New faces, fresh energy and familiar names returning home. From James Gough stepping up at The Terrace, to Gavin Read’s return to Westpac and new appointments across the regions, our members continue to shape the future of property from every corner of Aotearoa.
James Gough takes the reins at The Terrace
Framed by the Avon River, The Terrace stands as one of Christchurch’s most defining post-quake developments – a lively mix of hospitality, business and public space that helped reignite the city’s heart.
The vision began with property investor Antony Gough, whose commitment and personal investment restored confidence in Christchurch when it was needed most. His goal: to create something timeless, people-focused, and uniquely local.
Now, that legacy continues as James Gough steps into a hands-on role as Executive Director. After 15 years on the Christchurch City Council, James brings deep knowledge of the city and a drive to keep The Terrace at the forefront of urban life.
“Antony’s vision created one of the South Island’s most defining precincts,” James says. “My role is to carry that legacy forward and ensure The Terrace keeps leading the way.”
James has also joined Property Council’s South Island Regional Committee, taking up the mantle from Antony, who dedicated 30 years of service to the committee.
Gavin Read returns to Westpac
Westpac are thrilled to welcome Gavin Read back to Westpac as one of their Auckland Area Managers. Gavin Read previously sat on Property Council’s Auckland Regional Committee helping to shape our advocacy, networking and events.
Gavin rejoins Westpac after four years away, bringing with him over 40 years of commercial experience and a deep understanding of banking and property finance. His return adds valuable depth to their national property expertise and strengthens their leadership across the country.
Gavin’s collaborative style and strategic insight will be instrumental in supporting the national distribution channel, helping Westpac continually show up differently for customers, with tailored solutions and meaningful impact.
Russell McVeagh welcome Brian Clayton
Russell McVeagh are delighted to welcome Brian Clayton to their construction practice.
Brian arrives with an impressive track record and will be working closely with Construction expert partners Ed Crook, Anna Crosbie and Michael Taylor. Together, they offer industry-leading advice on the most complex and significant construction transactions in the market.
The construction team’s expertise spans every facet of construction law – from deep familiarity with national and international contract forms and regulatory frameworks like the Construction Contracts Act, to comprehensive dispute resolution strategies.
They look forward to continuing to work together with clients on projects that shape the future of the construction landscape.
Kirk Roberts Consulting welcomes new National Structural Manager, Deborah Curd
Kirk Roberts Consulting is delighted to welcome Deborah Curd as our new National Structural Manager. Deborah brings over 20 years of experience in New Zealand’s construction and property industry, with a background spanning commercial, educational, and infrastructure projects. Her expertise in seismic strengthening, structural design, and collaborative project delivery makes her an exceptional fit for this national leadership role.
As National Structural Manager, Deborah will lead the structural team across all regions, driving technical excellence, consistency, and innovation.
“Joining Kirk Roberts at this stage of its growth is an exciting opportunity,” says Deborah. “I’m looking forward to working with our talented teams to strengthen collaboration and ensure our structural capability continues to evolve.”
Julio Ortiz joins Kirk Roberts Consulting as Christchurch Structural Manager
Kirk Roberts Consulting is pleased to announce the appointment of Julio Ortiz as Structural Manager, Christchurch.Julio brings extensive technical expertise and a strong focus on sustainable structural design. Passionate about integrating environmental responsibility into every stage of project delivery, he has led teams that balance performance, innovation, and long-term value.
Beyond project work, Julio contributes to advancing sustainable engineering across the industry. He serves on SESOC’s Management Committee, SESOC’s Sustainable Design Task Force, and the IABSE TG6.7 international working group, which focuses on the transition towards carbon neutrality.
Leana De Bruin moving from Octa to Fosters
Leana De Brui recently joined Fosters as Business Development Manager from her previous role as Senior Project Manager at Octa Project Management. Leana is a NZ Silver Fern legend and speaker at Property Council Women in Property event in Hamilton earlier this year.
Drawing on her high-performance sporting background, Leana brings a winning mindset, strong leadership, and a drive to build meaningful connections across the Waikato and beyond.
She’s the perfect fit for our new Business Development Manager role -focused on developing and maintaining long-term client partnerships and identifying new opportunities that align with Fosters’ commitment to thriving community.
Leana will also represent Fosters through community and industry engagement, including speaking events and the promotion of careers in construction.
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