A father of three teenage girls and husband to Vicky, Brendon and his family have been in Hawke’s Bay since the beginning of 2007. Originally from the winterless north and after stints of study in Auckland and Waikato, and roles based in Taranaki, Rotorua, and Auckland, Brendon has settled into the Hawke’s Bay lifestyle for the long term.

With over 30 years’ sport and recreation industry experience, across a range of roles and organisations (including regional and national sports organisational management, and sports facilities management), Brendon is an astute consultant providing advice to sport, recreation and leisure related organisations.

Commencing in the sector with Sport Taranaki, Brendon has worked for regional and national sports organisations throughout the North Island.  He has facility management expertise developed through his roles at Pettigrew.Green Arena, Hawke’s Bay Institute of Sport & Health, and the Green Family Taradale Pool.

More recently Brendon developed his consultancy capabilities.  Combining these with his depth of experience and knowledge in sport and recreation facilities, he delivers community outcomes sustainably and efficiently for the right result. 

RECENT PROJECT ENGAGEMENT

·       Centralines Sport Complex future directions stakeholder facilitation – Central Hawke’s Bay District Council (current)

·       Section 17A aquatic services review (lead - partnered with Xyst who are leading a campground review) - Tararua District Council (current)

·       Whangārei Aquatic Centre renewals programme support (Amotto is the lead) – Whangārei District Council (current)

·       Warehouse conversion project business case – Tauranga City Basketball Association (2024)

·       Whangārei Aquatic Centre ownership options analysis (lead - partnered with Xyst) – Whangārei District Council (2024)

·       Otūmoetai Community Pool Working Group – Tauranga City Council (current)

·       Kiwa Pools business analysis review – Gisborne District Council (2024)

·       Swim School enhancement review – Go Waipa (2024)

·       Carterton pool roof installation funding guidance and procurement – Carterton Swim Club (2022-current)

·       National aquatics facilities strategy (lead author - partnered with GLG) - Sport New Zealand (2023-24)

·       National indoor physical recreation and sport facilities strategy (co-author - partnered with GLG) - Sport New Zealand (2023-24)

·       Glenorchy ECE-Pool Options Paper – Queenstown Lakes District Council (2024)

·       Napier City Rovers all gender change facilities needs and feasibility assessment – Napier City Rovers Football Club (2023-24)

·       Whangārei Aquatic Centre Review (lead - partnered with Xyst, Amotto and +More) – Whangārei District Council (2023-24)

·       Aquatic facilities and water-based recreation needs assessment (lead - partnered with RSL) Palmerston North City Council (2023)

·       Katikati pool roof installation project management - Western Bay of Plenty District Council (2023)

·       Learn to Swim Enterprise Review, Hamilton City Council (2023)

·       Carterton indoor pool business case – Carterton Swimming Club (2022)

Projects completed as a Xyst employee:

·       Pahiatua indoor pool business case – Tararua District Council (2021)

·       Aquatic facilities and services - community and school pool review - Dunedin City Council (2022)

·       Otaraua Park multi-purpose circuit feasibility study – Kāpiti Coast District Council (2022)

·       Section 17A aquatic services review - Waikato District Council (2021)

·       Pakipaki Historic Church feasibility study – Pakipaki Whare Karakia Charitable Trust (2021)

·       Blake Park multi-club options and feasibility report – Tauranga City Council (2020-2021)

·       Hamilton Partner Pools Programme Review – Hamilton City Council (2021)

·       Maraekakaho Hall Trust feasibility study – Maraekakaho Church Hall Trust (2020)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

July 2022  Director | Principal Consultant, smartz

2019-July 2022  Senior Consultant, Xyst Ltd

2018-2019          Operations & Commercial Manager, Hawke’s Bay Institute of Sport and Health

2013-2018          Training Delivery Manager, Talent Leader, Training Manager, IMPAC Health and Safety Solutions

2009-2013          Chief Executive Officer, Pettigrew.Green Arena

2006-2009          Regional Manager, Eastern Netball Region Inc.

1997-2007          Various roles

Training Consultant/Director, Smartz

Client Liaison, Skills Active ITO

HR & Training Development Manager, YMCA Auckland

Residential Manager, Manukau Institute of Technology

Provincial & KiwiTouch Development Manager, Touch NZ

Sport Development Manager, Sport Taranaki

KEY QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING

·       ARPro Level 3 2024

·       Bachelor of Leisure Studies, Waikato University

·       Diploma in Applied Sports Studies, Auckland Institute of Technology

·       Nat Cert in Occupational Health & Safety (Workplace) Level 3

·       Nat Cert in Adult Education, Levels 4 & 5

·       NZ Cert in Engineering, Auckland Institute of Technology

 PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

·       Fellow, Recreation Aotearoa

·       Committee member, Recreation Aotearoa Midlands Region

·       Joint owner, Dolphin Academy Ltd, aquatic facility management company

SPECIALIST AREAS

·       Strategic and operational management advisory

·       Needs assessments

·       Feasibility studies

·       Business cases

·       Community engagement

·       Facility and asset management planning

·       Funding planning and applications

·       Quality management: policy, procedure and systems development

PUBLISHED WORKS

School Pools Saved - Australasian Parks and Leisure. B. Rope. (2021)