Shaun Hamilton
Company: GHD
Job title: Regional Leader - Waikato
What Regional Chair position are you interested in? Waikato
About Shaun
I'm the Waikato Regional Leader for GHD, with a background in planning and a career spent in the consulting world — aside from a two‑year stint in the UK.
I'm passionate about how consulting makes a real difference, from shaping infrastructure to creating places that improve our communities. Most of my work has been in the transport, waters, waste, energy, and development sectors.
Working in a multidisciplinary consultancy means I've been involved in a wide variety of projects and teamed up with colleagues across different areas. This hands-on experience has given me a clear insight into how consultancy truly operates, the value we provide, and the challenges we face along the way. In my regional leader role, I'm part of handling contractual agreements for panels and projects at GHD, which gives me a good view of the commercial and risk factors that are so important to our work — one of the many things ACE New Zealand advocates for.
Pepeha or whakapapa/family history
Ko Awhitu te whenua
Ko Manukau te moana
Ko Waikato te awa
Noo Waiuku ahau
Ko Hamilton te whanau
Ko Shaun taku ingoa
What strengths do you bring to the Regional Chair role?
As the ACE Waikato Regional Chair, I’ll bring my strengths to building genuine connections and ensuring members' voices are heard. I really enjoy chatting with people, connecting with them, and understanding what drives their decisions and concerns. I plan to engage with professionals across Waikato — from small firms to large organisations — to grasp the key issues facing our members in today’s evolving legislative environment. My background in consulting gives me the insight needed to communicate these concerns directly to ACE, ensuring our local challenges are clearly understood.
Equally important, I’ll work to make sure members fully appreciate the benefits and services that ACE offers. By keeping an open line of communication between local professionals and national leadership, I aim to highlight our unique priorities and foster a supportive dialogue.
Through regular conversations and collaborative events where possible, I’m committed to building a resilient consulting community in Waikato — one that’s well informed, closely connected, and equipped to navigate today’s challenges.
How would you support ACE's mahi in your region?
I would support ACE’s mahi by serving as the link between local consultants and ACE’s national leadership. In Waikato, my focus will be on building strong connections within our community, making myself available as a familiar face to reach out to, and communicating the benefits and services that ACE delivers.
I will regularly engage with local consultants to gather insights and communicate their feedback to ACE. By maintaining clear and consistent communication, I aim to highlight regional priorities and ensure that ACE’s resources and support are aligned with the specific needs of members in the region, and that members are aware of what ACE offers and the support available to them. Additionally, where possible, I plan to organise technical knowledge sharing sessions to help members understand and navigate current challenges for the industry.
My role will be to amplify members' voices in the region, ensuring that their concerns are well represented at the national level, and that they have knowledge and understanding of the resources and support available to them through being an ACE member.
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