A leadership transition at Kiwi Property, Donna Howell brings her experience to Inovo, Mike Knowles is welcomed to Naylor Love, Aaron Davis joins Colliers, Ettiene Petzer and Pritisha Unka strengthen Precon Project Management, and Ignite Architects welcomes four new team members.
Kiwi Property announces leadership transition in asset management team
Kiwi Property has announced a leadership change within its asset management team. Linda Trainer will step down from her role as general manager asset management this August, after more than eight years with the company, as she relocates to the South Island.
Since joining Kiwi Property in 2018, Trainer has played a significant role in shaping and optimising the company’s portfolio of shopping centres, including the continued success of Sylvia Park, as well as its commercial and residential properties. Under her leadership, Kiwi Property’s bespoke build-to-rent brand, Resido, was brought to life and remains one of the leading build-to-rent developments in New Zealand.
Kiwi Property has also announced the appointment of Helen Ronald as general manager asset management. Ronald is currently the company’s national retail assets manager and previously led the Sylvia Park management team for five years. With extensive experience in shopping centre and asset management across New Zealand and Australia, she brings deep expertise and a strong understanding of the portfolio.
Inovo welcomes Donna Howell to project planning and controls team
Inovo has welcomed Donna Howell to its Project Planning and Controls team. A respected project and programme leader, Howell brings more than 30 years’ experience spanning investment planning, business case development, governance, assurance, programme leadership and complex capital project delivery.
She joins a team that continues to grow its market presence, further strengthening Inovo’s ability to help clients make confident investment decisions, establish robust delivery frameworks and deliver complex programmes and projects.
Well known in the construction sector, Howell currently chairs the New Zealand Construction Industry Council and co-founded the Construction Industry Special Interest Group for the Project Management Institute of New Zealand (PMINZ). She is also a past president of the National Association of Women in Construction. Career highlights include leadership roles on major projects such as Auckland Airport’s Integrated Terminal development, the Regional Prisons Development Programme and the University of Otago Christchurch Campus Redevelopment.
Naylor Love welcomes Mike Knowles in Canterbury
Naylor Love has appointed Mike Knowles as Regional Director – Canterbury. Mike brings more than three decades of construction experience across every stage of project delivery, from early contractor involvement through to ensuring client satisfaction well beyond practical completion.
Mike is well known and respected as a collaborative, people-centric leader who values strong relationships, an approach that aligns with the culture at Naylor Love. Mike will oversee the Christchurch and Nelson teams, building on the strong foundation already in place across the region.
Congratulations Mike.
Colliers welcomes Aaron Davis as auctioneer
Aaron Davis brings more than 20 years’ experience in the property industry to his new role as auctioneer at Colliers. He has received multiple accolades for his work in the auction room, including a national title in 2019.
Davis has called more than 11,000 auctions throughout New Zealand and has built his career on results, relationships and consistency.
Precon Project Management welcomes two new appointments
Precon Project Management is pleased to welcome Ettiene Petzer as senior project manager and Pritisha Unka as senior design manager and senior project manager.
Petzer is passionate about driving successful projects in the New Zealand property sector, bringing a proven track record in stakeholder management, risk mitigation, consultant coordination, cost management and delivering quality developments that create lasting value.
Unka is a registered architect experienced in leading multidisciplinary teams and delivering successful project outcomes. Recognised for her integrity, attention to detail and practical problem-solving, she brings a strong collaborative approach through clear communication and a methodical, solutions-focused mindset.
Ignite Architects welcomes four new team members
Ignite Architects has welcomed four new team members, each bringing fresh perspectives and specialist skills to enrich its work with clients and communities.
Geoff Brown joins as senior architectural designer. Brown has wide experience across retail, education, sports and residential projects throughout New Zealand, and brings strong contextual design understanding. He is known for practical, resourceful solutions that balance time, budget and function.
John Shin joins as senior architectural technician. Shin brings extensive experience across residential, education and large-scale commercial projects, and is known for his practical, detail-driven approach, ensuring design intent is resolved clearly and carried through to construction with efficient on-site delivery.
Scott McKerrow joins as associate director and Christchurch studio lead. McKerrow is a design leader focused on people, culture and meaningful outcomes, and has delivered complex, innovative projects across multiple practices, building strong relationships with clients and collaborators. He embeds whanaungatanga, tikanga and te reo Māori in his practice, championing inclusive, culturally responsive design.
Pranil Mistry joins as architectural graduate. Mistry is an interior designer with experience across commercial and hospitality environments, passionate about creating functional, high-impact interior environments that align with concept narratives and enhance user experience, balancing creativity with technical resolution and delivery.
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