Great science. Better decisions. Thriving communities.
Specialist water resource consultancy combining leading research science, advanced scientific programming, and principal-level regulatory expertise to deliver high impact research science, robust effects assessments and water management solutions, regional plan change science and expert evidence for consenting processes. We are trusted across New Zealand’s local government, mining, farming and development sectors for local and regional groundwater, hydrological and water quality modelling, water resource impact assessment and climate change risk and adaptation.
Why Choose Kōmanawa?
Proven Results – A strong track record of delivering exceptional project outcomes, earning stakeholder trust and securing consents.
Efficiency That Compounds – Our automation and workflow optimisation save clients time and money year after year.
Technical Depth – Advanced modelling, scientific programming, and rigorous statistical analysis that stand up to the toughest scrutiny.
Clear Communication – We specialise in turning complex science into information stakeholders, regulators, and communities can understand and trust.
Responsive Partnership – Agile, highly skilled, and easy to work with. Clients know we’ll step up when it matters most.
We love turning complex challenges into solutions that build trust and deliver lasting benefits.
1. (verb) spring, well up (of water) 2.(verb) to spring, well up (of thoughts, etc.) (maoridictionary.co.nz)
Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler
“It can scarcely be denied that the supreme goal of all theory is to make the irreducible basic elements as simple and as few as possible without having to surrender the adequate representation of a single datum of experience.”
~Albert Einstein
At KSL we believe in finding solutions that are simple, but not too simple. Finding the right balance between complexity and simplicity is a key part of delivering great science to support sustainable use and management of our natural resources. We’ll help you find that balance.
With water resources under increasing pressure, Kōmanawa Solutions brings advanced science, agile problem solving, and trusted expertise to land and water management across Aotearoa.
Our team has a proven record of solving complex challenges—combining specialist research skills, advanced programming, and real-world experience in hydrology and environmental consulting.
We believe in clear, honest collaborations with clients, communities, and mana whenua—delivering solutions that stand up to scrutiny and empower better decisions for people and the planet.
Recent projects span minerals sector consent wins, automation of compliance monitoring, climate adaptation for communities, and ongoing support for industry, government, and iwi.
Ready to see how our team’s science and values can help your next project?
Zeb Etheridge BSc MSc Founder and Principal Water Resource Scientist
Zeb Etheridge, Principal Water Resource Scientist and founder of Kōmanawa Solutions and Adjunct Senior Fellow at the University of Canterbury, has 25 years experience in water resource science and management, spanning contamination and water quality, surface water and groundwater resources, numerical modelling, groundwater source protection, managed aquifer recharge, ground-source energy systems, water supply engineering, climate change impact assessment and mine water management.
After graduating with Distinction in MSc Water Resources, his career path has encompassed contaminant risk analysis and mitigation for major hazard contamination sources, water resource impact assessments for invaluable water resources such as the World Heritage Bath Hot Springs (UK), water management design to remedy mine discharge impacts, water supply design and optimisation for MOD bases across the UK and delivery of blue-ribbon groundwater science to support water quality management of the Christchurch city aquifer.
“My goal is to deliver excellent science to support the wise stewardship of our environment, for us and our children after us. I strongly believe in open and honest science communication to inform the increasingly challenging natural resource management decisions we are now facing. I’m passionate about working together, across the social, cultural and political spectrum, to forge a prosperous future and thriving natural environment. I combine a clear vision of the pathway to achieving successful project outcomes with dedication to on-time delivery and out-of-the box thinking, to help my clients, partners and employers achieve success.”
Matt Dumont né Hanson BA, MSc Computational Hydrogeologist Matt@komanawa.com
Matt Dumont has more than 8 years of experience in groundwater resource management, numerical modelling, quantitative analysis, and data science. Matt graduated with honors from Whitman College with a BA in Chemistry-Geology and was granted a Fulbright Graduate Award to complete an MSc with distinction from the University of Canterbury. Matt went on to work with the University of Canterbury, Bodeker Scientific, and Environment Canterbury.
A keen programmer, Matt enjoys bringing the power, efficiency, and automation of scientific programming to solve complex resource management problems. He believes that with scientific programming and novel thinking we can add value, integrate uncertainty, and provide the guidance that is needed to solve ever more complex environmental challenges. When Matt isn’t writing code and running models he enjoys tramping, mountaineering, and all other things outdoors.
Jens Rekker BSc, PGDipSci Principal Hydrogeologist
Jens Rekker has 29 years of experience in groundwater, hydrology, modelling and water resource management. Jens graduated as a geologist from Otago University with a Post-Graduate Diploma in Science (Credit) focusing on the water sciences. He went on to work with Amsterdam Water, international engineering / environmental consultancies, Lincoln Agritech, private practice, and Otago Regional Council. Jens has been fortunate to be able to apply his expertise in a wide range of professional applications, including water supply assessment, contaminated sites, basin groundwater quality analysis, groundwater resource assessment, mine water management, hydro-geophysics, applied monitoring techniques, indigenous values, computer modelling, catchment hydrology and region-scale water policy development.
Jens operates best in developing quantitative conceptual models of complex hydrological systems with an emphasis on the groundwater dimension. He enjoys matching innovative techniques of analysis to real-world water management problems from their inception to final outcomes, such as providing technical evidence in hearings or court. He passionate about informal science education, using layperson language in explaining complex hydro-environmental processes and mentoring of the next generation of professionals where he can. When not in the office or field, Jens can be found in the hills hiking or tending tree crops and vegetables in the garden.
Connor Cleary BE PhD* *in submission
Computational Hydrogeologist
Connor completed his Bachelor of Engineering with 1st Class Honors at the University of Auckland. He specialized in Engineering Science, which focused on mathematical modelling and fluid dynamics. He recently submitted his PhD Thesis at the University of Canterbury, for which he used variable-density numerical models to understand the influence of alluvial aquifer heterogeneity and seafloor pockmarks on rates of seawater intrusion. While at the University of Canterbury, he also gave lectures on Groundwater Modelling to Civil Engineering Students.
Connor’s expertise in mathematical modelling, computational hydrogeology and coastal groundwater systems help to position Kōmanawa as the go-to team for challenging technical problems and high impact research.
Vision and Mission
At KSL we believe in finding solutions that are simple, but not too simple. Finding the right balance between complexity and simplicity is a key part of delivering great science to support sustainable use and management of our natural resources. We’ll help you find that balance.
Our Vision
Kōmanawa Solutions is a thriving workplace which delivers high quality science and research and aspires to be at the forefront of innovation to address our increasingly complex water resource challenges, mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei (for us and our children after us).
Our Mission
Our mission is to develop solutions to the increasingly challenging water resource management issues we now face by providing a clear vision of the pathway from problem to solution, working closely with partners, communities and stakeholders, deploying state-of-the art scientific methods and by building trust through knowledge and honest science communication
