Timaru

James Swaney

Richard Wheeler

Richard is a Rural Director at Sidekick Timaru, helping farmers turn plans into action and build stronger, more successful businesses.

Richard brings more than 20 years’ experience across rural banking, leadership and business advisory. He spent 15 years in rural banking before joining Sidekick in 2018, where he works closely with dairy, arable and cropping, sheep and beef, contracting and sharemilking businesses. Richard holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Commerce, with a double major in Rural Valuation and Farm Management, and is a member of the Institute of Rural Professionals New Zealand.

Clients often come to Richard when they need more than advice – they need action and accountability. He helps farming businesses work through strategic planning, governance, finance, succession, capital raising, cashflow forecasting, wealth creation and software systems, then supports them to follow through on the decisions they make. Richard is particularly good at bringing the people, plans and numbers together, creating alignment between directors and building the accountability needed to achieve meaningful results.

Energetic, approachable and adaptable, Richard genuinely cares about the people behind each farming business. He enjoys getting out on farm, where he can properly understand the business, its people and what they are working towards. For Richard, the most rewarding conversations are the ones where clients celebrate a milestone, see a plan come to life or reconnect with the purpose behind what they do.

His approach is proactive, modern and very Sidekick. Richard believes having a clear plan and someone independent to hold you accountable is an investment, not a cost. He also believes that while accounting, planning and numbers matter, there should still be value, energy and some fun in the process.

Outside work, Richard enjoys keeping active through swimming, cycling, running and the gym, often alongside friends or the team, as well as following his family’s sporting activities. He is Vice Chairman of the South Canterbury Rugby Union, a Board Member of Fraser Park Community Trust, Treasurer of the Timaru Triathlon Club and a member of the Institute of Rural Professionals.

Maggie Harvey

With over a decade of experience, Maggie blends sharp accounting expertise with a refreshingly human touch. A Chartered Accountant with a Bachelor of Commerce in Taxation, she’s all about making business advice practical, personal, and genuinely useful.

Maggie’s not just here to crunch numbers—she’s here to connect. She builds real relationships, listens closely, and delivers advice that fits your world. As a busy mum of two who still finds time for sprint classes at the gym and sitting on boards, she gets that time is precious and brings that empathy into every client interaction.

Originally from Ikawai and now happily based in Timaru, Maggie brings energy, insight, and just the right amount of quirk to everything she does.

Jess Hampton

Jess has a varied accounting background, having worked in both accounting practices and commercial environments, in NZ and overseas.

Jess graduated from Otago University with an LLB and BCom, and then embarked on her accounting career in Wellington. After gaining her Chartered Accountancy, Jess worked in both Dublin and London, while enjoying life on the other side of the world. She eventually returned to her home province and loves working as part of the Sidekick Timaru team to help local businesses achieve their goals.

Outside of work, Jess loves spending time with her family, watching her three boys playing sport and heading to the beach in beautiful Kakanui.

Olivia Rawson

Olivia joined Sidekick Timaru in 2022 as a Senior Accountant, bringing with her a wealth of experience gained since starting her accounting career in 2006. After moving from Christchurch to Timaru, she began working in the accounting field and studied while working to become a qualified Accounting Technician.

With extensive experience across a range of clients and industries, Olivia enjoys helping people understand their accounts and tax obligations. She values building strong relationships and being a trusted part of her clients’ financial journey.

Outside of work, Olivia enjoys reading, gaming, and practicing karate. She lives in Timaru with her husband, twin boys, and a lively household of cats, dogs, and goats.

Manish Rawat

Manish joined Sidekick in 2018, bringing with him six years of experience in the farming and commercial accounting sectors. He holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in commerce and is currently working towards becoming a qualified Chartered Accountant. 

Originally from Chandigarh in North India, Manish moved to Auckland, New Zealand in 2018. He now resides in Christchurch with his wife and two children and works from Sidekick’s Selwyn office.

In his role at Sidekick Timaru, Manish handles a wide range of compliance tasks for farming and commercial clients, including end-of-year financial statements and GST returns. He particularly enjoys the more analytical aspects of accounting, such as budgeting and forecasting.

Outside of work, Manish is a passionate cricket fan—both watching and playing—and enjoys relaxing watching movies and exploring new places around Canterbury and beyond.

Tom Taiaroa

Tom began his accounting career with Sidekick Timaru in late 2020 after earning his Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Finance, from Otago University. Since joining the team, he has been gaining hands-on experience across a diverse range of businesses and industries, thriving on the variety and challenges that come with working in a dynamic firm.

Working remotely, Tom continues to build his expertise while enjoying the flexibility and independence that comes with his role. He is currently on the path to becoming a fully qualified Chartered Accountant, further strengthening his commitment to the profession.

Outside the office, Tom is a passionate lawn bowler and is well known in New Zealand’s bowling community. He finds time on the green a great way to unwind and stay connected with the sport he loves.

Jessie Brown

Jessie is one of our Accountants, supporting clients across all aspects of their financial reporting and compliance. With a strong background in the rural sector, she brings deep industry knowledge and genuine passion to her work. Her experience is especially valuable to our rural clients, who benefit from having another dedicated expert on the team. When she’s not working with numbers, Jessie loves to cuddle up on the couch with a cup of tea (only Dilmah, do try it) and catch up on Coronation Street. She’s also a proud mum to two daughters who compete in gymnastics competitions around New Zealand—so weekends are often spent cheering them on and helping behind the scenes.

Melissa Williams

Mel is the ultimate multitasker at Sidekick Timaru, seamlessly handling everything from client queries to bookkeeping and payroll. She’s a vital support to the accounting team, bringing versatility and a can-do attitude to every task. With a rich background in customer service, Mel’s superpower lies in building strong, lasting relationships—whether with clients or colleagues.

Outside the office, Mel’s world revolves around her beautiful daughters, cherished family time on the farm in Central Otago, and relaxed coffee catch-ups with friends. 

Michelle Harper

Michelle is a valued member of our Accounting team, currently advancing her expertise by studying towards a Bachelor of Accountancy through Massey University. Her commitment to professional development and her keen eye for detail make her a reliable and driven contributor to our financial operations.

With a strong foundation in accounting principles and a growing academic background, Michelle brings both practical insight and fresh perspective to her role. She’s known for her approachable nature, collaborative spirit, and her ability to juggle multiple responsibilities with grace.

Outside of work and study, Michelle is a proud mum to two energetic boys. Much of her free time is spent cheering them on from the sidelines of their sporting events, sharing in their wins and growth. She also enjoys playing netball, which keeps her active, and catching up with friends over coffee or a good laugh.

Michelle’s blend of professionalism, dedication, and warmth makes her a wonderful part of our team.

Monique Gilbert 

Monique was born and raised in South Canterbury, after a few years in Wanaka at our Wanaka office she is now back and is living locally on a farm and is loving the lifestyle. One of the main things that attracted Monique onto the Accounting path is her passion to help people. She is so passionate about accounting that she completed her degree correspondence while working part-time, and has graduated with a Bachelor of Business majoring in Accounting.

Letitia Pottle

Letitia (known as Teish) joined Sidekick in 2022 as a Personal Assistant to the Directors, quickly proving herself as a reliable, detail-oriented, and proactive team member. Her natural ability to connect with clients and manage complex tasks led her to transition into the Client Services Manager role, where she now thrives.

She loves meeting new clients and finds genuine joy in helping their business ideas come to life. As the key liaison between our directors and clients, Teish ensures every interaction is smooth, thoughtful, and delivered with care.

Outside of work, Teish is deeply passionate about sports—especially rugby league (go the Penrith Panthers!) and netball.

In addition to her role at Sidekick, Teish runs her own business, bringing the same drive and creativity to her entrepreneurial ventures. Her firsthand experience has given her valuable insight into what clients need when turning their ideas into successful businesses.

In her downtime, Teish enjoys quality time with friends, travelling, and making memories with her daughter.

Zakiaya Gray

Zakiaya discovered her passion for accounting early in her academic journey and has since cultivated a strong foundation in the field. With hands-on experience across a variety of accounting processes, she brings both technical expertise and a genuine commitment to helping clients thrive. She finds fulfilment in supporting business growth and building lasting relationships through thoughtful financial guidance.

Beyond the office, Zakiaya enjoys quality time with loved ones, teeing off on the golf course with her partner, and embracing the outdoors whenever she can.

Katie Westwood

Katie joined Sidekick in 2025 and offers a wealth of knowledge to her clients having been a business owner for 11 years. Katie is a CAANZ Accounting Technician with a New Zealand Applied Diploma in Business and soon to be completed Bachelor’s Degree Business, Accounting.

Being from England Katie appreciates the lifestyle in New Zealand and is passionate about helping clients succeed in this beautiful country.

Katie enjoys travel with her favorite places to date being Laos, France and Japan.

You will always find Katie with her camera and in Winter she will be up the mountain skiing and in summer mountain biking.

Dianne Wills

Di joined our team in 2024 as an administrative assistant, supporting the team in any way possible. As our receptionist, she will greet you with a big smile when you visit our Timaru office or call us on the phone.

Di has 30-plus years of customer service, administration, and management experience behind her.

When Di isn’t working, she is likely to be curled up with a cuppa and a good book, spending time with family and friends, travelling, and having fun while supporting her two adult daughters in their lives beyond the nest.

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.

Jess Dalley

Joining the Timaru accounting team in 2026, Jess has a strong background in agriculture and a practical, client-focused approach to accounting. Originally from Central Otago, Jess spent five years living in Rural Australia, before returning to New Zealand. With 15 years’ experience in the agricultural sector and a Diploma in Primary Industry Business Management, Jess has a deep understanding of rural businesses and their unique needs. Currently furthering her expertise by studying towards a Bachelor of Accounting, Jess enjoys working closely with clients to simplify their financial obligations and provide clear, practical advice. Outside of work, Jess stays busy keeping up with her three young children, often with a project on the go, or can be found relaxing outdoors and enjoying time pottering around.