Stellar Projects Board Announcement

Stellar Projects is pleased to announce the appointment of three new Directors to our Board. Each brings exceptional expertise and leadership that will strengthen our governance and guide the organisation into its next phase of growth.

We have been investing in our teams with key hires, and now we are investing in our leadership and governance. With confidence in the infrastructure outlook, we are well placed to play a key role in shaping Aotearoa New Zealand’s future.

Darryl CoalterDarryl brings over 25 years of experience in major infrastructure projects across the UK, New Zealand, and Australia. His expertise includes technical due diligence, advisory, distress project recovery, and independent certifier roles and has been involved on numerous major projects such as the West Gate Tunnel (VIC), Puhoi to Warkworth (NZ), Transmission Gully (NZ) Sydney Light Rail, and WestConnex (M4E and M5 AU), Brisbane Airportlink (AU), Mt Messenger Alliance (NZ).

With deep connections across the New Zealand infrastructure sector, Darryl is recognised for providing governance assurance across mega-projects and PPPs. Under the Stellar Projects banner, his leadership will ensure projects are delivered with strong stakeholder engagement, technical excellence, and compliance with contractual and regulatory frameworks. Darryl also adds another highly experienced Engineer to Contract to our team of Contract Administration specialists.

Marius van de WallMarius joined Stellar Projects as a Senior Quantity Surveyor in 2019, becoming an Associate Director in 2023. He has grown our quantity surveying offering from small beginnings into a core part of our business.

Marius has a proven track record of delivering financial rigour and value across complex infrastructure projects nationwide. At Stellar Projects, he leads the Quantity Surveying Group and serves as Waikato/Bay of Plenty Business Lead, overseeing project delivery and client relationships in one of New Zealand’s fastest growing regions.

With highly regarded expertise in cost planning, procurement, and commercial strategy, our clients rely on Marius to ensure projects are delivered with transparency, accountability, and long-term value.

Steve Haszard – Independent DirectorSteve joins the Board with extensive executive leadership and governance experience. He has served as Chief Executive of Stellar Projects and WorkSafe New Zealand, and Managing Partner at Meredith Connell, one of New Zealand’s largest law firms.

A lawyer by profession, Steve has held governance roles with the Civil Aviation Authority, Talley’s Group, and Meredith Connell, bringing a unique blend of legal, regulatory, and commercial expertise.

Steve has been instrumental in helping Stellar Projects realign and focus on our core customers and in delivering complex infrastructure. His appointment strengthens Stellar Projects’ Board with extensive experience ‘in transformational change, corporate governance, and strategic leadership, ensuring the organisation continues to grow sustainably while maintaining its commitment to excellence.

Our Commitment

With established offices spanning the golden triangle and the north (Auckland, Cambridge, Whangārei, and Tauranga), and a growing presence in the lower North Island, we are well positioned to grow and support the burgeoning pipeline of infrastructure projects in these areas. These strategic appointments give us breadth of governance and geographic strength as we now have two Directors based in the Waikato region, underpinning our commitment to this vital area.

Together, Steve, Marius, and Darryl — alongside our existing Directors Lucas, Benji, and Peter — will provide greater capacity, invaluable insight, and sustained leadership as Stellar Projects builds on its strong foundation to achieve our vision of being Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading infrastructure delivery partner.