Zealandia is excited to welcome Ajay Desai to the Zealandia team as Technical Director – Engineering. His journey in three waters engineering spans NZ, UK, and the UAE. Still, the heart of it has always been the same: using engineering to create resilient, people-centred solutions that prepare communities for tomorrow’s challenges. 

He has worked on projects from growth planning and stormwater design to complex hydraulic modelling and climate adaptation. But he says few experiences have tested and shaped him as much as the Auckland Flood Recovery Programme.

Flood Recovery: Engineering in the Eye of the Storm 

“Following the devastating January 2023 storm and Cyclone Gabrielle, I was seconded to Auckland Council to lead technical work in the region’s largest-ever flood recovery initiative. This wasn’t just business as usual - this was engineering at its most urgent and human,” says Ajay.

“As Auckland Council’s Lead Assessor for West Auckland, I supported the development and delivery of a coordinated approach to assess thousands of flood-affected properties across the region. Working with over 70 engineers from around 20 consultancies, I contributed to the technical review of property-level flood impacts, using field data, community feedback, and event-specific information,” he said.

Ajay also assisted in designing quality assurance processes and data tools to help standardise assessments across different areas and teams. “I was also involved in shaping a Flood Recovery Assessment Framework that brought together geospatial data, hydraulic modelling, customer complaints, and SCADA records.”

In addition, Ajay took part in evaluating mitigation options at both property and neighbourhood scales, considering technical feasibility alongside funding and consent-related factors. He contributed to regional guidance documents to inform future flood resilience planning and supported the review of complex cases, while also mentoring other assessors and liaising with Council Healthy Waters teams and local residents.

“The emotional toll of this event on communities was immense. Many people had lost their homes, their possessions, and their sense of security. Our job as engineers was not just to map the damage or design pipes - it was to listen, respond with empathy, and offer practical, future-proofed pathways forward”.

“My experience reaffirmed why I do what I do. Engineering, when done well, is not just technical - it’s transformational. It builds trust. It offers hope.”

Looking Ahead at Zealandia 

At Zealandia, we’re bringing that same ethos into every project - blending engineering, geospatial science, storytelling and environmental intelligence to build a resilient Aotearoa. 

We’re building a team dedicated to addressing water challenges in a changing climate. Our work encompasses catchment planning, three waters design, and nature-based solutions. We are always seeking individuals who share our passion for delivering meaningful work. 

If you're passionate about playing a role in stewardship of water and the environment, talk to us about joining the team - Contact.