CKL has announced a leadership transition within its Tauranga branch.
John Sternberg, who has been serving as both Tauranga Branch Manager and Engineering Manager, will now focus solely on his Engineering Manager role.
Stepping into the role of Tauranga Branch Manager alongside his existing position as Planning Manager is Daniel Brown, a seasoned professional with over 15 years of planning and project management experience across the public and private sectors in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. He’s been with CKL since 2018.
Reflecting on the transition, Daniel Brown said that being ‘born and bred’ in the Bay of Plenty, joining the Tauranga office earlier this year from Auckland felt like a bit of a homecoming for him.
“Since working with CKL, I’ve been watching the Tauranga branch with interest and was excited when the opportunity to contribute at a more strategic level came up. I have significant experience in overseeing land development projects from inception to completion, particularly with Auckland Council bylaws, consents, compliance, and enforcement.
“Auckland has certainly grown into a multi-development space, something which Tauranga is just starting to see with plan changes and the central government initiatives and legislation coming into play. So, bringing that experience down from Auckland is timely and applicable for our clients here in Tauranga.”
Tauranga holds a strategic position within CKL's network of offices, and this transition underscores the company's commitment to fostering growth and nurturing talent within its ranks.
John Sternberg's tenure as Branch Manager has been marked by his dedication to expanding the disciplines within the Tauranga office, including planning, surveying, engineering, environmental engineering, and considerable expertise in the local government and Three Waters space. His leadership has played a pivotal role in positioning the Tauranga office as a hub for diverse expertise, reflecting CKL's broader capabilities while maintaining a strong local footprint.
John emphasised the value of Daniel's experience to the Tauranga branch noting, "Daniel brings a wealth of knowledge gained from working on larger projects in diverse environments both here and overseas. His expertise in navigating complex planning processes and his understanding of the evolving landscape in land development will be instrumental as Tauranga undergoes significant growth and transformation."
CKL Director, Geoff Webster commended John's commitment to fostering talent within the company.
"John's dedication to nurturing future leaders within CKL is commendable. His decision to step aside from the Branch Manager role reflects his belief in empowering others to take on strategic responsibilities.
“Since joining the company, Daniel has focused on co-ordinating and leading the talented team of planners as our Auckland Planning Manager and made the progression to become an associate. Now located in Tauranga, Daniel's appointment represents a natural progression, and we are confident in his ability to lead our Tauranga branch into its next phase of growth."
Since opening in November 2019, the office has continued to grow which reflects CKL’s confidence in Tauranga being one of the growth hubs for urban development in New Zealand.
