Faces of the CRL – Olivia Cookson

Delivering the country’s largest infrastructure project takes some seriously talented people, so in this section “Faces of the CRL” we talk to some of City Rail Link’s best and brightest. This month we turn the spotlight on Olivia Cookson, the communication team’s newest recruit. Liv is new to the corporate world but is already making her mark and showing great promise.

Name: Olivia Cookson

Age: 22

Suburb: Sandringham

How long have you been working with the City Rail Link?

1 month.

What is your role?

Communications Coordinator.

How do you do it?

By supporting the Comms team to deliver the key messages of the project to stakeholders. My tasks differ from day-to-day. During this week I have been writing the monthly CRL newsletter (this publication) as well as helping with creating content for our socials (Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram). Soon, I will be busy planning a few CRL events - keep an eye out for our appearances at the Auckland Heritage Festival 2021 this October.  

What did you study?

I studied for four years at the University of Auckland and came out with a Conjoint Bachelor of Commerce and Arts majoring in Communications, Commercial Law, Management and Sociology.

What do you like most about your job so far?

I definitely enjoy the variety of work; I’m never bored here. Also, being able to meet so many interesting people who come to the project with years of experience.

What has been the most challenging part?

As it is my first time working in construction/civil engineering, it can be a challenge understanding the technical parts of the project. However, it does keep me on my toes, and I end up learning something new every day. In fact, part of my role is to communicate the project in a way that is comprehendible for people like me.

Hobbies?

If you can call eating a hobby, then that is definitely one of my tops. I am always on the hunt for the latest place to dine at, and currently I can’t stray from the vast offerings in our Karangahape Station neighbourhood. My eyes are on Bar Magda next!

Otherwise, in my downtime I enjoy being around friends and family, reading or discovering new music.

What are you looking forward to most about when the CRL is complete?

Being able to see our city centre transform and flourish with the many opportunities that will come with better public transport. I’m excited to see the station designs come to life and become not just transit locations but also a significant part of Tāmaki Makaurau’s unique character.