International Women's Day: Annette Azuma

Above is a flashback photo of me in my hometown Dunedin, getting an autograph from Miss NZ with a large Oddfellow mint in my mouth. 

It was an idyllic childhood with family and friends. I enjoyed baking and studying, with final year high school subjects of English, French, German, Japanese and maths.

I wanted to own a coffee shop, but as I was Dux, Mum said I had to go to uni. I chose commerce at the University of Otago and Japanese extramurally at Massey University. Although I was one of the top graduates at both, I didn’t yet have much ambition. I worked for Dad’s accounting firm in Dunedin, then went to Japan to study at Kyoto Sangyo University, and work.

In Japan, I met a boy. We moved to Chicago for his work then, two years later, to Auckland, where we had a beautiful baby boy and I started working at Baker Tilly Staples Rodway. Fast forward 25 years – I have a rewarding career. I created and head Team Japan, and it’s fantastic to be part of the Baker Tilly International network (including secondment to Japan), I'm a vice chair of The Japan New Zealand Business Council, board member of Drive Electric New Zealand and member of Global Women and International Women's Forum.

I’m also honoured to be a fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and member of CPA Australia. Chartered accountancy is a diverse and rewarding career. I’m blessed to still be with the same boy and we have two wonderful sons. One of them works with me at Baker Tilly Staples Rodway.

My advice is to have ambition, be proud to use your talents, stay true to yourself, cherish your family and friends, and have fun along the way.

As the photo shows all the way back then, seize opportunities – even with a peppermint in your mouth.