“I’m passionate about building strong relationships within teams to enable the best outcomes for the project. I believe that successful project delivery is best achieved by a team that is adaptable, resilient and efficient; this is the approach that I take to my work. My focus is always on adding value to my team and for our clients.”

Joining the Resolve Group team in 2024, David brings a decade of experience as a project manager, civil engineer and asset manager (as client, contractor and consultant). He can draw on a range of perspectives to better understand areas of potential concern, particular challenges and special considerations in the implementation of innovative solutions, while managing client expectations and stakeholder relationships.

David’s advanced project management experience includes time spent as Engineer’s Representative and Site Engineer, working on rehabilitation projects on key roads in South Auckland to deliver safer, stronger road networks and support important growth areas. In his role as Contract Engineer for the Auckland Central Road Corridor Maintenance Contract, David role focused on reactive maintenance and emergency responses. This high-pressure programme of work was highly variable, requiring efficiency, agility and strong relationship management to successfully resolve thousands of issues for Aucklanders and deliver this essential contract, which is vital to keeping Auckland’s roads safe and functioning.

Recently, David worked as a planner and data analyst on KiwiRail’s Rail Network rebuild programme. The first project of its kind for KiwiRail, David developed the project programme in Primavera P6, worked on streamlining processes and challenged the status quo of historical practices including developing a high-level, programme-driven approach to reporting, required for senior management and key stakeholders, such as the Minister of Transport.

David offers his clients:

• Experienced project management with a broad range of experience in infrastructure
• The ability to redefine, automate and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of multiple project processes such as change management, quantity forecasting and design management
• Financial management expertise such as cost monitoring and budget forecasting
• Procurement experience including subcontractor services and materials
• Advanced computer skills in Primavera P6 and Microsoft Power Platform

David likes to dabble in hands-on, creative activities. He describes himself as a hobbyist woodworker and enjoys gardening and tinkering with computers and scale car models. David believes that the mindset needed for these interests helps foster a can-do, solutions-focused approach in all that he does. He used to be a competitive powerlifter and personal trainer and staying fit is still important to him, though these days his fitness routine is mainly training at his local gym and riding his electric skateboard. When he’s not busy with any of his hobbies, David spends time with his wife exploring Auckland’s food scene and relaxing at home with their cat Latte.

“The purpose of my role as business leader is to foster and inspire the growth and performance environment of our team. Our involvement must benefit the clients and communities we work with, through both immediate impacts and the longer-term legacies that infrastructure can provide.”

A chartered engineer, Rob’s 30-year professional career has seen him in roles as a transport planner, project leader and business manager in New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa.

Rob describes his position and way of working as a ‘connector role.’ He wants his clients to access the best support and services from across the wider industry, and he is adept at fostering these connections. Rob ensures that the establishment phases of projects and programmes are fit-for-purpose and create a strong foundation for success. This success means Rob enjoys long-lasting and trust-based relationships with clients, community leaders, key stakeholders and the wider industry.

Rob remains involved in the large-scale NZTA Ōtaki to north of Levin (Ō2NL) project which he has been involved in since 2019. Initially involved as Project Manager and Project Director, as well as working in the Project Leadership Team, Rob was responsible for re-establishing the project and developing the agreed project strategy and outcomes. The outcome was an approved Detailed Business Case (DBC). Along with establishing successful project structures and processes, Rob created an enduring ‘results-based’ culture in the team, with core project management functions and technical requirements. More recently, Rob was the workstream leader developing partnership foundations and Agreements with Iwi partners (now integrated into the Owner Team and Alliance partners). This work resulted in genuine relationships and partnership support and legacy outcomes for the ongoing development of this important project.

As Project Manager and Owner Interface Manager for the Mt Messenger Alliance (Te Ara o te Ata), Rob was privileged to work alongside the technical teams and project partner, Ngāti Tama, to establish the project, develop the DBC and procure the alliance team, before seeking statutory (RMA) approvals. His time spent on the whenua with Ngāti Tama kaitiaki and other directly affected landowners provided a key perspective for the development of the project and required mitigations. Rob was also the overarching Programme Manager for the SH3 Awakino Gorge to Mt Messenger Programme, responsible for facilitating technical workstreams, stakeholder engagements and Business Case development across 3 Crown funded Accelerated projects.

Resolve Group’s reputation as a trusted advisor for clients was a drawcard to Rob as client satisfaction is extremely important to him. Joining the team in mid-2024, Rob quickly recognised the strong alignment of his own values with those of Resolve Group. He says that the opportunities for personal and professional growth, combined with a strong supporting environment, made choosing to join Resolve Group – a client’s own consulting team – an easy decision.

Rob offers his clients:

• A broad perspective on technical disciplines, processes and teamwork that collectively produce the outcomes clients seek from their investments.
• An ability to foster productive and constructive relationships across organisations and with community leaders who are highly influential in planning and delivering project outcomes.
• A passion for working directly within client teams, often leading them in early stages, to set up the approaches needed for future success. Rob loves to inspire with a positive ‘can do’ attitude.
• The experience to develop and deliver DBCs in line with the Treasury Better Business Case and Waka Kotahi Business Case Approach, which means smarter more transparent investment decisions
• Positive enquiry
• A proven technical background in engineering, transport planning, and project management fundamentals – which sit at the core of large- and small-scale infrastructure projects

Rob’s approach to life both personally and professionally is summed up in his favourite quote :

“Achievement comes from doing great things by myself. Success comes from empowering others to do great things for me. Significance comes from developing leaders to do great things with me. Legacy comes from putting leaders into positions to do great things without me.” 

John C. Maxwell

Rob’s ‘happy place’ is when he is with his active family and friends, ideally in nature with weekends spent surfing, snowboarding or skating. Rob can also be found utilising New Zealand’s great cycling and tramping trails and loves camping. His cycling pedigree has seen him compete in multiple endurance events such as stage racing (Wellington to Auckland) and the Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge.

Rob and his family have been fostering children in need since his arrival in New Zealand in 2016. He volunteers with the local Paremata Sailing Club and has been a trustee on the Hutt International Boys’ School Board of Proprietors.