Our people

Our Senior Leadership Team

Amanda Wheeler

Executive Director

"I love the ‘learn while you earn’ concept. It’s hugely valuable for our learners, employers, and New Zealand."

Pip Walsh

General Manager - Learning Design & Innovation

"People who have grit and tenacity inspire me. They are people who remind us of what is possible, that we all can do more than we think we can, that we can do hard things, and that we can all make a difference for someone."

Toni Christie

General Manager - Employer and Learner Services

"I am inspired by the difference we make. While you can get caught up with the daily grind, seeing an individual progressing or completing their qualification makes it all worthwhile. This is why I do what I do."

Murray Newman

General Manager - Corporate Services

"I’m passionate about delivering quality service and insights that truly support our industry partners. After years in the corporate world, I wanted to be part of something that makes a real impact for New Zealand. When you believe in the organisation you work for, it’s easy to bring your best every day.”

National and regional managers

Our team is responsible for looking after industry, employers and apprentices in our training programmes.
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Greg Stuart

National Manager, Apprenticeships

g.stuart@competenz.org.nz 027 550 1425

Christine Ewart

National Manager, Forestry

c.ewart@competenz.org.nz 027 700 7471

Fiona Horne

Regional Apprentice Manager, Northern

f.horne@competenz.org.nz 027 211 6650

Amit Kumra

Regional Apprentice Manager, Waikato and Bay of Plenty

a.kumra@competenz.org.nz 027 449 9107

Steve Brooks

Regional Apprentice Manager, Southern

s.brooks@competenz.org.nz 027 281 9828

Cliff Stoddart

Regional Manager, Forestry

c.stoddart@competenz.org.nz 027 439 9092

Kevin Withell

Specialty Trades Manager

k.withell@competenz.org.nz 027 220 8117

Eric Kneepkens

Regional Manager, Apprenticeships, Central

e.kneepkens@competenz.org.nz 0220158756

Traineeships

Debs Wand

Account Manager, Upper North Island

d.wand@competenz.org.nz 021 745 584

Nick Sach

Account Manager, Lower North Island

n.sach@competenz.org.nz 027 5717 802

Denise Burton

Account Manager, South Island

d.burton@competenz.org.nz 022 012 8646

Paul Key

Commercial, Auckland

p.key@competenz.org.nz 027 704 8498

Quality support

Our team is responsible for ensuring our learners and the users of our unit standards are achieving consistent and quality outcomes.

Karl Mullan

National Moderation Manager, Forestry

k.mullan@competenz.org.nz 027 242 7759

Ian Braithwaite

Quality Support Administration Specialist – Forklift

i.braithwaite@competenz.org.nz

Career Development Team (Schools)

Contact our Career Development team to discuss our many trades that offer valuable pathways for your students. We’re committed to working with schools/kura to assist in making on-the-job training a valuable and rewarding option.

Amy Nicol

Lead Trades Career Advisor

a.nicol@competenz.org.nz 0220136154

Grant Cameron

Trades Career Advisor

g.cameron@competenz.org.nz 0221088122