Situated at the confluence of expertise and vision, Navona is a consultancy committed to transforming New Zealand's health, safety, and wellbeing landscape.

Our mission transcends mere solutions; we aspire to drive systemic change, fostering an ecosystem where all key players collaborate and align. With a unique approach that marries deep industry knowledge with innovative strategies, Navona crafts pathways for impactful national and industry-level projects.

In every endeavor, our core values shine through: mutual benefits, agile methodologies, collaboration, progression, and resilience. As we weave together the strengths of specialised partnerships, Navona stands as a beacon of transformative change, shaping a healthier, safer, and more vibrant future for New Zealand.

Meet the Team

  • MikeOBrien

    Mike O'Brien

    FOUNDER

    People are at the forefront of what Mike does, fueling his drive to create impactful change across New Zealand. He connects, collaborates, and elevates those around him with the infinite goal of continual innovative growth and development.

    Mike has operational, senior executive and governance experience across a range of industries, enabling him to empathically understand organisations from the ground up.

  • DannielleHemelryk

    Dannielle Hemelryk

    COMMUNICATIONS

    Dannielle has diverse experience within luxury high-end brands and tech start-ups covering brand design and activation, user centred design, and marketing and communications. Dannielle has the ability to empathically understand users, dissect and simplify complex thinking and communicate effectively across media.

  • MelTan

    Mel Tan

    EA & COORDINATION

    With a diverse background that spans across creative design and operations, Mel plays a pivotal role in enabling the Navona Team to focus on strategic objectives. Through coordination and streamlining processes, she ensures the smooth progression of projects and initiatives. Her contributions play a crucial part in the seamless functioning of the organisation.

    With a distinctive vantage point acquired through her prior experiences, she possesses a unique ability - infusing creative innovation into administrative tasks while maintaining strategic intent. From managing complex schedules to crafting visually compelling presentations, enhancing overall efficiency and impact. Her prior professional journey equips her with a multifaceted perspective that transcends traditional boundaries.

Meet our partners

  • NeilShaw

    Neil Shaw

    BEGINNERS MIND

    Neil’s a Certified Management Consultant (CMC) with an extensive consultancy background in programme design, system capability/change and research and evaluation. He has worked on major initiatives in the UK and New Zealand in the areas of small business development, skills and capability, health and safety solutions and economic regeneration.

  • MartinGrant

    Martin Grant

    ADAPTATION

    Martin is a facilitator, designer and coach in the area of systems thinking and human-centred design. He sees his role as a provocateur challenging our norms and biases that inhibit us from achieving the change we desire. In recent years he has worked with many Government agencies and NGOs on projects that have needed to grapple with the complexity of the world we live in. His most recent work has been on construction and tourism industry transformation plans and the health, safety and wellbeing ecosystem. Martin has spent time in the field of commercial design and exporting. He sees himself as a lifelong learner, leading him on his journey into systems thinking.

  • RogerShakes

    Roger Shakes

    MEDIA TECH LTD

    Roger brings his extensive strategic brand and marketing experience to the Navona team. A seasoned practitioner operating across a range of industry sectors from government agencies to national and international consumer brands. Roger has the ability to articulate and convey complex issues with simple messaging to a targeted audience using the most appropriate marketing channels.

  • MichaelPoynter

    Michael Poynter

    MPC CONSULTING

    Having worked internationally, Mike has extensive research consultancy experience covering multiple industries and companies ranging from tech startups to Global 500 companies. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the table and ensures all solutions are evidence based and insights driven.

Navona and it’s partners would like to thank all project participants for their contributions and commitment to enhancing health, safety and wellbeing solutions within New Zealand.

Kirk Hope, BusinessNZ
Phil Parkes, WorkSafe
Richard Wagstaff, NZCTU
Isaac Carlson, ACC
Tane Cassidy, ACC
Paul MacKay, BusinessNZ
Cory Bourne, NZCTU
Kevin Lampen-Smith, WorkSafe
Virginia Burton-Konia, ACC
Francois Barton, BLHSF
Chris Alderson, CHASNZ
Mike Cosman, Independent
Shane Kinley, MBIE
Ali Whitton, WorkSafe
Selena Armstrong, NZISM
Max Riley, Chorus
Katrina Berry, Ngai Tahu
Chris Jones, Corrections
Felicity Lamm, AUT
Arama Johnston, WorkSafe
Hamish Mackie, HFESNZ
Alistair Forde, ADHB
Louisa Jones, First Union
Wendi Croft, Fletchers
Fiona Ewing, FISC
Brett Jeffery, AuSAE
Lance Goodall, GHSL
Tina Patterson, GHSL
Kate Truffit, Hort NZ
Dieter Adams, NZ Manufacturing Networks
Joanne Crawford, Victoria University
Philip Aldridge, Waihanga Ara Rau
Greg Dearsly, First 4 Safety
Miriska Gerber, NZOHS
Helen Sadgrove, HSE Global
Jono Brent, In Your Corner
Emma Brookes, PSB Solutions
Jon Harper-Slade, CHASNZ
David Langford: Whanganui District Council
Tamati Shepherd-Wipiiti. PwC
Roz Poole, PwC
Mike Picot, PwC
Mike Coster, PwC
Kirsten Stevens, PwC
Rosa Shand, PwC
Freddie Cleverly, PwC
Annie Wu, PwC

Scott Carse, WorkSafe
Mark Muller, First Union
Jeff Sissons, PSA
Rebecca McLean, University of Otago
Bikram Pandey, Massey University
Shane Turner, Canterbury University
Scott Kyle, ShopCare
Kate Truffit, HortNZ
Lance Goodall, GHSL
Mike Moloney, NZ Police
Warren Quirke, Small Passenger Services Assn
Stefan Iared, Uber
Lewis Mills, Uber
Katrina Berry, Ngai Tahu
Vance Walker, HASANZ
Verna Niao, MITO
Matt Roskruge, Te Rau Rangahau, Massey Un
Chris Maika, Ruku ki te Ako
Moira Loach, Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi
Ian Taylor, NZI
Patrick Morgan, Cycling Action Network
Rex Alexander, HSPNZ
Graeme Doull, Countdown
Denva Wren, Countdown
Paul Robertson, Auckland Council
Charles Dawson, Autosense
Jackie Herd, Fonterra
Robyn Bennett, NZISM
Robbie Paul, Waihanga Ara Rau WDC
Adam Bowers, Linfox
Mark Boocock, AUT
Muhammad Umar, Lincoln Uni
Dr Robert Radics, Lincoln Uni
Ian Laird, Massey University
Ravi Reddy, Massey University
Alan Nicholson, University of Canterbury
Rebecca McLean, University of Otago
Sam Charlton, University of Waikato
James Savage, Te Pūkenga (SIT)
Cary Monreal Clark, Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi
Tim Jones, Living Streets
Caroline Perry, Brake
Matt Fordham, Crank Communication
Simon Douglas, AA
David Keilty, Motorcycle Safety, ACC
Barry Bignell, Downer

Karen Thomas, Taituarā
Scott Necklen, LGNZ
Jim Stabback, Auckland Council
Bronwynn Maxwell, PSA
Gavin Ion, Waikato DC
Guy Smith, Waste Management NZ
Amy Hansen, E Tū
Karl Bridges, HASANZ
Lisa van der Plas, ECAN
Julie Barber, Wellington Regional Council
Rachel Bowen, WorkSafe
Tracy Kai, Te Waihanga
Frances Smorti, Manawatu DC
Andrew Steele, BLHSF
Peter Sanlon, WorkSafe Reps
Lance Goodall, Govt H&S Lead
Alastair Forde, Auckland DHB
Craig Cotton, SkillsVR
Dan Mahony, Waimea Group
Selena Armstrong, NZISM
Glenys Mcarthy, Whakatane DC
Sandy Barnes, Kaipara DC
Sharon MacFarlane, CCC
Rachel Lilley, TBI Health
Hilary Bennett, BLHSF
Nathan Hight, Safe365
Matt Smith, MyPassGlobal
Paul Harrison, Waka Kotahi
Kate Milburn, Umbrella
Brigitta Wassenaar, Auckland Transport
Tara Lewis, Fire and Emergency
Charlie Blanch, NEMA
Mathieu Wilson, Occupational Health Physio
Steven Slack, BOP DC
Kris Lancaster, Foodstuffs South Is.
Darron Stackhouse, Foodstuffs South Is.
Joanne Van De Berg, Foodstuffs North Is.
Blair Inglis, Foodstuffs North Is.
Tania Fafai, Foodstuffs North Is.
Mike Lewis: Brambles
Chris Litchfield, Pacific Coca-Cola Europacific
Samantha Rogers, Pacific Coca-Cola Europacific
Peter Reidy, Kiwi Rai
Sacha Montgomery, Kiwi Rail
Vanessa Matakatea, Ports of Auckland
Jon Adams (ex), Toll Global Express NZ