Timothy “Tim” Smith, 51, believes teamwork has been the secret to his loyalty and two decades’ service to Foodstuffs.
Pak ‘n Save Te Awamutu grocery manager Adele Venneman (from left), Tim Smith grocery assistant and Nick Hewlett store manager. Photo: Jesse Wood
“My motto in life is it’s amazing what you can achieve if you work as a team. Don’t be scared to go that extra mile for someone you never know when you will need help yourself,” the proud grocery assistant and Pak n Save Te Awamutu foundation staff member said.
“Treat people the way you want yourself to be treated.
“The main thing I will say is you help a lot of people, and you serve a lot of people but the most important thing to do is to lift each other up and always work as a team.
“Tim’s rightfully proud of his 20 years with Foodstuffs and starting at Pak ‘n Save Te Awamutu on Day 1 – almost 15 years ago,” store manager Nick Hewlett said.
Hewlett said Tim has a remarkable memory for random dates – from when other people started work, to things that happened at primary school.
Tim Smith at Pak n Save on St Patrick’s Day in 2012. Photo: Supplied
Tim joined the workforce at the former Hamilton Fruit Market on London St (1994-1995) before working at 3 Guys, now Fresh Choice Te Awamutu, for nine years.
“I worked there from February 12, 1996, to March 26, 2005. I started working at Mill St Pak ‘n Save supermarket in Hamilton on either the April 18 or 19, 2005 and I left there October 15, 2010.
“When I worked at Hamilton Fruit Market that was a tough, hard place. 3 Guys was a really good learning experience. Then I went to Mill St and that was also a good learning experience. I worked for Glen Miller there for five and a half years.
“I had to do trips to Hamilton and back. When the store came up here in Te Awamutu, I thought I would come here and join the team. I ended up working here for Glen’s sister Robyne Gobel. I’ve worked for brother and sister for 18 years.”
Tim Smith during June 2011. Photo: Supplied
Tim has worked in the produce and bakery sections but has spent most of his time in the grocery team.
Grocery manager Adele Venneman said Tim will do anything to help anyone.
“He’s one of those team members that you can rely upon,” Venneman said.
“He doesn’t mind doing the jobs that everyone else avoids doing.”
Originally from Ahaura, half an hour north of Greymouth, Tim describes himself as “a typical west coaster”.
“I went to Ahaura Primary School from 1979-1986 and Greymouth High School 1987- May 1990.”
In May 1990, Len and Eunice Smith and their five children moved to the Te Awamutu region from the family sheep and beef farm.
Tim and his brothers – Stephen, Jason, Caleb and Michael – had been the fourth generation to live on that block of land.
He finished his schooling at Te Awamutu College.
“When we left Ahaura we arrived at Panetapu on Seafund Rd, 30km south of Te Awamutu just out of Wharepapa South,” Tim said.
“Dad, who passed away on October 2, 2023, and Mum were beef and sheep farming for the start before they converted over dairy farming. I found dairy farming didn’t suit me, so I went to supermarket work.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given. I would like to thank management here, they’re really good at encouraging and building up their team. It makes things a lot easier when management get behind you – everything goes well.”
Tim Smith
