About us

With a recruitment career spanning back to 2005, Tony Pownall brings deep experience across industries and functions throughout New Zealand, Australia, and Asia. Before co-founding Cultivate, he served as General Manager in both Hong Kong and Auckland for a global talent consultancy, leading high-performing teams and complex client engagements.

Tony specialises in the appointment of senior executives and business-critical roles—particularly where complexity is heightened. This may involve newly created positions, internal competition, multiple stakeholders, or broader organisational change. His strength lies in distilling business needs into clear, evidence-based hiring strategies and designing robust, defendable processes that consistently deliver exceptional outcomes.

He also regularly speaks at industry events and provides labour market commentary for TVNZ. He trains leaders and HR professionals, challenging traditional thinking around attraction and selection. He believes every leader can and should be a talent magnet.

Helping businesses to build a sustainable future based on ‘performance through people is what drives him in business hours. Outside of work he's hopelessly addicted to cycling and getting outdoors. A pursuit made easier by having to keep up with two very active children.

Originally a proud West Aucklander, Trina has over 25 years’ in recruitment and has spent close to half that time leading and driving successful teams. Trina has built an incredible reputation as an industry expert, relationship manager and people leader. Trina runs one of the most experienced specialist recruitment teams in Auckland, yet still works hands on with clients building trust based relationships and an unwavering commitment to ensure candidates receive the very best experience.  

Avid people person and highly motivated to play an active role in driving women in leadership, along with improving diversity and inclusion outcomes across our Māori, Pasifika, and neurodiverse talent pools.

If Trina’s not recruiting you’ll find her travelling, it’s her biggest hobby and firm favourites include Italy and Bali.

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Craig leads our Executive Search division, bringing over two decades of experience recruiting executive talent across the UK and New Zealand. Since 2003, he has built a reputation for connecting senior leaders with high-impact roles across a diverse range of sectors.

He has worked in close partnership with boards and executive teams, designing tailored recruitment strategies for C-suite and strategically significant positions. Craig is valued for his relationship-led style, nuanced market insight, and commitment to inclusive, values-driven hiring. His ability to understand the unique context of each organisation ensures that every appointment is both impactful and enduring.

Growing up in South & East Auckland (past 15 years based in the West), Kelly is of Irish, Ngapuhi and Tainui descent. In addition, she spent 4 years working in various countries throughout South East Asia, so has a natural understanding and respect for the cultural diversity within Aotearoa.

A respected industry leader, Kelly has over 15 years of experience helping candidates and clients in the Accounting Support, Payroll and Shared Services space, as well as leading teams. Kelly’s clients appreciate her transparent, genuine nature and willingness to go the extra mile to ensure everyone she works with has a rewarding and successful recruitment experience. With a deep knowledge of the industry, Kelly prides herself on maintaining an extensive network within her specialisation and regularly holds networking events.

Her big lovesoutside of work are her rescue dog patches, music, friends and whanau!  

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With an excess of 25 years in the recruitment industry, it’s no surprise Nicola is well known as one of the leading Temp recruiters in Auckland.  Nicola is an exceptional recruiter, specialising in volume based projects, placing temporary staffing for her clients.  You name it, Nicola has achieved it in the industry.  She has achieved feats for her clients that astound those who work with her (including us).  Let’s just say not many recruiters have been known to find 90 temporary staff for their clients in 2 weeks!  She may be able to move at the speed of light, but nobody that ever deals with her feels anything less than special.

Born and bred in Wellington, Kathryn (Kat) has predominantly spent the last 15 years recruiting within the Auckland market - specialising in Financial Services and Business & Operations support. As an experienced recruitment partner and leader, Kathryn has helped hiring managers build capability in their teams whilst assisting hundreds of individuals take the next step in their career.

Passionate about people, diversity and careers, Kathryn has cultivated an extensive network of long standing relationships that has been built on shared values, trust and capability. You can be confident you’ll experience a similar connection with Kathryn... most likely with some added banter and her cheeky laugh.

Favourite hot spot for this proud yet busy mum to escape the hustle and bustle: The rock of Polynesia, Niue!

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Darron (affectionately known to us as Daz) began his recruitment career in South Africa in the retail sector in 2002. He has spent the past 15 years specialising in the Accounting Support function, both permanent and temporary and is very well known within the Auckland industry.  He always delves deeper than a CV and has a great eye for potential.  

Darron is appreciated for his warmth, patience and easy humour.  He works in partnership with Kelly, and together they would easily be the longest serving practitioners locally in this space.

As Dad of three, Daz is a true family man, is famous for his home-made biltong and cooks a mean BBQ.

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Rachel has been recruiting in the Auckland market over 16 years specialising in Accounting and Finance. During this time she’s had the privilege of working with hundreds of people at different stages in their career and has played an integral role in matching the right company with the perfect talent. Using knowledge gained from over a decade in the industry, Rachel’s clients and candidates appreciate the extra time she invests in coaching and guiding them towards achieving their goals and has cultivated long term relationships based on integrity and trust.

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A proud Westie, Rachel enjoys having one of Auckland’s well-loved West Coast beaches right on her doorstep and can often be spotted early mornings walking with her four and two legged kids.

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Zoe began her career in the freight forwarding industry and spent 10 years moving her way up through Customs, Imports, Exports, and Sales. She has a real passion for logistics and in the last 3 years has been recruiting for some of New Zealand’s largest freight, shipping and supply chain companies. Working in the industry gives Zoe a unique insight into her customer’s needs, the true demands of each role and what it takes to be successful.  Zoe has a strong customer focus and with her bubbly, driven and caring nature she thrives on giving her customers the best service possible.

Verona started her career in retail sales, progressing to Auckland regional manager for one of Australasia’s largest retail groups. Through a chance meeting with a recruiter, Verona was introduced to the recruitment industry and the world of freight, and has spent the last 7 years recruiting for international and New Zealand owned freight, shipping and supply chain companies. She is passionate about helping people and has an in-depth knowledge of the freight industry and the huge career opportunities this field has to offer. Verona is committed to understanding your career aspirations and supporting you to maximise your potential at any stage in your career.

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Originally from Dunedin, Liam began his recruitment journey in Perth Australia as a permanent supply chain and logistics consultant, spanning freight forwarding, transport and warehousing.

He has leveraged his background across the sports, education and construction industries, as well as his time within semi-professional rugby, into a successful and fulfilling recruitment career. Liam is always driven to create strong and positive relationships with those he works with and strives to create a positive recruitment experience for all involved.

When off the clock, Liam enjoys keeping active through rugby, social sports and whatever the outdoors has to offer. Otherwise, you’ll see him around a coffee or a beverage with family or mates anytime he can.

Sarah comes from a strong background in account and sales management, across both New-Zealand and the UK. Throughout her career, she has always been pulled back to recruitment, due to her passion for helping people and companies develop and achieve their goals. Sarah enjoys going above and beyond to get great results, and is fascinated and passionate about the world of HR. She enjoys keeping up with market trends and insights through industry affiliations and building genuine connections with HR practitioners New-Zealand wide.

When she isn’t helping jobseekers find that perfect role or partnering with hiring managers to uncover their great new hire, she can be found spending time with her two children, exploring New Zealand (or further abroad) or enjoying what ever concert or event is on during the weekend.

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Toni initially ‘fell’ into recruitment when a friend suggested it to her at a BBQ …… & she hasn’t looked back ever since. She now has over 18 years’ experience recruiting in the Business Support space. Over the years she’s supported clients in most sectors – including aviation, health, manufacturing, education, government & construction. Toni takes the time to find out exactly what her clients and candidates need. Her great listening skills, empathetic manner, and attention to detail means nothing is missed when you work with her. Originally from Christchurch/North Canterbury and a proud Mainlander, she’s also spent a lot of her life travelling the globe. She’s lived & worked in Spain, Germany, Switzerland, England & Scotland. She has spent many months travelling around various African countries, and took a career break to volunteer at an orphanage in Tanzania for a few months. In her spare time her favourite things to do are spend time with her partner, her many siblings & their kids, and her pride & joy - Havana & Zanzibar (tabby cats)

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Naz has 9 years’ experience providing staffing solutions across a variety of sectors, including financial services and government.  Prior to working in recruitment Naz worked for a large multi-national recruitment firm, as well as working in-house in a variety of HR and sales roles. Over the years Naz has earned herself a reputation with her clients as an extremely responsive recruiter and one they can trust to find quality candidates for roles, on time.

Originally from the UK, Charly traded the dark nights for sunny days and now calls New Zealand home. She has 10 years experience in customer focused roles and has spent the last 2 years in a fast-paced managerial role, where she worked across Recruitment, HR and Training. Charly has built long standing relationships with key stakeholders within all her roles, and has thrived and thoroughly enjoyed getting involved in the people side of business. At Cultivate, Charly champions our candidate experience process by supporting job-seekers in obtaining temporary and permanent Business Support roles. Outside of work you will find Charly trying to keep fit in the gym or hunting down the best sweet Chai latte in town.

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Dakota has 10 years’ experience in customer focused roles. Beginning in the health and fitness industry, Dakota dove head first into Recruitment towards the latter end of 2022 and hasn’t looked back. Packed with a passion for helping people and a love for all things analytical, Recruitment and Dakota are two peas in a pod. Working within our Business Support team at Cultivate in a Talent Acquisition Lead role, Dakota is passionate about helping job seekers not only find the right role, but ensuring the enjoy the process too.

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Outside of work, you’ll find Dakota in the outdoors, be it running, surfing, snow sports, you’ll struggle to keep her indoors. The only exceptions being coffee, burgers and her dog Rooplestiltskin.

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Originally from the UK then growing up in South Auckland but now a resident Westie, Rachel has over 10 years recruitment experience. She is a highly motivated recruiter with an innate ability to make people feel comfortable. Candidate experience is something she's incredibly passionate about, as she knows how daunting and nerve wracking the job-hunting journey can be.

Rachel's role at Cultivate is to support and lead the Talent team, as helping others to flourish brings her real joy. Alongside this, she’s also studying towards her Post Grad in Human Resources at Massey Uni, playing an active role in understanding legislative changes and HR practices at Cultivate. To top it off, her creative flair made her the perfect person to look after our marketing here at Cultivate too. Outside of work, you'll find Rachel busy with her favourite things - house plants, her 2 boys Preston & Paprika the tabbys, art, online shopping, planning her next travel adventure or getting her steps in hiking.

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A UK expat that’s well and truly made Auckland home. In her spare time you’ll find Sita exploring all that NZ has to offer and often putting Kiwis to shame with how much she has seen and done. Utilising her 8 years of recruitment experience across talent and candidate management roles, Sita is now our operational guru behind the scenes ensuring payroll, finance and back-office functions run smoothly at Cultivate. Sita always has her eye on how we can enhance and improve the candidate journey and she’s often exploring new technology and efficiencies to super charge the customer experience. The team have Sita’s number on speed dial as she’s the go to person for any internal support and often plays a key role in engaging with our candidates onboarding as a temp or contractor.   

If Sita’s not working you’ll find her spending time at her local beach or eating out at one of her favourite restaurants.   

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