Our Board of Directors

John Rae

Chairman (BCom, LLB)

John is a member of the Institute of Directors and a director of a number of private companies in UK, Australia and NZ. In addition to chairing NZCID John is a member of the National Infrastructure Advisory Board which provides independent advice to the Minister for Infrastructure.

Current Board Governance roles include:

• NZ Government's National Infrastructure Advisory Board - founding Member
• NZ Council for Infrastructure Development - Chairman
• Eastland Group Limited - Director
• FJ Hawkes & Co Limited - Managing Director
• The Lines Company Limited - Director
• Activate Tairāwhiti - Chairman
• Cavalier Corporation Limited - Director
• Taku Honey Limited - Director
• Ngapuhi Asset Management Limited - Director
• ABODO Limited - Chairman of Advisory Board
• My Angel Investment Limited - Director

Former Board Governance roles include:

• Stevenson Group Limited - Chairman and Managing Director
• Arbuthnot Latham Bank PLC (London) – Director
• TEPU Limited - Chairman
• PIE Funds Limited - Director

Hamish Stevens

Director (MBA, BCom)

Hamish is an experienced professional director and senior finance executive, currently holding governance positions with:

• Smart Environmental Limited - Director, Chair of Audit and Risk Committee
• East Health Services Limited - Chairman
• Waikato Regional Council - Independent Chair, Audit & Risk Committee
• Restaurant Brands Limited - Director, Chair of Audit and Risk Committee
• AsureQuality Limited - Director, Chair of Audit Committee
• Counties Power Limited – Director
• The Kennedy's Limited - Chairman
• Botany Health Hub Limited - Director
• Dairy Technical Services Limited - Director

Hamish has also served on boards in the food, beverage and hospitality sectors as well as holding CFO positions in DB Breweries, Tip Top Ice Cream, and Heinz-Wattie. Hamish is a Chartered Accountant, a member of the Institute of Directors, a member of the NZ Association of Economists, and holds an MBA from Auckland University.
 
 

Grahame Christian

Managing Director

Grahame is the Managing Director and single Shareholder of Smart Environmental. He has 25 years industry experience. He is active in all aspects of the waste and recycling industry and sits on numerous committees and groups representing the industry. Grahame is a regular contributor to LTCCP, Annual Plans, WMMP’s and Bylaws. He is very knowledgeable about the Waste and Recycling Industry throughout New Zealand. Through the success of the company Grahame has built up many relationships and contacts. As an innovator and entrepreneur Grahame is very focused on waste minimisation and resource recovery.

Current Governance roles include:

• Managing Director and shareholder - Smart Environmental Limited
• Managing Director - Smart Contracting Group Limited
• Member - Thames Coromandel Economic Development Committee
• Board Member - WasteMINZ

Former roles include:

• Founder - Streetsmart Limited
• Director - Touch New Zealand
• Chairman - Pare Hauraki Asset Holdings Limited
• Chairman - Preserve New Chum Inc
• Chairman - Hauraki Fishing Group
• Director - Taimoana Marine Farms

Grahame has represented New Zealand in Touch Football as a player, Coach and Director over a 20 year period. This has involved global travel and participation, including World Cups in Japan, Europe, Asia, America and Australia. He is also a substantial sponsor and donor to Community Groups, Sporting Teams, Individuals and Societies. These values are also reflected in Smart Environmental who is also a substantial sponsor and contributor to individuals and communities. Grahame was educated at St. Stephens School and Auckland University and has completed the Icehouse programme.
 
 

Brent Lawgun

Director

Brent is an executive Director of Maui Capital and a member of the Investment Committees of the Maui Capital Indigo Fund and the Maui Capital Aqua Fund.
 
Prior to establishing Maui in 2008, he was a Director of Private Equity at Goldman Sachs JBWere (NZ) and managed the Hauraki Funds. Before that, Brent started his career as a corporate finance and M&A lawyer.
 
 

Alistair Birks

Director

Alistair is an Investment Director at Maui Capital, responsible for managing the deal analysis and execution functions. His principal roles include sourcing and reviewing opportunities, executing investments and overseeing investee companies.
 
Prior to joining Maui at its inception in 2008, Alistair worked in various roles focused on private equity, and corporate finance, including most recently at Ernst & Young (NZ).
 
 

Todd McLeay

Director

Todd is an independent Director on the Smart Board who specialises in helping organisations optimise their performance in times of change.

His philosophy is that business should focus on delivering effortless experiences to customers. He has previously held sales and marketing leadership roles at Vodafone and NZ Post, was CEO of Lotto NZ and ran an integrated digital design and advertising group.