urban task force

Meet the Board

Governance of the Urban Task Force (UTF) is provided by a leadership committee dedicated to delivering our key strategic priorities:

  • Growth
  • Governance & Leadership
  • Connections
  • Vision
  • Education & Economy
  • Iwi Partnerships
  • Civic & Community Facilities
  • Funding & Investment

UTF works closely with Ngai Te Rangi and Ngati Ranginui, who both have representatives on our leadership committee.

UTF works in collaborative partnership with other local key stakeholder associations including:

Priority One, Tauranga Chamber of Commerce, Tauranga Maona Museum Trust and Property Council.

scott adams

Scott Adams

Chairperson, Founding Member

Scott Adams - Chair

Scott is the Managing Director and General Manager of Carrus group. He is responsible for the financial performance and day-to-day management of all projects throughout New Zealand, including engineering and design, plan changes, resource consents, and achieving commercial outcomes.
omea williams

Omea Willows

Vice Chairperson

Omea Willows - Vice Chair

Omea has extensive experience in the commercial property sector, having worked in the industry for over 10 years focusing on client engagement with previous experience in the legal sector. She is recognised for her leadership skills and focus on continual improvement.
scott mckenzie

Scott McKenzie

Vice Chairperson, Founding Member

Scott McKenzie - Vice Chair, Founding Member

Scott has a wealth of commercial and leadership experience in diverse businesses across New Zealand and the United Kingdom, including ASB Bank in New Zealand, the Bank of New Zealand and the Royal Bank of Scotland in London.
adam ross

Adam Ross

Vice Chairperson

Adam Ross - Vice Chair

With over 20 years’ experience in commercial business development, Adam manages the big picture for Sabre and its related business entities. Throughout his career he’s acquired skills across a broad range of industries including property development, construction, product design, manufacturing and retail. Adam now focuses on the overall management and delivery of projects for Sabre’s clients. His strategic nature means he’s always looking for the right angle and opportunity to bring different parties together to collaborate.
steve cutfield

Steve Cutfield

Founding Member

Steve Cutfield - Founding Member

Steve is recognised for his ability to identify, design, and deploy innovative techniques and solutions that result in the improvement of process and delivery efficiency, while driving commercial viability, quality results, and sustainable outcomes.
rachel member

Rachel Emerson

Member

Rachel Emerson - Member

Rachel has a strong background in all facets of real estate having worked in a wide spectrum of property roles for retailers, landlords and developers. Roles include Portfolio Leasing National Bank including both new branch rollout and CBD rationalisation, CBD high rise property and portfolio management, shopping centre leasing, development management, industrial land subdivision and sales.
sean haynes head shot

Sean Haynes

Member

Sean Haynes - Member

Sean has extensive experience in property development and business leadership. Having structured and delivered a wide range of developments both locally and internationally he brings in-depth technical knowledge and commercial acumen across the property industry.
daniel profile

Daniel Wetherill

Member

Daniel Wetherill - Member

Daniel brings over a decade of industry expertise. Recognized for his business leadership, technical proficiency, and a commitment to innovation, he has played a vital role, including the Christchurch Rebuild post-earthquake and exploring Virtual Reality Building Inspections.
jared baronian head shot

Jared Baronian

Member

Jared Baronian - Member

Jared has had leading roles in billion-dollar deals from energy mergers to warships and satellite programs, was a founding member of a disruptive geospatial mapping technology now used globally, and has regularly travelled the globe working in Europe and North America. More recently he driven the development of retirement villages, aged care facilities, medical, retail, accommodation, and residential subdivisions at the Sanderson Group.
ben connick

Ben Connick

Founding Member

Ben Connick - Founding Member

Ben is an accomplished professional with over 26 years of experience in the construction industry. Throughout his career, he has held various key positions, including Quantity Surveyor, Commercial Manager, and New Business Manager. Since joining Hawkins in 2012, Ben has played an integral role in the company's growth and success, currently serving as the Central Regional Manager. His leadership and management experience, combined with his deep industry knowledge and strong relationships, have made him a vital member of the Hawkins National leadership team. Ben's passion and strategic approach ensure the successful delivery of projects, making him a respected figure in the industry.
ben hume

Ben Hume

Member

Ben Hume - Member

Ben Hume is a Chartered Fire Engineer with over 20 years of experience in both international and New Zealand contexts. Raised in the Bay of Plenty, he has focused his career on designing safe buildings that facilitate the architectural vision, enhancing community value. Ben is known for his practical thinking and strong leadership skills, consistently delivering results through his dedicated approach to engineering challenges.
aaron hill

Aaron Hill

Member

Aaron Hill - Member

With over two decades of hands-on experience in the construction industry, Aaron has amassed considerable expertise, consistently delivering projects that meet client expectations. His experience stretches across managing multiple new builds in the residential sector and large commercial projects, giving him deep insights into client needs and crafting solutions specific to these requirements.
kyle dickinson

Kyle Dickinson

Member

Kyle Dickinson - Member

As Director and General Manager of Mike Greer Homes Bay of Plenty, Kyle brings over 15 years of leadership experience in the construction and development sectors. Specialising in strategic planning and team leadership, he takes a dynamic, results-driven approach to delivering high-quality residential projects that align with community needs. Kyle is passionate about positively impacting the region through thoughtful and sustainable development.
buddy

Buddy Mikaere

Founding Member

Buddy Mikaere - Founding Member

Buddy Mikaere is a professional historian by qualification and specialises in Maori consultation and associated activities. For over twenty-five years, Buddy has facilitated Maori consultation for many development projects working closely with government departments, local government, large corporate companies, iwi entities and private clients.
stanley

Paora Stanley

Founding Member

Paora Stanley - Founding Member

Chief Executive of Ngāi te Rangi
Ngāi Te Rangi is an iwi of the Mataatua waka whose founding ancestors are Te Rangihouhiri and Tamapahore.  Paora is responsible for the Ngāi Te Rangi ​Settlement Trust.
hayden boag

Hayden Boag

Leader Development Scholarship Winner 2025

Hayden Boag - Leader Development Scholarship Winner 2025

As this year’s winner of the UTF Leader Development Scholarship, Hayden Boag is a Civil Engineer at S&L Land Specialists, where he serves as Project Manager, Site Engineer and Health and Safety Officer, overseeing the successful delivery of multiple subdivisions across the Bay of Plenty. Hayden excels in client relations, and leadership and is passionate about continuous improvement. Hayden is also part of the S&L Land Specialists 'Emerging Leaders Program', designed to equip future leaders within S&L and our industry generally - board experience and an insight to governance will be invaluable as part of this journey.

UTF employs paid executives to undertake the day-to-day operations of the organisation and work with the leadership committee to gather insights, provide advocacy and represent the UTF in its dealings with local and central authorities.

Beyond UTF’s advocacy workstreams, the organisation also hosts an extensive events programme which provides informative and educational networking engagements for members. These include events such as speaker series, site visits to new developments and panel discussions.

UTF’s Board Members are highly dedicated and committed business professionals who bring a combined 230+ years of property industry knowledge and expertise to the organisation.

Get in Touch

Whether you have a question about UTF or anything else, leave us a message and we will get back to you shortly.