MEET THE TEAM

Meet the TEAM behind The Recruitment Network!

Also known as matchmakers, recruitment pros and problem-solvers for our network!

We’re all about connecting the right people with the right roles and that starts with our team - when we're not enjoying our pizza Fridays, out on the road meeting clients or in the office celebrating our wins, our team works tirelessly to make our network stronger, every day.

We’re passionate about finding the perfect fit for both businesses and job seekers, ensuring every placement is a success. With a mix of dedication, expertise, and a bit of fun along the way, we make recruitment an experience that works for everyone!

Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau

Tarawhati Williams
Regional Growth Manager

T, short for Tarawhati, has over 20 years of experience in sales and commercial leadership, where building strong client relationships and delivering results have always been at the heart of his career. He believes successful recruitment is about understanding a client's business, following through on commitments, and delivering when it matters most.

Outside of work, T enjoys spending time with his two daughters, writing, creating, and performing music, keeping active and making the most of beaches with sand between his toes, sun on his skin and a good Negroni in his hand.

Industry expertise:

  • Relationships
  • Hospitality & Beverage
  • Music, Food and Events

 

"The best business relationships are built on trust, consistency, and delivering on your word. My goal is to become a genuine partner to every client, helping them build great teams that support long-term success."

M: 021 204 4385

E: t@trn.org.nz

Brijesh Bhatt
Facilitator

Brij has been with TRN for more than four years, Brij enjoys connecting great people with the right opportunities and helping clients build reliable, high-performing teams. His industry experience allows him to understand both client expectations and candidate strengths, making the recruitment process smooth and effective.

Industry expertise:

  • Senior Chef
  • Accountant

 

"The best part of my job is connecting people. Whether it's helping someone find their next opportunity or providing a client with the right person at the right time, knowing I've made a positive impact on both sides is what makes this role so rewarding."

M: 021 225 4269

E: brijesh@trn.org.nz

Nisarg Shah
Facilitator

Nisarg brings a wealth of experience in hospitality, and has developed a keen eye for talent through his work in recruitment.

Industry expertise:

  • Beverage Manager
  • Cocktail Bar Manager
  • Head Bartender
  • Permanent/Temporary Recruitment Consultant
  • Hospitality Manager

 

"Every day in hospitality and recruitment brings both chaos and connection, I thrive on understanding what people and businesses truly need, not just filling roles. After over a decade in New Zealand, I’ve learned to embrace the unpredictability; it’s what keeps things real and rewarding."

M: 021 552 639

E: nisarg@trn.org.nz

Harsh Solanki
Candidate Resourcer

Harsh has built his career across international and New Zealand recruitment, bringing experience in 360 recruitment, talent acquisition, and candidate management. With a background spanning technical, trades, and hospitality recruitment, he is passionate about connecting great people with opportunities and helping businesses build high-performing teams.

Industry expertise:

  • Hospitality Recruitment
  • Candidate Management
  • Talent Acquisition
  • Permanent & Temporary Recruitment
  • 360 Recruitment

 

"Recruitment is about understanding people just as much as understanding businesses. Having worked across multiple industries and markets, I enjoy building genuine relationships, finding the right talent, and creating opportunities where both candidates and employers can succeed. Every successful placement starts with listening and ends with trust."

 

 M: 021 616 829

E: harsh@trn.org.nz

Wellington / Te Whanganui-a-Tara

Lynette Harper
Facilitator

For the past 4 years, Lynette has been part of TRN, where her passion for recruitment shines, she thrives on matching candidates with roles that empower their whānau.

Industry experience:

  • Bartender
  • Team Lead – Food & Beverage
  • Events – Bar Supervisor
  • End to end Industrial Recruiter

 

"Impacting people’s lives by doing the job love is not considered work."

M:  021 575 245

E: lynette@trn.org.nz

Gavin Rowand
Facilitator

Gavin is a modern trained chef, and has been with us just over 4 years now, coming from the beautiful Bay of Plenty. 

Industry Expertise:

  • Sous chef
  • Kitchen hand
  • Kitchen Manager

 

"I love being able to meet new people in the industry I love"

M: 021 021 11120

E: gavin@trn.org.nz

Christchurch / Ōtautahi

Jared Luff
General Manager

Jared brings over 20 years of senior leadership experience across hospitality, facility management, healthcare, and the hotel industry. With TRN for 2 years, his strategic insights and deep industry knowledge make him an invaluable asset in delivering exceptional recruitment solutions.

Industry Expertise:

  • Restaurant Manager
  • Operations Manager at Multiple Hotels and Industrial Cleaning Companies
  • Regional Manager for Nationwide Hospitality and Soft Service Industries
  • General Operations Manager with Healthcare NZ

 

"Memorable moments at TRN were mobilising large teams of staff to assist the school lunch programme at short notice, with well over 100 staff mobilised to assist in the production and distribution of lunches to Students across New Zealand. How amazing to be a part of something so incredible."

M: 021 1940 364

E: jared@trn.org.nz

Jono Stegerhoek
Relationship Manager

Jono brings over 10 years of recruitment, hospitality, and account management experience across New Zealand and Australia. Having previously spent eight years with TRN before returning as Relationship Manager, he combines industry knowledge with a genuine passion for building lasting partnerships and delivering workforce solutions that make a real difference.

Industry expertise:

  • Relationship Manager
  • Recruitment Consultant
  • Business Development
  • Hospitality Manager

 

"One of the things I enjoy most about working at TRN is building long-term relationships with our clients and understanding the challenges they face. Every business is different, and it's incredibly rewarding to connect great people with great opportunities while helping our clients achieve their goals. Being part of a team that can step in and make a real difference, often at short notice, is what makes the role so enjoyable."

M:   021 241 7933

E:   jono@trn.org.nz

Tamsin Clarke
Facilitator

Tamsin is our favourite person in the office, and also the one who wrote all the staff blurbs for the website. Joining us earlier this year she has already already made herself happily at home.

Industry Expertise:

  • Bartender and Waitress
  • Cafe Manager & Head Baristsa
  • Event Manager and Wedding Planner

 

"I love working with our big events team, providing over 300 staff to One NZ Stadium for The All Blacks was truly an awesome experience"

M: 021 973 942

E: tamsin@trn.org.nz

Andrew Feilding
Facilitator

Andrew is a people-first hospitality professional with over 30 years of experience, originally from the UK and now settled in New Zealand. With TRN since earlier this year, he thrives on creating memorable experiences and turning challenges into positive outcomes—because for him, hospitality is all about connection.

Industry expertise:

  • Food and Beverage Manager
  • Events Manager 
  • Mixologist
  • Barista
  • Porter

 

"one of the things I enjoy most about working at TRN is getting to know my clients and understanding what makes their business tick. It's not just about filling shifts, it's about finding the right people who fit the team and helping our clients succeed. Knowing I've made a positive difference for both clients and candidates is the best part of the job."

 

M: 021 616 821

E: andrew.f@trn.org.nz

Poppy Griffith-Jones
Candidate Resourcer

With 5 years of experience in the hospitality industry, I’ve worked across a variety of roles, from Bartender, Waitress and Barista to Duty Manager and POS systems. Now part of TRN, I bring my hospitality experience into recruitment, where I enjoy meeting new people and connecting them with opportunities that are right for them.

Industry expertise:

  • Bartender / Barista
  • Waitress
  • Team Lead – Food & Beverage
  • Events – Bar Supervisor
  • Duty Manager
  • POS Systems & Operations

 

"What I love most about recruitment is meeting people from all walks of life, from across the country and around the world, and helping connect them with the right opportunities."

M: 021 552 745

E: poppy.g@trn.org.nz

 

Hāre Lee-Deller
Facilitator

Hāre brings a unique blend of hospitality and healthcare experience to the TRN team. Beginning his career as a barista in a busy café, he developed a genuine passion for customer service and creating positive experiences for people. More recently, he worked in the health sector, supporting nationwide service delivery and strengthening his skills in coordination, communication, and problem-solving.

Industry expertise:

  • Retail
  • Barista
  • Café Assistant
  • Healthcare Facilitator

 

“As a Facilitator at TRN, I enjoy connecting great people with the right opportunities and helping clients find reliable staffing solutions.”

M: 021925383

E: hare@trn.org.nz

Support Services

Sarah Brownlee
Accounts & Payroll Team Leader

Born in New Zealand and raised in Christchurch, Sarah spent more than 15 years in the supermarket industry. She started as a checkout operator and worked her way up to supervisor and staff trainer, before moving into an office-based admin role. Sarah now works in our payroll team, where her experience, attention to detail, and practical approach really shine.

M: 021 552 672

E:   sarah.b@trn.org.nz
   

Paula Baigorria Hernando
Payroll Lead & Projects Coordinator

Originally from Argentina, Paula moved to New Zealand in search of new opportunities and personal growth, and now proudly calls Christchurch home. With a background in international logistics and hospitality, she brings a practical, organised, and people-focused approach to her role.

As Payroll Lead & Projects Coordinator, Paula plays a key role in ensuring payroll processes run smoothly while supporting a range of business improvement projects across The Recruitment Network. Her strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and commitment to delivering excellent service make her a valued member of the team.

Outside of work, Paula enjoys staying active whether it's at the gym, practicing yoga, climbing, or exploring New Zealand's outdoors and is always looking for new challenges.

M: 021 714 997

E: paula@trn.org.nz

 

Evie
Office Support Dog

Evie has been spreading smiles at TRN since joining the team as our Chief Welcome Officer. Bursting with energy and always ready to meet someone new, Evie believes every visitor, client and candidate deserves an enthusiastic welcome. Whether she's greeting guests at the door, encouraging a quick game, or convincing the team it's time for a break, Evie keeps spirits high and tails wagging.

Specialties:

  • First impressions & office welcomes
  • Team morale & happiness
  • Reminder to mention 100 others...

 

"Every day is a good day to make a new friend. Whether you arrive for a meeting or an interview, I'll be the first to welcome you with a wagging tail and plenty of enthusiasm."

Hugo
Office Support Dog

Hugo has quickly become a favourite around the TRN office, bringing plenty of enthusiasm, wagging tails, and smiles wherever he goes. Whether he's greeting visitors, boosting team morale, or keeping a close eye on lunchtime activities, Hugo is always ready to brighten someone's day.

Specialties:

  • Office morale & wellbeing
  • Client and candidate greetings

 

"Life's too short not to greet everyone like they're your best friend. A wagging tail, a friendly face, and the occasional treat make every day a great one."

Hazel
Office Support Dog

Hazel has been keeping a watchful eye on the TRN team for years. As the office matriarch, she's traded boundless energy for wisdom, patience, and perfectly timed naps. While the younger office dogs race around greeting everyone, Hazel prefers a gentle hello, a comfortable spot in the sun, and quietly supervising the team from afar.

Specialties:

  • Office supervision
  • Team wellbeing
  • Quality control of treats & lunchtime leftovers

 

"Experience teaches you that not every problem needs barking at. Sometimes the best solution is a calm head, a wagging tail, and knowing exactly where the treats are kept."

Outsourced Recruitment Team

Rachael Jones
Outsourced Recruitment Manager

Rachael brings over 10 years of experience in recruitment, people management, and talent sourcing across England and New Zealand. She has been with TRN since 2021 and now leads our outsourcing team, supporting businesses across New Zealand with their internal recruitment needs. Originally from London, Rachael now calls Christchurch home. Her passion lies in providing exceptional service delivery and helping people find their ideal roles.

Industry experience:

  • Recruitment & Talent Sourcing
  • Service Delivery & Contract Management
  • People Management & Team Development

 

“What I love most about TRN is the relationships I’ve built over the years—with colleagues and clients. I thrive on solving problems for my clients and delivering solutions that get results. The outsourced team love a challenge and work best in fast-paced environments. That’s why my team is the one you can rely on when you need support the most… and fast!”

M: 021 468 807

E: rachael@trn.org.nz

Cassidy McIntosh
Account Manager

Cassidy has been with TRN since 2022 - after starting her career in retail management, she brings a wealth of skills in multitasking and working in high pressure environments. She is passionate about connecting the right people with the right roles. She excels in fast paced environments, loves a challenge and is the one who keeps everyone moving! She is not afraid to speak her mind, and you can count on her to get things done!

Industry expertise:

  • Recruitment & Candidate Sourcing
  • Systems & Administration
  • Client Management & Support

 

“What I love about TRN is working alongside my amazing team and ensuring our clients get the results they need. I especially love a challenge and supporting the wider business during their busy periods”. 

M: 021 982 867

E: cassidy@trn.org.nz

Aman Kaur
Account Manager

Aman brings strong talent sourcing experience from recruiting in the supermarket industry for over 10 years. She specialises in high volume recruitment and is passionate about helping her clients and candidates find the perfect fit! She always goes the extra mile to support a smooth onboarding process and is known for her friendly and helpful demeanour.

Industry expertise:

  • Candidate Management
  • Onboarding & Recruitment
  • Talent matching

 

“What I love most about my role at TRN is finding the perfect role for my candidates and the perfect candidate for my clients! I love hearing about how they are thriving in their new position and watching them succeed!”

M: 021 641 535

E: aman@trn.org.nz

Exec Team

Michael Pugh
Board Director

Michael brings more than 30 years of business ownership and hospitality leadership to The Recruitment Network. Having successfully owned and managed hospitality venues since the mid-1990s, he understands the challenges businesses face and the importance of having the right people in the right roles. His ability to build lasting relationships and his extensive industry network enable him to deliver quality staffing solutions and trusted advice to clients across New Zealand.

Industry expertise:

  • Hospitality & Events
  • Business Ownership & Operations
  • Strategic Client Partnerships

 

"Strong relationships are the foundation of every successful business. By understanding our clients and their goals, we can connect them with people who make a lasting impact."

M:   021 304 802

E:   michael@trn.org.nz

Rob Alexander
Commerical Director

Rob brings more than 20 years of hospitality leadership experience across New Zealand and Australia. Having led hotels, restaurants and multi-site operations, he understands the challenges clients face because he's lived them. Being with TRN for over 10 years now, his passion is helping businesses build high-performing teams while creating outstanding opportunities for people working in hospitality.

Industry Expertise:

  • Multi-site Operations Manager
  • Hotel Management
  • Restaurant & Bar Management
  • Business Owner

 

"What I enjoy most about working at TRN is partnering with great businesses, solving real staffing challenges, and doing it alongside a team that's passionate about making a difference every day."

M:   021 195 6089 

E:    rob@trn.org.nz

Liz Stegerhoek Pugh
Board Director

Liz founded The Recruitment Network with a simple belief – great recruitment starts by genuinely listening. With decades of experience in hospitality and recruitment, she has built TRN around understanding clients, supporting candidates, and creating long-term partnerships that deliver real results. Her infectious energy, passion, and commitment to excellence continue to shape the culture of the business today.

Industry expertise:

  • Hospitality & Events
  • Executive Recruitment
  • Business Leadership

 

"Recruitment is about more than filling vacancies. It's about understanding people, building trust, and creating partnerships that help both businesses and individuals succeed."

E:   liz@trn.org.nz