About Us

Tēnā koutou, nau mai, haere mai.

He wāhi tēnei e whakanuia ai te tangata, te whanaungatanga, me te mahi ngātahi. Ko tā mātou, he arahi, he tautoko, he hiki i te mana o te iwi.

Welcome — this is a space that honours people, relationships, and working together. Our role is to guide, support, and uplift the mana of those we serve.

Ko Wai Ahau — Who I Am

Ruakākā has long been home for Kimalana and her whānau. Following in the footsteps of her mum, who also worked in Health and Safety at the Marsden Point Refinery, Kimalana began her own journey there — and she hasn't looked back since. The experience has shaped her passion, strengthened her purpose, and grounded her commitment to creating safer workplaces for her community.

With over 30 years of experience across health and safety, project management, and national infrastructure leadership in the commercial sector of Northland, Kimalana brings together deep technical knowledge and heart-led insight. Her career has been dedicated to creating workplaces where people are protected, valued, and empowered to thrive.

Leadership & Community Roles

As the founder of Kimalana Inclusive Solutions, Chair of NAWIC Te Tai Tokerau, Chair of the Northland Safety Liaison Group, and a MATES in Construction Connector, she is championing change across the construction sector — shaping an industry where diversity, equity, and Te Ao Māori values are woven into everyday practice rather than treated as the exception. Her mahi strengthens organisational culture, lifts wellbeing, and contributes to better outcomes.

Kimalana's work is anchored in the principles of whanaungatanga and mana wāhine, guiding leaders and organisations to build environments that honour people, uphold cultural integrity, and support safer, more connected workplaces.

See Kimalana’s awards and associations for her industry recognition and leadership roles.

Education & Qualifications

Kimalana proudly graduated in October 2025 with a New Zealand Diploma in Workplace Health and Safety Management (Level 6) from the Southern Institute of Technology. After three years of dedication, study, and hands-on learning from 2022 to 2025, this achievement marks a significant milestone in her professional journey. It reflects not only her commitment to excellence but also her passion for creating safer, stronger workplaces for her community.

MATES in Construction

As a certified MATES in Construction Assist Worker, I am committed to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of workers across our industry. My role is to recognise when someone may be struggling, create a safe space for kōrero, and connect them with the support they need.

It is heartbreaking to see how many workers we lose each year, which is why this kaupapa is so important to me. Looking after people goes beyond physical safety—it means creating workplaces where everyone feels valued, supported, and able to speak up without fear.

Training & Capability Development

Training is one of the most important investments any workplace can make. I am passionate about equipping people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to work safely and effectively every day.

I enjoy mentoring Health and Safety Champions and providing practical tools, resources, and guidance that empower individuals and teams to take ownership of workplace safety. Whether it’s working at heights, MEWP and EWP operations, site inductions, risk management, or simply supporting workers to build confidence in their everyday mahi, my focus is on delivering training that is practical, engaging, and relevant.

My goal is to help create capable, safety-conscious teams where learning becomes part of the workplace culture, enabling everyone to return home safely to their whānau at the end of each day.

Developing Local Capability in Te Tai Tokerau

Supporting the growth of small businesses and organisations across Northland has always been a core passion of mine. I believe that when we provide people with the right systems, skills, and support, positive outcomes will naturally follow. A crucial aspect of this work is to remain involved with these businesses throughout their journey, rather than just at the beginning. Building capability is not a one-time effort; it requires consistent support, relationship-building, and practical guidance to foster long-term growth and sustainability. This approach has become an important measure of impact in my work. I take pride in seeing local businesses strengthen and grow in confidence as they deliver meaningful outcomes for their communities.

Leadership Te Ara Whanake Downers with young rangatahi and up-and-coming leaders in 2024 was a privilege. Being a part of this kaupapa was absolutely inspiring and captivating, seeing who these emerging leaders are and the next generation coming through.