Yardstick is owned and operated as a collaborative partnership between the private sector and industry associations.

Project management and auditing in New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Scandinavia is undertaken by consulting firm Xyst. This company brings particular expertise and experience in parks, recreation facilities, asset management and local government.

Key People

  • Brian Milne

    Project Director

    Brian has a wide range of experience in local government parks and recreation facility management. In addition to a background in operations and planning work, Brian now specialises in asset management for the parks and facilities sector.

    He is currently responsible for managing Yardstick's online development and co-manages Yardstick's growth and development in Australia.

  • Chris Rutherford

    Project Director, International

    Chris has a wide range of experience in local government parks and recreation facility management encompassing operations, planning and asset management roles. He has worked for five Councils in the UK and NZ. In addition he has been the contract manager for a large contracts company and worked as an industry specialist in local government for Fujitsu. A few years with Worley Consultants (AECOM) as a Senior Asset Manager eventually led to the establishment of Xyst Ltd in 2000.

    Chris was the Architect of the Yardstick project and is currently responsible for managing Yardstick's New Zealand and international growth.

  • Eric Hamilton

    Parks and Facilities Auditor

    Eric began working in the parks sector in the early 1980's as a park ranger with regional councils in Auckland and Wellington. After completing a Degree in Parks and Recreation Management at Lincoln University he then changed focus to a planning role ensuring that best practice is integrated into policy outputs. He has worked as a parks and recreation consultant since 2000, with a focus on park and recreation planning of reserves, policy development and operational support.

    Eric is an Accredited Recreation Professional with NZ Recreation Association.

  • Anne Relling

    Parks Auditor

    As asset management practices were introduced into DOC Anne took on roles of implementing AM practices across Fiordland after a stint in the DOC Wellington office. Her interest in walkways was met with a role with Queenstown Lakes DC as Walkways Project Officer prior to establishing her own recreation and parks consultancy.

    Anne is a past Lincoln University graduate holding a Diploma in Recreation Management.

  • Alison Rawley

    Project Manager

    Alison has over 30 years experience in the parks sector in a variety of roles including operations, administration, planning and asset management.

    During this time her responsibilities included operational maintenance, asset renewal programmes, reserve land administration, policy development, contract management (professional services and construction), asset database management, reserve management planning, asset management planning and community engagement.

    Alison is involved in a variety of roles with the Yardstick projects.