Independent leadership. Expert Advice. Confidence in Delivery.

Benji Potvin

Director | Infrastructure Management

Benji is a Civil Engineer Technologist with a Master’s in Construction Management and over 30 years of experience.

Benji co-founded Stellar Projects with Peter in 2013 and has been managing the company’s finance and administration activities until 2021. He has been involved in many aspects of business during his career, including project management of the $85m Hobson Substation in Auckland CBD, Auckland’s Northern Busways and several vertical build construction projects within Auckland.

Benji has held key roles in local government bodies and large corporations, including Auckland Council and Vector, and has received accolades throughout his career for innovative thinking and taking advantage of opportunities to provide the best project outcomes for his clients.

Lucas Nikkel

Director | Infrastructure Management

Lucas is a proven Construction Manager of large projects (+$100m), adept at fulfilling the roles of Engineer to Contract, Engineer’s Representative and as Principal’s Advisor. He is currently engaged on the Auckland City Rail Link Enabling Packages ($130m) as Engineer’s Representative and as Principal’s Advisor on AMETI Eastern Busways 1 Project ($120m including a new $35m bridge).

Lucas has demonstrated his ability to lead project teams effectively and efficiently across multiple major construction contracts. On both projects above, Lucas is successfully managing sizeable teams with a mixture of Stellar Projects staff, external consultants and client organisation staff across several disciplines in extremely complex environments.

Lucas’ proven track record in managing project teams and experience gained from senior management roles for consultant, council and contractor entities will enable effective management and governance of this project. He prides himself on his ability to develop and maintain excellent relationships based on open communication and adopts a ‘no surprises’ approach to client management.

Peter Everett

Director | Infrastructure Management

Peter is a Chartered Professional Engineer with extensive experience in the industry. He has been involved in many aspects of engineering and construction, from feasibility and scoping, through to design and delivery.

As a co-founding Director of Stellar Projects, Peter is focused on ensuring clients’ solutions are delivered to their expectations and time frames.

Peter has extensive experience in the scoping, design and delivery of complex infrastructure projects for both public and private sector clients. He has strong leadership skills and a proven ability to work across organisations and to develop collaborative and close relationships within the engineering and construction industry.

Darryl Coalter

Director | Infrastructure Management

Darryl is an accomplished Project Director with 28 years’ experience delivering major infrastructure projects across New Zealand, the UK, and Australia. He has successfully led multidisciplinary teams through the full project lifecycle within large and complex organisations, building strong relationships with stakeholders ranging from Ministerial and Board level to local communities.

Darryl’s portfolio includes multiple large‑scale, multi‑billion‑dollar projects, with extensive expertise in the delivery of design, construction, operations, and maintenance contracts in the roading and airport sectors. He maintains a strong focus on health and safety, recognising that robust quality systems provide the foundation for exceptional project outcomes. Recognised as a trusted advisor, Darryl is frequently sought by clients, contractors, and stakeholders to navigate challenges and develop practical, results‑focused solutions.

Expertise in:

• Procurement of major projects using international, NZTA and NZ Government processes and procedures.
• Stakeholder liaison including Boards, Ministers, Te Waihanga, Treasury and Contractors.
• Contract expertise undertaking procurement of major projects, 
• Financiers Engineer experience on major road and rail projects.
• Independent technical and financial due diligence reporting for the SPV’s and Financing Groups (pre financial close), verification, review and certification activities for complex road and tunnel infrastructure PPP projects.
• Leading, and implementing, corrective actions on distressed projects.
• Major PPP project experience and leadership through planning and consenting, property acquisition, design, construction and operations phases.
• Resourcing leadership Independent Verifier /Reviewer staff with internal and external (JV Partners) across multiple PPP projects.
• Claims resolution for Insurance (PI and Contract Works) and EoT claims.
• Oversight of operation and maintenance outcomes on major PPP projects.

Marius Van de Wall

Director | Commercial

Marius is a senior commercial, risk and infrastructure advisor with extensive experience across major transport, rail, resilience, defence, and civil infrastructure
programmes. He leads Stellar Projects’ national Quantity Surveying function, providing commercial assurance, integrated risk management, governance-level reporting, contract strategy and client-side leadership on complex, multi-partner programmes, ensuring projects are delivered with transparency, accountability, and long-term value.
Marius brings a hands-on approach and acknowledges the importance of being an independent client representative. Marius welcomes professional growth opportunities, developing solutions, and completing projects in a collaborative environment. With this mindset, he is a valued team leader with a proven track record for achieving results.

Richard Firth

Associate Director | Infrastructure Management

Richard is a Chartered Professional Engineer with extensive experience in the transportation sector in New Zealand. He has 28 years of experience in a
wide range of construction projects including road corridor upgrades and maintenance, renewals and collaborative contracts. working across public and
private projects.
Richard has worked in Local Government/ Auckland Transport for over 14 years. His understanding of NZS3910 helped him undertake the role of
Engineer to Contract and provide guidance and advice on contractual issues to other Engineer to Contract including recommendations how
variations could be managed during COVID-19 pandemic. Richard is only one of a small number of ETCs with experience in ITS projects.

Steve Tyson

Chief Executive Officer

With over 25 years of experience in corporate and infrastructure delivery, Steve has been leading client relationships across New Zealand and Australia. His
career spans infrastructure, ground engineering, regulatory management, and business improvement, with a track record of providing governance and strategic
leadership on major projects for local government and the infrastructure sector.

Steve specialises in project strategy and execution, with strengths in navigating complexity, uniting stakeholders, and driving clear pathways to delivery. He is experienced in leading change across governance and execution, ensuring strong performance in resourcing, commercial management, client relationships, project direction, and health and safety.

Prior to Stellar Projects, Steve was General Manager of Regulatory Operations at Auckland Council, responsible for strategic direction, operations, and change leadership across five departments, 1500+ staff, and a $237m turnover.