What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.
Tonkin + Taylor Group is made up of five companies – Tonkin + Taylor New Zealand, Tonkin + Taylor Australia, Chadwick Geotechnics, Bligh Tanner, and Geotechnics.
People are the driving force behind success, and our leadership team bring a diverse range of consultancy skills, experiences, and backgrounds to the table. Their collective strength, vision, and stewardship empowers our team to create and sustain a better world.
Our Group leadership team oversees our five companies – Tonkin + Taylor New Zealand, Tonkin + Taylor Australia, Chadwick Geotechnics, Bligh Tanner, and Geotechnics.
Having been with Tonkin + Taylor for 20 years, working in blended consulting and management capacities, Tim has previously been Executive Leader for Engineering, Clients, and Australia, and was formerly Water Sector Leader.
Tim is also a Water Engineering Technical Director, specialising in stormwater engineering, water quality, flooding, rivers, and sedimentation. He has worked extensively in these areas as a design lead and expert witness to deliver award winning projects and outcomes for clients. As an expert advisor to his clients, Tim has been involved in four Boards of Inquiries, and many planning, environment court and legal proceedings. He is most active in the water, transport, and land development sectors.
Tim is a Chartered Professional Engineer and former President of Engineering New Zealand (2022/23). He has been on the Board from 2018-2024. Prior to this Tim was on the ENZ Auckland Branch Committee for five years, including three years as Chair.
In recognition of his industry leadership and technical excellence in water engineering, as well as his services to the profession, Tim was made a Fellow of Engineering New Zealand.
As T+T New Zealand Chief Executive, her role is to provide leadership, direction, and management oversight of TTNZ’s business strategy, performance, and delivery.
Penny joined T+T in 2006 after 10 years’ research and consulting in the United States. She has previously been T+T’s Discipline Director Natural Resources, Technical Leadership Team chair and Client Manager.
Most recently, Andrea served as Managing Director of a specialist law firm owned by an ASX‑listed professional services group. In that role, she was responsible for improving financial performance and strengthening operational effectiveness, delivering the firm’s annual strategic plan, and leading a transformation to a more focused, high‑performing organisation. She also supported the wider group’s strategic direction and served on the firm’s board of directors.
Andrea holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration (Marketing), a Master of Business Administration, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Professional Services Strategic Management from Victoria University of Wellington. Her doctoral research on how professional services firms develop strategic capabilities underpins her practical leadership in complex, evolving environments.
With over 30 years of experience across infrastructure, energy, transport, and property, Aaron brings strong financial leadership spanning strategy, governance, and capital management. Known for his principled, collaborative style, he partners with leaders across the business to optimise performance, support high-quality decision-making, and ensure strong financial stewardship across the Group.
Before joining Tonkin + Taylor, Aaron held senior executive roles, including Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary at Eastland Group. He has also held governance roles, including Chair of the Dilworth Trust, and is a Trustee of the Cornwall Park Trust.
Aaron is committed to building high-performing teams and fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Previously, Richard served in a global leadership role at Tonkin + Taylor, directing the development and execution of the Group's global strategy. He connected markets and technical expertise across the business and led key merger and acquisition opportunities across the Tonkin + Taylor Group. Building on this experience, Richard was appointed Chief Executive of Tonkin + Taylor Group in Australia. In this role, he leads Tonkin + Taylor, Chadwick Geotechnics, and Bligh Tanner, working closely with General Managers and leadership teams to align go-to-market strategies, strengthen client relationships, and advance the Group’s strategic priorities of growth, innovation, and sustainability.
Paul is the Chief Executive of Geotechnics, with extensive experience in site investigations, specialist instrumentation and field and laboratory testing. He is responsible for the Geotechnics group of companies including testing and sales operations along with the Measurement & Calibration Centre.
Paul is a Project Director for a variety of projects in New Zealand and the Pacific region and holds IANZ KTP (Key Technical Personnel) status for our field and laboratory testing.
Paul is currently the Secretary for the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Technical Committee – Field Monitoring in Geomechanics (ISSMGE – TC220) and is a former board member for the Association of Consulting Engineers NZ (ACE NZ).
With astute negotiation skills, Wayne has experience identifying savings in technology costs through strategic partnerships and innovation, most recently delivering a programme of digital transformation projects in his previous role as CIO for an indigenous organisation.
Wayne has a passion for people development, and the recruitment and retainment of top talent, and is a collaborative leader and business partner.
An independent member of the Board, Vanessa brings a wealth of governance experience. She holds a BCom/LLB (Hons), a PGDip in Professional Ethics, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), and a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors (CFInstD).
Vanessa currently also serves as a Director for Waste Management, and Elizabeth Knox Hospital and Rest Home. Vanessa has held governance roles with listed, private, public sector, and cooperative organisations in New Zealand and Australia, and has chaired numerous health, safety, risk, and people committees.
Prior to her governance career, Vanessa held senior leadership positions, including Head of Engineering and Human Resources at Air New Zealand and Chief Executive of Carter Holt Harvey Packaging Australia.
A member of Global Women and a mentor for Kupe Scholarship candidates, Multiethnic Young Leaders, and Tautua Pasifika, Vanessa is deeply committed to fostering inclusion. She is a Companion of Engineering New Zealand and an Honorary Fellow of the Human Resources Institute of New Zealand.
With 20 years of experience at Tonkin + Taylor in a combination of consulting and management roles, Tim has previously served as Executive Leader for Engineering, Clients, and Australia, as well as Water Sector Leader.
Tim is also a Technical Director specialising in water engineering, with expertise in stormwater management, water quality, flooding, rivers, and sedimentation. He has worked extensively in these areas as a design lead and expert witness, delivering award-winning projects and outcomes for clients. As a trusted advisor, Tim has been involved in four Boards of Inquiry and numerous planning, Environment Court, and legal proceedings. He is most active in the water, transport, and land development sectors.
Tim is a Chartered Professional Engineer and a former President of Engineering New Zealand (2022/23). He served on the Engineering New Zealand Board from 2018 to 2024 and was previously a member of the ENZ Auckland Branch Committee for five years, including three as Chair.
In recognition of his leadership in the industry, technical excellence in water engineering, and contributions to the profession, Tim was made a Fellow of Engineering New Zealand.
Passionate about complex, multidisciplinary infrastructure and public works projects, Manea possesses extensive expertise in disaster recovery, resilience, community engagement, and environmental reporting.
As Pou Arahi (Lead) of Planning, Engagement, and Partnerships at Tonkin + Taylor, Manea specialises in emergency communication, stakeholder engagement—particularly with indigenous communities—integrated resource management, regional and city planning, and policy development.
A trained Geographer with a focus on Environmental Management, Manea holds a BSc, PGDip, and MSc from the University of Auckland. Her research evaluated the impacts of waste management on small island economies.
Fluent in te Reo Māori and adept in cultural values, Manea incorporates this knowledge into all aspects of her work, engaging with mana whenua and providing technical oversight on cultural and community values.
Renowned for his design leadership, innovative thinking, and ability to foster a focused and collaborative team environment, Mark leads major projects at Tonkin + Taylor. He is highly regarded for his commitment to ensuring teams deliver exceptional results with pride and precision.
Since joining Tonkin + Taylor in 2001, Mark has contributed to the delivery of some of New Zealand’s most significant infrastructure projects. His portfolio includes the Te Ara Tupua Alliance, the Downtown Infrastructure Development Programme, the Well-Connected Alliance (responsible for the Waterview Tunnel), and the LEAD Alliance (delivering the Auckland Housing Programme).
He previously served as a director on the Tonkin + Taylor Group Board from 2010 to 2013, and rejoined the board in 2026. He is a Fellow of Engineering NZ, and his qualifications include a Master's Degree in Engineering and extensive leadership and governance training.
Chris's varied career gives him broad governance and senior management experience, which he now brings to the Tonkin + Taylor board. This includes 20 years in management roles, including leadership of national teams. He also brings major project experience, including senior governance roles on joint venture boards and project director roles on complex projects such as Ara Tūhono – Pūhoi to Warkworth and the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery. Disaster recovery experience gives Chris direct insight into the challenges of political environments.
His background includes grappling with the challenges of industry downturns and overloads, as well as black swan disruptors like the Covid years and the associated people and commercial challenges. This experience has led Chris to develop a style of governance based on enabling and encouragement.
An experienced Non-Executive Director and Chair, Pam holds a portfolio of governance roles that also include three financial services organisations. Underpinning her governance career is over two decades of senior executive experience encompassing digital and business transformation, strategy, innovation, and operational leadership. Key roles included General Manager, Digital, at ANZ (one of Australia’s largest banks) and Chief of Strategy, Innovation, and Digital at World Vision Australia (Australia’s largest international NGO). Pam brings deep expertise across digital and corporate strategy, data and technology governance, and risk oversight to the boards she serves. She has worked with startups across many years in roles spanning board chair, director, mentor and adviser, and is currently an adviser to deep tech startups through the Creative Destruction Lab at Monash University.
Driven by a lifelong fascination with technology and its potential to create meaningful change, Pam has a deep conviction that successful transformation is fundamentally about people, not technology.
Pam is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, holds an MBA from the University of Melbourne, and a Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) with Distinction from Queensland University of Technology. She lives in Melbourne, Australia.
Bruce is a Chartered Professional Engineer, holding a BE (Hons) in Civil Engineering and a Master of Business Administration from Victoria Business School.
Over the past decade, Bruce has played a pivotal role in the success of major Tonkin + Taylor projects. He has led design and consulting teams to deliver large, complex civil infrastructure projects, including the Aras Tunnel, Haywards Interchange, Peka Peka to Ōtaki Expressway, and the Mt Messenger Bypass in Taranaki.
With a wealth of experience, strong industry relationships, and a deep understanding of Tonkin + Taylor’s key markets, Bruce provides practical knowledge and strategic leadership. In his senior leadership roles, including Alliance Director of the Mt Messenger Alliance, he maintains close connections with senior leaders across New Zealand’s consulting and construction industries, government agencies, councils, and the renewable energy sector.
As one of New Zealand’s leading air quality specialists, Jenny is a trusted expert advisor to clients across the Waste, Industry, Energy, and Transport sectors. She is highly sought after as an expert witness and frequently engaged by Councils as a decision-maker for resource consent and plan change hearings.
Jenny is a Life Member of the Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand and was awarded the Society’s Clean Air Medal in 2019 in recognition of her contributions to the air quality profession. A former President of the Society’s New Zealand Branch, she currently serves as Secretary on the Society’s Executive.
In addition to her technical expertise, Jenny has held several leadership roles at Tonkin + Taylor, including Air Quality Practice Lead and Discipline Director for Natural Resources. She is actively involved in mentoring and coaching, supporting the growth of Tonkin + Taylor’s technical and project delivery capabilities.
Jenny is deeply passionate about ensuring Tonkin + Taylor remains renowned for the exceptional calibre of its people and their unwavering commitment to delivering excellence and sustainable outcomes for clients and communities.
A seasoned leader with nearly two decades of governance experience, Jim is a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors. His expertise and forward-thinking leadership are instrumental in steering Tonkin + Taylor towards a future of growth and innovation.
Of Ngāti Awa, Tūhoe, and English descent, Jim is passionate about leveraging his leadership experience and commercial acumen to make a meaningful contribution to the success of communities.
Between 2002 and 2018, Jim served as Chief Executive Officer for three organisations, leading highly successful transformation and performance improvement strategies.
With 25 years of business leadership experience, Jim is a qualified accountant who led two of the most prominent Māori organisations over a 14-year period – Māori Television and Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. He also served as Chief Executive Officer of the Pacific Business Trust from 2002 to 2005.
In addition to his governance and leadership roles, Jim has held a variety of private sector positions, including General Manager of a marine engineering business and Financial Controller for a local subsidiary of a Swiss multinational.
Complementing his commercial background, Jim is a former officer in the New Zealand Army, where he was awarded the Sword of Honour in recognition of his distinguished achievements in officer training.
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