"The world would be a different place if instead of competing to have the highest per capita GDP, nations competed to have the highest per capita stocks of wealth with the lowest throughout, or the lowest infant mortality, or the greatest political freedom..."
"The world would be a different place if instead of competing to have the highest per capita GDP, nations competed to have the highest per capita stocks of wealth with the lowest throughout, or the lowest infant mortality, or the greatest political freedom..."
"The world would be a different place if instead of competing to have the highest per capita GDP, nations competed to have the highest per capita stocks of wealth with the lowest throughout, or the lowest infant mortality, or the greatest political freedom..."
PARIS AFFORDABLE HOUSING CHALLENGE
International Architecture Design competition (BB Green Award)
PARIS AFFORDABLE HOUSING CHALLENGE
International Architecture Design competition (BB Green Award)
our leadership team.
PHIL WARBRICK
Throughout his career, Phil Warbrick has exemplified an unwavering commitment to the flourishing of humanity. A visionary leader, he believes in a holistic approach to human development, one that prioritises not only economic growth but also environmental, social, and cultural dimensions. Phil's global impact spans over 30 countries, including Africa, the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific. Phil's expertise lies in the full spectrum of city development - from data-informed investigation and planning through to design, construction, and management. His influence extends across industry, academia, government and the sporting world. Having represented New Zealand in government-to-government relations and international collaborations, Phil is widely recognised as a thought leader in city development. He is a member of the taskforce advising the UN-Habitat Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Global Cities Initiative, which aims to increase the scale and performance of SDG aligned projects in cities worldwide. Through this work, Phil, supported by the team at Synergine, contributes to shaping a common approach among SDG partners and advancing a series of UN-Habitat SDG Thematic Windows for global implementation, driving positive change on a global scale. This multi-disciplinary initiative brings together expertise in digital platforms, strategic policy formulation, stakeholder consultation and engagement, programme management, master-planning and city design – linking technical delivery with broader societal outcomes. In the sporting arena, Phil served as the Manager of the All Whites, New Zealand’s national men’s football team, from 2005 to 2011. Under his leadership, the team achieved an undefeated status in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, earning them New Zealand’s highest sporting honour, the Supreme Halberg Award. His strategic vision and exceptional leadership played a pivotal role in elevating the team’s performance to achieve success and gain international recognition of the team. Phil is currently engaged in a start-up venture exploring the future of football development and innovation.
GARETH PHELPS
Gareth is an experienced executive leader who has served as General Manager of Synergine since January 2020, working closely with the Board and senior leadership team to shape the organisation’s strategic direction, performance, and client relationships. With more than 20 years of experience across infrastructure, urban development, and public sector transformation, he brings a deep and practical understanding of how to align strategy, investment, and delivery to achieve successful outcomes. Gareth’s career at Synergine spans the full breadth of the business, progressing from technical and project roles through to senior leadership, including leading both the Strategy, Policy, Governance + Investment and Management + Integration sectors. This experience provides a unique, enterprise-wide perspective - enabling him to connect long-term strategic intent, investment planning, and funding pathways with effective programme execution across complex, multi-stakeholder environments. He has led and contributed to major urban growth and infrastructure initiatives, applied research partnerships, and transformation programmes across central and local government, with extensive experience in business cases, investment strategy, and funding alignment. In addition to his work in Aotearoa, Gareth has supported Synergine’s international operations, bringing a global perspective to development and infrastructure challenges across a diverse range of sectors. As General Manager, Gareth focuses on organisational leadership, strengthening capability, and building enduring client partnerships. He works closely with senior decision-makers to bring clarity and alignment across strategy, investment, and delivery. His pragmatic, relationship-driven approach ensures Synergine consistently delivers integrated, high-quality outcomes and remains a trusted partner in achieving transformational results.
MADELINE SHARPE (NZRAB)
Madeline is a senior architect and masterplanner with over 20 years of experience delivering commercial, mixed-use, and residential developments, with a strong focus on broader outcomes for medium- and high-density communities. Her work is grounded in creating enduring places that balance design excellence with social, environmental, and cultural outcomes. Her career has included large-scale projects across the UAE, Canada, and China - spanning high-rise commercial towers and resorts in Dubai, resort masterplanning in Hainan, and institutional projects at the University of British Columbia. This international experience informs her rigorous and adaptable approach to complex, high-value projects. She brings deep expertise across a range of housing typologies, including market, affordable, and public housing, with a particular focus on alternative delivery models such as build-to-rent, papakāinga, shared ownership, leasehold, and community-led development. Her work supports diversity of tenure and more resilient, inclusive communities. At Synergine, Madeline advises on and leads complex, multi-stakeholder design processes, helping define project outcomes and place-based objectives from the earliest stages. She provides strategic design leadership from feasibility and masterplanning through to consenting and delivery, integrating design, planning, and regulatory frameworks to ensure cohesive and effective project outcomes. Madeline is a member of the Auckland Urban Design Panel and the Kāinga Ora Large Scale Projects Design Review Panel, and is a recognised Expert Witness in Resource Management Act proceedings. Her expertise in planning and regulatory frameworks has enabled her to represent both private sector and local government clients at hearings and within evolving plan changes. Her approach is underpinned by regenerative design principles, efficient land use, bicultural values, and a commitment to delivering lasting value within project constraints.
HAYLEY MULDER
Hayley is a strategic leader delivering complex programmes and investments across public and private sectors in New Zealand and internationally. She specialises in project, programme, and portfolio management (P3M), investment planning, and business case development, with a strong focus on achieving enduring, outcomes-driven results. Her experience spans infrastructure, three waters, community development, climate resilience, and organisational transformation. Hayley is highly skilled in operating within governance and senior leadership environments, where she provides clear, trusted advice and translates complexity into practical strategic and operational decisions. She is recognised for leading complex optioneering processes, facilitating high-impact workshops, and delivering multi-stakeholder engagement programmes across politically, culturally, and operationally complex contexts. Her approach reflects a deep respect for Te Ao Māori and extensive experience working alongside hapū and iwi. With qualifications including PRINCE2® Programme Management, CAPM®, IAP2 certification, and a Master of International Development (Distinction), Hayley brings disciplined delivery, collaborative leadership, and a strong commitment to resilient, locally grounded outcomes.
AARON WOOD
Aaron Wood is a highly experienced infrastructure and development professional with over 35 years’ experience across the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. He has built a career bringing these sectors together to achieve strategically aligned, outcomes-focused initiatives that deliver lasting value for communities. Drawing on his engineering background and early career in development and municipal engineering, Aaron has spent over two decades leading complex programmes and organisations. This experience, combined with extensive executive education including the University of Oxford’s Leading Strategic Projects Programme, has shaped a deep, multi-disciplinary knowledge base spanning strategy, leadership, and delivery. Aaron now focuses on providing senior advisory, coaching, and mentoring - supporting leaders, teams, and organisations to navigate complexity, strengthen capability, and achieve clarity of purpose. He works closely with executives and governance groups to define direction, address challenges, and build alignment, bringing structure and confidence to decision-making in high-stakes environments. Known as a trusted and perceptive advisor, Aaron brings strong contextual awareness and an ability to engage meaningfully with diverse stakeholders, including communities and iwi. He helps identify opportunities for added value while guiding clients toward their transformational objectives. Through this work, Aaron supports both Synergine’s internal leadership and an extensive external advisory offering - helping clients build capability, enhance performance, and realise long-term outcomes beyond individual projects.
JOHN CHEAH
John is a senior consultant and business case lead who combines technical engineering expertise with strategic insight to deliver holistic, community-centred infrastructure solutions. With a doctorate in civil and environmental engineering, he applies a systems-based approach that balances economic, environmental, social, and cultural outcomes. His experience spans a diverse range of projects, including iwi-led coastal restoration, urban community and sporting infrastructure, seismic strengthening of heritage buildings, and innovative papakāinga developments. John is accredited in the Better Business Case methodology and is highly skilled in developing robust, evidence-based investment cases that secure funding and enable delivery. Guided by frameworks such as the Mauri Model, John integrates meaningful engagement with communities and mana whenua into project strategy and decision-making. He is recognised for his ability to translate complex technical analysis into clear, actionable recommendations. John’s work has been nationally recognised, including being shortlisted for Best Doctoral Thesis at the University of Auckland and as a finalist for IPENZ Young Engineer of the Year. He brings a strong commitment to sustainable development, climate resilience, and collaborative problem-solving - delivering human-centred outcomes and acting as a trusted advisor on infrastructure, climate adaptation, and community-led design.
JOHN THEAKSTON
John is a results-driven leader operating at the intersection of digital intelligence, engineering, and strategic delivery. With a background in machine learning and experience in operational and people leadership, he bridges technical innovation with practical application to support complex decision-making and system transformation. He leads the development of data-driven solutions that translate complex systems into intuitive tools - enabling clients to better understand performance, optimise outcomes, and adapt to evolving needs. His work integrates strategic direction, design excellence, and agile software development to deliver scalable, user-focused digital products. At Synergine, John oversees the end-to-end development of digital solutions, from concept to deployment, working across disciplines to align vision, data, and technology. He enables collaboration across diverse stakeholder groups, ensuring digital systems are accessible, transparent, and impactful. His approach focuses on demystifying the ‘black box’ of digital systems - creating clarity, usability, and meaningful insights that empower organisations, teams, and communities to achieve transformative outcomes.
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