Mike Keir
Statement of Intent: (As received)
A vote for me, and for Aksel Bech for Mayor, means doing things better. If you want change (and you should!) – vote for both of us.Having completed one term at Council, I’m frustrated at the red tape and reluctance to fix something that’s broken. I was the only Councillor to vote against massive rates rises for the next eight years.
I’ve lived in Tamahere for 25+ years, raising a family and planting thousands of trees. I’m a qualified civil engineer, former CEO of infrastructure companies and co-own a civil projects firm. I teach engineering students at Diploma level.
I have a real-world understanding of roading and infrastructure – Council’s biggest spend and a massive driver of rates. Yet many savings initiatives I’ve recommended have been blocked. It’s hugely frustrating.
To get a different result, we must change something, and fast. We need new leadership and a new mayor.
Curriculum Vitae – Mike Keir
Councillor
Waikato District Council · Part-time Oct 2022 - Present · Waikato
Skills: Written Communication · Stakeholder Management · Change Management · Road Transport · Communication · Governance · Coaching
Roles: Working with council staff in a governance role to manage a complex district with significant demographic, funding and growth related challenges.
Shareholder/Director
Keir Landscaping and Structures Ltd Jun 2017 - Present · Cambridge, Waikato.
Skills: Written Communication · Team Management · Team Building · Stakeholder Management · Procurement · Change Management · Administration · Project Engineering · Cost Planning · Pricing Strategy · Real Estate Owned (REO) · Communication · Civil Engineering · Coaching
Growth: Helped to grow this business from 5 staff to 18, treble turnover and profitability.
JFK Ltd
Self Employed, Civil Management Consultancy: Dec 2013 – Present. Waikato
Skills: Written Communication · Procurement · Administration · Project Engineering · Cost Planning · Road Transport · Pricing Strategy · Real Estate Owned (REO) · Communication · Civil Engineering.
Rolls: Managing Civil projects for developers and contractors and providing advice on contractual matters. Providing teaching services
Tutor
NZIHT/WITT/Te Pukenga: Jan 2006 - Present · Hamilton, Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Palmerston North, New Plymouth. Block Course Delivery Model.
Lecturing on Materials, Geology, Geometric Design, Contract/Project Management courses in the Diploma of Engineering, the Graduate Diploma of Engineering and Bachelor of Engineering
Skills: Written Communication · Administration · Road Transport · Communication · Civil Engineering · Coaching
Civil Construction Manager/Shareholder
Schick Civil Construction: Sep 2008 - Sept 2015 · 7 yrs Waikato
Pricing and managing civil construction contracts. Strategy
Skills: Written Communication · Team Management · Team Building · Stakeholder Management · Procurement · Change Management · Administration · Project Engineering · Cost Planning · Road Transport · Pricing Strategy · Real Estate Owned (REO) · Communication · Civil Engineering · Coaching ·
Waikato Regional Manager
Transfield Services (Now Broadspectrum) Jul 2004 - Jul 2008 · 4 yrs Waikato
· Managing 2 highway maintenance contracts, negotiating capital projects and liaising with a range of network stakeholders.
Skills: Written Communication · Team Management · Team Building · Stakeholder Management · Procurement · Change Management · Administration · Project Engineering · Cost Planning · Road Transport · Pricing Strategy · Communication · Civil Engineering · Coaching ·
General Manager
Glover Contractors Jul 2001 - Jun 2004 · 3 yrs Waikato
General Civil Contractor specialising in pavements and surfacing works
Skills: Written Communication · Team Management · Team Building · Stakeholder Management · Procurement · Change Management · Administration · Project Engineering · Cost Planning · Road Transport · Pricing Strategy · Communication · Civil Engineering · Coaching
Contract Manager
BECA International Sep 2000 - Apr 2001 · Belize Central America
Managing a US $5miliion World Bank funded roading project
Skills: Problem Solving Design Solutions Logistical Solutions Written Communication · Team Building & Management ·Stakeholder Management · Procurement · Change Management · Administration · Project Engineering · Cost Planning · Communication · Civil Engineering · Coaching
CEO
Inframax Construction Apr 1995 - Sept 2000 · 6yrs Te Kuiti
· Managing all aspects of a Council Owned (Waitomo District) civil construction company reporting to a Board of Directors. I took this job on to demonstrate that public companies could perform at a high level while delivering benefits to shareholders and rewarding staff fairly. While in this role Inframax won the first 10 year performance specified maintenance contract in NZ.
Skills: Written Communication · Team Management · Team Building · Stakeholder Management · Procurement · Change Management · Administration · Project Engineering · Cost Planning · Road Transport · Pricing Strategy · Real Estate Owned (REO) · Communication · Civil Engineering · Coaching
Education
Deacon University
Master of Business Administration (MBA), Engineering Technology, General 1993 - 1997
Skills: Communication · Administration · Written Communication Research
The University of Waikato
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), Double Major Geography/Earth Science, 1987 - 1989
Central Institute of Technology, Trentham
New Zealand Certificate of Engineering 1980 - 1981
Manifesto
My manifesto or six key issues are:
Accountability: One of the big issues in the local government sector is a lack of accountability. This requires a culture change so that good performance is rewarded and poor performance is penalised.
Efficiency: I believe councils can get a lot more value for the money that is spent. NZ is one of the worst performers in this area in the developed world.
Performance: As per efficiency above, we need to perform better than we currently are, this will require de-regulation to free up resource and allow suppliers and council to operate more efficiently.
Communication: We need to communicate what we are doing and why better to our ratepayers.
Collaboration: We need to work with our suppliers, staff, other councils, government and stakeholders to maximise opportunity. By doing all of the above this will encourage trust and collaboration.
Backbone: Council needs to take a strong position on reform and push back on unreasonable, expensive government requirements and mandates.
Email Address: mailto:mike@jfk.nz
