About NZ Air Limited

Managing Director - Donovan Van Kekem

Qualifications

BSc (Biochemistry)
PG Dip (Forensic Science)

Affiliations

Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand

Awards

2009 Award for Technical Innovation, Bankside Remediation Air Quality Monitoring Project (URS Staff Award)

Institute of Professional Engineers of New Zealand (IPENZ), The Arthur Mead Award (Merit), For Environmental Sustainability

2014 The Ross Sharp Marketing Award, (URS Staff Award)

Career History

Donovan is an Air Quality Scientist with 16 years’ experience in New Zealand and Australia, specialising in air quality assessments. Donovan began his career as an ambient field technician primarily setting up, calibrating, servicing and troubleshooting faults at ambient monitoring stations for a wide range of airborne contaminants. The role also included reporting, QA/QC, and data validation of the results.

Donovan then moved into a consulting role in which he broadened his experience to include project management, emission inventories, air dispersion modelling using AERMOD, Calpuff, TAPM and Ausplume, environmental impact assessments, workplace exposure assessments, odour monitoring and modelling, and all facets of air quality assessments during contaminated site remediation.

After years of experience specialising in air quality assessments, Donovan now writes and presents expert evidence for both regional council hearings and environment court.

Most recently Donovan has developed an independent air quality consulting business, NZ Air Limited.

Donovan is able to develop practical solutions using a multidisciplinary approach embracing emission estimation, dispersion modelling and monitoring.

Areas of Experience
  • Ambient air and emissions monitoring
  • Expert air quality evidence
  • Air quality dispersion modelling
  • Workplace exposure and health and safety air quality monitoring and advice
  • Air quality assessments for Resource Consent applications

Detailed Experience

  • Expert evidence

    Donovan has received excellent training in this field under Andrew Curtis one of New Zealand’s leading air quality experts. Donovan has been involved in preparing evidence for many cases and is now well respected as an expert in his field.

    • Prepare and present expert air quality testimony on behalf of submitters, Healthy Waters – St Marys bay Water Quality Improvement Project (2018)
    • Prepared expert evidence and attended council hearing on behalf of Mainland Poultry land use consent application. Provided expert services to Environment Court proceedings, Orini chicken egg layer farm (2018 - 2019)
    • Write and present evidence on behalf of submitters opposing the proposed Fonterra Darfield private plan change (2017)
    • Provided expert advice and attend the hearing on behalf of the Webber pre-school development, Marlborough (2017)
    • Write and present evidence on behalf of submitters opposing the proposed Fonterra Studholme Expansion (2016)
    • Write and present evidence on behalf of Tegal for two chicken farm expansions (Clarence and Jones) (2016)
    • Write and present evidence on behalf of J-Swap and Bupa on the proposed Canterbury Air Regional Plan (2015)
    • Prepare and present expert evidence on potential dust impacts from a proposed gravel quarry – SOL Quarries (2015)
    • Prepare and presented expert evidence for Clemence Drilling – Kaiapoi Landfill Application (2015)
    • Prepared evidence and assisted at council hearing on behalf of Annex Developments – Gelita air discharge consent (2014)
    • Prepared evidence and assisted at council hearing on behalf of Envirowaste – Cass st Waste Transfer Station (2015)
    • Prepared s42a report and attend council hearing on behalf of Environment Canterbury – Intelligro air discharge consent application, Main South road facility
    • Prepared and presented evidence at Selwyn District Council (SDC) hearing on behalf of SDC. – Bates Pig Farm land use consent application.
  • Ambient Air Quality and Emissions Monitoring

    Donovan has designed ambient monitoring programmes for a number of clients with a complete understanding of the relevant instrument installation requirements and capabilities. In particular, Donovan has designed and managed ambient air quality monitoring programmes for a range of project types including; transport, power generation, mining, remediation projects, natural gas extraction, and waste treatment and disposal facilities. These studies have involved a wide variety of clients, with unique environmental requirements. His recent projects include:

    • Odour point source sampling, Ziwi Pets (2017 – 2018)
    • Routine maintenance and calibrations of four Environment Canterbury ambient air quality monitoring stations (2017 – 2018)
    • Install and commission a weather station. SOL Quarries (2016)
    • Odour assessment and mitigation strategy, odour sampling and odour modelling. Bupa (2014 - 2015)
    • Project management and implementation of ambient air quality monitoring program. Christchurch City Council – Burwood Landfill (2013 – Present)
    • Design and implementation of ambient blast fume and fugitive dust monitoring program. Anglo Coal – Callide (2012-2013)
    • Project management and implementation of landfill gas monitoring and emergency response procedure. Suntown Landfill (2010-2012)
    • Design and implementation of EIS air quality assessment and baseline air quality monitoring programme. Queensland Rail CQIRN (2012).
    • Design and implementation of EIS baseline air quality monitoring programme. Xstrata Rolleston Coal Mine Expansion (2011-2012).
    • Design and implementation of EIS baseline air quality monitoring programme. Macarther Coal Monto proposed Coal Mine (2011-2012).
    • Design and implementation of EIS air quality assessment and baseline air quality monitoring programme. Sumitomo Mining and Metals proposed Solomon Islands nickel mine (2011-2012).
    • Project management, design, and implementation of a PM10 air quality monitoring programme. Xstrata, Abbot point bulk coal port (2011).
    • Project management Brisbane BP refinery stack testing programme and air quality modelling assessment. BP (2011).
    • Design and implementation of an air quality monitoring programme and early alarm system for Selwyn Plantation Board. Bankside Remediation Project (2008).
    • Design and implementation of a dust monitoring programme. Contact Energy (2009).
    • Design and implementation of flare emissions monitoring programme. Kowhai Natural Gas Flare Emissions (2008).
    • Design and implementation of dust, video and meteorological monitoring programme. Winstones, Belmont Quarry (2008).
  • Air Quality Assessments and Air Quality Dispersion Modelling

    Donovan has been instrumental in assisting a wide variety of industry in air quality assessments of environmental effects (AEE/EIS). His inputs include quantifying potential and actual effects and providing unique tailored mitigation measures to minimise impacts on the environment often creating win win scenarios for industry and regulators.

    Donovan has also developed skills in air dispersion modelling (e.g. CALPUFF, TAPM, AERMOD and AUSPLUME) and applied these skills to air quality impact assessments for a broad range of clients. He has conducted modelling assessments to aid in the design phase of proposed infrastructure and for emission estimating from existing operations. His recent projects include:

    • - Undertake technical review to support a submission on the proposed Fulton Hogan Templeton Quarry – CCC (2019)
    • Air dispersion modelling and assessment of air quality effects, from mobile animal and organic materials incinerators, Inciner8 (2019)
    • Undertake an assessment of air quality effects, Frews Hororata Managed Fill (2018)
    • Undertake an assessment of air quality effects, Envirofert composting plant (2019)
    • Model odour discharges and prepare a technical assessment, Marsden Grange broiler farm (2019)
    • Model odour discharges and prepare a technical assessment, Zealand free range layer farm (2018)
    • Model, and prepare a technical assessment proposed air discharges from backup power generators. Spark data centre (2017-2018)
    • Model, and prepare a technical assessment proposed air discharges from a number of correctional facilities. Department of Corrections (2016 - 2019)
    • Assess potential air quality reverse sensitivity effects associated with a proposed apartment complex development above a Mobil service station. Chander Investments Trust (2017)
    • Prepare an AEE (including dispersion modelling) and obtain an air discharge consent change of conditions for a large printing plant – AMCOR (2016-2017)
    • Assess potential air quality reverse sensitivity effects associated with a proposed apartment complex development. Broxbourne Properties Ltd (2017)
    • Odour measurement program and air dispersion modelling assessment of existing and proposed pet food manufacturing plants – ANZCO and Ziwipeak (2017- 2019)
    • Odour measurement program and air dispersion modelling assessment for a proposed large scale intensive poultry farm – Mainland Poultry (2017)
    • Model, and prepare a technical assessment proposed air discharges from a fire laboratory. Design and facilitate follow up stack testing program, University of Canterbury (2016 - 2019)
    • Prepare an AEE (including dispersion modelling) and obtain an air discharge consent for a polystyrene block manufacturing plant – Eurocorp (2016)
    • Technical air quality assessments for proposed quarry developments – Christchurch Ready Mix Concrete (2016 – 2017)
    • Air discharge consent application and dispersion modelling for a lime calcination plant – Palmer Resources (2016)
    • Project manager, Thames airshed modelling project – Environment Waikato (2014)
    • Odour assessment and mitigation strategy, ambient air quality monitoring, odour sampling and odour modelling. Bupa (2014 - 2018)
    • Project management, modelling, AEE and consent application for the coal fired boiler plant at Hanger 1 – Air New Zealand (2015)
    • Project management, modelling, AEE and consent application for the coal fired boiler plant at Wigram Air Force Museum – New Zealand Defence Force (2014)
    • Project management, modelling, AEE and consent application for meat smokers at Hellers Kaiapoi Plant – Hellers (2014)
    • Project management and technical review, AEE for the coal fired boiler plant at Burnham military camp – New Zealand Defence Force (2013)
    • Dispersion modelling and AEE for proposed Kaiangaroa Rosin Plant - American Pine and Rosin Derivatives (2012)
    • Air Quality Assessment and dispersion modelling for a proposed Tear Gas Facility. Royal Australian Defence Force. (2010).
    • Air Quality Assessment and dispersion modelling for Pond A Evaporator Spray Unit. Sun Metals Zinc Processing Facility. (2010).
    • Assessment of Environmental Effects for the Proposed Oamaru Cement Plant. Holcim. (2009).
    • Odour Assessment of the New Lynn flexible packaging plant. Huhtamaki Flexible Packaging Ltd. (2010).
  • Workplace exposure and health and safety air quality monitoring and advice

    Many workplaces have significant air quality health and safety concerns for their employees due to the chemicals used and processes that are conducted on-site. Therefore, many workplaces employ consultants to provide professional advice and assess their workplace air quality against work place exposure health guidelines. Donovan has a wide range of experience in this area working in a variety of industries including, storage warehouses, casting foundries, paint and solvent manufactures, waste processing facilities, and remediation sites. His recent projects include:

    • Design and implementation of an employee exposure monitoring programme (Respirable dust, airborne microbes, Respirable Silica). NCTIR Kaikoura (2018).
    • Design and implementation of an employee exposure monitoring programme (Respirable dust, airborne microbes, H2S). IAG offices (2017).
    • Design and implementation of an employee exposure monitoring programme (Respirable dust, noise, airborne microbes, silica, asbestos). 4x Waste Management transfer stations (2016 - 2017).
    • Project management and implementation of asbestos and PM10 personnel exposure and ambient air quality monitoring program. Waste Management – Burwood Resource Recovery park (2013 – 2015)
    • Project management and implementation of an asbestos exposure monitoring programme. Bechtel (2011).
    • Project management and implementation of an Employee exposure monitoring programme. The Warehouse (2008 and 2009).
    • Design and implementation of an employee exposure monitoring programme. Akzo Nobel (2008 and 2009).

Training

  • Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry), University of Canterbury (NZ), 2001

  • Post Graduate Diploma (Forensic Science), University of Auckland (NZ), 2002

  • HAZWOPER, 2014

  • First Aid Certificate, 2015

  • Coal Core induction, 2011

  • CASANZ Conference, 2011

  • CASANZ Hazardous Air Pollutants, 2010

  • Safe Working at Heights, 2015

  • Mobile Elevated Work Platform operation, 2015

  • AERMOD Air Dispersion Modelling training course, 2016

  • Essential Meteorology for Air Modellers, training course 2017

  • CASANZ Conference 2017

  • CALPUFF Air Dispersion modelling course – Lakes Environmental 2018

Professional history

  • 2016 - Present

    NZ Air Limited Managing Director

  • 2015 - 2016

    AECOM

    Principal Air Quality Scientist

  • 2013 - 2015

    URS New Zealand Limited

    Senior Associate Air Quality Scientist

  • 2010 - 2013

    AECOM

    Senior Professional Air Quality Scientist

  • 2008 - 2010

    URS New Zealand Limited

    Environmental Scientist

  • 2003 - 2008

    Watercare Services Limited (Ambient Air Quality Department)

    Air Quality Technician

NZ AIR IS AN AIR QUALITY CONSULTANCY specialising IN

  • Expert evidence
  • Air discharge consent applications
  • Odour assessments
  • Nuisance dust assessments
  • Air quality monitoring
  • Dispersion modelling