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.

A man wearing safety glasses, an orange safety vest, and work gloves is working on the exterior of a building, holding a tool and inspecting a wall.

“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

Richard Keown wearing in a blue suit and navy shirt standing against a textured concrete wall.
  • 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.

    richard@blokhaus.co.nz

    021 80 66 50

Kyle Patron
  • 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!

    kyle@blokhaus.co.nz

    027 776 5657

Casey Murphy
  • Business Development Manager

    Born in Christchurch and raised in Twizel and Lake Tekapo, Casey returned to the city over twenty years ago and knows the region inside out. She brings a vibrant energy and a wealth of client-facing experience to Blokhaus Recruitment, underpinned by a genuine passion for building lasting, trust-based relationships.

    Casey’s diverse professional background includes nearly three years as a Sales Manager in the residential sector and eight years as an international Project Manager coordinating global teams for heavy-hitters like Fisher & Paykel. Highly motivated, she completed her Diploma in Business and Project Management through evening study while working full-time. This blend of structured project precision and authentic sales leadership makes her perfectly suited to drive growth for businesses across Canterbury.

    Outside of work, Casey doesn’t slow down. She is a proud mum to three sports-loving sons, and stays active with regular gym workouts and hip-hop dance classes. When she does get a moment to herself, she’s an avid reader who loves nothing more than chilling on the couch with her Kindle™.

    casey@blokhaus.co.nz

    027 576 5657

  • 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.

    dhanish@blokhaus.co.nz

    027 180 10711

  • 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

    027 876 5657

Chahat Mehra
  • 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

    027 476 5657

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.