Senior Geotechnical Engineer

Nick Speight
Director

Nick is a Chartered Professional Engineer and Director of Initia Ltd with 19 years of experience in Geotechnical Engineering. Nick specialises in providing value-add and Client focussed geotechnical solutions to building and infrastructure projects.

His geotechnical experience has been developed over a broad range of projects including Auckland CBD residential and commercial towers, large-scale industrial warehouses, major infrastructure projects such as Auckland International Airport’s second runway, wastewater storage tunnels and deep storage tanks.

Nick’s technical expertise is in retention design and construction for deep excavations, foundations, compressible soils, site seismicity, and earthworks.

Nick Speight is a member of Engineering New Zealand and the New Zealand Geotechnical Society.

Senior Geotechnical Engineer

Andy Pomfret
Director

Andy is Member of Engineering NZ and a Fellow of the British Geological Society with over 20 years’ experience in geotechnical engineering. He has worked extensively on both residential and commercial land development, roading, school, hospital, airport and port projects in New Zealand, the Pacific, the Indian Ocean, the United Kingdom and the Caribbean.

Andy has both supervised and managed large-scale investigations on both greenfield and brownfield sites utilising a whole range of site investigation methods including geophysics. In addition, Andy has managed numerous overwater site investigation in remote challenging locations. He has worked for a wide variety of clients including Local Authorities, Earthquake Commission, large housing companies, commercial property developers and international aid organisations.

Andy is experienced in earthworks, site seismicity including liquefaction and lateral spread mitigation, foundations and slope stability. Andy’s strengths provide good practical project specific advice to the client and the project team, including contractors.

Andy Pomfret is a member of Engineering New Zealand, British Geological Society and the New Zealand Geotechnical Society.

Senior Geotechnical Engineer

Matt Wansbone
Director

Matt is a Chartered Professional Engineer and Director of Initia Ltd with over 14 years of experience in geotechnical engineering in New Zealand and internationally. Matt has broad experience across a range project types and sizes.

He has held key technical leadership and design management roles on some of New Zealand’s largest infrastructure projects including the Waterview Tunnels and the Puhoi to Warkworth Motorway, and has a passion for combining technical expertise with practical experience to provide robust and efficient engineering solutions.

Beyond major roading and tunnel projects, Matt’s experience includes numerous commercial and residential developments, as well water, wastewater, energy sector and dam projects. Having worked in a range of multi-disciplinary project delivery teams, Matt knows the value of effective communication between project participants and in taking the time to understand the unique challenges of each project.

Matt has particular technical expertise in retention design, foundations, slope stabilisation and geotechnical earthquake engineering. Matt is highly experienced in numerical modelling and understands where there is (and isn’t) value in using advanced analytical tools to deliver value to projects. Matt is a member of Engineering New Zealand and the New Zealand Geotechnical Society.

Earthworks & Construction Services Manager

Kent Dalziel
Director

Kent is a Director of Initia Ltd. He has 18 years Geotechnical Consulting and Civil materials testing experience. He’s worked across the board as Project Director, Project Manager, Laboratory Manager, IANZ Signatory and technician on both small and large-scale infrastructure projects throughout New Zealand, including the Timberly Road Subdivision at Auckland Airport, Cambridge to Tamihere Bypass, Puhoi to Warkworth Motorway and the Millwater Residential Development.

Kent specialises in Geotechnical construction observation, construction specifications, material/methodology suitability assessments, civil materials testing and problem solving.

He has extensive experience in earthworks, buildings and pavement construction and his involvement enables projects to excel during the delivery phase.

Senior Engineering Geologist, Queenstown manager

Andrew Klahn

Andrew, heads up Initia’s Queenstown office. He is an Engineering Geologist with 12 years of experience. His early career saw him working in New Zealand, Australia, and Papua New Guinea. Here he gained experience on several slope stability monitoring and mitigation projects, as well as conducting geotechnical investigations for a range of infrastructure projects, such as hydroelectric dams, heavy haul rail corridors, light industrial, and residential developments.

Before joining Initia, Andrew had been working as a Project Engineer in the UK on some of London’s largest underground station upgrade projects, as well as marine piling for the London City Airport.
Since joining Initia in 2020, Andrew has carried out geotechnical investigations and analysis for large and small scale residential, commercial, and light industrial developments, and has extensive experience providing practical construction support for projects of this nature.

Having worked on a variety of projects in different stages of construction, from tendering and feasibility studies, right through to completion and closeout, Andrew brings a holistic understanding of the design and construction environment that can be utilised in all aspects of a project.

Senior Geotechnical Engineer

Rayandra Putoa
Associate

Rayandra is a Geotechnical Engineer with 7 years’ experience as a design consultant on a wide range of geotechnical projects around NZ. Rayandra has been involved in works varying in scale from major infrastructures to small residential developments, including the Northern Corridor Improvements project.

Rayandra’s technical knowledge covers retaining wall and foundation design, slope stabilisation, and earthquake engineering. Rayandra understands each project is unique and will address project-specific challenges to provide the right geotechnical solution.

Senior Geotechnical Engineer, principal

Andy Wakelin
Associate

Andy is a Senior Geotechnical Engineer and Principal at Initia with over 12 years’ experience in the design and construction environment. Andy has worked extensively across a range of sectors with experience in commercial and infrastructure projects within New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. These projects have seen Andy working in both a consulting and contracting capacity, so he is familiar with the demands and challenges of both sides.

He brings with him a mixture of technical knowledge, practical problem solving and project management skills. Andy’s clear communication with other consultants and stakeholders during the early stages of projects has been key to ensuring the smooth progression of projects through the later stages of design and construction.

Andy specialises in commercial and large mid-high rise residential building projects (with features such as basements and varying foundation types), temporary works, due diligence assessments for commercial land acquisition, and land stabilisation.

Office Manager

Francieli McWilliams

Francieli is the Initia Office Manager and recently completed her PGDBS where she gained further leadership skills in areas such: Employee Experience, Building Workplace Culture, Online Advertising, Procurement Management, Business Organisational Strategy, Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders, and Leading & Managing Changes.

Francieli has worked within the administration and management in various industries, from packaging design to landscape design, holiday rentals, apparel to events.

As Initia’s Office Manager, Francieli is responsible for our workplace culture, employee’s wellbeing, communications, website and social media, functions, office support, quality assurance and health & safety.

She speaks English and Portuguese.

Accounts Manager

Karen Read

Karen is an experienced Accounts Manager who has worked in a variety of industries including Financial Advisory and Civil Engineering.

Karen looks after and maintains the accounting and data management at Initia.

Business Coach & Advisor

Robert Hillier

Robert is a Chartered Professional Engineer (NZ and UK) with over 30 years of international experience in Geotechnical Engineering. Robert draws on his extensive experience and exposure to a broad range of hands-on engineering challenges to support, foster and develop staff and business processes that enhance Initia’s value-add geotechnical engineering services”.

Senior Engineering Geologist

Benjamin Roy

Ben is an Engineering Geologist with 11 years’ experience in consultancy throughout New Zealand. He has a background in a wide range of engineering projects; from small scale residential design developments to coordinating large scale ground investigations. He has experience in geological mapping, ground investigation and developing ground models for dams, wind turbines, civil infrastructure, and earthworks projects.

He has technical experience in slope stability assessments, hazard assessments and ground improvement. Ben also brings site experience and constructibility knowledge from a background in construction observations and emergency landslide/rockfall stabilisation projects.

He values communication and problem solving to deliver practical solutions to both clients and contractors.

Senior Engineering Geologist

Finlay
Wallen-Halliwell

Finlay is a Senior Engineering Geologist with 8 years’ experience across residential, commercial and infrastructure development. He has broad experience across the upper North Island, with a focus on the challenging geological conditions across Northland and North Auckland. He is skilled in the assessment and mitigation of geotechnical hazards, including advanced analytical techniques. He is a strong believer in making geotechnical problems “as simple as possible, not simpler”.

Through the management of complex geotechnical projects from concept to completion, Finlay understands the importance of effective communication, collaborative design, and practicality in engineering solutions. Finlay has a particular interest in data integration and digital innovation in engineering geology and geotechnical engineering, to deliver more from limited investigation resources.

Finlay is a member of Engineering NZ, NZGS, and CETANZ.

Geotechnical Engineer

Tram Dinh

Tram is a Geotechnical Engineer with 6+ years’ of experience in the industry. Tram is experienced in conducting geotechnical investigations, geotechnical assessments and foundation design for subdivision and commercial projects.

Tram has worked on slope stability assessments and stabilisation, several different types of retaining wall design for residential and commercial structures, and construction monitoring for many different types of projects. Tram understands the importance of early and effective communication in ensuring quality outcomes for projects.

Geotechnical Engineer

Kieran Bursell

Kieran is a Geotechnical Engineer with 6 years’ industry experience working in Auckland and the upper North Island. His early career saw him completing field investigations and construction supervision for a number of large-scale publicly funded projects. This included the Auckland Transport Quay Street Seismic Strengthening project, the Kāinga Ora Auckland Housing Development Programme and various Watercare network upgrades.

In recent years, Kieran has provided technical geotechnical design services for a range of industrial, commercial and residential building developments. His expertise includes basement retention design, landslip remediation, settlement assessment and preloading, ground improvement design and foundation design.
Kieran graduated from The University of Auckland in 2018 as Senior Scholar with a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours.

Geotechnical Engineer

Omar Hasaniah

Omar has been working as a Geotechnical Engineer since 2019 after graduating from University of Canterbury. Omar has delivered some exciting and technically challenging geotechnical projects in Auckland and Tauranga.

He has well rounded skill set covering all aspects of geotechnical engineering presented in site investigations, construction monitoring and geotechnical design. His favourite project to date is SH2 Waiahi to Omokaroa Safety Improvements, where he had to design and carry out construction monitoring of many retaining walls to support the road widening works.

Omar is passionate about helping others through sharing his technical skills. Outside of work he considers himself to be a foodie

Geotechnical Engineer

Abner Duarte

Abner is a Geotechnical Engineer with over 5 years’ experience. During this time, he has designed bridge abutments and large embankments on major infrastructure projects such as CRL and Te Ahu a Turanga – Manawatū Tararua Highway.

He has also managed and reported on geotechnical investigations for commercial projects and land developments. Abner enjoys working in the multi-disciplinary environment and delivering efficient and safe solutions for his clients. He is a team player and great communicator.

Geotechnical Engineer

Freddie Thomlinson

Freddie is a Graduate Geotechnical Engineer who has recently finished a BE(Hons)/BCOM conjoint at the University of Auckland, studying civil and environmental engineering, and accounting.

Freddie has experience in field testing across the Auckland Region from previous work experience as a Junior Engineering Geologist.

Geotechnical Engineer

Kate Robinson

Kate has been working as a Geotechnical Engineer since 2018 after graduating from University of Auckland. Before joining Initia, Kate has worked in the Civil Engineering field both locally and in Europe.
She has well rounded skill set covering all aspects of geotechnical engineering presented in site investigations, construction monitoring and geotechnical design.

She speaks both English and French. 

Engineering Geologist

Bruno Souza

Bruno is an Engineering Geologist with 10 years of experience working extensively across a range of sectors including exploration and mining, slope stability, and geotechnical investigations of all scales for a range of commercial and infrastructure projects within Brazil and New Zealand.

Since moving to New Zealand since 2016 and subsequently joining Initia in 2019, Bruno has gained significant experience in geotechnical investigations, analyses and consulting for small and large scale residential, commercial, and industrial developments.

Bruno is a versatile Engineering Geologist, working across and managing a large number of projects in Hawkes Bay, Gisborne and Auckland.

Engineering Geologist

Quin Sorensen

Quin is an Engineering Geologist with 4 years’ of experience working in a consultancy environment. Quin has gained experience in a range of field investigations and projects while at Initia, managing large, complex investigation programmes for clients such as Auckland Airport.

Additionally, Quin is well versed in geological mapping, landslip assessment and geohazard identification. Quin takes a practical approach to his work to assist throughout each stage of a project offering clear communication and levelheaded thinking.

Engineering Geologist

Thomas Overy

Thomas is an Engineering Geologist who has recently finished a Bachelor of Science in Geology & Geography at the University of Auckland.

He has gained a vast array of field experience working on several Initia projects and offers a practical insight into projects.

Engineering Geologist

Tim van der Hilst 

Tim is a graduate Engineering Geologist who has recently completed a Master of Engineering Geology at the University of Auckland. Since joining Initia as an intern, Tim has gained experience in a range of field investigations and projects.

While at university, he also gained experience in geospatial work involving GIS and remote sensing projects at the undergraduate level, and Engineering Geology work including Advanced Engineering Geology, Engineering Geological Mapping, and Hydrogeology courses. Tim’s Master thesis focuses on using a multi-criteria evaluation of the Auckland Flood Model’s performance during the Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods (2023).

Tim speaks English and Dutch.

Geotechnical Construction Monitoring Consultant

Seven Baker

Seven is a Geotechnical Construction Monitoring Consultant with 5+ years’ of experience in the earthworks and construction industry. Seven graduated from University of Auckland in 2018 and took on a role as a Construction Materials Testing Technician where he provided quality assurance field testing and inspections for an extensive number of residential, commercial and infrastructure projects across Auckland and the wider regions.

Following this, Seven gained project management experience as a Team Leader/Office Field Coordinator where he managed a variety of projects, coordinated a small team of technicians and ensured the quality of their services were delivered.

At Initia, Seven regularly performs site inspections to monitor, certify and provide recommendations for the geotechnical aspects of our projects.

Software Engineer

Julian Lees

Julian is a Geotechnical Engineer turned Software Developer, having spent his early career working on projects ranging from the Canterbury Earthquake recovery to commercial buildings in central Auckland.

Julian followed his interests into software development gaining skills with cloud technologies and web development. He is now applying these skills in the geotechnical domain: using technology and automation to support the quality and efficiency of what we do at Initia.

CAD Manager/ CAD Designer

Julieann Guimbarda Gabriel

Julie is a CAD Designer with 14 years’ experience as a design consultant specialising in 2D/3D modelling using Civil 3D and 12D. Julie has worked on a variety of engineering design projects which have involved land development, stormwater reticulation design, ponds, quarry earthworks, dam earthworks, road geometry, motorways and minor road rehabilitation, as well as most types of retaining walls.

She is also well skilled in creating three-dimensional geological models and cutting detailed geological sections from these models.

Julie has both an excellent understanding of technology and CAD design, which combined with her engineering knowledge, help to create dynamic and integrated BIM (Building Information Management) solutions.

CAD Designer

Genesis Gabriel

Genesis is a CAD Designer with 9 years’ experience as an architectural and Civil draftsman/designer. Genesis has had intermediate experience in 2D/3D modelling, geological/geotechnical plans and sections, retaining walls and soil nail design using AutoCAD and Civil 3D. He works on a variety of architectural, civil, and industrial design projects, which have involved architectural planning, subdivision land development, geological/geotechnical planning, facade design and product design development.

Genesis has an Architecture Technology Diploma from Technological University of the Philippines.

Genesis speaks English and Filipino.

Geotechnical Construction Monitoring Technician

Themiya Bandara

Themiya is a Geotechnical Construction Monitoring Technician with 3+ years’ of experience in the earthworks and construction industry. Themiya graduated from Waikato Institute of Technology in 2020 and took on a role as a Graduate Civil/ Geotechnical Technician where he provided field testing, geotechnical investigation reporting and inspections for an extensive number of residential projects across the Auckland and Waikato regions.

Following this, Themiya gained wider experience in residential subdivisional earthworks and construction as a Civil Site Engineer where he monitored and coordinated a variety of projects and ensured the quality of the services and solutions were delivered at the highest standards.

At Initia, Themiya regularly performs site inspections to monitor, certify and provide recommendations for the geotechnical aspects of our projects.