Jade is an industry leading engineer, and a founder of Kirk Roberts Consulting. Established in 2006, Kirk Roberts has expanded to five offices across New Zealand with a growing team of multi-disciplinary experts and consultants. An innovative leader, Jade specialises in complex engineering and large-scale project developments.

Renowned for his technical expertise and broad industry knowledge Jade’s experience has enabled the company to develop from a small consultancy to New Zealand’s leading medium-sized engineering practice. He is keenly involved in design while providing strategic leadership.

Outside of work, he thrives when pushing his boundaries on the slopes, rugby field and in the surf. In his words, anything his insurance company doesn’t like.

“We’re proud to have created a company with excellent technical competency and quality for clients; one that drives innovation, looks after its employees and has an exceptional culture.”

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Nik George leads our South Island team. A structural engineer with over 25 years experience with a strong multidiscipline focus, Nik has worked in the UK on projects ranging in value from $0.5M to $100M across most major sectors. He came to New Zealand in 2012 to work on the Christchurch rebuild. Having settled in New Zealand his role has progressed through the management of national discipline teams to the current role of supporting our 70 staff in Christchurch.

Outside of work he enjoys squash, boating and sea fishing.

“Bringing everyone’s different ideas into focus is a passion for me. Creating and delivering efficient and cost effective solution for our clients is a fundamental driving force.”

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Deborah is a structural engineer and leader with over two decades in New Zealand’s construction and property sector. She has delivered projects across commercial, education, and infrastructure, with recognised expertise in seismic strengthening, structural design, and collaborative project delivery.

As National Structural Manager at Kirk Roberts Consulting, she is focused on guiding the structural team nationwide, fostering innovation, and strengthening KR’s reputation for practical, forward-thinking engineering. Deborah is respected for her ability to connect technical detail with broader development goals, and has contributed to industry working groups, governance roles, and regulatory panels to help shape best practice.

Outside of work, she enjoys exploring Canterbury’s outdoors with her young family.

“I’m excited to have joined Kirk Roberts. What stood out to me was the strong sense of collaboration, innovation, and shared purpose. I look forward to supporting our teams nationwide and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in structural engineering.”

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With over 20 years of experience across a wide range of industries both in North America and New Zealand, Jordan brings a practical approach to his engineering solutions. Jordan applies cost-effective solutions that consider more than just the typical geotechnical issues. His hands-on approach means he is involved in all stages of a project.

As a natural team builder, Jordan has developed our Geotechnical, Civil, and Environmental teams from a small group of 3-4 engineers in 2015, to now being recognised as a significant leader in the supply of Geotechnical, Civil, and Environmental Solutions within New Zealand.

Out of the office, Jordan enjoys competing in ultimate (frisbee), golf (both the traditional form and the disc form), racket sports, exploring New Zealand with his young family, and introducing people to the world of modern board games.

Aidan is the national manager for Specifi, an online structural engineering tool, based in Christchurch. Aidan’s comprehensive knowledge of the construction and engineering industry is further enhanced by his expertise in low-rise residential buildings. He leads a vibrant young team, who are always excited to learn more and enjoy being faced with a challenge.

Aidan is kept busy at home with three young boys of his own. He loves to get outside walking, running, biking, or skiing.

“In this ever-changing industry technology has become a very important component in finding the best solutions and staying ahead of competition. At Kirk Roberts, we believe it is important to invest in the digital future.”

With more than two decades of fire engineering experience across New Zealand, Australia, the UK, and the Middle East, Christian brings global expertise and technical depth to every project. His career includes complex, high-profile work, alongside contributions to policy, research, and innovative fire safety practice.

Christian takes an interdisciplinary approach, with qualifications in fire engineering, economics, and chemistry, plus strong self-taught legal knowledge. He tackles compliance and design challenges through multiple lenses, often identifying underutilised legal pathways for performance-based fire solutions. He also leads Kirk Roberts’ Development Compliance and Advisory services, helping clients achieve faster, smarter and more cost-effective Building Consents through early regulatory clarity, cost certainty, and risk reduction—highlighting legal choices under the Building Act 2004 to avoid delays and redesigns.

His research on combustible cladding and regulatory reform has been published internationally, and he has presented to Parliament’s Regulations Review Committee, with recommendations adopted by the Minister for Building and Construction and elevated to Cabinet. At Kirk Roberts, Christian focuses on solving complex compliance issues and applying strategic thinking that challenges the status quo, aligned with our mission to find better ways.

Outside of the office, he’s known for his curiosity, commitment to lifelong learning, and love of tennis.

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Firas is a Technical Director – Geotechnical and Chartered Professional Geotechnical Engineer (CPEng) with over 20 years of experience across New Zealand and overseas. His main focus is to offer practical, effective geotechnical advice that enables clients to make informed decisions. Firas has developed and led the geotechnical engineering team in Christchurch and provides technical support to the wider geotechnical teams across our regional offices and collaborates with other disciplines to ensure smooth work delivery.

Firas is a committed team player and a skilled leader who understands that achieving success relies on understanding the unique challenge of each project and effective communication between all parties at all levels.

James is motivated by working alongside smart, driven people to solve complex problems. He is excited by the opportunity engineers have to help address some of New Zealand’s most significant building and infrastructure challenges, particularly in the face of climate adaptation, demographic change and global instability. At Kirk Roberts, he values being part of a team that embraces innovation and advances in technology to improve how projects are delivered.

Outside of work, he enjoys tramping, fishing and gardening, as well as spending time with his wife, their two daughters and their dog.

“As engineers, we have both a responsibility and an opportunity to improve the world around us—making the most of the materials we use and always looking for ways to do more with less.”

Julio is a result-driven structural engineer with a passion for sustainable design, leadership, and project coordination. He brings a strong combination of technical depth, aligning stakeholders around shared project goals, and embedding sustainable thinking into the earliest phases of design. Julio plays an active role in the industry, currently serving as part of SESOC’s Management Committee, SESOC’s Sustainable Design Task Force and the IABSE TG6.7, an international group working on the mitigation and transition towards carbon neutrality.

Outside of work, he enjoys pushing his body to the limits doing CrossFit, doing a bit of acting and writing, or trying new coffee places around Christchurch.

“I believe that a genuine care for people and belief in their potential has shaped the way successful and sustainable projects are delivered. Outcomes are built on empathy, teamwork, and a focus on long-term value.”

Rui provides trusted technical support and leadership to his Christchurch-based team. His technical expertise means he is often called upon to provide input into nationwide technical development and standards within Kirk Roberts.

Rui’s valuable engineering design and excellence have seen him work across a variety of complex projects in a range of sectors. He has also been involved in numerous assessments of existing buildings and the subsequent strengthening and retrofit design works. Rui understands that consistent communication is crucial in creating the best outcome for project stakeholders, and collaborates with the various parties across all project phases to ensure this.

Outside of work, you’ll find Rui spending time with his young family, on his bike, or tinkering in the garage.

Stephanie is a Registered Architect with more than 20 years experience working on a broad range of projects from commercial, retail, healthcare and education.

Stephanie places a particular focus on the sustainable aspects of any given project and has developed knowledge in the integration of these into projects. Her skills and experience, particularly through the later developed design and documentation stages make her an essential part of our proposed design team.

Outside of work Stephanie loves trail running up in the Port Hills and around the country when travelling with family and friends.

“To me Architecture is a team effort, working together to create amazing spaces for everyone to enjoy.”