Linda Meade
Managing Director
Bachelor of Commerce and Administration, Victoria University of Wellington
Bachelor of Science (Geology), Victoria University of Wellington
Chartered Accountant (NZ)
Accredited ILM Workshop Facilitator
“Linda Meade led the development of a comprehensive and robust funding model, and provided expert advice supporting the bid options presented to Treasury for the organisation. She led the engagement across stakeholders using a combination of personable style, in-depth financial expertise and decision-making models which enabled the business to work together to clearly articulate the costs, benefits and outcomes underpinning each bid option.
Linda’s consultancy was a key factor in achieving Treasury agreement to the preferred funding option and the organisation is now empowered to meet its statutory obligations and service the needs of New Zealanders.”
Linda leads Kalimena’s infrastructure investment advisory work.
Linda established Kalimena after a career spanning over a decade respectively at Deloitte and PwC, including time spent in London, Geneva and Wellington. Up until 2020 she was lead partner in New Zealand for Deloitte Access Economics, and the partner in charge of the Infrastructure, Economics and Business Modelling team.
Linda’s areas of expertise are in designing and applying investment systems and processes, tailored to the type of infrastructure, the sector, and the desired outcomes.
Linda specialises in social infrastructure (education, health, housing) and transport. She is most interested in projects where there is a clear understanding of the desired outcomes for people and communities in New Zealand, working mostly with public sector clients.
Key Projects
Funding Review – Ara Ake Limited (new energy accelerator) Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). To help develop and scale renewable energy investments, a centre for future energy development, Ara Ake, was established in 2020.
Health infrastructure – Investment Strategy and Investment Management Framework.
Let’s Get Wellington Moving – Programme Integration, including Economics and Carbon Lead.
Let’s Get Wellington Moving – Mass Rapid Transit Business Case Lead, Strategic Highways Business Case Lead.
Investment Logic Map (ILM) development, supported by workshop facilitation.
Auckland Education Growth Plan – initial PBC for schools across Auckland region. This project morphed into the National Education Growth Plan
Arlington Social Housing Business Case – Detailed business case for the redevelopment of a key inner city social housing precinct
Whātu Āhurutanga - Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Housing Strategy - outlines a pathway forward to achieve a number of transformational shifts relating to housing for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei:
Auckland Road Pricing Evaluation Study – major study, including detailed evaluation of options for introducing congestion charging to Auckland. Linda also delivered 4 major toll road business cases for NZTA, and the Toll Systems back-off financial evaluation.
Clifford Bay Ferry Terminal – Detailed business case, including commercial feasibility and the requirement for Government subsidies.
Economic studies including: economic value of Transport Operations Centres (TOCs) for Waka Kotahi and Unlocking commercial opportunities from intelligent transport systems for BusinessNZ on behalf of the Intelligent Transport Advisory Group.
Key Values
Linda is strongly motivated by the desire to help people and communities in New Zealand be more prosperous, with a better quality of life. She is a strong believer in the power of diversity, and the need to improve diversity by design. Linda is driven to find solutions to complex problems, by bringing together analysis with critical thinking. She enjoys building connections and thinking outside the box.
Digging deeper
Linda observes that her career, with 30 years in “Big 4” professional services, strongly influences who she is today. But she also brings significant diversity through her board and business ownership roles.
“I have deep expertise and a well-developed critical faculty through my experience in professional services at an executive level, and as a leader in the Economic and Infrastructure Advisory business at Deloitte.
Over time I have developed an extensive network of relationships, with a particular emphasis on Wellington, the public sector and the infrastructure sector.
I understand the policy and strategy development process, the importance of digging below the superficial and the power of a well thought through strategy and business plan. I have a deep understanding of large and complex projects, including benefit realisation, cost analysis, risk management, commercial procurement and – above all – maintaining an unrelenting focus on the strategic goals.
I have a sound understanding of good governance through my various Board Director roles. You can expect me to bring a broad perspective honed through the breadth and variety of projects I have worked on.
I am Wellington based and passionate about this city and region, building its prosperity and making it an even greater place to live. I am a strong advocate for increased diversity in the workforce, particularly in infrastructure, building and construction.
Outside of my career as a consultant, I am also a co-owner and founder of a flourishing social enterprise motivated to make an important difference to the lives of babies and young children through exceptional early childhood education. This enterprise has also won awards not only for education and learning excellence but as also as the Sustainable Business Network’s sustainable business of the year for NZ (small business category).”
More of the team:
