Meet the
Team
We aim to build and supplement capability, in our global ecosystem,
to help us all tackle the big problems.
We are busy evolving as a company, with our staff being the core engine of innovation. Its our policy to take up the technical challenge to build a leading edge ultra-efficient consulting team, that spans the globe and uses tech to super charge our outcomes and life experiences.
Damian Young
Managing Director
Director Science and Innovation
BE (Env), Dip Sus, GRI cert
Damian is an environmental engineer who is woven a multi layered approach into his professional and business ventures.
His clients are represented across multiple industries and sectors including Power Generation, Three Waters providers (Councils across Australasia) and the Marine Sector.
As an Environmental Engineer he has led in Environmental Science and Infrastructure Management, across New Zealand.
He has specialized in developing and implementing bespoke geospatial solutions to meet environmental, social and economic outcomes, for clients and communities.
Barry Carter
Principal Engineer
Civil Engineer BE (Civil), CPEng NZ
Lead consultant in the planning, delivery and implementation of stormwater catchment initiatives, practices and projects across New Zealand.
Broad experience in leading and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative, integrated practical outcomes at catchment and local scale.
Barry brings a high level of strategic input and direction to our clients and Zealandia Projects. He has hands on experience and this provides an edge we all benefit from.
He is a chartered professional engineer and adds quality assurance and technical experience to our team.
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Angelina Coelho
Senior Environmental Engineer and Ecosystem Restoration Lead
Water Sensitive Design and Nature Based Solutions
Angelina is a passionate Environmental Engineer with a master’s degree in environmental science and technology.
In her role at Zealandia, Angelina contributes project input and expertise, particularly in technical leadership, land restoration ecology, and the integration of science and engineering. For urban planning projects, she lends her skills and expertise to the management and design of complex stormwater assets based on the principles of the Water Sensitive City and Water Sensitive Design.
Angelina combines social and natural sciences to advance understanding for the better and broader implementation of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and Water Sensitive Design (WSD) for the protection and restoration of urban streams. Her research delves into WSD literacy, the capacity of constructed wetlands to buffer thermal pollution, and policy opportunities to enhance stormwater management.
Hannah Currie
Sustainability Consultant
Sustainability in Business Consultant
Bsc and MSc in Biological Science
Hannah's role is the Sustainability in Business consultant. She graduated from the University of Canterbury with a MSc in Biological Sciences, and a BSc in Biological Sciences with endorsements in Ecology and Biosecurity.
Along with her science background, Hannah has experience in both sales and the agricultural sector in team management and building client relations.
Hannah leads business support and administration, offering creative input on projects, providing professional service and incorporating sustainability driven processes.
Hannah brings her passion for sustainability and an ambition to create new initiatives to combat the impacts of climate change.
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Emmanuelle
Martinez (Manue)
Principal Aquatic Scientist and Quality Manager
PhD in Marine Science, MSc in Environmental Science and BSc in Biological Sciences
(Dr) Manue is a marine and coastal ecologist with over 20 years of experience, both in New Zealand and overseas, working in various roles in academic, private, and non-profit organisations. She has conducted and lead numerous research projects and routinely design and implement a wide range of monitoring studies, from a multidisciplinary approach.
Her educational background includes a PhD in Marine Science from Massey University, NZ, a MSc in Environmental Science from the University of Otago, NZ, and a BSc in Zoology from the University of Leicester, England.
Manue brings her enthusiasm, ‘can-do’ attitude, and passion to inspire change and help find innovative and practical solutions to better protect our environment in a fast-evolving world”.
She also has a strategic role as a Quality Manager for Zealandia Consulting and Leads our work in the Northland Region, based in Whangarei
Tom Stephenson
GIS and Digital transformation Lead
Bachelors in Resource Studies, with a major in Environmental Management. MSc in Geographic Information Science. Certified in Esri & FME professional.
Tom is am a passionate GIS professional with over 18 years experience working in Oil and Gas, Environmental Planning and Design, Facilities, and Local Government.
His technical background is in GIS support and administration, geospatial analysis, data management, and Esri Enterprise GIS software implementation.
Tom is motivated by building ‘spatial’ relationships with clients and colleagues, empowering end-users through open-access technology, and adding value to data by unlocking it’s potential through analysis, interpretation, and visualisation.
He leads Zealandia in geospatial and digital technologies to build a more prosperous and sustainable future!
Adrian Vosloo
Principal Engineer and Programme and Portfolio Management Advisor
Bachelors and MSc in Engineering
Over 25 years’ experience with complex infrastructure projects and over 20 years’ experience in a senior management role with local government and Council owned utility businesses providing water, wastewater and stormwater services to small and large communities.
Broad experience in transforming forward works programmes from an annual asset centric infrastructure capital investment approach to a customer centric program management approach.
Adrian brings his many years of experience to advise clients on programme control systems, essential for the successful implementation of infrastructure programmes.
He also has experience in developing cost estimation, cost database and cost coding systems for utility organisations. These systems are critical elements for the successful implementation of projects.
Cameron McDonald
Principal Environmental Specialist
PhD in Environmental Engineering, Stanford University
Cameron brings 20 years of expertise in environmental, and marine and freshwater systems to Zealandia, where he is driven by a passion for innovative solutions to problems of environmental monitoring and enhancement while fostering sustainable growth. He has a strong background in environmental fluid mechanics, marine and freshwater chemistry, and large-scale data collection and analysis.
Cameron joins Zealandia following over a decade of working in a wide range of environmental science and engineering areas in New Zealand. Prior to this, he developed innovative methods for tracking carbon in coastal ecosystems and gained extensive experience in planning and executing complex field projects during research at Stanford University.
At Zealandia, Cameron applies his wealth of experience to water quality monitoring, contaminant source tracing and identification, and providing technical expertise to clients—all while navigating New Zealand’s changing regulatory landscape including the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) and National Environmental Standards (NES). His work embodies Zealandia's mission to foster urban development while enhancing and protecting the natural environment.
Cameron’s dedication stems from a deep personal connection to New Zealand's beautiful outdoor spaces and a desire to create a legacy of sustainability for future generations. His collaborative approach, coupled with innovative engineering expertise aims for client success and thriving ecosystems:
"I want my children to swim in pollution-free waters and marvel at natural wonders as I have done. My mission is to help New Zealand prosper in concert with the natural world that is central to our identity and well-being. Through collaboration, science, and technological solutions, we can have sustainable cities, healthy people, and robust environmental protection. This is why I work to ensure project success for our clients."
Toitu te marae a Tane Toitu te marae a Tangaroa, Toitu te iwi
If the land is well and the sea is well, the people will thrive.
Janet Cole
Principal Engagement Lead
Janet is a strategic engagement specialist with a background in journalism, community-Council partnerships, and sustainable city initiatives. Her expertise lies in fostering transformative collaborations that drive meaningful environmental and social impact.
Before joining Zealandia Consulting, Janet played a key leadership role in regional and local transit-oriented development with Waitakere City Council, advocating for sustainable urban planning. Her contract work on sustainable catchments then deepened her commitment to partnerships, particularly in reciprocal engagement with Manawhenua.
As the former Kaihautū Chief Executive of Kaipātiki Project environment hub, Janet spearheaded impactful environmental initiatives, strengthening community-led ecological restoration, zero-waste programmes, and sustainability education. Under her leadership, the organisation won the inaugural Mayoral Conservation Award for Collaboration, tripled its turnover and staff capacity, and significantly expanded its native plant nursery enterprise. She also played a leadership role in establishing Te Aka Kōtuia, a collaborative iwi-hapū-community nursery network, promoting peer learning and capability development, and in delivering projects to support Take Mauri Take Hono - a cultural health indicator framework created by Manawhenua to guide placemaking, flood resilience and restoring the mauri of Te Ara Awataha, which feeds into Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour.
Janet was also Co-Chair of Environment Hubs Aotearoa for two years, working with Ministry for the Environment and 21 hubs to co-create and implement a five-year programme building regional sustainability leadership and creating lasting, positive change for our environment and future generations.
At Zealandia Consulting, Janet’s focus is on leading effective engagement strategies to ensure Zealandia continues to support mana-enhancing outcomes for all stakeholders and drive meaningful change in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Ajay Desai
Technical Director Engineering
MSc in Water Resources and Environmental Engineering,
Bachelors in Civil Engineering.
Fellow of ICE, Chartered Professional Engineer, Registered Commissioner.
Ajay is a highly experienced civil engineer with a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, specialising in Water Resources and Environmental Engineering. A Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and a Chartered Engineer with Engineering New Zealand, he brings deep technical expertise and a global perspective to the water sector.
Over his career, Ajay has delivered successful outcomes for clients across Aotearoa New Zealand, the UK, and the Middle East—adapting to diverse regulatory frameworks and environmental conditions. His credentials include recognition as an International Professional Engineer/APEC Engineer and active membership in CIWEM. He also serves as a registered Independent Commissioner, reflecting his commitment to governance, sustainability, and professional excellence.
Ajay’s work spans civil and three waters design and modelling, catchment management, infrastructure planning, and transport. He is especially passionate about integrated water management and sustainable infrastructure development. With a solutions-focused mindset, Ajay brings both strategic insight and technical depth to projects, helping clients navigate complexity and achieve long-term environmental outcomes.
At Zealandia, Ajay leads our engineering practice—bringing technical leadership and mentoring across our project portfolio, and helping shape resilient, future-ready solutions for communities and ecosystems.
Roan Allen
Software Engineer and AI Analyst
Roan is a Software Engineer and AI Analyst at Zealandia Consultancy, where he applies emerging technologies to support and enhance our projects. Alongside software development, Roan provides IT support that helps keep digital systems running smoothly.
Holding a Bachelor of Science majoring in Computer Science, Roan is constantly looking for the latest technological innovations and sees adaptability and continuous learning as key to successful projects. He is particularly excited about exploring the interface between GIS and organisational operations to increase productivity, sustainability, and impact for communities.
For his capstone project, Roan led development of OpenCare, an adaptive learning platform nominated for two awards. The AI-driven adaptive learning platform was designed to support healthcare workers to better respond to the mental health needs of older adults.
Collaborative by nature, Roan values clear communication and ensures all voices are heard when working with colleagues and clients. He thrives on problem-solving, knowledge-sharing, and exploring how technology can create new opportunities.
Outside of work, Roan enjoys studying Eastern history and exploring the beauty of the Waitākere Ranges in west Auckland. Bringing together a curious mind, strong technical foundation, and collaborative spirit, Roan is motivated to add value to every project.
Pooja Singh
Environmental Engineer
PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Pooja is an Environmental Engineer with over 15 years of experience in water and environmental management across India and Aotearoa New Zealand. Her international career spans irrigation design, stormwater management, and flood risk assessment, bringing both breadth and depth to her engineering practice. She has worked closely with councils and agencies to support climate-resilient planning and water management strategies.
Pooja began her career in India, where she designed and delivered large-scale irrigation systems, led technical teams, and supported clients in adopting efficient and sustainable water management practices. Building on this foundation, she pursued postgraduate studies in Water Resources Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, and later completed a doctoral degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Auckland.
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Dhwani Tiwari
Civil Engineer and Digital Solutions Consultant
Mtech in Geomatics and Civil Engineering.
Dhwani is a dynamic Civil Engineer and GIS Analyst with experience delivering geospatial solutions across infrastructure, environmental management, and urban planning. She has worked extensively in India and Aotearoa New Zealand, bringing a strong international perspective to spatial analysis, mapping, and enterprise asset management.
Her expertise spans all ESRI and other GIS products, Enterprise Portals, remote sensing, LiDAR, and advanced water and flood modelling. Dhwani’s career includes leading GIS-driven urban planning, pipe networking, flood modelling, GIS web applications, and environmental monitoring projects
Alongside her industry work, Dhwani contributes to academia through her role at the University of Canterbury, where she mentored and supported students.
With a Master’s in Geoinformatics from the Center for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT, India) and a Master’s in Civil Engineering (University of Canterbury), she combines technical rigour with creativity to design impactful solutions.
Passionate about applying GIS to solve real-world challenges, Dhwani is committed to using spatial insights to support sustainable, resilient communities. Apart from work and academic, she is a trained Bharatnatyam dancer, one of the Indian classical dance forms, and likes to go to spiritual retreats.
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Hayley Mercer
Civil Designer, Engineering Integration Lead
BSc (Hons) Geography; BSc Geography & Biology
Hayley is a passionate GIS and civil design specialist experienced on delivering infrastructure and water projects across Aotearoa New Zealand. She blends strong technical capability with calm, people-centred communication, coordinating multi-disciplinary teams and turning complex spatial data into clear, defensible design decisions.
Her toolkit spans the Esri suite (ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online), AutoCAD, and data-driven design platforms, with hands-on work in flood management, earthworks design, and Three Waters analysis. She has led project workflows, supported stakeholder engagement with councils and communities, trained teammates across GIS and engineering tools, and contributed to internal standards and reporting.
Hayley holds BSc and BSc (Hons) degrees in Geography from the University of Auckland, alongside professional training in stormwater treatment and leadership, including ArcGIS Online certification and a Certificate in Business (Introduction to Team Leadership).
At Zealandia Consulting, she focuses on integrating consultants and stakeholders to streamline communication and build the relationships that enable sustainable change. Outside of work, Hayley enjoys playing netball, catching live music, and spending time with family and friends.
Hana Dmitrovic
Civil and Environmental Engineer - Engineering Lead
BE (Hons) Civil and Environmental Engineering, First Class (University of Auckland)
Hana is a flood risk and three waters specialist with experience delivering modelling, design, and consenting for residential and land development projects within Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, and across Aotearoa New Zealand. She blends solid technical capability with clear, people-centred communication, coordinating multidisciplinary teams and turning complex hydrology and spatial data into practical, defensible design decisions.
Her toolkit includes TUFLOW for flood modelling, ArcGIS Pro or analysis and design, and AutoCAD and BricsCAD for 2D detailing, alongside earthworks modelling and infrastructure design. Hana has managed projects throughout the stages of pre-construction, supported stakeholder engagement with councils and communities, and spent time seconded within Kāinga Ora’s Housing Delivery System, strengthening collaboration and pre-construction coordination.
Hana holds a First Class Honours degree from the University of Auckland. Her research examined flood resilience in Panguru, combining community knowledge, tikanga Māori, and engineered solutions. She volunteers with BirdCare Aotearoa, supporting native wildlife care and engaging with the public. Outside of work, Hana volunteers with BirdCare Aotearoa, supporting native wildlife care and engaging with the public, as well as exploring the maunga and coast, and spending time with whānau and friends.
Adrian Percival
Technical Director - Planning
Be Environmental Engineering
Adrian is an experienced senior engineer who integrates engineering design, consenting strategy, and stakeholder engagement to deliver resilient water infrastructure. With more than two decades across design consultancies, infrastructure providers, and regulatory authorities, he brings a whole-of-system perspective to flooding, stormwater, and wastewater challenges in both urban and rural settings.
His expertise includes flooding and overland flow path risk assessment, three waters infrastructure planning and design. Adrian is deeply familiar with the Resource Management Act and related processes, translating technical analysis into robust consenting strategies.
Adrian’s track record spans region-wide critical stream prioritisation, lifecycle cost analysis for stormwater devices, notified and non-notified consents for flood mitigation and wetland upgrades, and recovery assessments following severe weather events. He is trained as an RMA Commissioner, bringing governance-level understanding to consent pathways, compliance, and evidence management.
At Zealandia, Adrian applies structured problem solving and delivery discipline to align engineering inputs, statutory pathways, and stakeholder interfaces, helping programmes de-risk early and progress faster.
Outside of work, Adrian’s the Commodore at his local yacht club and loves spending time on the water with family and friends.