“I have learnt from experience that projects are more successful when a group of people with different skills and perspectives create a shared vision and then work together to achieve it.”

Over the course of his career as a transportation engineer and project manager, Mark’s work has resulted in the successful delivery of a range of interesting and complex projects, including the Albany Highway, Karanga-a-Hape Road and Devonport Wharf upgrades, and improvements to the Illinois Tollway in the United States. He has worked in Group Manager (Design) and Development Manager positions at Auckland Transport and spent time with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency as Traffic Management Unit Manager.

Mark’s strong interest in intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and software prototyping led him to project management work in Europe, including ITS design, deployment and operations in the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Belgium, Sweden and Finland.

In many of his roles, he introduced new business processes, such as innovative procurement methods, early contractor engagement and the establishment of a tiered system of supplier panels. The experiences he gained overseas have contributed to his interest in working over the full life cycle of a project from initial advice and guidance to business case development, procurement and project delivery.

In his time in Europe, he delivered a data exchange platform for connected and autonomous vehicles, which included the implementation of services such as road user charging, priority for sustainable modes of transport, efficiency measures to reduce vehicle emissions and driver alerts to increase awareness of potential hazards. He is hoping to find ways to use the knowledge and skills he has acquired in innovative technologies to help transform the mobility sector in this country also.

As a former project leader in the public sector, Mark is experienced in helping stakeholders articulate the wider outcomes they want to achieve and was drawn to join Resolve Group in 2023 not least for their reputation in establishing quality, long-term relationships with their clients.

Mark offers his clients:

• An ability to identify and apply tailored management practices that suit the unique time, cost and quality expectations of a project.
• An agile and collaborative approach to identifying and implementing innovative solutions.
• Skills and experience as an Engineer to the Contract, with a proven ability to provide clarity of objectives and resolution of issues.
• Strength in design review and testing of new information systems.
• The experience to lead complex projects that include a wide range of stakeholders, taking individual needs into consideration, while ensuring outcomes meet the client’s cost, time and quality expectations.

In his time living in Europe, Mark enjoyed multi-day bike-packing trips and is looking forward to exploring Ngā Haerenga, the New Zealand cycle trail network. The Bay of Plenty is a favourite recreational spot for Mark, particularly Waihi with its golden sandy beaches, bush walks and great fish and chips! Mark also volunteers for community projects, the most recent being the development of online educational resources for schools in Africa.

“I enjoy helping others, especially navigating the seemingly complex programme and project life cycle world. It is very gratifying to have developed and shaped business cases that will influence the lives, future mobility and economic prosperity of New Zealand. There are no limits to what we can do!”

Since he joined Resolve Group in 2021, Tim has most enjoyed the diversity of clients and client needs he has come across. He says, “Resolve Group provides opportunities to broaden and apply my natural ‘assist and advise’ instincts. Our organisational values ring true for me, providing a pathway to give back to our industry, to help less experienced team members, and of course our clients, as they continue to challenge themselves with new and exciting projects.”

Recently a client commented, “Tim is like a Swiss Army Knife when it comes to Land Transport Investment Cases and Funding… There isn’t much he can’t figure out or provide expert advice on.”

Tim has been working in the New Zealand transport sector for more than 20 years and has experience in local and central government, including with Auckland Transport, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, KiwiRail, and several local government authorities. His broad range of engineering, planning and research skills provide a great foundation and ‘client-side’ perspective.

Shortly after graduating from the University of Auckland, Tim found himself working for one of New Zealand’s Crown Research Institutes where he honed his skills in data collection, analysis, systems design and research as well as collaborating with industry professionals on a variety of projects in the bio-medical, marine and transport sectors.

A core focus of Tim’s work is transport business cases and investment proposals. He has developed internal auditing and compliance systems to manage quality assurance to improve business case and funding application quality and undertakes technical audits and business case peer reviews.

He continued to lead a team of engineers and planners when the Auckland region underwent significant restructuring. This ensured the region’s funding and investment proposals for land transport continued to meet the highest standard and supported national transport outcomes. Tim’s auditing skills and quality systems approach meant Auckland Transport qualified for, and retained, delegated funding authority from NZTA (a self-funding approval process for projects under $5 million).

Prior to Auckland’s local government amalgamation, Tim developed and implemented regional assessments and prioritised land transport investment proposals for New Zealand’s first multi-year regional land transport programme. Recently completing a secondment role as Principal Investment Advisor in the Local Government Partnerships Team with NZTA , Tim worked with local and central government organisations ‘advising and assisting’ with investment proposals, providing investment quality assurance (IQA) reviews and guiding local authority and consultant teams to support, update, and optimise their land transport investment programmes.

As part of a dedicated team, Tim also assisted NZTA with specific reviews and guidance associated with the review and approval of Point-of-Entry and strategic cases. He also helped NZTA develop assessment tools and a methodology for regional Vehicle Kilometres Travelled (VKT) reduction programmes as they developed a National VKT Reduction Plan.

Tim offers his clients:

• Extensive experience in all aspects of business case development. A registered ‘Better Business Case’ practitioner, Tim provides technical business case support and leadership guidance.
• Peer reviewing of business cases (e.g., peer reviewing proposals for Auckland’s new electric ferry fleet, benefit realisation changes associated with scope changes to a new proposed rapid transit busway, Brownfield development growth proposals in Auckland).
• Business improvement experience; reviewing organisational processes, optimising and recommending operational and efficiency improvements.
• Knowledge and experience in land transport funding including the development of investment proposals.
• Quality assurance skills – Tim is sought after for his business case review, assurance, and compliance expertise.
• Active mode, multimodal and tactical urbanism experience.
• Outstanding customer and client relationship management skills; a natural and affable people person, with a good sense of governance, political and relationship management.

Tim enjoys snow skiing, cycling, and tramping. Based in Queenstown and Lake Ōhau, he has many of the country’s best cycle trails within reach, and enjoys getting out and about on the bike, whether it’s a lunchtime ride or a multi-day event. He also gets much satisfaction from his involvement with his local community and several community Trusts.