 

“I have had zero background with horses, so everything I have learnt has been through Karyn and David and I am still learning more about horses each and every day.

“I really love meeting our owners and creating these special friendships. I am naturally quite shy but everyone I have met at either race days, at farm visits, or owner days are all so friendly and easy to talk to. Everyone has such a huge passion and love for the horses and it really brings people together in a very special way. We have our regular owners that you see at every race day and sales, and you really do make friends very easily within this industry. 

“My favourite horse has to be Sense of Timing. I hold a small share in ‘Mia’ and have been following her journey since David bought her at the Karaka Sales in 2022. I have fallen in love with this horse, especially as she is my first and I just feel so proud of her every time she races. 

“It has been great, too, seeing the whole operation from an owner’s perspective, and it really is a thrill when they win a race, no matter how big or small your share may be.”

“We are absolutely delighted to recognise Shanti as our Team Member of the Quarter. Shanti plays a pivotal role within Te Akau, and quite simply, we could not imagine life without her. Her work ethic, attention to detail, and unwavering commitment to the team are second to none, and she approaches everything she does with a level of care and professionalism that is so deeply valued,” David and Karyn said.

“What truly sets Shanti apart is not just her capability, but the way she goes about her role. She is incredibly loyal, thoughtful, and brings a warmth and positivity that lifts everyone around her. She has an innate ability to anticipate what is needed - thinking ahead before we even have to ask - and she manages to make even the busiest of days run smoothly. We have the utmost respect for Shanti, and feel very fortunate to have such a special person as part of our team. It was a great day when she applied for a role with us!”

David and Karyn developed the Te Akau Team Member Award to recognise our amazing people who are passionate and committed to Te Akau - the winner each quarter receives a cash bonus.