Wairarapa

Brett Wooffindin

Brett is a Chartered Accountant with deep rural insight and broad commercial experience, shaped by a career that spans farm life, Big Four training, investment banking and senior roles with NZX-listed companies. Raised on a sheep farm in South Canterbury, he understands the realities of rural business and the pressures farmers face.

A Lincoln University graduate and Chartered Accountant since 2007, Brett began his career in Wellington before heading to London, where he refined his skills in performance improvement and change management. That mix of rural grounding and international experience gives him a unique perspective when supporting clients through growth, transition and complexity.

Since 2015, Brett has led Sidekick’s cloud-based solutions team, specialising in Xero + Figured, financial advisory, benchmarking and strategic planning across dairy, sheep & beef, arable and viticulture. He also advises clients in property, hospitality and professional services, bringing clarity, structure and practical direction to every engagement.

Known for his steady, solutions-focused approach, Brett works closely with clients to help them plan for the future and make confident, well-informed decisions. He’s committed to empowering rural business owners with the tools and insights they need to succeed.

Outside work, Brett serves on the WBS board and enjoys rugby, cricket, golf, running and travel – bringing the same curiosity, discipline and team mindset that shapes his approach to business.

Jennifer Martin

Jennifer Martin is a Director at Sidekick Lawson Avery, bringing a strong mix of technical expertise, leadership and practical business experience. Born and raised in the Wairarapa, she has deep connections to the local business community and a genuine understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing regional businesses. 

A Chartered Accountant since 2011, Jennifer has worked across firms in both Wellington and the Wairarapa. Since joining Lawson Avery in 2018, she has played a key role in the firm’s evolution, including leading the transition to cloud-based accounting. 

Jennifer works closely with business owners to provide clear, practical advice across compliance and advisory, supporting growth, succession and key decision-making. She also leads internal systems and team development, ensuring a consistently high standard across the firm. 

Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys being involved in family life and the wider community 

Rob Royle

Rob was born and raised in Wainuiomata before moving to the Wairarapa in 2015 with his wife and two young boys.

Rob studied at Victoria University completing a BCA and post-Graduate Diploma in Accounting before qualifying as Chartered Accountant in 2018.

Prior to joining Lawson Avery in 2018, Rob had worked at another local accounting firm and worked in the finance team at The Salvation Army.

When Rob isn’t in the office or chasing his kids around, it’s likely he’ll be out pig hunting with his dogs.

Jaimi Stewart

Jaimi is a Chartered Accountant who joined Sidekick Lawson Avery in 2021, bringing local knowledge and a strong technical foundation to the team. Born and raised in the Wairarapa, she understands the region and the people she works with. 

A Massey University graduate, Jaimi works with clients across a range of industries, supporting them with clear, practical advice. 

Outside of work, she enjoys playing and watching sport, particularly squash and golf, and spending time with friends and family. 

Svetlana Dumanovskaya

Svetlana is a Chartered Accountant with a strong focus on the dairy industry and rural agribusiness, bringing over a decade of experience across Chartered Accountancy practices. She joined Sidekick Lawson Avery in 2021 and has built a reputation for her depth of knowledge and practical approach. 

A Massey University graduate, Svetlana is also actively involved in the Dairy Industry Awards, having previously served as a Regional Manager and continuing to support the judging process. 

Originally from Crimea, Ukraine, she has called the Wairarapa home since childhood. Outside of work, she enjoys time on her family farm in Martinborough with her partner, their dogs, and two young helpers. 

Jhellaica Manjares

Jhellaica is a Chartered Accountant with international experience and a strong foundation in both corporate and professional services environments. Originally from the Philippines, she began her career as a Certified Public Accountant, with roles at PwC and IBM, before moving to New Zealand. 

She joined Sidekick Lawson Avery in 2021, bringing a thoughtful, client-focused approach and a strong technical skillset. Her experience spans audit, finance and advisory, allowing her to support clients with clarity and confidence. 

Based in Masterton since 2013, Jhellaica is a busy mum of two and enjoys staying active. Outside of work, you’ll find her running, playing social sports, or learning something new – currently the guitar. 

Hiona Haeata

Hiona was born and raised in the Wairarapa and spent 10 years living in Australia. She moved home in 2022 to be closer to family.

She completed her certificate level 4 in accounting and bookkeeping, then completed her registration as a BAS Agent, and is now currently working towards her bachelor’s degree in accounting.

Prior to coming on board with Lawson Avery Hiona worked at another CA Practice in the Gold Coast
as a bookkeeper, developing her skills she grew a passion for accounting.

Out of the office Hiona loves spending time with her daughter and family and looks forward to
exploring the beautiful outdoors and scenery that she missed.

Robyn Morgan

Robyn is a Wairarapa local with over a decade of experience in the accounting industry. She brings a practical, down-to-earth approach and a strong understanding of the local business community. 

An Accounting Technician, Robyn is currently working towards becoming a Chartered Accountant and is passionate about helping clients better understand their numbers and make confident decisions. 

Outside of work, she and her husband are kept busy with their two children. She enjoys a good coffee, a gluten-free treat, and taking time to unwind. 

Karan Kumar

Karan joined Sidekick Lawson Avery after relocating to New Zealand, bringing over nine years of experience in accounting across New Zealand and Australian clients. His background includes extensive work in farming, taxation, commercial accounting and investments.

With both a Bachelor of Commerce and an MBA, Karan has a strong technical foundation and is highly experienced in cloud-based tools, particularly Xero and Figured, helping clients manage their finances with accuracy and efficiency.

Now based in Masterton, he is enjoying settling into the Wairarapa community. Outside of work, Karan has a keen interest in emerging technologies, including crypto and AI, and is a passionate cricket fan.

Neha Patel

Neha brings a strong academic background and a client-focused approach to her role at Sidekick Lawson Avery. Originally from India, she moved to Masterton in 2020 and has since built experience within the New Zealand banking sector. 

She holds both a Bachelor and Master of Commerce, along with a Graduate Certificate in Taxation from Victoria University of Wellington, and is currently working towards her Chartered Accountant qualification. 

Known for her strong communication skills and attention to detail, Neha enjoys supporting clients and building positive relationships. 

Outside of work and study, she enjoys creative pursuits and spending time with her daughter and family. 

Nicole Sim

Nicole joined Sidekick Lawson Avery in 2021 and plays a key role in keeping the office running smoothly, while supporting clients with payroll and day-to-day administration. Known for her organised approach and can-do attitude, she enjoys building strong relationships and creating a welcoming environment for both clients and the team. 

Raised on dairy farms across the Wairarapa, Nicole has a natural understanding of rural life and enjoys working with people from all walks of life. 

Outside of work, she loves getting outdoors with her dogs, exploring local walks, and spending time with family and friends. 

Helen Pauley

Helen is a Marlburian who has travelled the world and landed back here. Having a varied work life from managing a regional office for a multi-national advertising firm, owning a hospitality business to practice management of a medical practice, Helen brings a bucket load of skills. Communication is her flag ship skill and she enjoys problem solving. Resourceful and fun, pretty much sums her up.

She is married to Gary, who is a Business Advisor and in their spare time they love to travel to family & friends, experience the great outdoors and discovering new recipes and flavours, accompanied by a glass of fine wine.

Ric Thorpe

Ric Thorpe is the CEO of Sidekick Chartered Accountants, leading a fast-growing, modern accountancy group focused on helping business owners be more successful.

Ric’s background is in sales and marketing, and he brings a commercial, practical mindset to the accounting profession. He works across the Sidekick network to drive growth, strengthen culture, and ensure clients receive advice that is clear, relevant, and actually makes a difference to their business.

Today, Sidekick is a multi-office group with a strong presence across New Zealand, combining local ownership with national capability. Ric plays a key role in expanding the group through new offices, partnerships, and supporting ambitious accountants who want to build something better, whether that’s growing an existing firm or starting one within the Sidekick model.

A big part of Ric’s focus is developing people. He coaches and facilitates Sidekick Squads, bringing together team members from across the country to improve communication, workflow, leadership, and client outcomes. These sessions are designed to create confident, capable professionals who take ownership and deliver real value.

Ric is also a regular speaker at business and industry events, sharing practical insights on growth, client engagement, and building high-performing teams. Through initiatives like SidekickTV, he helps communicate ideas, stories, and strategies that support both clients and the wider business community.

At his core, Ric is passionate about culture and clarity. He believes that when people understand what success looks like, have the right support around them, and enjoy the environment they work in, great results follow

Steph Holt

Steph is the creative mind behind Sidekick’s brand – making sure everything from marketing campaigns to internal events reflects who we are and what we stand for. With over 15 years of experience in design and strategy, she loves finding fresh, meaningful ways to bring the Sidekick story to life. From shaping how our brand looks and feels to creating moments that connect our team and clients, Steph brings a mix of curiosity, energy, and heart to everything she does.

Outside of work, Steph enjoys spending time with her son Ollie and tending to her ever-growing veggie patch – a creative outlet that balances her busy, design-filled days.

Manoli De Silva

Manoli keeps the team running smoothly, making sure all the day-to-day details are taken care of. She has a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of London and a master’s in international relations from the University of Colombo, she has worked across law firms, UN agencies, and the government sector. Her experience in different environments gives her a strong eye for detail and a knack for keeping things organised and on track.

A massive foodie, Manoli loves cooking and trying out new restaurants. She also enjoys running and staying active, and likes to unwind with a good book and a glass of wine. Most of all, she treasures spending time with her husband and their two young daughters. 

Anna Cochrane

Anna brings a wealth of experience in accounting tech, with a strong focus on FYI and Xero. Having worked closely with firms across New Zealand to implement systems and streamline processes, she’s a go-to expert when it comes to getting the most out of your tech stack.
Anna is passionate about solving problems, improving workflows, and helping teams work smarter. Now based in Timaru to be closer to family, Anna supports Sidekick on a range of internal projects—bringing her trademark energy, insight, and practical know-how to every challenge.