About Us

We are fortunate to have a great team working at and with McHugh & Shaw. We have both permanent employees and a network of independent contractors who have the skills and experience to meet our auditing demands across New Zealand. By not having a central office we are able to offer our services nation-wide while reducing travel to audits and thereby limit our own carbon emissions. Our track record and extended network mean we have the confidence to take on complex auditing jobs. We use external experts to provide technical and independent reviews of our work to meet international auditing standards.

The members of our independent Advisory Board are guiding us with their knowledge and experience to shape our future strategy while always staying true to our values.

If you are interested in joining our team, please check our careers page for job openings and read our resources page if you are interested in becoming a GHG/carbon auditor.


Advisory Board

  • Daniel Relf

    ADVISORY BOARD CHAIR

    Daniel is a commercially focused, highly networked senior executive with over 23 years of experience in professional services, financial services, technology, and education sectors across Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia. 

    His role at McHugh & Shaw has him leveraging his diverse business experience, governance credentials and advisory expertise to enable McHugh & Shaw to meet its purpose of helping businesses reduce the environmental impact of their products and services for both the planet and future generations.

  • Tomina Apiti

    ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

    Tomina brings over 18 years of distinguished service in the Royal New Zealand Air Force. With a background in logistics and strategic management, she has successfully led complex operations, showcasing a keen aptitude for crisis management and a commitment to delivering efficient, people-focused solutions. Her leadership has consistently driven mission success, underscoring her expertise in both operational excellence and strategic oversight.

    Tomina is currently advancing her academic qualifications with a Master of Professional Practice and an Executive Master of Business Administration. She is passionate about learning Te Reo Māori me ōna tikanga and embracing Te Ao Māori, reflecting a commitment to creating culturally safe and inclusive spaces.

    Tomina also serves as the Chair of the International Development Young Professionals (IDYP) and is a board member at ECPAT NZ. She is passionate about social sustainability and is a strong advocate for gender diversity and inclusion. As a wife and Māmā of three young tamariki, Tomina balances professional responsibilities with whānau life, bringing a unique perspective and a commitment to fostering inclusive environments. Her dedication to advancing social sustainability initiatives adds invaluable insight to McHugh and Shaw's mission to help businesses reduce their environmental impact through assurance and verification services.

  • William Batten Headshot

    William Batten

    ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

    William is a seasoned board governance professional with over 15 years of experience in regulated industries, particularly aviation and financial services. He excels in establishing corporate purpose, cultivating robust governance cultures, and ensuring effective oversight and compliance. His expertise in strategic risk management, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory navigation has consistently enhanced board effectiveness and organisational performance.

    A passionate advocate for sustainability, William has successfully led ESG integration initiatives, including a major solar farm project. His strategic planning, risk management, and data-informed decision-making skills position him to drive organizational growth and impact. William's approach to stakeholder engagement fosters collaborative relationships with diverse groups, including government agencies and Māori organisations. His commitment to cultural respect and diversity enhances board dynamics and decision-making processes.

    With a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Waikato and membership in the Institute of Directors, William brings both an academic foundation and a professional network to his board roles. He holds a number of current governance roles as Independent Director.

Our Team

  • Jeska McHugh

    MANAGING DIRECTOR

    Jeska has 20+ years of auditing experience, including compliance, sustainability and international standards gained via conducting audits and verification, as well as roles as researcher, consultant, business manager, trainer and certification manager. She has completed audits in NZ, Australia, Chile, Japan, UAE, Fiji, Thailand and even Antarctica. Jeska has also practical experience running the Farm Environment Audit Programme at Environment Canterbury Regional Council, Technical Specialist - Environmental at AsureQuality, and Senior Science Advisor for Hazardous Substances and Waste. She holds extensive professional qualifications that cover a wide range of auditing areas.

    She holds a BSc in Plant & Microbial Sciences, a Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Environmental Technology and a Masters in Environmental Management.

    Jeska is based in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

  • Kent Barrett

    SUSTAINABILITY ASSURANCE LEAD

    Kent has worked in operational carbon footprint measurement, reporting and reduction for 5 years and has provided these services to organisations of all sizes in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia.  

    He holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington and is a CEP Certified Carbon Auditor.

    Kent is based on the Kāpiti Coast.

  • Rachael William-Gaul

    SUSTAINABILITY ASSURANCE LEAD

    Rachael has worked 15+ years in natural resource management, covering the themes of sustainable economics and rural development, waste and recycling, conservation and environmental management. Rachael has experience implementing HSEQ and carbon management systems, sustainability strategy, data analysis and communication, research, and conducting management system audits. She is a CEP Certified Carbon Auditor as well as a Certified EMS (ISO 14001) auditor.

    She holds a BSc in Physiology, a BSc in Chiropractic and a Masters in Natural Resource Management & Ecological Engineering.

    Rachael is based in Te Tai o Aorere Tasman.

  • Antonia Gerlach

    SUSTAINABILITY ASSURANCE ADVISOR | BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LEAD

    Antonia has worked over 10 years in sustainability, including the grassroots sector helping small organisations lower their carbon footprints. She previously managed an environmental not-for-profit organisation where she gained experience in management, strategy, and business development.

    She holds a BA(hons) in Politics & International Relations and an MA in Peace and Security Studies. 

    Antonia is based in Ngāmotu New Plymouth.

  • Maree Smith Headshot

    Maree Smith

    LEAD AUDITOR AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT

    Maree has been a technical advisor and lead auditor at McHugh & Shaw since its inception. She has over nine years of experience in greenhouse gas inventory reporting and carbon auditing.

    She holds a Certificate in Environmental Management (Level 4).

    Maree is based in Tāmaki-Makaurau Auckland.

  • Kouji Caseria Headshot

    Kouji Caseria

    SUSTAINABILITY ASSURANCE ADVISOR - WORK EXPERIENCE

    Kouji is the recipient of our inaugural Greenhouse Gas Scholarship in 2025. With a Bachelor in Environmental and Earth Sciences from the University of Auckland and due to commence his Masters in Professional Accounting, he has the right set of interests and skills to benefit from the CEP Preparing a GHG Inventory Course as well as some real client projects with us during the university break.

    After completing his studies he hopes to combine his science background with accounting skills to help organisations reduce emissions and make better, more sustainable decisions. We are excited to see where his career takes him.

Our Partners

  • Tina Hartung Headshot

    Tina Hartung

    FOUNDER - ECO GROWTH NZ

    Tina is a certified lead auditor for ISO 14001 (PECB) and ISO 14064-3 (CEP NZ). She has extensive experience in verifying greenhouse gas inventories across a wide range of organisations and industries, with specialist knowledge in tourism, hospitality, health, education, film/media, public administration and the NGO sector.

    Tina has a background in International Marketing, is a Certified Energy Professional (CEP NZ) and holds a Graduate Diploma in Environmental Management. Her work as a sustainability consultant includes guidance on certifications, supporting measurement challenges, and providing practical carbon and resource reduction insights.

    Tina is based in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

  • Neil Gilbert Headshot

    Dr Neil Gilbert

    DIRECTOR - CONSTANTIA CONSULTING

    Neil has 25 years of experience implementing and advising on environmental and carbon management systems. He is a trained auditor with six years’ experience auditing to ISO 14064-1 and 10 years experience auditing to ISO 14001. 

    Neil is also a Polar specialist having worked on Arctic and Antarctic environmental issues in various roles for over 40 years. In this capacity he has written or reviewed multiple environmental impact assessments. Neil holds an Adjunct position at Gateway Antarctica, University of Canterbury and is involved in a number of research initiatives focused on Antarctic environmental management and policy. Neil is also the current Board Chair of the Jane Goodall Institute New Zealand. 

    Neil is based in Tauranga.  

  • Lewis Foster Headshot

    Lewis Foster

    FOUNDER - TIERRO

    Lewis is an approved Airport Carbon Accreditation (Level 5) Verifier and is an experienced lead carbon auditor including leading complex national and international engagements. 

    Lewis is a sustainability consultant and CIMA-qualified management accountant specialising in carbon measurement, GHG auditing, and climate-related disclosures. Lewis has experience measuring and auditing across a range of programmes, including organisational carbon footprints, product carbon footprints, event emissions, and emissions reporting systems. He is currently studying for his PGDip in Environmental Management at Massey University.

    Lewis is based in Tāmaki-Makaurau Auckland.