People

President

Tim Fisher

FEngNZ, CPEng, PhD, ME (Dist), BE (Hons), DipMEEC

I am Tonkin + Taylor’s Group Managing Director where I have worked for 17 years as a Technical Director Water Engineering and with management roles. I have been on the Engineering New Zealand Board since 2018. Prior to that, I was on the Auckland Branch Committee for five years, including three years as Chair. I am a Chartered Professional Engieneer and a Fellow of Engineering New Zealand for industry leadership and technical excellence in water engineering, as well as service to the profession. My vision is for Engineers to be the leading professional group, known for our work in creating economies and communities, and solving society’s problems. Engineers will do this by being relevant through our exceptional work, and strong connections, credibility, and influence.

Deputy President

Glen Cornelius

FEngNZ, CPEng, IntPE(NZ) / APEC Engineer

I’m a Chartered Professional Engineer, Fellow of Engineering New Zealand and a Chartered Director. I’m the Chief Executive of Harrison Grierson, employing people across Aotearoa, with ultimate responsibility for the company’s performance and our people’s wellbeing. Over the last nine years we’ve transformed HG, championing people leadership, diversity and inclusion, and new ways of working. My passion has always been engineering. Helping develop and grow our people and making our community and Aotearoa a better place to live, are some of my key drivers. I’ve served three years on the Engineering New Zealand’s Standards & Accreditation Board and the Association of Consulting and Engineering NZ, building credibility and trust in the engineering profession. Outside HG, I’m the Chair of Habitat for Humanity New Zealand, a not-for-profit organisation working in partnership with families in housing need. Being part of Habitat reminds me every day about the important work engineers do helping enable people, ultimately creating sustainable communities for everyone.

Vice President

Jan Evans-Freeman

DistFEngNZ, BSc(Hons), PhD, CMInstD, FInstP

Until 2021 I was the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Engineering at the University of Canterbury, one of the two largest engineering colleges in New Zealand. In 2021 I was appointed to the new role of Pro-Vice-Chancellor Sustainability at the University of Canterbury. I have worked in Universities for 30 years, 20 of them in electronic engineering departments. As part of the Engineering New Zealand board, I can bring awareness of the Institute and its professional relevance to students and academics. I have been a Director of Transpower, and served on the governing boards of several national government-funded research projects. I am a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors, and have held several governance roles over the past few years. I was made a Distinguished Fellow of Engineering New Zealand in 2021.

Immediate Past President

Rosalind Archer

FEngNZ, BE, MS, PhD, CMInstD

I’m a Professor at the University of Auckland, and have been Head of the Department of Engineering Science for the past six years. I hold a BE in Engineering Science from the University of Auckland. My MS and PhD degrees are in Petroleum Engineering from Stanford University. My work involves frequent engagement with industry (locally and internationally), and with government (for example, leading multiple New Zealand Aid programme projects in New Zealand, Asia and Africa). I’ve served as a non-executive director of NZ Oil & Gas since 2014 (with 2013 as a consultant to the board). I chair the board’s Nomination and Remuneration Committee. I enjoy the challenges of governance and undertake professional development as a director through the Institute of Directors. I am a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors.

Board Member

Wharehuia Dixon

MEngNZ

Wharehuia is a civil engineer with 15 years’ experience in airport infrastructure across New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific. He works for Beca but is currently supporting Ngāti Awa by managing projects on behalf of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa.

Board Member

Sue-Ellen Fenelon

CMEngNZ, MPP, Assoc.NZPI

It’s been an exciting three years as the Board has overseen the Engineering New Zealand strategy come alive. Connections are being made internally and externally, the Diversity Agenda has won international recognition, and our input is sought by Government on key issues. I value the chance to continue contributing to this important work. After many years developing expertise across the water quality, flood management and land use planning issues arising within the field of catchment planning, in Auckland, I was motivated to complete a Master of Public Policy as a foundation for moving into central government. Since joining MfE in 2015 I’ve contributed to urban water policy, natural capital and well-being indicators, urban Resource Management, and I currently work in climate change policy. At each opportunity I’ve helped colleagues understand the value of engineering knowledge to policy, and to delivering solutions. The environmental challenges we face as a nation have never been so evident. We need to find solutions and ways of working towards a better world. The increasing influence of engineers, and of Engineering New Zealand, and the opportunities that creates for us as a profession sets us up to respond to these challenges – to engineer a better New Zealand. I was Chair of the Auckland Branch in 1994, I’ve served on technical group and conference committees, and I currently chair EPAC.

Board Member

Geoff Hunt

DistFEngNZ

I see Engineering as the profession which creates and maintains many of the things that are fundamental to our standard of living. My ambition is for the profession to be valued for the importance of our contribution, and to see engineers’ voices informing and shaping the public agenda. I have had 27 years as CEO of four engineering-centric businesses covering most types of infrastructure. I have contributed at the governance level to industry organisations including the Treasury National Infrastructure Advisory Board and the Construction Strategy Group (Chair). Within Engineering New Zealand I have been a member of the SAB, Distinguished Fellows Panel and university accreditation reviews. I now consult and I am an advisory board member with Alta Consulting and the AUT Engineering Industry Committee.

Board Member

Sheila Karimi

CMEngNZ, CPEng, IntPE(NZ) / APEC Engineer

I am an associate structural engineer working at Beca Ltd for nearly 10 years. I am a committed team player and skilled leader who understands that achieving success relies on effective communication between all parties at all levels, ensuring teamwork and understanding the common aim. Engineering is my passion and raising public assurance, trust and confidence in what engineers do are my key drivers. I delight in promoting diversity and inclusion and improving gender equality in workplaces. I am dedicated to developing our people, helping them in creating a clear career path and making our community a better place to live through high-quality engineering. I believe Engineering New Zealand has made significant progress in promoting these initiatives and proposing changes to current perceptions and practices. I am keen to continue this momentum and contribute in developing further offerings to our members and the next generation of leaders. As the immediate past Canterbury Branch Chair I will continue to serve on the branch committee. Through the leading of the branch and as an advocate of Diversity Agenda, I have met many inspiring individuals who bring significant value to the discipline and I take pride in furthering and celebrating the skills of the Engineering community in Canterbury

Board Member

Hamish Mckenzie

FEngNZ IntPE(NZ) / APEC Engineer

I have been a practicing structural engineer for more than 25 years, working mostly in New Zealand with Holmes Consulting. I am deeply passionate about quality in our industry, not only in the technical disciplines, but also in the way we deliver value to our clients and partners, and the opportunities and environment we provide people working in our sector. I have had input to many Engineering New Zealand sector committees and working groups such as the Engineering Practice Advisory Committee, the Programme Challenge Group and specific sector programmes such as Low Damage Seismic Design, the Engineering Leadership Group that was formed in the aftermath of the November 2016 Kaikoura Earthquake and the C5 Evidence Project. I am currently the Immediate Past President of SESOC, having recently completed a two-year term as President. During that Presidency, I was heavily involved with submissions to MBIE on occupational regulation. I am well-connected in the industry, with a good understanding of the challenges of clients, architects, quantity surveyors, lawyers, contractors, building officials and a broad cross-section of our sector. I have a deep understanding and appreciation of the work Engineering New Zealand delivers and the value it provides—and am very proud and honoured to have the opportunity to contribute to our profession at the highest level.

Board Member

Kennie Tsui

CMEngNZ, CPEng, IntPE(NZ) / APEC Engineer

I am the immediate past Chair of the Wellington branch and served on the Wellington branch committee for over five years. Through organising over 30 events annually and as a Wonder Project ambassador, I have been fortunate to meet many outstanding and inspiring individuals who bring engineering to life. I have gained significant governance experience as the Chair of the Engineering New Zealand Wellington Branch, the International Partnership of Geothermal Technologies, and Vice President of Scots College Parents Association since 2015. My background as a chemical and process engineer has enabled me to work in both private and public sectors for nearly 25 years and I have gained experience in research and innovation, policy and regulatory areas, and manufacturing. I currently work as CE of NZ Geothermal Association.

Board Member

Ann Williams

FEngNZ, PEngGeol, MSc (Hons)

I have been part of Aotearoa’s consulting engineering industry for over 30 years now, and have led Beca’s national geotechnical business for five years, over which time we have doubled in size. Throughout my career I have demonstrated a passion for engineering geology and hydrogeology, and for delivering a values-driven and strategic approach to my leadership – most especially by encouraging and role-modelling opportunities for women in engineering, and to geotechnical in particular. I bring governance experience from time spent as treasurer and chair of the New Zealand Geotechnical Society, and Vice President (Australasia) of the International Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment. And, I bring a deep commercial risk understanding from my role on Beca Group’s Audit and Risk committee. Through these experiences I have demonstrated my diversity of thought, objectivity and willingness to speak up. As a life-long learner, I recently began a personal journey towards better understanding Te Ao Māori, reinforcing and deepening my appreciation for meaningful partnership with Māori as collaborators and co-designers, to enable and deliver better outcomes for current and future generations of New Zealanders. As a Board member, I recognise that I represent the wider engineering community, and cherish that I have the ability to influence diversity, equity and sustainability in engineering in Aotearoa.

Chief Executive

Richard Templer

PhD, FEngNZ

I became Engineering New Zealand Chief Executive in November 2020, after being Chief Executive of Manawatū District Council. I'm a Fellow and have a PhD in mechanical engineering and my career has included work for private companies, industry organisations, central and local government. I’m passionate about the vital role engineers and engineering have to play in New Zealand’s response to the challenges facing us. This includes engineering a better New Zealand in an economic, social, equitable and environmental sense. Engineering New Zealand is uniquely placed to both serve our members and make a difference for New Zealand.

General Manager – Member Services

Tania Williams

FEngNZ

I lead Engineering New Zealand’s Member Services functions. Our Member Services team supports members, connects members, engages members, upskills, and informs members. Works with members to deliver consultancy and programmes. Creates celebrations for members. Member Services includes our engagement team, support services, sector programmes team, engineering practice and learning partnerships team. I and my team are passionate about supporting our members and raising the profile of the engineering profession. I am an engineer and joined Engineering New Zealand in 2017 after a long career at engineering and management consulting.

General Manager – Strategy

Jodi Caughley

I joined Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau in August 2019 as the Policy and Projects Lead. Since August 2022 I've been a General Manager, first in an acting capacity and now as the General Manager Strategy. My role at Engineering New Zealand involves oversight of our policy, governance, strategic programmes, service design and heritage work. Before joining Engineering New Zealand, I worked in the health industry on programme management, service development and policy. I’m from Canada and have an academic background in science. I'm passionate about supporting improved outcomes for the public, profession and organisation.

General Manager – Global

Brett Williams

CompEngNZ, FEngNZ

I’ve been a GM at Engineering New Zealand since 2005. Before this, I was Manager Quality Assurance at the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, where I oversaw quality assurance of private training providers. My team has a key role in setting and maintaining standards for entry to the profession through our qualification accreditation programme and the operational support that we provide to the International Engineering Alliance and Vocational Engineering Education New Zealand. A key part of my role is to strengthen our international linkages and ensure that New Zealand's standards for qualification accreditation, competence-based membership and registration meet international standards. I love working with the passionate group of staff and members who maintain standards in a profession that makes such a huge difference to the safety and quality of life for New Zealanders and to our prosperity as a country.

General Manager – Promotion & Digital

Justin Brownlie

I joined Te Ao Rangahau as a General Manager in 2021. Prior to that I held a range of communications and marketing roles, with a particular interest in STEM - science, technology, engineering, and maths. My Group undertakes a range of work to support Engineering New Zealand Membership and the engineering profession. The functions the Group covers are marketing, information services, communication, business development, the Wonder Project and Diversity Agenda. So we're a varied team, but with the common passion of bringing engineering to life!

General Manager – People & Finance

Ben Vaughan

I joined Engineering New Zealand in September 2020 and am the General manager of People and Finance. I am a Chartered Accountant with over 12 years of experience. My Finance team has a passion for taking financial information and making it accessible, meaningful and useful for the organisation. Not only do we oversee the finances for Engineering New Zealand, but we also manage the financial process for eight Collaborative Technical Societies which are all separate legal entities. Our People Experience team influences the organisation to make it a great place to work to attract and maintain our exceptional talent.