Our Leadership

Vanessa is an experienced director serving on the boards of Channel Infrastructure, Waste Management, and the international forestry company OneFortyOne, as well as on several advisory and not-for-profit boards. She has previously held governance roles with listed, private, public sector, and co-operative entities in both New Zealand and Australia, frequently chairing health, safety, and people committees.

Before transitioning to governance, she served as Air New Zealand’s head of engineering and HR, and as Carter Holt Harvey Packaging Australia’s chief executive. Vanessa, who holds a BCom/LLB (Hons), a PGDip in Professional Ethics, and is both a GAICD and a CFInstD, is a member of Global Women, mentors emerging leaders through the Kupe Scholarship and Multiethnic Young Leaders programs, and advocates strongly for inclusion. She is also a Companion of Engineering NZ and an Honorary Fellow of the Human Resources Institute of New Zealand.

Tim is Tonkin + Taylor’s Group Managing Director and has oversight of all Tonkin + Taylor Group Companies for performance and strategy and works with the Board to govern the business and plan for the future of the Group.

Having been with Tonkin + Taylor for 20 years, working in blended consulting and management capacities, Tim has previously been Executive Leader for Engineering, Clients, and Australia, and was formerly Water Sector Leader.

Tim is also a Water Engineering Technical Director, specialising in stormwater engineering, water quality, flooding, rivers, and sedimentation. He has worked extensively in these areas as a design lead and expert witness to deliver award winning projects and outcomes for clients. As an expert advisor to his clients, Tim has been involved in four Boards of Inquiries, and many planning, environment court and legal proceedings. He is most active in the water, transport, and land development sectors.

Tim is a Chartered Professional Engineer and former President of Engineering New Zealand (2022/23). He has been on the Board from 2018-2024. Prior to this Tim was on the ENZ Auckland Branch Committee for five years, including three years as Chair.
In recognition of his industry leadership and technical excellence in water engineering, as well as his services to the profession, Tim was made a Fellow of Engineering New Zealand.

As the Interim Chair of Tonkin + Taylor Group Holdings Pty Ltd (Australian companies), Pam Rebecca is a digital and transformation leader with a wealth of experience. She has been at the forefront of driving digital innovation and evolution across financial services and the non-profit sector.

With a distinctive focus on leading digital transformation and innovation Pam's journey is defined by a high level of commercial acumen and leadership expertise coupled with her passion for reshaping organisations and guiding them towards a digital future. Her experience across a series of influential roles has contributed to her reputation as a change-maker in the industries where she has worked.

Pam's commitment to digital transformation is evident through roles as the Chief of Strategy, Innovation, and Digital for World Vision Australia. As the largest international NGO in Australia, Pam played a key leadership role in reimagining its strategy and digital transformation agenda.

In the financial services sector, as General Manager Digital for ANZ Bank, one of Australia's leading banks, she navigated the dynamic digital landscape, driving innovation and elevating the customer experience.

Pam currently works with Boards to build their digital literacy, and also brings her expertise to a range of governance roles, serving on the Board of Defence Bank Limited, Emergency Services and State Superannuation Trustees Board and is the Chair of the Board of InfinityStudio.AI Limited.

She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Melbourne, and a Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) from Queensland University of Technology.

Brett has a PhD in Environmental Biology, a BA in Economics, and has over 30 years' experience in environmental consulting and research, people leadership, strategy, and governance. Having worked across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, North America and the Pacific, Brett brings an international perspective and a connected global network, as well as Te Āo Māori perspectives, to his Board position.

This is further supported by his governance experience in the private, public, and non-profit sectors in New Zealand and the USA, which includes serving on the Tonkin + Taylor Group Board from 2007 to 2018. Brett was reappointed to the board in 2021.

Brett has extensive experience in people leadership and building high performing teams, which reaches back to before he joined Tonkin + Taylor in 2002. Brett built Tonkin + Taylor's Ecology sub-discipline from scratch and led it until he took a role on the Executive Leadership Team in 2016, looking after the Environmental disciplines in New Zealand.

Brett has been the Executive Sponsor for the delivery of several of Tonkin + Taylor Group’s strategic programmes, including Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation, Vision to Vantagepoint, Technical Leadership, Graduate Programme, Sustainability Strategy, and our most recent Digital Strategy.

Bruce has nearly 30 years of consulting experience, over 20 of those with Tonkin + Taylor. Bruce is a Chartered Professional Engineer with a BE (Hons) in Civil Engineering and has a Master of Business Administration from Victoria Business School.

Over the past decade, Bruce has been highly committed to the success of major Tonkin + Taylor projects, leading the design/consulting teams, and overall delivery of large complex civil infrastructure projects such as the Aras Tunnel, Haywards Interchange, Peka Peka to Ōtaki Expressway and Mt Messenger Bypass in Taranaki.

Bruce was a director on the Tonkin + Taylor Group Board from 2010 to 2013 and rejoined the Board in 2022. Bruce contributes his insight through specific strengths, including effective risk management, innovation, strategic problem solving, and responsive client service.

He brings a diversity of experience, relationships, and practical knowledge of Tonkin + Taylor’s key markets and industry partners. Through his senior leadership roles (Including Alliance Director of Mt Messenger Alliance) Bruce maintains close working relationships with senior leaders across the New Zealand consulting and construction industry as well as many government agencies, councils and through the renewable energy sector.

Mark has over 20 years’ experience in delivering large-scale, multi-disciplinary projects and was appointed to the Tonkin + Taylor Group Board in May 2023.

Mark leads large scale projects for Tonkin + Taylor. He is renowned for his design leadership, innovative and nimble thinking, and ability to cultivate a focused team approach and pride to ensuring that his teams deliver.

Since joining Tonkin + Taylor in 2001, Mark has been involved in the delivery of some of New Zealand’s most notable infrastructure, including the Te Ara Tupua Alliance, Downtown Infrastructure Development Programme, WellConnected Alliance (delivering the Waterview tunnel), and the LEAD Alliance (delivering the Auckland Housing Programme).

Jenny has worked at Tonkin + Taylor for over 20 years and joined the Group Board in 2019.

As one of New Zealand’s leading air quality specialists, Jenny is an expert advisor to a wide range of clients across the Waste, Industry, Energy, and Transport Sectors. She is sought after as an expert witness and by Councils as a decision-maker for resource consent and plan change hearings.

Jenny is also a Life Member of the Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand and received the Society’s Clean Air Medal in 2019 in recognition of her services to the air quality profession. Jenny is also a former President of the New Zealand Branch and is currently Secretary on the Society’s Executive.

In addition to being sought after by clients for her technical expertise, she has held a variety of roles at Tonkin + Taylor, including Air Quality Practice Lead and Discipline Director for Natural Resources. She is active in supporting and growing Tonkin + Taylor’s technical and project delivery expertise as a mentor and coach.

Jenny is passionate about ensuring Tonkin + Taylor remains renowned for the extraordinary calibre of its people and their deep commitment to delivering excellence and sustainable outcomes for our clients and communities.

The youngest ever appointment to the Tonkin + Taylor Board and first wāhine Māori, Manea brings an energy and perspective that benefits Tonkin + Taylor’s sustainability and strategic direction. She is passionate about complex, multidisciplinary infrastructure, and public works projects, and has extensive experience in disaster recovery, resilience, community engagement and environmental reporting.

Manea's key areas of specialty include emergency communication, stakeholder engagement (particularly with indigenous communities), integrated resource management, regional and city planning and policy development.

She is a Geographer by training, and specialised in Environmental Management, graduating with a BSC, PGD and MSc from the University of Auckland, where she evaluated the impacts of waste management on small island economies.

Manea is fluent in te Reo Māori, and skilled in cultural values. Manea brings this knowledge to all aspects of her work engaging mana whenua and providing technical oversight of cultural and community values.

Rhys is Commercial Director at Tonkin + Taylor, with responsibility at the Group level including New Zealand, Australia, and globally. Rhys joined the Tonkin + Taylor board in May 2023. He is a Chartered Accountant by profession, on the Infrastructure New Zealand (INZ) Board of Directors and is of Te Ati Awa Iwi descent.

Rhys has held senior CFO and similar roles in financial services with ASB and Fisher & Paykel Finance, in infrastructure with Crown Fibre Holdings Ltd (now Crown Infrastructure Partners), and City Rail Link Ltd. He has broad governance experience in the Not for Profit and Funds Management sectors, spanning large sporting organisations and employee superannuation funds with assets over $50 million NZD, in addition to experience in government, regulator, and investor relations across various roles.

Rhys brings a robust understanding of the financial sector, the macroeconomy, and an understanding of sustainability and resilience to set businesses up for the future, and an authentic Te Ao Māori perspective to embed into organisational thinking to create success.

Dr. Jim Mather is at the helm of the Tonkin + Taylor Group Board as Interim Chair while also championing cultural transformation as Chair of the People + Culture Committee, which provides oversight to ensure Tonkin + Taylor’s culture and its people practices are aligned with Our Pathway 2025.

A seasoned leader with nearly two decades of governance expertise, Jim is a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors. His expertise and forward-thinking leadership are key drivers in navigating Tonkin + Taylor towards a future of growth and innovation.

Jim is of Ngāti Awa, Tūhoe, and English descent and is passionate about utilising his leadership experience and commercial skills to bring a meaningful contribution to the overall success of our communities.

As Chief Executive Officer of three organisations between 2002 to 2018, Jim led highly successful transformation and performance improvement strategies.

With business leadership experience spanning 25 years, he is a qualified accountant by profession and led two of the most high-profile Māori organisations over a 14-year period – Māori Television and Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. He was also the Chief Executive Officer of the Pacific Business Trust from 2002 to 2005.

In addition, he has also held a variety of private sector roles including General Manager of a marine engineering business and Financial Controller for a local subsidiary of a Swiss multinational.

Aligned with his commercial background, he is also a former officer in the New Zealand Army and was awarded the Sword of Honour in recognition of his distinguished achievements in Officer training.

Tim is Tonkin + Taylor’s Group Managing Director and has oversight of all Tonkin + Taylor Group Companies for performance and strategy and works with the Board to govern the business and plan for the future of the Group.

Having been with Tonkin + Taylor for 20 years, working in blended consulting and management capacities, Tim has previously been Executive Leader for Engineering, Clients, and Australia, and was formerly Water Sector Leader.

Tim is also a Water Engineering Technical Director, specialising in stormwater engineering, water quality, flooding, rivers, and sedimentation. He has worked extensively in these areas as a design lead and expert witness to deliver award winning projects and outcomes for clients. As an expert advisor to his clients, Tim has been involved in four Boards of Inquiries, and many planning, environment court and legal proceedings. He is most active in the water, transport, and land development sectors.

Tim is a Chartered Professional Engineer and former President of Engineering New Zealand (2022/23). He has been on the Board from 2018-2024. Prior to this Tim was on the ENZ Auckland Branch Committee for five years, including three years as Chair.
In recognition of his industry leadership and technical excellence in water engineering, as well as his services to the profession, Tim was made a Fellow of Engineering New Zealand.

Penny was appointed Tonkin + Taylor New Zealand’s Chief Executive in April 2021.
Penny is an Environmental Scientist specialising in environmental chemistry (sediment and water quality) and environmental risk management.

As T+T New Zealand Chief Executive, her role is to provide leadership, direction, and management oversight of TTNZ’s business strategy, performance, and delivery.
Penny joined T+T in 2006 after 10 years’ research and consulting in the United States. She has previously been T+T’s Discipline Director Natural Resources, Technical Leadership Team chair and Client Manager.

Brett has a PhD in Environmental Biology, a BA in Economics, and has over 30 years' experience in environmental consulting and research, people leadership, strategy, and governance. Having worked across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, North America and the Pacific, Brett brings an international perspective and a connected global network, as well as Te Āo Māori perspectives, to his Board position.

This is further supported by his governance experience in the private, public, and non-profit sectors in New Zealand and the USA, which includes serving on the Tonkin + Taylor Group Board from 2007 to 2018. Brett was reappointed to the board in 2021.

Brett has extensive experience in people leadership and building high performing teams, which reaches back to before he joined Tonkin + Taylor in 2002. Brett built Tonkin + Taylor's Ecology sub-discipline from scratch and led it until he took a role on the Executive Leadership Team in 2016, looking after the Environmental disciplines in New Zealand.

Brett has been the Executive Sponsor for the delivery of several of Tonkin + Taylor Group’s strategic programmes, including Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation, Vision to Vantagepoint, Technical Leadership, Graduate Programme, Sustainability Strategy, and our most recent Digital Strategy.

Tim has over 30 years’ experience in the management and provision of a broad range of services to the environmental and geotechnical engineering sectors throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Tim’s focus has been on the specialist side of investigation and testing. With an emphasis on client service and relationships, Tim has developed a reputation in the industry for providing quality services on high-risk projects and creating significant and long-lasting relationships.

Kavita Khanna is the Executive Leader - People and Workplace for Tonkin + Taylor Group. She leads teams that are focused on creating great workplace experience, keeping people safe, and ensuring that Tonkin + Taylor attracts, retains, and develops talent. This includes an extended portfolio of People, Capability, Workplace experience, Health & Safety, Administration, & Internal communication functions.

Kavita brings a wealth of governance experience to her role at Tonkin + Taylor, having served as a Board member and as an advisor to boards on People, Culture and HSW governance matters. She brings a focus on building positive relationships in the workplace through a restorative practice. She believes that a positive and healthy work environment is critical to people’s well-being and performance and is committed to creating a culture of collaboration and support.

Kavita's leadership empowers her teams to achieve multiple key objectives – from ease of doing business, commercial goals, strategy, and risk management. Kavita’s passion for simplified management processes, allows teams to focus on practicality, workplace experience, and managing risk.

Furthermore, Kavita cares about equitable compensation for employees and is an advocate for appropriate investment in skill development. Kavita frequently brings ‘outside-in’ thinking into the company – backed by global research. Importantly, she plays a crucial role in helping Tonkin + Taylor Group navigate intricate people and culture-related risks, utilising her executive position and participation in the Ethics Committee.

Kavita is the National President of the Human Resources Institute of New Zealand (HRNZ). She is also the Vice President for Oceania for Asia Pacific Federation of Human Resource Management (APFHRM) an international network of human resources and people management associations' representative of countries in the Asia Pacific region: branch of the World Federation of People Management Associations.

Paul is the Chief Executive of Geotechnics, with extensive experience in site investigations, specialist instrumentation and field and laboratory testing. He is responsible for the Geotechnics group of companies including testing and sales operations along with the Measurement & Calibration Centre.

Paul is a Project Director for a variety of projects in New Zealand and the Pacific region and holds IANZ KTP (Key Technical Personnel) status for our field and laboratory testing.
Paul is currently the Secretary for the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Technical Committee – Field Monitoring in Geomechanics (ISSMGE – TC220) and is a former board member for the Association of Consulting Engineers NZ (ACE NZ).

Richard is a business leader with over 30 years’ experience in the private and public sectors.
He has an extensive background in business leadership, commercial management, governance, project delivery, strategic planning, procurement, consultation, stakeholder engagement, transport planning and demand forecasting.
Richard is responsible for the development and implementation of Tonkin + Taylor’s Global strategy, with a particular focus on connectivity to markets and expertise alongside leading Merger and Acquisition opportunities across the Tonkin + Taylor Group.

Simonne is Tonkin + Taylor Group’s Executive Leader – Clients + Brands and is responsible for driving client outcomes and implementing client and market strategies alongside the company's Sector Directors, Client Managers, and wider company staff.

An accomplished civil/environmental engineer with over 30 years’ experience working on large infrastructure projects across New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific, Asia, and the United Kingdom, Simonne’s decorated career has seen her earn recognition as a Chartered Engineer, a Chartered Water and Environmental Manager, and a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and Engineering New Zealand.

During her tenure with Tonkin + Taylor, Simonne has held various client delivery, management, business development, and strategy roles within Tonkin + Taylor New Zealand, Tonkin + Taylor New Australia, and Tonkin + Taylor Group.

Simonne's governance experience extends to the private and public sectors, not-for-profit organisations, and education. She also has extensive regulatory experience and has provided advice to central and local governments.

In addition to her client-focussed role, Simonne is also the Response Director for the Tonkin + Taylor Group, responsible for implementing the company's Business Continuity Plan in the event of natural or people-induced threats.

Gary is Tonkin + Taylor’s Executive Leader – CFO and leads the Finance and Risk areas of the business responsible for finance, enterprise risk, legal, internal audit, the Strategic Projects Office, Supply Chain, project risk, and insurance. He began his career in Chartered Accounting, moving into manufacturing, construction, and development before joining Tonkin + Taylor in 1990.

A key presence on many Boards across various businesses before joining Tonkin + Taylor, Gary was a member of the Group Board since its commencement in 2003 until retiring from the Board in 2023.

Gary has been a significant contributor to the development of Tonkin + Taylor’s employee share scheme and the overall growth of Tonkin + Taylor.

Wayne is Tonkin + Taylor’s Executive Leader – Digital + Technology, responsible for the development and delivery of T+T Group Technology strategy. Wayne has spent over twenty years in the IT sector, and over thirteen developing and executing digital strategies. He’s worked in various local industries for retail and construction companies, and an indigenous organisation, and has also worked internationally with biotechnology and education companies. Wayne is results-oriented and having worked on the client side and as a consultant in professional service firms he has an established record of enhancing digital technology use to transform and simplify business processes in multi-billion-dollar organisations.

With astute negotiation skills, Wayne has experience identifying savings in technology costs through strategic partnerships and innovation, most recently delivering a programme of digital transformation projects in his previous role as CIO for an indigenous organisation.
Wayne has a passion for people development, and the recruitment and retainment of top talent, and is a collaborative leader and business partner.