Our People

Blair began his role as Manahautū Pouwhenua ō Ngāi Tahu (General Manager, Ngāi Tahu Property) in November 2020. Blair is dual qualified as a Chartered Accountant and Registered Valuer and has broad experience in property and infrastructure asset development, investment, and management as well as general business operations.

Prior to joining Ngāi Tahu Property, Blair was on the Executive of Christchurch International Airport for a period of 12 years in various roles during which time he was responsible for the airport’s property development and investment program, asset and facilities management, airfield operations and other commercial portfolios. Prior to that, Blair held positions with AMP Capital Investors and Ernst & Young.

In the role of Manahautū Pouwhenua o Ngāi Tahu, Blair is responsible for the overall leadership and performance of Ngāi Tahu Property.

Dean is the Tumu Whakaahu ā Motu (National Development Manager) and joined Ngāi Tahu Property in February 2017. With more than 35 years in the construction, facilities management and property development industries, Dean is an experienced Property Development Manager.

Skilled in development origination, negotiation, feasibility studies, governance, and relationship management, Dean works to identify and deliver property outcomes that exceed the expectations and requirements of stakeholders.

Along with his practical experience gained through his previous roles, Dean has been responsible for the development of numerous projects for commercial and institutional stakeholders. With experience in land, residential, commercial, industrial, retail, hospitality and accommodation development, Dean can view the issues from multiple angles and offer solution focused input to each situation.

Joanna is the Tumu Tiaki Kirimana a-Motu (National Asset Manager) for the Ngāi Tahu Property team. Having joined Ngāi Tahu Property in 2020, she leads the asset and facilities management team who steward the property investment portfolio.

Joanna came to Ngāi Tahu Property with over 18 years experience in the commercial property industry having managed assets for both private organisations and listed property investment companies across Te Waipounamu, the South Island.

Joanna holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Valuation & Property Management, is a member of the Property Institute of New Zealand, and sits on the Property Council of New Zealand Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She was born and raised in Ōtautahi Christchurch and enjoys travelling and skiing with her two teenage sons.

Richard (Ngāi Tahu – Moeraki) joined Ngāi Tahu Property in 2019 and is the Tumu - Tiaki Whare, Tiaki Kirimana (Manager Assets & Facilities) based in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Richard has extensive experience in facilities, contract, and asset management within both the public and private sector across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Richard has a Bachelor of Commerce in Valuation & Property Management from Lincoln University and is a member of the Facilities Management Association of New Zealand.

Debs (Kāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu) is the Business Support Manager within the Ngāi Tahu Property team.

Debs joined the Ngāi Tahu Property team in September of 2024 on a 12-month secondment from the Executive Assistant to the Kaiwhakahaere of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. Debs has been working in various roles within both The Office and Ngāi Tahu Holdings over the past 26 years, including Executive Assistant and Event Management.

At Ngāi Tahu Property, Debs is responsible for providing business support to the General Manager, Property and the broader Ngāi Tahu Property team, as well as collaborating on engagement with Ngā Papatipu Rūnanga and Iwi.

Outside of work Debs enjoys spending time with her whanau and friends. Debs enjoys gardening, reading, spending time with Baxter (her schnoodle), walking local tracks, reserves, and beaches. She enjoys travel, roadies, most adrenaline rush activities, and in more recent years, learnt to ski.

Caitlin (Kāi Tahu – Oraka Aparima & Wairewa, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) is the Business & Facilities Management Support within the Ngāi Tahu Property team.

Caitlin joined Ngāi Tahu Property in July 2023 and brings prior experience from the wider Ngāi Tahu Group having started with the Contact Centre in March 2021. Caitlin has also worked with the Funds Team, the Covid19 Resilience Project, and most recently she has been the Project Coordinator for the Social Development Team.

At Ngāi Tahu Property, Caitlin provides support and assistance to the Facilities Management team including admin support and assistance with the facilities and office management of Te Whare o Te Waipounamu. Caitlin also provides support to the Business Manager with co-ordination of event planning, event management, and relationship management with both internal and external clients.

Kia ora, I’m Tom Ruwhiu.

I have just finished studying my first year at Lincoln University doing a Bachelor of Land and Property Management and have had the opportunity to be the summer intern with Ngāi Tahu Property. I have learnt so much about how the Ngāi Tahu Property team operates, and I feel so privileged to be in the position I am. Everyone within the Property team has been so welcoming, making it really easy to build connections in the workplace.

I really enjoy sport and exercise, especially Rugby and Touch. Something that is very important to me is my whānau and friends. I am always appreciative of those connections and the things they do for me to get me to where I am today. 

As much as I’d love to continue working, I also can’t wait to head back to university to show off all the knowledge I have gained this summer. 

Dene joined Ngāi Tahu Property in 2002 as the Tumu Hokohoko Kāika (Residential Sales Manager). During this time Dene has been responsible for the sale of more than 3,000 residential sections across some of Ngāi Tahu Property's most significant residential developments, including: Tumara Park, Burwood; Linden Grove, Hillmorton; Wigram Skies; Karamū, Riccarton Park; and most recently, Te Whāriki, Lincoln.

Prior to starting with Ngāi Tahu Property, Dene established and managed a successful import and distribution company that pioneered the energy drink market in Aotearoa New Zealand. Dene has a broad sales and marketing knowledge developed from roles within Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia.

Originally from Ōtautahi Christchurch, Dene has a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Marketing from Massey University.

In his role as Project Accountant, Hanno works alongside the Ngāi Tahu Property team providing financial analysis, advice and reporting. Hanno oversees the financial modelling across development projects, ensuring these are robust and fit-for-purpose. He also works closely with the wider Ngāi Tahu Holdings finance team, playing a key role in the financial close processes.

With over 20 years accounting experience in Aotearoa New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom in a variety of senior roles, Hanno is a highly experienced accountant. He has a Masters in Commerce (Taxation), as well as a Bachelor of Commerce with Honours. He is a member of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Outside of work Hanno enjoys spending time with his family, skiing and travelling.

Jake joined Ngāi Tahu Property in April 2024 as a Management Accountant. He brings with him a commercial background of over 20 years in analytics, continuous improvement, and management accounting across various industries including construction, technology and agriculture. Jake has a passion for using data to discover insights that help drive business improvement.

Jake holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in finance from Lincoln University and is a chartered accountant.

Outside of work, Jake enjoys mountain biking and playing music as a bass player in covers bands.

Jason joined Ngāi Tahu Property in November 2021 as a Tumu Whakaahu (Development Manager), primarily concentrating on industrial design & build developments for the Ngāi Tahu Property investment portfolio, and land sales. Jason has over 20 years of commercial property experience including property management, sales and leasing, and development in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Tāhuna Queenstown, and Ōtepoti Dunedin.

Prior to working for Ngāi Tahu Property, Jason has worked in the private sector as well as for Otago University and Christchurch Airport Limited. Jason was raised in Waitaha and now lives in Te Whāriki, Lincoln. Jason has a Bachelor of Commerce in Valuation & Property Management from Lincoln University.

Lucy, Tumu Whakaahu (Development Manager), joined Ngāi Tahu Property in 2016 and brings over 25 years experience in the property industry, mainly in property development and delivery. Lucy is currently focused on leading the team delivering the large-scale master-planned residential development, Te Pā Tāhuna, in central Tāhuna Queenstown. Since joining the Ngāi Tahu Property whānau, Lucy has managed multiple commercial and residential developments including Wigram Skies, The Landing, and Tower Junction.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Auckland, Lucy worked in the United States and United Kingdom before returning to Ōtautahi Christchurch. Prior to joining Ngāi Tahu Property, Lucy held project management consultancy positions successfully delivering a wide range of projects in commercial, hospitality, retail, community, industrial and educational sectors. Lucy’s experience drives her focus on good communication and relationship management as these are key qualities that enable the best outcomes to be achieved.

Laurie joined Ngāi Tahu Property in April 2022 as a Tumu Whakaahu (Development Manager) and brings with her 25 years of property development experience. Although born and raised in Ngāmotu New Plymouth, Laurie’s need to explore has seen her live in several places throughout Aotearoa New Zealand and a five-year stint in Papua New Guinea, before settling in Ōtautahi Christchurch 20 years ago.

Starting with six years in residential construction, Laurie then moved onto commercial development projects. Most notably at Christchurch Airport through the development of the new passenger terminal, and then the wider airport campus developments for airlines, freight, distribution, storage, rental vehicle, retail, food and beverage, accommodation, and office precinct developments. The experience gained during those diverse developments, in both size and type, underpins Laurie’s partnering approach when presented with a new development opportunity.

Understanding the specific needs and required outcomes of all stakeholders, structuring the development to reflect those, and ensuring open communication between all parties, is Laurie’s approach to deliver successful developments.

Mark began his role as Tumu Tiaki Kirimana (Asset Manager) at Ngāi Tahu Property in 2019. Mark is part of the Property Investment team responsible for the Investment Property portfolio. He brings more than 30 years’ experience in a variety of asset and facility management services for a wide and varied portfolio, including significant input and responsibility during, and after the Canterbury earthquakes.

Mark is focused on building and maintaining relationships to enhance capabilities within property asset management, and this has expanded to include the Papatipu Rūnanga that make up Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.
Mark has a Bachelor of Business Studies in Valuation & Property Management from Massey University, and is a member of Property Institute of New Zealand. Mark is also enrolled at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa learning te reo Māori.

Rob joined Ngāi Tahu Property in November 2019 as a Tumu Tiaki Kirimana (Asset Manager) within the Investment team. Rob is responsible for managing a number of properties within Ngāi Tahu Property’s Investment Portfolio including the Pita Te Hori centre in Ōtautahi Christchurch, and the Post Office Precinct in Tāhuna Queenstown.

Rob has over 30 years' experience in all facets of the commercial property profession including office, shopping centre, and industrial asset management, leasing, retail representation, body corporate, and consultancy.

Rob has a Diploma in Real Estate from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and has worked in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand with international companies including CBRE, Richard Ellis, and Raine & Horne Commercial.

Simon began his role as Tumu Whakaahu (Development Manager) in October 2020, with the key focus being on identifying, and securing, property development opportunities in line with Ngāi Tahu Property’s long-term development strategy.

He enjoys building relationships with key stakeholders and Papatipu Rūnanga, with a current focus on securing land for residential and industrial development, and partnership opportunities through Te Waipounamu, the South Island. Since joining Ngāi Tahu Property, a key area Simon is involved in is the Ngāi Tahu Right of First Refusal (RFR) process, assisting with the delivery and partnership for both Ngāi Tahu Property and Papatipu Rūnanga.

Simon has been involved in the property industry for over 20 years’ leading the development of several civil, commercial and residential projects. Simon studied Concrete Technology & Construction Management at the London City of Guilds.