Your local placement agency that puts people first
We are a relations–focused business.
Putting great people in roles means staying in touch, dealing face-to-face and never treating anyone like a number.
“We don’t employ staff unless we are confident they can fulfil the role.”
Not the big guns – simply straight shooters
Our clients like working with us because we always take the direct approach. We keep all communications confidential and easy to understand.
Great candidates – streamlined systems
Part of being straight shooters is having easy-to-use digital platforms that make tracking and billing hours transparent and straightforward.
Meet the Team
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Director
Richard has been an ex-carpenter/joiner in the trades for over 20 years. He’s spent enough time ‘on tools’ that he reckons he can spot a great worker from 20 yards.
Richard’s a straight shooter who prefers straightforward, uncomplicated dealings. Richard’s ethos is to employ people he would have work on his own site, and then be happy to invite them back to his place for a cuppa and to meet the family.
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Recruitment Consultant
JR pronounced as Jayar.
Arriving in New Zealand from the Philippines in 2013, JR sought employment as a carpenter. He worked for six years for two well-known construction firms. Then, in 2020, he started ‘on tools’ for Blokhaus.
In May 2024, Blokhaus noticed a noticeable uptick in new staff from the Philippines, so Richard asked JR to start working in the office as a recruiter.
At the time of writing, 80% of new staff come from the Philippines. JR knows the language and understands their challenges—he can empathise with them. Having used the tools himself, he can place the right people in specific roles.
JR has two children, a son and a daughter, who were born in New Zealand. His partner is a union official. They often have after-work chats about helping people with their workplace challenges.
When not at Blokhaus, JR loves playing with his kids and doing renovations - keeping his carpentry skills sharp.
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Office Manager
Kyle arrived from the Philippines with his wife in 2025. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science - Major in Marketing in 2019 and worked as an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher for two years. Then, he spent the post-COVID years in various roles working from home. His WFH experience spans insurance, real estate, web hosting, and IT support.
Kyle was awarded a sports-focused scholarship when studying, and his passion for recreation and competition is where he spends much of his out-of-office time. His two favourite pastimes are football and basketball. At home, when not talking about marketing with his partner, he enjoys cooking Filipino and Malay food. His favourite dish? Whole slow-roasted pig. BBQ at Kyle’s house!
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Payroll and Accounts Manager
Rachelle is originally from Pampanga, Philippines, where she earned her Civil Engineering degree and gained over five years’ experience as both an office and site engineer with a leading construction company. Since moving to New Zealand, she has attained a Level 7 NZQA qualification and has joined Blokhaus as an Admin Assistant, bringing her technical background and organisational skills to the team.
Rachelle speaks Kapampangan, Tagalog, English and Cebuano. She is adaptable, detail-oriented, and skilled at providing clients with highly capable and reliable talent, helping projects run smoothly from planning to completion and payroll.
Outside of work, she enjoys cooking (especially pork soup), hitting the gym, and relaxing with Netflix thrillers and K-dramas. Now settled in New Zealand with her partner, she remains closely connected to her family abroad while building a new life here.
rachelle@blokhaus.co.nz
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Recruitment Consultant
Luis was born in Argentina to Bolivian parents and began his career in construction while still in high school, working alongside his brother on concrete and building projects in Buenos Aires. Over the years, he expanded his skills across joinery, plastering, carpentry, and quality control, taking on increasing responsibility in supervising teams and managing subcontractors.
After moving to New Zealand, Luis joined Blokhaus, working first in Wellington and later in Queenstown on large-scale projects with Naylor Love. His strong attention to detail, leadership ability, and hands-on experience led him into the role of recruitment, where he now supports the placement and coordination of skilled workers.
Outside of work, Luis is happiest behind the wheel and so enjoys exploring the Southern Lakes’ many vistas and attractions, discovering new restaurants, and spending time with friends.
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Business Development Manager
Dhanish brings a wealth of experience in sales and high-level client relations to Blokhaus. Having spent 14 years of his career in Abu Dhabi, he has a sophisticated understanding of how to manage complex risk and deliver on big promises.
His professional journey is anchored by a long tenure in the insurance industry, where he specialised in attracting business, navigating market competition, and overseeing the entire lifecycle of a client - from lead generation to claims management. This background has made him an expert at identifying "pain points" for businesses and providing workforce solutions that ensure operational continuity.
Service-Oriented Philosophy
Dhanish believes recruitment, like insurance, is about selling and fulfilling a promise to safeguard a business's productivity.Relationship Architect
He excels at establishing trust and building long-term rapport with his clients.Technical Precision
From market intelligence to compliance requirements, Dhanish ensures that every detail is verified and every service standard is met.Moving from the fast-paced, high-pressure environment of The Gulf to New Zealand has given Dhanish a newfound appreciation for work-life balance. After years of focusing solely on the "busy work only life", he has embraced the community spirit of Christchurch.
On the weekends, he no longer drives like Liam Lawson on the streets of Abu Dhabi; instead, you’ll find him on the cricket pitch. Dhanish has dusted off his old college skills and now plays regularly with his local church community, enjoying the "stress-free" pace of life on the New Zealand roads and the quiet camaraderie of the local game.
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Resourcer
Chahat’s human resources and customer service journey began in 2017. She brings a wealth of international expertise and a deeply people-centric approach to the Blokhaus Recruitment team.
Originally from Delhi, India, she has a rich background spanning HR roles, training, and admissions counselling. She has supported the growth of major retail giants like Fab India and navigated complex motor recovery claims for the UK market—experiences that honed her impeccable communication skills and "second nature" understanding of diverse cultures.
Chahat’s transition to New Zealand began in Auckland, where she worked in customer care and administration for the YMCA. Now settled in Christchurch, she has joined Blokhaus as a Resourcer, leveraging her extensive background in recruitment, onboarding, and staff engagement to find the perfect fit for both clients and candidates.
Outside of the office, Chahat is an avid traveller. Alongside her husband, she spends her weekends exploring the natural beauty of New Zealand. While she has a soft spot for the breathtaking vistas of Glenorchy and the tranquil waters of Akaroa, she still holds a deep appreciation for the majesty of the Himalayas from back home.
Whether she’s navigating the complexities of the talent market or the winding roads of the South Island, Chahat’s focus remains the same: building meaningful connections and enjoying the journey.
chahat@blokhaus.co.nz
What do we value?
Challenge accepted
Love helping people, solving their problems.
Let’s get growing
Keen to grow the business, get bigger but never at the expense of personal service.
Not afraid
Get stuck in. Don’t hold back. Give 100% and make sure you deliver results.
Lasting relationships
Our core driver of new business is word of mouth. Great relationships are the foundation of future work.
Straight shooter
Firm but fair, and honest, even if it’s hard news. Be straight.
