Our People

Tim is an experienced adviser and commercial consultant with a strong background in infrastructure and economic advisory services. He was previously GM Strategy for a leading infrastructure firm and Senior Adviser to a previous Minister of Economic Development and Transport. He was closely involved in the Government’s initial response to, and recovery from, the Christchurch earthquakes, and worked on international trade issues policy for three governments.

Sarah has a background in environmental and resource management, working for local authorities and engineering consultancies. She has been working in the Taupō geothermal electricity industry for over a decade with Contact Energy, and more recently Simply Energy helping Aotearoa’s large energy consumers decarbonise. Sarah holds qualifications in Resource Management and Chemical Process Engineering (Masters), and completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Leading Change for Good. Sarah held a Trustee role on the Board of Amplify (Taupō’s Economic Development Agency) from 2019 to 2022. Sarah believes sustainable economic development requires a holistic approach which proactively seeks to achieve prosperity in all aspects, not assumes community and environmental wellbeing follows financial success.

Tina is a regional business leader with an interest in sustainable practices and Māori development. Tina is actively involved in the Māori agribusiness sector and sits on multiple farming and health sector enterprises in the Bay of Plenty. Tina was involved in the establishment and implementation of the Te Kaha Gold partnership, as well as the Omaio/Te Kaha Joint Venture, and remains a Director of the initiative. Based in Rotorua, Tina is a Trustee on a number of iwi trusts, as well as a Director at Pukeroa Oruawhata Group and a trustee on Toi EDA (the Eastern Bay of Plenty’s economic development agency).

James has more than 20 years’ experience in the infrastructure and environment sectors, with a focus on climate change and natural hazards, and the impacts on communities and infrastructure. Today, James works with numerous public and private organisations to help Aotearoa New Zealand transition to a lower carbon future. His work crosses infrastructure planning and natural hazard assessments, as well as climate change adaptation, mitigation and broader sustainability. James was part of the Ministry for the Environment’s Climate Change Technical Advisory Group from 2016 to 2018, and led the built environment component of the National Climate Change Risk Assessment.

Toni has more than 35 years of business and governance experience, with expertise in strategic, business and succession planning. She is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants ANZ, Professional Trustee and Member of the Institute of Directors. As a Director of Augment Solutions in Whakatāne, Toni provides Consultancy Services to a range of rural, commercial, and professional clients, operates a boutique Trust Administration Service and is actively involved in a variety of community and charitable organisations. Toni has held governance positions with Focus Chartered Accountants, EBOP Chamber of Commerce, NZCA, Eastern Bay Energy Trust, Energy Options Limited, EECA and Kawerau Enterprise Agency. A long-time resident of the Eastern Bay of Plenty, she is committed to the growth and development of the Bay.