Past winners

Fellowship is an honoured class of membership, recognising the most highly experienced professionals who have made a huge impact on engineering in Aotearoa. We're delighted to reveal this year's Fellows and Distinguished Fellows.

2021 Fellows

Distinguished Fellows

Bryan Pidwerbesky

Bryan Pidwerbesky is recognised as a Distinguished Fellow for his contribution in advancing the science and lifetime performance of pavements and surfacing materials.

Bryan’s depth of experience and professional competency has seen him recognised as New Zealand’s “go-to” person for everything to do with pavements.

He was appointed Senior Adjunct Fellow in Civil Engineering at the University of Canterbury and his participation on numerous national and international technical and advisory committees, working parties and boards reflects his international standing.

Bryan has led and has authored many technical papers, and is known for his technical leadership and communication abilities. He has developed and mentored many young and mid-career engineers in all aspects of pavement design and use, with applications ranging from airport runways, container handling, manoeuvring and hard-standing areas.

Wide variations in substrates and local availability of materials have meant Bryan’s technical input is frequently sought at the inception of projects. This sees him working with clients, decision makers and key stakeholders to understand issues and concerns, and to explain complex solutions simply. Bryan’s knowledge and ability has enabled considerable advances of the construction and performance of the thin flexible pavements that underpin New Zealand’s transport network.

Highly respected by his peers in New Zealand and internationally, Bryan exemplifies the hallmarks of a Distinguished Fellow in terms of eminence, sustained leadership, professional behaviour, profile, and mana.

Craig Price

Craig Price is recognised as a Distinguished Fellow or his contribution to leadership, governance and the development of the profession.

Craig’s technical background is in design of commercial and institutional buildings and, in particular, energy-efficient and green building technologies. As a Technical Officer of Beca Group, Craig is involved in professional practice and guiding Beca’s technical capability across eight countries, 23 offices and more than 3,500 staff.

Craig’s resilience, strong character and communication are exemplary. His leadership as Beca’s Regional Manager for the South Island and Manager of Christchurch office through the two major Canterbury earthquakes was outstanding, as was his compassion for people’s families. He is currently Chair of Beca New Zealand and Chair of the Beca Group Management Share Trust.

Craig has wide experience in leadership and governance. He was a Director on the Establishment Board of the New Zealand Green Building Council, on its Board (2006–2013) and Chair (2011–13). He was President of Engineering New Zealand in 2018 and has also been a member of Engineering New Zealand’s Competence Assessment Board (2008–2014), governing Board, Registration Authority Board (2015–2019), Standards and Accreditation Board (2015–present). He has served as Chair or President on many of these boards, and has also been a Practice Area Assessor for Chartered Professional Engineer interviews for more than 20 years.

Craig is strongly committed to the profession and passionate about supporting the objectives of the International Engineering Alliance to achieve internationally benchmarked standards for engineering education and competence for engineering practice. He has been involved in the Alliance since 2011 and participated in a range of international review roles.

He has served on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority Framework Review’s Advisory Group since 2017 and, in 2021, was appointed Deputy Chair of the International Professional Engineers Agreement.

Craig has served in many advisory roles for central government and – particularly since the 2011 quakes – contributed significantly to Christchurch and Canterbury business growth and success as an Executive Member of the Canterbury Business Leader’s Group and Chair of its Infrastructure Working Group. In his role as Beca’s Regional Manager, Craig was awarded Champion Professional Service at the 2013 Champion Canterbury Business Awards. He recently retired as a Director of City Care Limited.

Craig received the Fulton Downer Gold Medal in 2014 for outstanding contribution to Public Service.

Geoff Chase

Professor Geoff Chase is recognised as a Distinguished Fellow for his contribution to the profession and society. He has created opportunities to combine engineering, medicine and applied research, leading to the creation of viable products and start-up companies that continue to significantly improve healthcare.

As a Distinguished Professor – Mechanical Engineering at the University of Canterbury, Geoff is known for his extraordinary academic leadership and professional contributions. In his academic career to date he has supervised many students, both domestic and international through Doctorates, Masters, Post-Doctoral Fellowships and has produced more than 1,500 peer-reviewed publications and/or patents. Through his drive and passion, he attracts and champions a diverse range of bright and enthusiastic students. His impact is amplified through a legacy of successful graduates pursuing further research and start-up companies.

Geoff exemplifies the ideal of an engineer who has gained industry experience, then returned to academia to forge an illustrious career. As both a civil and mechanical engineer, Geoff uses his wide appreciation of knowledge to bring together disparate approaches. An example of this is his applying seismic engineering theories to serious and chronic medical conditions, leading to advancements in treatment that saves both lives and money. His belief in the ability to reduce the time and cost of treatment through increased productivity enables the more intangible, human aspects of healthcare to be retained.

Geoff co-founded the National Science Challenge, and has received numerous distinctions and awards, including Fellowship of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Fellowship of the Royal Society of New Zealand Te Apārangi, and a Royal Society of New Zealand MacDiarmid Medal. He is active in governance and also represents New Zealand engineering internationally as the Technology, Applied Science, and Engineering Convenor for Royal Society Te Apārangi.

Charles Clifton

Charles Clifton is recognised as a Distinguished Fellow for his contribution to earthquake engineering research in structural steel systems, as well as earthquake engineering practice in New Zealand.

Since 1983, Charles has led the development and implementation of design guidance for using structural steel in buildings in New Zealand. His work has been hugely influential in the paradigm shift in multistorey building design and construction, leading to lighter, safer, more resilient and more repairable buildings.

His work has formed the basis for the design of steel-framed buildings for gravity, earthquake, fire and durability used by all New Zealand structural engineers.

Charles graduated from the University of Canterbury in 1979 with his Master of Engineering. In 1983, he started the Structural Division of the New Zealand Heavy Engineering Research Association and, in 1994, was involved in the formation of the Steel Structures Analysis Service, now Steel Construction New Zealand. In 2008, he joined the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Auckland, specialising in structural steel and composite engineering. There, he also completed his PhD in civil engineering.

Charles has conducted and coordinated research into structural steel and steel-concrete composite buildings to ensure their good performance in severe earthquake and severe fire events. He has disseminated that information for the benefit of the design industry,

the construction industry and New Zealand as a whole. His leadership and guidance has been particularly important for structural design engineers. His impact extends to the effective re-education of practitioners who, before the 1980s, had minimal experience in multistorey steel design.

Charles’ research has embraced the development of new seismic resisting technologies, composite steel-concrete elements, seismic detailing, the performance of steel and composite structures in fire, and the durability of structural steel. He has been a major contributor to the subsequent development of new and revised Standards and Codes of engineering practice for structural steel design and fire engineering.

Charles is seen by peers as the go-to person for all aspects of structural steel design. He has been conferred as Life Member of both the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering and Structural Engineering Society New Zealand.

Mike Stannard

Mike Stannard is recognised as a Distinguished Fellow for his contribution to the profession as well as to New Zealand’s built environment.

Mike’s unique knowledge overlaps geotechnical, structural, seismological, construction and regulatory fields. As Chief Engineer for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Mike used his mana and influence to passionately and tirelessly represent the engineering profession at the highest level of government.

Mike was the Ministry’s lead for technical work relating to Canterbury earthquakes response and recovery. He subsequently initiated and participated in the investigations into collapsed buildings in Christchurch and provided significant input to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Building Failure Caused by the Canterbury Earthquakes. Later, Mike led the implementation of recommendations from the Royal Commission.

Mike has used his knowledge and influence to secure changes that are enduring and significant to the profession. For example, he established the National Geotechnical Database and championed the Building Act amendment that enable investigation of building failures.

Mike has worked closely with the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering, New Zealand Geotechnical Society and Structural Engineering Society New Zealand. He has sought their advice on technical issues, consulted when required and inspired the industry to move beyond its own interests and to coordinate and cooperate with each other. Testament to his work, Mike is the only engineer in New Zealand to be conferred as Life Member of all three technical societies.

Since leaving the Ministry, Mike has advised government agencies and territorial authorities on aspects of interpretation and application of the Building Act, as well as on seismic hazard and risk. His knowledge of building regulatory systems and its interface with design and engineering practice is internationally recognised, and he has represented New Zealand at significant international symposia.

Fellows

Jan Snyman

Jan Snyman is the Managing Director/Technical Manager for Index Engineering Ltd with 40 years of mechanical design experience. He is an expert in pressure equipment and a design verifier for pressure equipment, boilers and cranes. Jan has in-depth knowledge of the pulp and paper industry as well as the energy generation sector. He has delivered many significant projects.

Jan has been a practice area assessor for over 15 years and has a passion for mentoring engineers. Under his guidance, five engineers employed at Index Engineering Ltd have successfully gained entry onto the Register of Design Verifiers.

Ben Perry

Ben Perry is the Director of Vision Consulting Engineers, which provides services to public and private clients. He promotes the engineering profession through volunteer work with local community groups and schools, while also helping graduates achieve their professional goals.

Ben has worked on projects across Northland, developed engineering standards, and provided strategic infrastructure analysis to local government.

Ben has been a longstanding committee member of the Northland Branch, including serving as Branch Chair. He is most passionate about his volunteer work and support, encouraging countless children in the Far North to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Blair Monk

Blair Monk is a Transport Network Operation specialist for Aurecon. He trained as a civil engineer and moved through the areas of design in road construction, geometrics, traffic engineering, safety, intelligent transport systems (ITS) and the future transport technology.

Blair has represented New Zealand at international events through his many years of service on the ITS New Zealand Board. His passion for optimisation and efficiency shines through when explaining complicated operational issues using plain language. Blair has been recognised as an innovator by industry and his latest work on future urban mobility is eagerly anticipated.

Brendan Attewell

Brendan Attewell is a temporary works specialist, whose construction engineering career has been defined through heavy civil and marine infrastructure projects in New Zealand and the South Pacific. His experience includes deep basement methodologies, enabling works assessments, façade retention and party wall support schemes for iconic projects across London and the United Kingdom. Brendan facilitates temporary works risk and awareness courses for Engineering New Zealand and was the inaugural chair of the Structural Engineering Society (SESOC) Temporary Works forum.

Brendan leads a team of in-house temporary works engineers and digital design specialists for The Fletcher Construction Company. He is passionate about delivering safer workplaces.

Brendon Bradley

Brendon Bradley is Professor of Earthquake Engineering in the Department of Civil and Natural Resources Engineering at the University of Canterbury and Director of QuakeCoRE: The New Zealand Centre for Earthquake Resilience. His areas of interest include engineering seismology, strong ground motion prediction, seismic response analysis of structural and geotechnical systems, and seismic performance and loss estimation methods.

Brendon has also been a Director of Bradley Seismic Limited since 2010, providing consulting services in several areas of earthquake engineering.

Brett Gliddon

Brett Gliddon is the General Manager Transport Services at Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, leading a team of around 700 people to partner and deliver an integrated transport system.

Brett’s experience in the transport sector spans planning, design, procurement, project management, construction, maintenance and operations. He has led many successful teams and worked alongside stakeholders and communities to achieve significant transportation outcomes for New Zealanders.

A great strategist with political nous, Brett has introduced vital changes to Waka Kotahi’s operating model to be agile and innovative, so that it can deliver a fit-for-purpose transport system in New Zealand.

Craig Davidson

Craig Davidson is the Managing Director of AECOM New Zealand. He is an accomplished leader with extensive experience in the leadership and governance of complex infrastructure projects, including alliance board roles on Eastern Busway, City Rail Link, Te Tupu Ngātahi alliances.

Craig is passionate about leadership and the important role of engineers in solving communities’ most complex challenges. He is committed to thought leadership and leads AECOM’s annual Sentiment report. Craig is also a strong voice on issues such as procurement and pipeline certainty.

Craig served as an Association of Consulting and Engineering (ACE NZ) area representative from 2013 to 2016 and Board member from 2016 to 2019.

Don Macfarlane

Don Macfarlane has made significant contributions to engineering geology within New Zealand for more than 40 years. During this time, he has led teams working on high profile and geologically projects such as the Clyde Power Project, Manapouri Second Tailrace Tunnel Scheme, Project Aqua and the Port Hills.

Don exemplifies industry leadership, and his body of work has been referenced by geologists and engineers throughout the country. He is not one to seek the limelight and instead inspires those around him while quietly contributing to improving the knowledge and practices of engineering geology.

Dragan Jovanovic

Dragan Jovanovic is a civil engineer and CPEng who is passionate about engineering sustainable developments and environmental protection. Hard work and commitment to the engineering industry have led Dragan to become a Technical Director of Water and Wastewater and a Principal of GHD.

Today, Dragan is one of the technical leaders in the water industry in New Zealand, having specialised in water transmission systems and large diameter pipelines. While most of his engineering designs are buried in the ground, he has made great contributions to minimising environmental effects through the use of modern technologies for trenchless pipe installations.

Elizabeth Yeaman

Elizabeth Yeaman has focused her 30-year career on the transport and renewable energy sectors. She is particularly interested in the interface between technology and people, and has worked to bring technical insights to policy development and implementation.

After 22 years with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, Liz founded Retyna, a specialist consultancy on renewable energy for transport with a particular focus on electrifying transport. Having won the 2014 Furkert Supreme Technical Award for Engineering Achievers, she has gone on to become a leading voice on transport electrification, regularly speaking at conferences at home and abroad.

Graeme Johnson

Graeme Johnson is Chief Executive of Fulton Hogan New Zealand. He has more than 18 years’ experience in prior roles including design engineering, project management and general management of associated multi-disciplinary civil contracting and materials supply chain businesses. He is passionate about collaborative approaches that drive “best for project” outcomes and value creation through diverse, skilled and innovative teams that provide great solutions for clients and stakeholders.

Graeme is a CPEng; a Director of Southern Aggregates Ltd, Stevenson Aggregates Ltd, Stevenson Concrete Ltd; and a member of the Practice Advisory Board for the Department of Engineering at the University of Canterbury.

Graeme Lindup

Graeme Lindup completed his Master of Engineering at the University of Canterbury in 1975 and became involved with the structural design of offshore platforms and onshore industrial plants in both the United Kingdom and California in the early 1980s. After returning to New Zealand in 1983, Graeme continued to be involved with many of New Zealand’s major industrial plants and projects.

Graeme is recognised as a technical expert in the field of seismic design of industrial plants. He has presented papers and been involved with educating engineers in industrial plant design.

Graeme is currently a Specialist Civil/Structural Engineer for Worley NZ Ltd in New Plymouth.

Hans Gerlich

Hans Gerlich is a structural and fire engineer with more than 40 years’ industry experience including liaison with manufacturing, research, building trades, designers, and those shaping our regulatory environment. As Development Manager for New Zealand plasterboard manufacturer Winstone Wallboards, Hans has written engineering software widely used by industry professionals for the bracing design of light timber and steel framed structures.

Hans counts his involvement in the Canterbury and Kaikōura earthquake response and recovery activities as moving and most fulfilling. His contribution to fire engineering has furthered global understanding of the equivalent fire resistance of elements exposed to building fires. Most rewarding has been his role as industry supervisor for post-graduate engineering students and subsequently seeing their careers blossom.

Dr Jan Kupec

Dr Jan Kupec is a Geotechnical Principal at Aurecon. His expertise includes deep and shallow footings, retaining walls, slip and rock fall remediation, embankments and dams, as well as risk-based assessment of slope stability. He considers his work with the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority and subsequently with Land Information New Zealand as Chief Geotechnical Advisor on the Christchurch rebuild to be career highlights.

Jan is also an Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) specialist with Fire and Emergency NZ. He responded to Christchurch and Kaikōura earthquake events and deployed with the USAR team to Japan after their 2011 tsunami disaster.

He has published more than 70 technical papers and is passionate about resilience, sustainability and innovation.

Jan Snyman

Jan Snyman is the Managing Director/Technical Manager for Index Engineering Ltd with 40 years of mechanical design experience. He is an expert in pressure equipment and a design verifier for pressure equipment, boilers and cranes. Jan has in-depth knowledge of the pulp and paper industry as well as the energy generation sector. He has delivered many significant projects.

Jan has been a practice area assessor for more than 15 years and has a passion for mentoring engineers. Under his guidance, five engineers employed at Index Engineering Ltd have successfully gained entry onto the Register of Design Verifiers.

John Finnegan

John Finnegan is the Technical Director at Aurecon. He began his career with the Ministry of Works in 1981 and they provided superb engineering training and experience, including careful attention to design and detailing. John has continued to emphasise these facets throughout his career, while also being mindful of other factors that may need consideration, often outside the field of structural engineering.

Over the years, John has progressed to manage client portfolios and won numerous awards as a Technical Director. He actively influences and advises government, and has managed numerous client property portfolios and major building developments. He’s still pleased to be able to call himself an engineer.

Jon Visser

Jon Visser is Infrastructure Asset Manager for Port Otago and has looked after public and private infrastructure throughout New Zealand and overseas.

Jon has made significant contributions to the engineering profession in New Zealand, serving as Engineering New Zealand’s Otago Branch Chair for three years, assessing engineers to become CMEngNZ, and assessing tertiary education organisations for accreditation to international engineering accords. He has also served on the Board of the New Zealand Utilities Advisory Group, inspired new engineers as a Wonder Project Ambassador, and most recently participated on the steering group for the new Bachelor of Engineering Technology Apprenticeship degree in Asset Management.

Keith Atkinson

Keith Atkinson is a Technical Principal – Project Delivery in the Wellington office of WSP, with 47 years’ experience. He has played a significant role in the successful project and contract management of numerous major multi-disciplinary award-winning projects in the Wellington area, including the Inner City Bypass, SH2/SH58 Haywards Interchange and Silverstream-Manor Park 4-Laning.

Keith has made a tremendous contribution to the technical health of engineering within WSP in both contract management and cost estimating/risk. He is a key member of the WSP Contract Management Discipline Committee, has been Engineer to the Contract for some 500 contracts and is Waka Kotahi Accredited Level 4 Engineer to Contract and Engineer’s Representative. In addition, he has contributed to cost estimating guidelines and is a Waka Kotahi external cost estimate reviewer.

Keith has also run numerous training courses in contract management and cost estimating/risk and mentored countless young engineers.

Mathieu Sellier

Mathieu Sellier is Professor of Fluid Mechanics in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Canterbury, a major engineering department which he has proudly led since 2019. With over 20 years’ research experience and a sustained publication track record in the areas of interfacial flows and inverse problems in engineering, he has made significant contributions to the fluid mechanics community in New Zealand and beyond.

By sharing his passion and enthusiasm for thermofluid dynamics research, Mathieu has inspired numerous undergraduate students and been privileged to mentor many postgraduates who now pursue rewarding and impactful careers in industry and academia.

Matt Harris

Matt Harris is Principal and Section Manager of Beca Ltd’s Southern Transport & Infrastructure Group.

Matt believes the strength of Engineering New Zealand is greatest when members actively participate in its many initiatives. He has continually supported Engineering New Zealand for more than 20 years, originally as a Future-in-tech ambassador promoting STEM subjects in schools and later as a CPEng practice area assessor and staff assessor.

In recent years Matt has sat on the Engineering New Zealand Board twice. He is currently on the Competency Assessment Board, which overseas CPEng application approvals. He is also on the CPEng Project Steering Group, providing support and insight into our ongoing CPEng reforms.

Mengjie Zhang

Mengjie Zhang is Professor of Computer Science at Victoria University of Wellington. He has significantly contributed to ICT engineering research in AI and data science and has more than 700 peer-reviewed publications and over 18,000 citations. He has successfully applied his technical expertise to engineering applications in primary industry and health/(bio)medical outcomes.

Mengjie co-led the establishment of New Zealand’s first undergraduate AI specialisation and postgraduate AI qualifications. He has taught and developed 13 different courses in ICT engineering, supervised more than 50 PhD students to successful completion, and is working with iwi to attract Māori students to data science/AI programmes.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Murray Barber

Murray Barber has leveraged from his BE Hons and MBA qualifications to hold senior line management and governance roles, and consultancy team leadership.

These include NZ Rail, Ernst & Young, Cardno International, Kuwait Engineering Office International Consultants, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority and JLL.

He has worked in New Zealand, United Kingdom, Indonesia, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar, undertaking restructuring, commercialisation, life-cycle feasibility studies and project management.

He has an impressive record of successfully delivering complex projects as either Project Director or Engineer to the Contract. These include organisation restructures, commercialisation and projects executed under FIDIC or NZ Standards contracts.

Paul Utting

Paul Utting entered the engineering industry in 1977 and spent his first 10 years in projects and structural design. A move to Auckland triggered a focus on water services that has remained for the rest of his career, which has included time in local government and consultancies in New Zealand and Australia.

Paul has undertaken senior infrastructure management roles for Manukau Water, Rodney District, and Cairns Regional Council. His appreciation of the importance of both strategic and tactical asset management has been a feature of his development as a leader and practitioner.

Paul Wymer

Paul Wymer is a director and shareholder of BBR Contech with more than 35 years’ experience in the building and civil construction industry. He is a recognised leader in specialist engineering construction activities including post-tensioning, ground anchors, concrete repair and seismic strengthening, and is regularly consulted for his expertise.

He has presented numerous technical papers and has been involved in seminars and guest lectures on a range of topics through his affiliations with Engineering New Zealand technical groups, universities and industry organisations. Paul is a past-President of Concrete NZ Learned Society and was awarded Honorary Membership in 2014. He sits on the board of Concrete NZ and holds the position of Deputy Chair.

Peter Bailey

Peter Bailey has had a prominent engineering career in national and local organisations, in roles providing both strategic leadership and technical knowledge. His skills are acknowledged in a broad range of fields including water supply; sewerage; stormwater; reserves management; solid waste management, minimisation and transportation and he has had numerous successes in his career in these areas.

Peter is acknowledged for his inspiring leadership, community engagement, integrity, and policy advice. He has led projects that have won industry awards for innovation in technical areas and in relationship management.

Peter Calderwood

Peter Calderwood has been actively involved in engineering since completing his university education in 1981. He initially worked for the Electricity Division of the Ministry of Energy, during which time he was elected a corporate member of Engineering New Zealand.

For the past 34 years, Peter has worked for Trustpower – and its predecessor, the Tauranga Electric Power Board – in senior executive positions, including managing the network business prior to sale in 1999, developing renewable energy generation in New Zealand and Australia, and managing the wholesale energy portfolio. He has been actively involved in technical and commercial engineering during his tenure at Trustpower.

Dr Quincy Ma

Dr Quincy Ma is a structural engineer and academic leader at the University of Auckland. He is the structural engineering group leader and has contributed significantly to structural analysis teaching for the past 15 years. He was among the team leading the rejuvenation of the structural engineering curriculum
at Auckland. He is an internationally recognised expert in earthquake engineering.

Quincy actively contributes to technical societies and the profession. He has served on the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering (NZSEE) and the Structural Engineering Society of New Zealand (SESOC) management committees.

He is a Fellow of NZSEE and was its president from 2014 until 2016.

Dr Ray Wilson

Dr Ray Wilson has spent more than 50 years working primarily on major civil infrastructure projects since gaining his BE(Hons) at the University of Canterbury School of Engineering (1967) and his MS and PhD at Stanford University, California (1971).

Ray’s early career was with the Ministry of Works, helping build the Huntly Power Station and Clyde Dam. He joined the private sector to lead the construction of the pioneering Kamojang Geothermal Power Station in Java, followed by general manager roles with McConnell Dowell in New Zealand and Southeast Asia. Since 1995 he has been based in Australia, developing and leading large Public Private Projects (PPPs), including the $4.3 billion Airportlink in Brisbane and $800 million Puhoi to Warkworth PPP north of Auckland.

Ray has had great personal enjoyment and professional fulfillment over his career, and owes much to colleagues, mentors and friends who have assisted him. He is eternally grateful for, and owes a great debt to, his wife and two beautiful daughters for their constant support and patience.

Richard Neate

Richard Neate is a Technical Director with GHD and has more than 30 years’ experience designing water infrastructure. He has held commercial and technical leadership roles and has led several significant water and wastewater projects. He is a judge for the Association of Consulting and Engineering (ACE NZ) Awards and a member of the technical committee for the Water NZ conference.

Richard derives great satisfaction from coaching and mentoring younger engineers and leaders to enjoy their profession, maximise their engineering career and add value to society through their work.

Rob Dantzer

Rob Dantzer started his New Zealand journey in engineering a little over 10 years ago teaching in CPIT’s (now Ara Institute of Canterbury) engineering degree and diploma programmes. His journey has taken him from degree programme leader to manager of the engineering school. He is a member of Engineering New Zealand’s Standards and Accreditation Board and has recently retired from the New Zealand Board of Engineering Diplomas.

Rob believes he has settled on a truly noble profession: the marriage of engineering with education – a happy couple who grow old seeing their children apply and share scientific knowledge for the betterment of life and the planet.

Rodger Griffiths

Rodger Griffiths has been a professional engineer in the electricity supply industry for the past 40 years. During that time, he has been closely involved with a large number of generation, transmission and distribution projects. He is currently focusing on supporting the transformation and decarbonisation of New Zealand’s electricity industry through the innovative use of new and upcoming technology. He looks forward to contributing to a challenging era of unparalleled growth in the electricity industry driven by rapid electrification – which he sees as offering exciting opportunities for professional engineers.

Dr Sarah Wakes

Dr Sarah Wakes is an academic and science leader who is involved in teaching and researching aspects of engineering design, fluid dynamics, sustainability, and coastal management. She is an expert in computational fluid dynamics with a particular research focus on applications to engineering design and wind flow over complex coastal geomorphology.

An Associate Professor at the University of Otago, Sarah is the Head of the Mathematics and Statistics department, the first female in this role. She is also a chartered engineer through the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (UK).

Dr Sina Cotter Tait

Dr Sina Cotter Tait graduated from the University of Canterbury with a BE(Hons) and has since earned an MBA with Distinction and a PhD in construction management. She has spent her more-than-20-year career working as a civil engineer specialising in contracts, technical documentation, design management, relationship management and governance.

Sina’s career has woven together her interests in professional engineering, governance and education, and is distinguished by a strong theme of service. Guided by the phrase “true success is when you lift others with you”, Sina has been mentored by leaders who have shown her the importance of integrity, humility and compassion in engineering leadership.

Dr Sjoerd van Ballegooy

Dr Sjoerd van Ballegooy is the Expertise Director at Tonkin + Taylor Ltd for the Geotechnical Group, comprising more than 200 geotechnical engineers and engineering geologists. He is responsible for overseeing the technical development and technical mentoring of the engineering staff, technical liaison with the industry and research institutions, incorporating latest research into engineering practice and ensuring that T+T continues to be at the forefront of geotechnical engineering.

Sjoerd has extensive experience in earthquake engineering, including seismic site response, liquefaction, lateral spreading, effects on structures and ground improvement, hazard mapping, earthquake loss modelling, earthquake resilience assessment and stakeholder engagement. His work in these areas has included expert evidence work for hearings, mediations and the courts.

Stuart Finlan

Stuart Finlan’s career spans more than 35 years on three continents in the geotechnical, geo-environmental and civil engineering spheres across a diverse range of projects. These include industrial and commercial developments, horizontal infrastructure, mining subsidence, landfills, land instability and contaminated land assessment and remediation.

Stuart is the Lead Advisor – Geotechnical at Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency where he sets the strategic direction, policy and standards for geotechnics. He is recognised nationally and internationally for his innovation and technical expertise and has been involved in the development of several national design guides.

Stuart has helped lead and govern a number of industry committees and organisations, as well as project alliance boards within Waka Kotahi.

Stuart Palmer

Stuart Palmer is a Technical Director–Earthquake Foundation Engineering with Tonkin + Taylor. Stuart is actively involved in the seismic design and assessment of buildings in collaboration with structural engineers. He has authored more than 20 papers in earthquake foundation engineering and was a lead author of the ‘Seismic assessment of existing buildings guideline’, section C4 ‘Geotechnical considerations’. He has been providing input to New Zealand’s ‘Low Damage Seismic Design’ handbook and review of the New Zealand Geotechnical Society’s earthquake engineering modules. A focus of his work continues to be assessment of liquefaction and lateral spread potential of Wellington’s reclaimed waterfront and design of building foundations allowing for this potential.

Stuart Woods

Stuart Woods has 36 years’ engineering experience, having worked in local and central government roles as well as in private consultancy. He gained both his Bachelor and Masters degrees at the University of Canterbury.

Almost all of Stuart’s professional career has been in roading and transport related engineering, with an emphasis in transport planning, policy and strategy. His greatest satisfaction has come from leading innovative and collaborative projects that provide improvements for the community. He also has a long history of involvement with various voluntary engineering interest groups such as the Transportation Group and Trips Database Bureau.

Stuart is currently Lead Advisor – Resilience at Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

Warren Ladbrook

Warren Ladbrook returned to New Zealand a decade ago and has brought back expertise in disaster response, recovery, and related initiatives.

Warren held influential disaster recovery positions for the tsunami reconstruction of Sri Lanka, award-winning reconstruction of Iraq, and notable infrastructure planning work in Afghanistan, India and more. He developed expertise in bringing different governments together for shared outcomes and gained an important understanding about the interdependencies of the built environment and social wellbeing.

He has made notable contributions to engineering in New Zealand in several capacities, particularly with regard to the planning, funding, and delivery of public infrastructure. Of note is his early contributions to the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery, including as lead author on an early white paper about how to incorporate resilience into infrastructure reconstruction.

Warren is concurrently working towards a PhD through the University of Auckland, with a focus on quantification of the post-disaster interdependencies between the built environment and social wellbeing.

Wes Edwards

Wes Edwards founded specialist traffic engineering and transport planning consultancy Arrive in 2002 where he serves as Director. With more than 30 years’ specialist transport experience and seven years in other engineering disciplines, Wes has contributed to the advancement of traffic engineering practice in New Zealand, particularly in bus priority and in residential street layout and design. He is currently a member of the Standards Australia committee responsible for the AS/NZS2890 series of parking standards and is frequently an expert witness in resource management proceedings.

Yolanda Thorp

Yolanda Thorp is a geotechnical engineer with more than 35 years’ experience. Her current role is Technical Director, Project Director and Team Leader at Tonkin + Taylor Ltd.

Yolanda has contributed to the design and construction of major infrastructure roading and rail projects for a major portion of her career. These include Auckland’s City Rail Link, the Puhoi to Warkworth motorway, Lincoln Road Interchange and Maioro Interchange.

Yolanda derives great satisfaction from meeting the challenges of design and construction and delivering an asset that improves New Zealand’s infrastructure, as well as mentoring and assisting the career development of engineers across the industry.

Fellows 2021

Distinguished Fellows

Andrew Cleland

Andrew Cleland is elected a Distinguished Fellow of Engineering New Zealand for his outstanding leadership and governance.

He's had senior roles in academia, was Chief Executive of the former IPENZ for 14 years and until recently was Chief Executive of Royal Society Te Apārangi.

Andrew’s early career at Massey University included internationally recognised research in refrigeration that received several national and international awards. He mentored many early researchers in process engineering and was active in establishing commercialisation of university research.

During his 14 years as CE of IPENZ, membership and revenue increased substantially, the Chartered Professional Engineer quality mark was established, and IPENZ increasingly contributed to national innovation policy discussions. Andrew supported international engineering education, competence assessment and benchmarking through the International Engineering Alliance.

As CE of Royal Society Te Apārangi since 2014, Andrew has taken on the challenge of diversifying and modernising the Society, including recognising the significance of Mātauranga, and increasing inclusion of engineers.

His many awards, fellowships and honorary awards indicate respect from a wide range of communities. Andrew was awarded the Science and Technology Medal by the International Institute of Refrigeration in 2011, the JC Andrews Award by the NZ Institute of Food Science and Technology in 2009, the J&E Hall Gold Medal by the UK Institute of Refrigeration in 2000, and the Kamerlingh Onnes Gold Medal by the Dutch Association of Refrigeration in 1995. He has been awarded Fellowships by the engineering institutions in Canada, Australia, Fiji and Papua New Guinea, and was one of a handful of food engineers to be made a founding Fellow of the International Academy of Food Science and Technology in 1999.

For his diverse roles and significant contribution to the engineering profession, Andrew is awarded Distinguished Fellow of Engineering New Zealand.

Elena Trout

Elena Trout is elected a Distinguished Fellow of Engineering New Zealand for her outstanding contribution through the leadership and executive roles she has filled, especially in the transport, infrastructure and energy sectors.

Elena’s career started in civil design and shifted to leadership roles where she has been responsible for the delivery of a number of nationally significant infrastructure developments. These have included developing and establishing innovative partnership models between private and public entities.

Elena was the second woman to be President of Engineering New Zealand, in 2016. During her term, she actively promoted diversity in engineering and sciences including development of the “case for change” programme to activate companies to support women in their organisations. She was President when IPENZ transformed into Engineering New Zealand in 2017.

She has been director or chair of many skill-based boards, independent investigations and Crown Inquiries. These have extended to acting as independent assessor for the Crown and other parties on infrastructure failures and major capital investment programmes. Her work has extended across a variety of regulated environments, including as a sector regulator establishing rules and guidelines. Her active support for iwi is seen in her role as independent director managing assets on behalf of Ngāpuhi shareholders, with the objective of balancing economic growth with the values and long-term objectives of their parent body Te Rūnanga-ā-iwi o Ngāpuhi.

Elena’s leadership in professional engineering values and ethics is seen in her appointments to decision making committee on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency and as current chair of the Energy and Efficiency Conservation Authority. Her directorships and senior advisory positions extend widely across government, industry and development sectors. Current appointments include looking at vocational education across the construction and infrastructure workforce and Contact Energy. Elena actively supports young engineers and mentors women with developing careers in engineering, technical sciences and governance.

For the significant and varied achievements of Elena’s ongoing career, she is awarded Distinguished Fellow of Engineering New Zealand.

Garry Macdonald

Garry John Macdonald is elected a Distinguished Fellow of Engineering New Zealand for his outstanding contribution to the profession and to wastewater and water engineering.

Garry has held senior roles in the profession, including President of Engineering New Zealand, President of Water New Zealand, and Water Market Leader and Business Director at Beca. He is also the only New Zealand Fellow of the US-based Water Environment Federation, for which he served for four years as a Board member. Garry has been involved in many of New Zealand’s most significant wastewater master-planning and treatment projects.

Through his roles at Beca and his considerable involvement in wider professional activities, Garry has been very active in technical conferences both in New Zealand and at the Water Environment Federation, including as a speaker and session chair. He has authored and presented over 60 technical papers, presented at conferences and published in New Zealand and international journals.

Outstanding leadership and communication skills are evident in Garry’s work and in his wider professional life. His technical input is frequently sought at the inception of projects, working with client decision-makers and key stakeholders to understand issues and concerns and to explain complex solutions in a non-technical manner.

Garry has made a long and distinguished contribution to Engineering New Zealand. As well as four years in the Senior Office Holder team, including as President, he has been active on a number of other panels and committees, including various investigating and disciplinary committees. As President, he strongly supported Women in Engineering and the retention of women members, to advance the diversity of the profession.

Outside of engineering, Garry has used his experience and leadership in significant involvement with Oxfam. He is currently Co-chair of Oxfam New Zealand, where he has been instrumental in developing a new strategic plan, and is on the board of Oxfam International.

For his sustained leadership, professional roles and mana, Garry is awarded Distinguished Fellow of Engineering New Zealand.

Jan Evans-Freeman

Professor Jan Evans-Freeman is elected a Distinguished Fellow of Engineering New Zealand for her outstanding contribution to the engineering sector through her leadership in engineering education, and her business management and governance roles.

Jan’s academic career (after studying a music degree and spending time as a music teacher) focused on electrical engineering and electronics research in the United Kingdom, where she completed her doctorate. She has published over 100 research papers and held senior academic positions before immigrating to New Zealand in 2009, when she took up her current role as Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Engineering at the University of Canterbury.

Jan has brought her combination of engineering, research and teaching skills to this role. She strengthened and modernised the education of engineers, and the way that education is delivered, despite the significant challenges of the Christchurch earthquakes and their aftermath. Jan’s response to these challenges has capitalised on the opportunities to do things differently, while rebuilding not just the physical college but trust in it as a safe, resilient, bicultural and diverse environment for our future engineers. The 10-year transformation plan Jan proposed for the college post-earthquake was completed three years early, delivering benefits including growth in student numbers and increased research and industry engagement.

Jan has been a member of the Engineering New Zealand Board since 2014, during a time of significant change as the organisation moved to be more relevant and attract a membership that better reflects society.

Jan is a significant role model for diversity and inclusion. She has been appointed to boards in the power industry, industrial and crown research centres and for the UC Quake Centre; showcasing and promoting the value that engineering skill can bring to governance. She actively contributes to conferences for women in leadership, particularly women in engineering. She has been instrumental in heightening bicultural awareness of staff and students and embedding this in taught programmes.

Championing and leading change shows her passion and resilience to tackle previously accepted “norms”. Her success in this area highlights her ethical approach, professionalism and business skills.

The effect she has on the education of our young engineers is significant, in terms of influencing the diversity of students entering the profession, and their preparation for the constantly evolving engineering sector that they will ultimately serve.

For her achievements and significant contribution, Jan is awarded Distinguished Fellow of Engineering New Zealand.

Nicki Crauford

Nicola Crauford is elected a Distinguished Fellow of Engineering New Zealand for her outstanding contribution to New Zealand through her leadership and influence on significant public and private sector organisations.

Nicki’s career commenced with a PhD in chemical engineering, followed by research and management positions in the United Kingdom. In New Zealand, she has held senior roles at Transpower and Worley Parsons/Advisian, as well as being Chief Executive of the Institute of Directors and Deputy Chief Executive of the former IPENZ.

Since around 2004, Nicki has held governance roles, accumulated an impressive portfolio in areas where engineers and particularly women continue to be significantly underrepresented. Nicki is currently the chair of the Electricity Authority and chair of GNS Science as well as being a director of Watercare, Centreport, and Kainga Ora. She has previously been on the boards of Genesis Energy, Orion New Zealand, Pioneer Energy, the Environmental Protection Authority, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Wellington Water, and the Construction Industry Council. She was also the independent chair of the Chorus and Visionstream Ultra-fast Broadband Connect Joint Governance Board.

Nicki is actively sought out by both government and the private sector for governance roles in areas of high complexity, risk and significant challenge. Nicki brings her engineering background and skills to these positions, making her a significant ambassador and inspiring example of the value engineers can bring to roles outside traditional engineering.

Nicki’s eminence in governance has been driven by her ethical approach, effectiveness, professionalism and mana. She has achieved this through her own performance, creating her own opportunities while maintaining a relatively low profile.

Nicki’s contribution to Engineering New Zealand as Deputy Chief Executive was marked by her work on the Code of Ethical Conduct and the Engineering Reference group that addressed questions raised at the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission.

Nicki is an exemplary role model for engineering and diversity. She has shown the resilience required to break into areas where these groups are under-represented

For these achievements and her significant contribution to the New Zealand industry, our environment and our society, Nicki is awarded Distinguished Fellow of Engineering New Zealand.

Peter Millar

Peter Millar is elected a Distinguished Fellow of Engineering New Zealand for his contribution to geotechnical engineering and industry leadership.

Peter has been a dominant force at Tonkin + Taylor through senior roles including Managing Director, Geotechnical Group Manager and Board member. T+T is NZ’s third-largest engineering and environmental consultancy, and Peter has been instrumental to that growth and its success.

His leadership in the industry has extended to 11 Alliance Board roles, which include New Zealand’s three largest infrastructure undertakings: the Well-Connected Alliance (Waterview tunnels), Auckland’s City Rail Link and the Piritahi Alliance building new Auckland communities. For more than 10 years, he has been a board member at Tamaki College, contributing to lift the governance skills of this low-decile school.

Peter has over 40 years of experience as a geotechnical engineer and his body of work demonstrates his pre-eminence. His career started with 17 years at the Ministry of Works, including designing the Rangipo Underground Power Station and as section manager of the geomechanics group. Peter has also been a foundation engineer or technical director for over 80% of multi-storey buildings in Auckland CBD over the past 30 years. Foundation engineering highlights include Te Papa, where he achieved seismic strengthening using dynamic compaction, and the Parliament Building seismic upgrade. Following the Canterbury Earthquakes, Peter joined the Government-appointed review committee for the investigation of three major building failures, and two engineering advisory groups established by the Department of Building and Housing. His expertise was sought by the Royal Commission’s hearing on building management post-earthquakes.

Peter is a relentless innovator and creator of ideas that add value to projects and for clients. He leads positively from the front, and creates opportunities for others.

Peter is widely respected within the engineering profession, having been recognised with the New Zealand Geomechanics Prize, the Fulton-Downer Gold Medal, Turner Award and the Rabone Award.

Peter is a Rangatira with the highest mana at Tonkin + Taylor and across geotechnical engineering and the infrastructure industry. He has a massive legacy of company building, developing people, improving geotechnical engineering and completed infrastructure and buildings.

For his leadership and technical skills, Peter is awarded Distinguished Fellow of Engineering New Zealand.

Honorary Fellows

Susan Freeman-Greene

Susan Freeman-Greene has given outstanding leadership to the engineering profession. Susan’s impact on the profession during her time as Chief Executive of Engineering New Zealand has been transformational. Her collaborative style and willingness to engage have positively changed the perception that members, external stakeholders and the community at large have of Engineering New Zealand and the wider engineering profession. She has faced into issues and her courageous and empowering leadership style has made a huge impact on others, both inside and outside the profession, and within Engineering New Zealand.

Tania Pouwhare

Tania Pouwhare (Ngāi Tūhoe) has pioneered opportunities for Māori and Pasifika-owned businesses in engineering-related fields. By championing social procurement within contracts at Auckland Council, more Māori and Pasifika-owned businesses have been able to participate in Auckland infrastructure projects. Under Tania’s influence, Auckland Council set the first targets of any public institution in New Zealand for spend with these businesses, and more than $40 million has been awarded through contracts in 2020 alone. Tania has also been involved in the development of businesses through the suppliers’ network Amotai (previously He Waka Eke Noa), which connects businesses with buyers nationally.

Fellows

Aaron Hochwimmer

Aaron Hochwimmer is a director of Jacobs New Zealand and a senior leader in the engineering professional services industry in Australia and New Zealand. He has contributed to geothermal engineering and projects, both in New Zealand and internationally, through business leadership and management, significant project governance roles, and technical geothermal project work. He has advanced engineering practice in the assessment of geothermal technology in different resource settings. Aaron has grown New Zealand’s engineering reputation internationally, primarily in South East Asia, and is also passionate about growing and diversifying our industry.

Alessandro Palermo

Alessandro Palermo is a professor of structural engineering at the University of Canterbury who is recognised for the quality of his research and teaching. Popular with students, his infectious enthusiasm for teaching has meant a number of awards, including five University Student Union (UCSA) Awards and a University of Canterbury teaching award. His research expertise is focused on finding seismically resilient solutions for bridge and building structures and has been published, cited and widely recognised through national and international awards. It has also led to innovation in partnership with industry.

Andrew Renton

Andrew Renton is a senior principal engineer at Transpower and an expert in high voltage electricity transmission and distribution. He has worked in New Zealand and internationally, advising regulators and working with international organisations and community stakeholders. He led the development of innovation projects at Transpower, including the mobile substation and a new busbar configuration concept and implementation, has contributed to a number of standards and been widely published.

Anthony (Tony) Gallagher

With 30 years’ construction industry experience, Tony Gallagher has successfully led large civil construction operations and major design and construction projects across New Zealand. In 2011, he played an integral role in the proposal, framework and delivery of the $2.4 billion Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team Alliance. He now serves as Project Director on the North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery Alliance, making him one of New Zealand’s pre-eminent disaster recovery delivery leaders.

Avik Halder

Avik Halder has been a passionate advocate for engineering as a career since volunteering as an ICE UK Schools Liaison Ambassador in 2000. Since then, he has been involved in front-line activities like the Wonder Project, as well as leadership and governance roles, including being Industry Advisory Group Chair for the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology and serving on the Standards and Accreditation Board. In 2018, as Nelson Marlborough Branch Chair, he spearheaded the inaugural Nelson Week of Engineering.

Brady Cosgrove

In 1996, Brady Cosgrove founded Cosgroves, which has grown to employ 70 staff across four offices, providing fire, electrical, mechanical, hydraulic and civil engineering services to a wide range of market sectors, clients and locations. Brady holds MIFireE and MSFPE, has done voluntary work for SFPE, SANZ, MBIE and Engineering New Zealand, and is currently on the Competency Assessment Board. He has also encouraged staff to participate in the wider engineering community.

Chris Freer

Chris Freer is a senior principal and project director with over 40 years’ specialist expertise in geotechnical engineering. As Tonkin + Taylor’s Pacific Business Development Manager, he oversees the firm’s activities across the Pacific region. In his capacity as project director, he is responsible for both the management and technical quality of project work undertaken, in New Zealand and internationally. Chris has also been Chair and executive member of the NZ Pacific Business Council and Engineers Without Borders.

Dan Zhao

Dr Dan Zhao is a Fellow of Royal Aeronautical Society and an Associate Fellow of AIAA. He is currently a professor and Director of Master Engineering Studies at the University of Canterbury. He is also chief editor of the International Journal of Aerospace Engineering and Associate Editor of 5 SCI-indexed journals, including the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. His research interests and experience include propulsion, aeroacoustics, aerodynamics, energy harvesting, noise control, and renewable energy.

Darryl-Lee Wendelborn

Beca NZ Managing Director Darryl-Lee Wendelborn is an outstanding business leader and advocate for diversity and inclusion. She takes practical steps to enable greater diversity in the industry, including representing the profession and New Zealand at the United Nations Commission for the Status of Women in 2019. She has led Beca in working collaboratively with the South Pacific Indigenous Engineering Students (SPIES) association and the University of Auckland to promote engineering to Māori and Pasifika. Darryl-Lee also has a strong track record in contributing to and leading major, community-shaping infrastructure projects.

Donald (Don) McLaren-Smith

Don McLaren-Smith has more than 36 years’ experience in civil engineering and is currently managing director of Novare Design. As one of Novare’s founding members, Donald has played key roles in the delivery of major multidisciplinary projects, leading teams of specialist civil and structural engineers. Since completing postgraduate research into the seismic performance of structural walls, he has delivered a wide range of structures and has also worked on power generation. Donald is an advocate of greater industry collaboration and raising quality through independent review.

Donna Bridgman

Donna Bridgman has experience in engineering, project management, business continuity, high technology and data, both in New Zealand and internationally. This includes working for firms ranging from start-ups to global consultancies, delivering projects in 16 countries. She is an advocate for diversity and inclusion, and for building strong, collaborative networks and teams to harness collective talent and enable innovative problem-solving. She is currently a member of EPAC and has acted as a mentor to many engineers.

Garry Miller

Garry Miller has combined senior executive positions in industry and leadership roles in academia, in teaching and directing taught masters programmes. He is currently director of the Graduate School of Engineering at the University of Auckland, which he established and launched in 2018. He is also Associate Dean (Postgraduate Taught Programmes). Garry has served on the boards of Project Management Institute NZ (PMINZ) and Engineers Without Borders NZ and successfully launched two companies.

Geoff Furkert

Geoff Furkert has worked across a wide range of engineering developments in New Zealand and other countries and cultures, including Australia, Thailand, The Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Qatar and various Pacific Islands. After beginning his career in metal packaging, culminating in a Group Engineering Manager role, he moved into management consultancy and more recently into independent projects. In retirement, he has become focused on unlocking the business, tourism and aviation potential of the Thames Airfield.

Greg Saul

Greg Saul is a nationally recognised geotechnical engineer with expertise in landslides, slope stability and stabilisation, as well as innovative geotechnical design of transportation projects. He is currently Technical Principal, Geotechnical Engineering, at WSP. Greg made a significant contribution to the response and recovery after the 2010-2011 Canterbury earthquakes and 2016 Kaikoura earthquake. Greg led geotechnical engineering as part of the North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery alliance, developing significant innovations and smart solutions to restore access.

Helen Trappitt

Helen Trappitt is a director of Lewis Bradford Consulting Engineers and specialises in the seismic strengthening of heritage buildings and the structural design of large-scale public art. She is also a director of Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Limited and on the Industry Advisory Board for the University of Canterbury Civil and Natural Resources Engineering department. Helen is well respected for her expertise in helping to resolve complex residential insurance claims. Helen’s pro bono work includes helping Gap Filler, FESTA and SCAPE Public Art, and she actively promotes engineering as a career at girls’ schools.

Juliet Woodward

Juliet Woodward is a director and board member of Jacobs NZ, as well as being Executive Director of Sales, responsible for all commercial aspects of forward workload and client strategy setting and execution. Her career has combined governance and organisational leadership, as well as leading multidisciplinary environmental and engineering teams on projects including the Eastern Busway Alliance Huntly Bypass, Waterview Tunnel and Interchange IPAA, and SH16 Causeway Alliance. She is passionate about delivering outstanding outcomes for the community through engineering, and served on the IPENZ Board in 1999.

Mike Smith

Michael Smith has made a significant contribution to engineering practice both nationally and internationally. He has been a Practice Area Assessor for the Chartered Professional Engineer registration, along with lecturing in traffic engineering and road safety for over 12 years. Through his international work, he has led and advocated for better road safety, developing and applying best practice for the good of society. He has also led the development of new and innovative road safety systems in New Zealand.

Myles Lind

Myles Lind is Head of Asset Management at Auckland Transport. His career has focused on delivering high-quality and customer-focused management of public infrastructure. He has extensive expertise in the analysis, management and compliance of public infrastructure, including advising central government. Myles is the current President of the Institute of Public Works Engineering New Zealand and the Chair of Canadian industry training company National Asset Management Services. He has been an Engineering New Zealand competence assessor since 2013 and has mentored many young engineering professionals.

Nicholas (Nic) Brooke

Dr Nicholas Brooke specialises in the technical aspects of structural engineering, particularly for concrete structures. He is regularly engaged as an expert witness, having provided advice on many of New Zealand’s largest earthquake-damage insurance claims. Nicholas is heavily involved in both SESOC and the Concrete New Zealand Learned Society, and a regular contributor to the development of technical guidance and standards. He remains actively engaged in research, with his recent work focused on improving existing precast concrete floors and the reparability of buildings after earthquakes.

Peter van Grinsven

Peter van Grinsven has worked as a builder, architectural designer and teacher, as well as a design engineer in small and medium-scale structural and on-site wastewater projects. He has spent most of his career self-employed, running his own consultancy practise since 2003. He is passionate about having general practice engineering recognised, and spearheaded the creation of the Engineering New Zealand special interest group for general practice engineers, of which he is the founding and current chair. He is a strong believer in using this platform to promote diversity in the profession.

Philip (Phil) Keith Bull

After 15 years working in engineering businesses here and overseas, Phil Bull started his first business 20 years ago. Phil is now Chief Executive and sole owner of Blue Barn Consulting, his third business, which has won multiple awards, including winning the Auckland Strategy and Planning award at the Westpac Business Awards twice. His business philosophy is to be profitable, leave a legacy, grow people and create a world-class business where his employees love coming to work and other engineers queue to join.

Philip Robins

Philip Robins has over 30 years’ international experience in geotechnical engineering, with wide-ranging involvement across the infrastructure, buildings and industrial sectors. He is Technical Director and Principal Geotechnical Engineer at Beca in Wellington, leading multi-disciplinary teams on large-scale, high profile and complex projects. Philip has mixed his geotechnical engineering skills with strong leadership in project delivery, while developing key client relationships. He has been Chair of NZGS, and is currently ISSMGE Vice President for Australasia and on the committee for the NZGS Symposium planned for March 2021.

Robert Tromop

Robert Tromop’s career started in civil engineering and has extended across other disciplines, developing insights into the health, productivity and economic benefits from energy efficiency and renewable energy. He has held roles in capability development and organisational leadership, both in New Zealand and internationally. Robert has been involved in developing New Zealand’s appliance and equipment regulatory programme, and in evaluation of energy efficiency and renewable energy policies. He is currently applying novel bio-refining technologies to the primary sector.

Robert White

Robert White is currently a Technical Director in GHD’s water team, with a wider focus on industry strategy and direction. He previously headed up the Northern Water and Wastewater Group, with team members based in Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga. Robert is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, a current Board Member of Engineers Without Borders New Zealand and a former Board Member of ACE New Zealand. He has worked in Africa, the United Kingdom, Australia, Fiji and New Zealand. Robert is passionate about the water sector and solving clients’ problems in the most efficient way, minimising cost and carbon footprint, while maximising value.

Roelof de Haan

Roelof de Haan is WSP Technical Principal for Water and Wastewater. He chairs WSP’s national conveyance discipline committee and is a member of its contract management discipline committee. He is an Engineering New Zealand practice area assessor and an active member of his branch committee in Nelson. Roelof also chairs the South Island branch of the South African Military Veterans, serves on his local Toastmaster club executive and is a Nelson Pistol Club committee member.

Rudolph Kotze

Rudolph Kotze is a bridge engineer whose career spans 40 years from South Africa and Australia to New Zealand, across consulting, research and development, and transport authorities. Currently, at KiwiRail, and previously at Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, he has played crucial roles in maintaining existing and developing new structural assets on state highways and the rail network. He has written many technical publications and presented at numerous conferences. He has a passion for innovation, efficiency, and the desire to seek the best value out of our national transport infrastructure.

Stewart Gutsell

Stewart Gutsell has been involved in engineering for 40 years and self-employed for the last 25. Stewart is now focusing on inspection and compliance of lifting and moving equipment, and the implementation of safety improvements and procedures within the industry. His client base extends from Auckland to Invercargill and has been built by referral and word of mouth. Stewart has championed client awareness of the "complete project", including the forgotten three areas of inspection, testing and safety.

Sven Harlos

Sven Harlos has been with Watercare for the past 16 years, directing complex major projects in the headworks, water supply and wastewater treatment fields. As a PhD student and lecturer, he worked for Water Resource Management at the University of Karlsruhe in Germany, then spent 6 years in a German government agency working on commercialising the Department of Water Affairs in Namibia as well as providing significant engineering assistance. After another year working on European Development and World Bank projects in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, he joined Watercare.

2020 Fellows

Distinguished Fellows 

Anthony Wilson 

DistFEngNZ, CPEng, FICE, FCIWEM, FIEAust, IntPE(NZ)

Anthony Edwin Wilson is elected a Distinguished Fellow of Engineering New Zealand for his contribution to municipal infrastructure. 

Anthony’s career is based on municipal infrastructure, both in New Zealand and overseas. His contributions are seen in the development and infrastructure role he filled at New Plymouth City Council between 1983–2012, where he was instrumental in considerably strengthening and redeveloping all aspects of the original water supply and wastewater treatment facilities. He joined Wellington City Council in November 2012 and was City Engineer from November 2012 to June 2017. This role included being Group Controller for the Wellington Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group, and the Chief Engineer for Wellington’s “Let's Get Wellington Moving Alliance”. 

Anthony has a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Canterbury and holds professional qualifications and memberships in the fields of engineering and infrastructure management in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. He served as President of Engineering New Zealand in 2009–2010 and was President of Water New Zealand from 1998–1999. Anthony has led the New Zealand water sector in the development of best practice and has extensive experience in municipal infrastructure. In recognition of his standing and abilities, Anthony was invited to be on the three-member panel for the 2016 Government Inquiry into Havelock North Drinking Water. 

Outside of professional engineering, and as an extension to his abilities and commitment to public service, Anthony has a long-serving, senior involvement with the New Zealand Army Reserve Force.

Anthony has contributed significantly to the engineering profession throughout his career, and these contributions extend across all levels of the profession. Across his career, Anthony has actively demonstrated a full and wholehearted commitment to ethics and professionalism in every aspect of his professional and personal life. 

Des Bull

DistFEngNZ, CPEng

Desmond Kenneth Bull is elected a Distinguished Fellow of Engineering New Zealand for his contribution to structural engineering practice.

Des has held senior roles in the profession, including Technical Director of Holmes Consulting and the Holcim Adjunct Professor of Concrete Design at the University of Canterbury. He was one of drivers for creating a USAR engineer service in New Zealand, the importance of which became clear in the aftermath of the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake. 

Des displays a passion for structural engineering and the advancement and dissemination of structural engineering knowledge. He has the ability to bridge research, academia and consultancy in a very practical way. His teaching and research benefit immeasurably from his intimate link to practice. This is especially evident in Des’s research, which invariably focuses on key issues facing industry. Des has made major contributions in several areas, perhaps most notably in analysis and design of floor diaphragms and was pivotal in identifying and publicising the potential poor performance of some precast concrete floor systems. 

Des has been a regular presenter of industry training seminars and a major contributor to the New Zealand Standards for Concrete Structures and Seismic Design Actions for almost 30 years, as well as being the author or editor of many widely used national and international guidance publications. 

Another hallmark of Des’s character is his passion for acting as a mentor to countless undergraduate and postgraduate engineering students, with this often continuing after their graduation. His plain-speaking and obvious commitment to address issues within engineering practice has made him highly respected by his peers. Des is a role model, extolling the ethos of lifelong learning for himself and his students.

Des’s commitment to professional excellence has been widely recognised. He is a life member of SESOC, an honorary member of the Concrete New Zealand Learned Society, a fellow of the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering, and a previous recipient of the Engineering New Zealand Professional Commitment Award. 

Fellows

Al Monro

FEngNZ

Alastair Monro is a senior leader and engineer who has played a key role in the delivery of major multidisciplinary projects for GHD in New Zealand. Al’s involvement in the New Zealand water industry’s first alliance project and the Puhoi to Warkworth Motorway PPP Procurement Alliance are examples of his collaborative approach to working. 

More recently, Al’s leadership skills have been applied in his role as General Manager for GHD’s NZ/Pacific business, growing and diversifying the business to some 500 professionals. Al has also been a long-term member of IPWEA NZ and over the past 5 years as a board member has helped transform that organisation.

Dos Santos

FEngNZ

Americo dos Santos is the Technical Services Manager for Hynds Pipe Systems, with over 40 years’ industry experience. He is an acknowledged expert in the design, manufacture and installation of precast concrete pipe and drainage structures, and regularly consulted for his expertise. His contribution to engineering in New Zealand includes training, addressing industry issues, and developing and marketing innovative precast concrete products. Dos is an active Member of Standards Australia Concrete Pipes Committee and a Member of the Concrete Pipe Association of Australasia. Dos has been a key influence in the drafting, review and presentation of many technical notes, guidance documents and papers commonly referenced by engineers, as well as the development of safe work practices in New Zealand.

Andrew Bell

FEngNZ

Andrew Bell is a leader in the engineering professional services industry. His contribution to engineering in New Zealand can be seen through his organisational and business leadership, project governance roles on Alliance and design and construction projects, and technical transport planning project work. As a result, he has influenced the planning and construction of many large, complex infrastructure projects that have shaped New Zealand.

Bronwyn Rhynd 

FEngNZ

Bronwyn Rhynd is a director and shareholder of CKL, a fully integrated land development consultancy. Bronwyn has gained a reputation as one of New Zealand’s leading environmental engineers and stormwater specialists. Her technical and professional expertise, professional acumen and ethical behaviour is recognised by her role as an expert witness for the Environment Court. Bronwyn was also named as a finalist in the Women of Influence Awards. She champions diversity and inclusion and balances high levels of activity in her business and personal life with her commitment to family. 

Fergus Tate

FEngNZ

Dr Fergus Tate’s career has focused on transportation with over 40 years’ experience, ranging from highway construction and maintenance management to professional services consultancy, academic and applied research, policy development and performance monitoring. He is recognised as a researcher both nationally and internationally.  His interests are wide and have seen him investigate a variety of issues, from the impact of roads on the independent mobility of children, the perceptions of shared spaces, road geometry, drivers’ speed choices and crash rates, new technologies to reduce crashes at junctions, intelligent speed adaptation/advice.  Over the last 20 years he has focussed on road safety and was involved in the development of road assessment programmes, such as the award-winning KiwiRAP.

Gary Porteous

FEngNZ

Currently Client Director in Asset and Network Performance for WSP, Gary Porteous has managed a wide range of transportation engineering projects throughout the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand. He has been involved in the leadership and governance of a number of industry wide organisations and committees.  He is an acknowledged infrastructure asset management expert and has helped share and grow knowledge to develop New Zealand’s capability and capacity in asset management.

Geof Stewart 

FEngNZ

Geoffrey Stewart is the Director of XYOCOM Limited and provides strategic planning and asset management advice to infrastructure utility organisations.

He has worked in the water industry for over 25 years and has been responsible for Watercare’s long-term asset strategies and asset management plan, which set out the tactical implementation of water and wastewater services to meet Auckland’s 30-year growth projection. He has been influential in a range of regional and national initiatives, including asset management benchmarking and improvement programmes, the Auckland Geotechnical Database, governance of the Three Waters Metadata Project and the development of the National Pipe Renewals Framework. Geof is a passionate advocate for the engineering profession, having been a Practice Area Assessor and an Auckland Branch Committee member. In 2018 he was the Chair of the Auckland Branch of Engineering New Zealand.

Grant Lovell 

FEngNZ

As a senior civil engineer, with over 30 years’ experience, Grant Lovell is a Tonkin + Taylor Group board member and the director responsible for land development projects across Australasia.  For 18 years Grant was the South Island Regional Group Manager and led T+T’s sizeable response to the devastating Canterbury earthquakes. He continues to be actively involved in multiple aspects of the region’s rebuild and nationally significant infrastructure developments. Grant views problems as unexplored opportunities and is passionate about the contribution engineers can make to our community. He continues to lead through his multiple governance roles across industry.

Hamish McKenzie 

FEngNZ

Hamish McKenzie has over 20 years’ experience as a consulting structural engineer in New Zealand and overseas. Hamish is Principal - Structures at Holmes Consulting, based in Wellington. His recent project experience includes the structural design, seismic assessment and strengthening of several well-known Wellington buildings, many of which have been presented at national and international conferences and recognised in global engineering awards. Hamish is a strong advocate for the use of performance-based assessment and design and the application of Low Damage Design. He is the current President of the Structural Engineering Society and is recognised for his leading involvement in the structural engineering profession and wider industry initiatives.

Matt Watson 

FEngNZ

Matthew Watson has over 15 years of international industrial research and development experience working for a multinational industrial gases company. In 2015 he joined the Department of Chemical and Process Engineering at the University of Canterbury, where he teaches energy, design, and computational-modelling related courses, primarily to 3rd and 4th-year students. He supervises the research of Honours, Masters, and PhD students in the areas of fossil-fuel-free mineral extraction, reaction engineering, additive manufacturing, and establishing a maple syrup industry in New Zealand. Matthew is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Rob Bell 

FEngNZ

Dr Robert Bell has blended his civil engineering skills with the sciences within NIWA to become internationally recognised for his expertise in ocean outfalls, coastal-hazard risks (including tsunami) and latterly in sea-level rise impacts and implications for adaptation. Rob was co-leader in the development of RiskScape, lead author of the 2017 MfE coastal climate change guidance and on the MfE expert panel that produced the framework for the first national climate risk assessment.

Steve Holm 

FEngNZ

Stephen Holm is currently Aurecon New Zealand’s subject matter expert on pressure equipment and seismic design for mechanical systems and has presented on the subject several times. He has delivered many significant industrial projects in both New Zealand and Australia and has a passion for technical excellence and mentoring young engineers. He has also been involved in the development and updating of Practice Note 19 and more recently, helping organise the 3rd Pressure Equipment conference.

Tim Armitage 

FEngNZ

Timothy Armitage has made a singular contribution to the assessment of professional engineers for 20 years. Originally assessing for Registered Engineers, he became a Staff Assessor for Chartered Professional Engineers when the Register was introduced. He plays a leading role in mentoring and advising fellow Lead Assessors. He advises engineers in preparing their CPEng applications. He is an Assessor and Moderator for Connexis. Tim led the team that introduced the Road Asset and Maintenance Management system and led the team that developed a system to improve road maintenance methods and skills. He assisted New Zealand and overseas institutions make change.

Tony Fairclough 

FEngNZ

Anthony Fairclough is a geotechnical and civil engineer with over 30 years’ experience in New Zealand and the wider Asia-Pacific region. He is currently a Principal Geotechnical Engineer and Project Director at Tonkin + Taylor. He counts his involvement in the Canterbury and Kaikōura earthquake emergency response and recovery processes as career highlights as they combined extreme pressure, stress, challenge and social service, along with professional and personal development. As Project Manager of the EQC TC3 Geotechnical Investigation Project, he was instrumental in the development of a globally unique approach to the collection, management and public distribution of high-quality geotechnical data in an extraordinary time frame. This work has provided an unprecedented volume of reliable and robust geotechnical data that has been used by researchers from all over the world to advance the science of liquefaction. Tony served on the NZ Geotechnical Society National Management Committee from 2011 until 2019. In this role he has been instrumental in the development of several noteworthy national design guidelines or standards.

Yifan Chen 

FEngNZ

Dr Yifan Chen is an internationally recognised academic leader with a demonstrated history of working in renowned universities in China, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Singapore, and the United States. He has pioneered the emerging field of computational nanobiosensing, where information and communications technology meets nanomedicine. He has also made an instrumental contribution to the technological, clinical and commercialisation advancement in the area of microwave medical imaging and sensing.