About Kestrel
Kestrels are renown for their keen eyesight and accuracy.
They hover above the ground, taking in the whole scene and the smallest details. At Kestrel Group we take the same approach. We review a situation in its wider context and follow up with detailed insights on the issues and solutions that will make your organisation more resilient.
We’ve been doing this since 2003, working with our clients to improve their readiness, response and recovery capabilities. Our work ranges from high-level strategies right down to the plans, resources and training necessary to protect your business from unforeseen circumstances.
We have worked with major corporations, local and national government agencies, small and medium businesses and even a small country. Working with Kestrel Group means you are working with real industry experts who have had a role in responses to and recoveries from actual events.
Our Team
Dave is a recognised leader in the building, infrastructure, emergency management and research sectors. The majority of his work involves the leadership and co-ordination of complex multi-agency projects across these sectors.
Dave currently chairs the Te Whatu Ora Health Engineering Advisory Group that is developing technical oversight on the design of hospital buildings. He is the principal engineering adviser to a range of other national organisations and local authorities.
Dave was awarded Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to engineering and emergency management in the 2022 New Year Honours. He is a Distinguished Fellow of Engineering New Zealand and Life Member of both the NZ Society for Earthquake Engineering and the Structural Engineering Society of New Zealand. In 2012 he received the Minister of Civil Defence’s Silver Award in recognition of his important contribution to Civil Defence Emergency Management.
Developing and facilitating crisis exercises is just one of Sandra’s areas of expertise.
Sandra has assisted a range of organisations with their planning for emergency events, covering everything from developing crisis management and business continuity capabilities to preparing for pandemics. She has also helped organisations to prepare for their involvement in both local and national exercises.
Prior to joining Kestrel Group in 2006, Sandra spent eight years with the Wellington City Council Emergency Management Office honing her skills in emergency management. With her postgraduate Diploma in Emergency Management from AUT, Sandra combines academic with practical knowledge in delivering solutions to our clients.
Sandra continues to be hands-on in an operational capacity and assisting Regional Public Health in their response to Covid-19, utilising her experience with the Ministry of Health and Regional Public Health during the H1N1 swine flu influenza pandemic. As well as this, during the response to Christchurch earthquake in February 2011, Sandra undertook the role of Lifelines Utility Co-ordinator with the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management.
“Working with Kestrel has given clarity, good process and structure to our Business Continuity arrangements.”
Stewart Davies
Head of Emergency Management Palmerston North City Council
Karen has over 20 years in the crisis management, business continuity and emergency management field which have taken her around the world, managing assignments in the Pacific, US, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. She initially developed her knowledge in these areas as a lead consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers. Since 2004 she has been providing advice and support in a consulting role and joined Kestrel in 2010.
Crisis management exercises are Karen’s forte and she has worked with Transpower, ACC, Spark, Chorus, ESR, Reserve Bank of New Zealand and Inland Revenue as well as many small and medium businesses. Karen has also worked closely with civil defence agencies on major national exercises, including scenarios for a Wellington earthquake, a pandemic and a volcanic eruption in Auckland.
As well as offering crisis management services, Karen works with large and small corporate and government organisations on the design and implementation of business continuity solutions in line with international standards.
Mike joined Kestrel in 2018 after nine years as Chief Engineer for the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment. He has extensive national and international experience in engineering, building regulation, construction, and project, quality and risk management.
Mike provided technical leadership to central government in its response to the leaky building crisis, the weathertightness failure of house framing, described as a “systemic failure” of the building system in New Zealand. He also took a lead role for the Ministry’s technical work relating to the recovery of the 2010/11 Canterbury earthquakes, including responding to Royal Commission recommendations and implementing lessons across New Zealand.
Mike is a Distinguished Fellow of Engineering New Zealand and a Life Member of the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering, the Structural Engineering Society New Zealand and the New Zealand Geotechnical Society. He is the only engineer to hold such recognition from his peers. He has presented at numerous New Zealand and international conferences.
Is your organisation prepared for the unexpected?
Wingspan Rotorua
Kestrel Group is a proud sponsor of the Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre – supporting the conservation, breeding and rehabilitation of native falcons and wild birds.