Sponsored by Anderson Lloyd
McElrea Consulting
Delivering inclusive, values-driven strategies
A strategy and facilitation firm, McElrea Consulting helps organisations, communities, and councils across Aotearoa move from ideas to action.
Founded in 2016, the company specialises in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and feasibility studies using methodologies like Strategic Doing™ and Investment Logic Mapping (ILM).
They work with local and regional government, iwi, non-profits, and purpose-led businesses, to deliver inclusive, values-driven strategies with measurable impact.
Key achievements have included leading the Joint Housing Action Plan for Queenstown Lakes, and facilitating ILM workshops for Enterprise Dunedin and the 45 South Collective.
McElrea also project-managed the Southern Way Touring Network and has supported leadership teams at LandPro, Pioneer Energy, and others through Strategic Doing workshops.
What sets McElrea Consulting apart is its agile, collaborative approach that fosters ownership and drives momentum. Unlike traditional consultants, they build strategies with clients, enabling immediate action. Over the past year, they have focused on building
Strategic Doing capability across various sectors, establishing a regional hub in Otago and expanding nationally.
Looking ahead, McElrea aims to develop Strategic Doing New Zealand into a national hub, offering training, certification, and annual gatherings. Its mission is to make strategy more inclusive, adaptive, and effective - empowering others to lead change from within.
Aroha Ki Te Tamariki Trust – Mirror Services
Specialist counselling and interventions for tamariki and rangatahi
Mirror Services provides specialist counselling and addiction-targeted interventions for tamariki and rangatahi aged 0-25 across Otago and Southland. Their services include free or low-cost counselling, youth programmes, ACC Sensitive Claims support, and Māori-specific initiatives.
Operating under a Strategic Framework reviewed every 6-8 weeks, Mirror Services has shown resilience and innovation despite funding challenges – expanding school counselling, maintaining staffing during contract transitions, and launching new services like the Out of Office online gaming programme and participation in MSD’s Job Coach Pilot.
In 2024-25, they supported over 1,400 clients, delivered more than 13,000 contact hours, and increased media visibility and financial reserves. Their bicultural, whānau-focused approach and multidisciplinary team, investing over 1,000 hours in staff training, have led to measurable client outcomes validated by Otago University.
Looking ahead, Mirror Services plans to launch a youth-led café (Manaaki by Rangatahi), lead the development of a Dunedin Youth Hub, introduce an Employee Assistance Programme for businesses to utilise, and build corporate partnerships. Their 2025-2029
Strategic Plan aims to secure targeted funding and establish a training scholarship system, reinforcing their commitment to sustainable, impactful mental health support for young people and their families.
Southern Link
Building the platform for Otago’s future
Southern Link is a 50/50 partnership between Port Otago and Dynes Group with one clear goal – to create the conditions for high-value businesses to grow and succeed.
The project will establish a modern logistics park at Mosgiel, connecting road, rail, and sea to create an efficient channel for New Zealand businesses to export to the world. It’s designed to lift regional productivity, reduce carbon emissions through greater rail use, and strengthen Otago’s role in the national economy.
Southern Link will become a future-ready hub for enterprise and innovation – a place where high-value, sustainable businesses can evolve and thrive. The development will support new jobs, attract investment, and keep opportunity anchored in the region.
Privately funded and shovel-ready, the project represents practical progress – smarter infrastructure that boosts connectivity, sustainability, and long-term prosperity.
This isn’t about moving freight – it’s about moving Otago forward.
Gallaway Cook Allan
Together, doing good things with good people
Known for its practical, straight to the point legal advice, Gallaway Cook Allan positions itself as trusted advisors.
The Otago firm was established in 1859, and has long been a leading law practice with offices in Dunedin and Wānaka, serving clients locally and nationally.
Through a clear focus on governance, client service and community, they have used strategic cohesion to drive impact. Their purpose of “together, doing good things with good people” goes further than providing great legal services. It’s about who they are, how they do business and the impact they have on the community and environment.
In April 2025 the firm launched its Impact Strategy, structured around the three pillars of Community, Environment, and Team. Each pillar includes seven measurable actions to ensure accountability and sustainable impact.
The firm focuses on outcomes over optics. Year one of the strategy is about building capacity for continuous improvement and setting goals that support future innovation. They have achieved milestones in areas such as pro-bono services, supporting local, community partnerships, and staff wellbeing. Recent highlights include a focus on increased accessibility and emissions reductions.
And looking ahead, Gallaway Cook Allan aims to assess its progress, refine systems, and lay strong foundations for long-term change.
