HKA has launched its beachhead in the New Zealand market with a full stable of heavy-hitting local talent, with new hires Kristen Currie, Andy Hagan, and Jason Krupp joining HKA Partner and Country Lead Amelia East.

Collectively, they bring decades of risk management, commercial, financial, and local government experience, having worked at leadership positions in consultancy services, the New Zealand Treasury, and the local government sector, respectively.

The on-the-ground team is backed by HKA’s infrastructure advisory team in Oceania, putting 100 plus infrastructure specialists within reach of New Zealand clients. The move is part of HKA’s expansion of its infrastructure advisory business across Oceania and further afield.

“As a market, New Zealand was a clear stand out for HKA’s expansion as it embarks on the task of tackling the decades-long infrastructure deficit that is holding our country back.”

“As daunting as this challenge is, in our favour is the ability to learn from the experience of other countries on the same path, and that’s where HKA can help.

“Our experience spans North America to Oceania, giving us unrivalled access to leading international practice; our local team means we can tailor and adapt this to suit the specific needs of the New Zealand market across the entire infrastructure lifecycle.

“Investing in the best people and attracting new talent to HKA is a key priority for me which is why today’s annoucement is so exciting as it shows that we are committed to that vision. Andy’s central government, Treasury and financial background are second to none; Jason brings deep insight into local government, and Kristen brings extensive risk, assurance and governance experience. Look out infrastructure world, here we come.”

Amelia East, HKA Partner and Head of New Zealand

Kristen Currie is a risk and assurance specialist with more than 26 years of experience in professional services firms, industry, private sector companies, local and central government.

Kristen is a Chartered Accountant (CA ANZ) and has worked in risk and assurance roles at Ngāi Tahu Holdings Corporation, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Land Information New Zealand, Toitū te Whenua and the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority. In addition, Kristen has held risk management roles at several professional services firms and joins HKA from KPMG, where he was responsible for developing, growing, and delivering risk consulting services nationally.

Kristen joins HKA on 18 July 2022.

Andy Hagan has over 15 years of public sector experience in strategic, commercial, financial, and operational leadership. He has a proven track record of strategic and operational delivery in increasingly complex roles spanning financial markets, risk management, infrastructure, commercial and policy advice.

Andy has a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) and a Masters in Business (Finance). He spent many years at The Treasury, and was with Treasury’s Financial and Commercial Group for two years. Prior to joining HKA, Andy provided independent advice to government agencies on a range of balance sheet, financial and infrastructure funding and financing issues.

Andy joined HKA on 4 July 2022.

Jason Krupp is an advocacy, public policy, and media professional with extensive experience in infrastructure, funding, and urban development (housing).

Jason has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and worked in the media at Fairfax Media and Business Desk before moving into advisory and advocacy roles for Local Government New Zealand, Contact Energy and the New Zealand Government, where he was an advisor to the Finance and Infrastructure Minister. Prior to joining HKA, Jason was the interim Head of Strategic Relationships at the Three Waters National Transition Unit within the Department of Internal Affairs.

Jason joined HKA on 7 June 2022.