Inside job: Michelle Delves

I describe my role to non-engineers as… using data, cloud platforms and AI to uncover insights, improve workflows and solve real-world problems.

The part of my job that always surprises people is… the scale and volume of data involved. I feel like a detective, pulling together information from different systems and perspectives to understand what’s really going on.

The best emojis to sum up me on a typical workday…

The best thing I’ve introduced at my workplace is… authenticity. Being open and honest about how everything is going helps create a more supportive team environment where people feel comfortable collaborating and asking for help. Also, there’s the shared candy mug I keep stocked, which everyone’s free to raid.

In my role, I always challenge… whether something is truly necessary. There are plenty of “must-haves” but limited time and capacity, especially in less-explored areas. I focus on asking why, prioritising what really matters and weighing up effort versus impact to make sure we’re investing energy in the right things.

At work, I’ve never been afraid to… be myself, create space for all and improve the experience for others using what I’ve learned.

In the past year, I’ve pushed boundaries by… getting involved in a range of initiatives and causes beyond my day-to-day role, for example STEM outreach with the University of Auckland and Air New Zealand, speaking at Parliament for the Asian Mental Health and Wellbeing Summit, serving on the Asian Family Services lived experience collaborative, leading the soprano section for a Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand choir.

I admire engineers who… consistently make decisions that prioritise long-term outcomes over short-term ease.

At school, teachers always described me as… someone who was driven, took on a lot, was always kind to others and was both resilient and passionate.

My luckiest break was… being born into a family who have always unconditionally supported me, and being given a chance by companies willing to back potential and trust in early-career talent.

The bravest thing I’ve done to get where I am today… is bet on myself. I wasn’t sure engineering was right for me, but I chose it anyway and saw it through, and I’m so glad I did.

Best career advice I’ve received… be kind to yourself. You are your own best advocate. If you don’t back yourself, no one else will.

I’d advise other people interested in my type of role to… not be afraid of the unknown, especially with AI, where staying curious and adaptable is key. Also, trust that with time, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

3 things I love about my job

• The variety in the day-to-day work. Air New Zealand is an end-to-end business, which means there are countless opportunities to get involved in different areas. One day you could be looking after the infrastructure that supports our data platforms and the next you could be diving into the nooks and crannies of subcomponent data that has never been explored before.
• Seeing the impact of my work. Whether it’s being used by customers or directly influencing stakeholders such as overseas engineering manufacturers, it’s rewarding to see the outcomes of what I do and how far that impact can reach.
• The challenges, collaboration and problem solving.

2 reasons why I chose to study engineering

• I wanted to make a positive impact on the world and leave it in a better place than I found it. Engineering provides so many opportunities to help achieve that goal.
• I was told I wouldn’t be able to do it. Not having anyone I could look up to who showed me it was possible motivated me to become that person for others.

1 thing I wouldn’t change about my workday

The morning coffee runs and shared snack drawer that my deskmate and I keep stocked.

This article was first published in the September 2026 issue of EG magazine.