Hopoi Vaivevea loves to talk – and eventually he talked his way into his perfect job. 

"Even through high school I was one of those kids – everybody knew me, I was talkative. I knew what kind of job I wanted: it was a job where I could talk!"

After finishing school, Hopoi went to the International Travel College to continue studying one of his favourite school subjects, tourism. On the last day of his studies, Renee, who managed Nomads' Fusion Backpackers in Auckland, visited the class – and changed Hopoi's life.

"Renee talked about life at the backpackers, and what it could offer to a person like myself."

Hopoi thought it sounded great. "I decided to put myself forward so she noticed me. So I put my hand up, asked questions, and seemed generally interested. The next day one of the tutors said, 'Renee was very very interested in you. She would like you to apply for a job!'

He did – and got the job. He has been at the backpackers ever since, and in less than a year worked his way up to his perfect job.

"I started at reception, and I did a few night jobs, I worked up in the office, handling vouchers."

But it was after Hopoi gave a talk at the tourism college that he really got noticed. When Renee heard about the positive feedback he got from the students, she decided he had the talent to be a sales representative for their chain. "There were no sales reps in jobs in backpacking accommodation – I’m the first one. She made the job for me."

Hopoi soon got into the swing of his new job. "Renee gives me goals every week, whatever she wants. I have to find a way to achieve those goals – for instance, increasing the business from i-SITEs. So I would show my face there every week.

"I work with agents in the tourism industry, travel agents, tour companies. I’m trying to get people to recommend Nomads' Fusion – whatever information they need, I’m the man.

"At first you are shy, meeting this person you’ve never seen before. As you go on, and everybody knows you, then I do what I do best, get really talkative, relax into it.

"I’m in the game where I’m doing a lot of talking, which, obviously, I love doing. Working at a backpackers is a lot of fun. I love it. I wake up every morning knowing that I love coming into work."