About Us
Air Matters is a service-based consultancy specialising in environmental air quality and workplace health exposure (occupational hygiene). It was started by Carol McSweeney in 2004, out of a desire to improve worker health after Carol had observed poor air quality in many businesses around New Zealand.
Over 20 years later, Air Matters has grown into a thriving team of occupational hygiene and air quality consultants, continuing to support Carol’s vision to ensure people in New Zealand have healthy air to breathe. We now have offices in Auckland and Mount Maunganui, with staff working nationwide.
We are committed to working within a code of professional ethics to meet the goals and objectives of our clients, providing them with workable solutions that meet health regulations and guidelines.
Monique Browne
General Manager
BEd(Tchg)(Hons), PostGradCert(DCL), Accredited Coach (GCI)
Monique joined Air Matters in 2025 as General Manager, bringing with her over twenty years’ experience in education and educational leadership in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. As an accredited coach and currently completing her Masters in Educational Leadership, Monique brings a people first approach to leadership, recognising that when staff are valued and supported our clients are getting the best possible outcomes for their needs. Monique is committed to ensuring our clients are receiving a high-quality service every time they engage Air Matters with outcomes that cater to their unique needs.
Nicholas Browne
Director
Principal Occupational Hygienist & Senior Air Quality Consultant
BSc, ICertOH, MNZOHS
Nick is our Principal Occupational Hygienist dedicated to improving workplace health through client focused occupational hygiene practices. With a passion for staying ahead of industry advancements, he ensures that our clients benefit from the latest innovations and best practices in the field. His commitment to excellence drives him to continuously enhance our systems and processes whilst aiming to protect worker health for our clients.
Beyond his technical expertise, Nick also plays a key role in the financial management of the business, ensuring sustainable growth while maintaining the highest standards of service. He thrives on the dynamic challenges of both occupational hygiene and business leadership, combining scientific knowledge with strategic decision-making. His drive, expertise, and leadership make him a trusted figure in the industry, always striving for the best in every aspect of his work.
Carl Goodhue
Managing Director
BAppSci, Licensed Asbestos Assessor
With over nine years of experience in the Occupational Hygiene industry and a strong background in science-based roles, Carl brings a wealth of expertise to Air Matters. Holding a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSci), Carl combines technical knowledge with extensive business experience across a diverse range of industries.
Carl’s dedication to excellence, combined with his strategic approach, guarantees that Air Matters delivers reliable, high-quality solutions tailored to each client’s unique requirements.
Nigel Goodhue
Principal Air Quality Consultant
MSc (Hons), BSc
Environmental Champion and Modeller
With over 15 years working in the environmental science sector Nigel is our Principal Air Quality Consultant bringing expertise in numerical modelling and resource consent management. He enjoys the crossover between the technical and legislative aspects of air quality management and finding tailored solutions for clients.
Nigel is dedicated to ensuring that client requirements are met, delivering results that are both technically sound and aligned with their needs. He works closely with clients to ensure their desired outcomes are achieved, providing clear guidance and effective solutions. Nigel is based in the Air Matters Mount Maunganui office.
Michael Tate
Occupational Hygienist
BSc (Hons), MNZOHS, CertOH
Equipment Guru and Caretaker
Mike is a HASANZ Registered Occupational Hygienist. With experience as a stack tester and an Environmental Scientist in New Zealand, Mike developed a passion for worker health and occupational hygiene. He has also been a Council Member of the New Zealand Occupational Hygiene Society (NZOHS) and previously contributed to the NZOHS Conference and WES sub-committees.
Karla Anderson
Occupational Hygiene Technician
BSc, MSc, GradDipEnvHlth, NEBOSH IGC
Ventilation Guru
Karla has a varied background in materials chemistry, health and safety, and environmental health. Occupational hygiene allows her to combine all these elements to provide an analytical, science-based approach to assessing occupational health risks. Karla's real passion is ensuring that the client's risks are well understood and enabling them to make changes that lead to a positive outcome for worker health.
Karla has technician membership with the New Zealand Occupational Hygiene Society and is working towards professional qualifications in this field.
Johnny Fernandez
Occupational Hygienist
Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH - AIHA)
BSc, GradCertOccHyg, CIH, MNZOHS
Knowledge Sharer and Safety Advocate
Johnny has 20 years of experience as an Industrial Hygienist in the Middle East and is a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) committed to bringing quality and excellence to the field of occupational hygiene. Passionate about continuous learning, he is always seeking to expand his knowledge.
Byron Frankish
Occupational Hygienist (ROH – SAIOH)
PGDip (OH), MNZOHS, ROH (SAIOH), NEBOSH IGC
Technical Mastermind
Byron brings experience from his time working in South Africa and Qatar. Based in the Mount Maunganui office, he is deeply passionate about helping others and feels fortunate to channel this passion through occupational hygiene. He is dedicated to helping individuals understand and control the health risks they face at work.
Juliette Lyons
Occupational Hygiene Technician
BSc (Hons)
Versatile and People Champion
Juliette completed her honours in Geography and is based in the Auckland office. She enjoys the variety and diversity of occupational hygiene and the unique challenges it brings. She is actively developing her skills in the occupational health field.
Dearbhla McGrath
Air Quality Consultant
MSc, BSc
International Talent and Skill Builder
Dearbhla thrives on the variety and challenges that come with being an Air Quality Consultant, from initial site work to using air dispersion models. Originally from Ireland, Dearbhla worked as a Graduate Environmental Consultant, focusing primarily on air quality and assessing the impact of agricultural farms on surrounding communities.
Ruvan Lubbe
Occupational Hygiene Technician
BSc
Exposure Control Authority
Since graduating in South Africa in 2018, Ruvan has gained valuable experience working with clients across a variety of industries, including plastic manufacturing, chemicals, foundries, oil refining, and minerals. This diverse background has sparked his passion for occupational hygiene, particularly in improving worker health through meaningful contributions and education.
George Farmer
Occupational Hygienist (ROH – SAIOH)
BSc, BSc (Hons) (OH), ROH (SAIOH)
Industry-wide Master
George has a wide range of experience working with all the industries imaginable in South Africa. Although he is new to Air Matters, he is already proving himself as someone we can call upon for those difficult jobs. George joined Air Matters in 2025, relocating to New Zealand from South Africa with his family. With extensive experience across a wide range of industries, George has developed the ability to approach each sector with a fresh perspective. Having worked in occupational hygiene since 2016, some of his key drivers include efficiency, client interaction and satisfaction, and delivering tailored, customised solutions to meet client needs. Most recently, George served as Treasurer on the Western Cape Committee of the Southern African Institute for Occupational Hygiene (SAIOH).
Marcus Goodhue
Project Coordinator
Marcus has a wide range of experience running businesses and managing large scale projects around New Zealand. He brings his wealth of experience to Air Matters as a Project Coordinator, ensuring we are able to support clients smoothly through large scale projects by coordinating logistics, technical needs and maintaining clear communication.
Grethe Nel
Occupational Hygiene Assistant & Project Administrator
Originally from South Africa, Grethe joined Air Matters in 2025 to support with project administration. She has a strong systems background and works to ensure projects are well documented and organised. Grethe is training to become an Occupational Hygienist and supports the team with various projects under the supervision of our qualified hygienists.
Kezia Goodhue
Health and Safety Manager | Business Development
BAppSci, GradDipOSH (Massey), Nebosh IGC
Kezia brings extensive experience in health and safety across a wide range of industries and sectors. Her background includes working in health and safety within chemical, aerosol, and coatings manufacturing; recreational events; the arts; and sports. She has also gained experience in local government, managing health and safety portfolios for diverse areas, including cemeteries and crematoriums, libraries, major public events, parks and public spaces, animal handling, property management, and a large vessel haulout and refit service. At Air Matters, Kezia plays a key role in supporting and streamlining day-to-day operations, while reviewing and overseeing the health and safety aspects of the business. She enjoys the specialisation of occupational hygiene within the broader health and safety field and is keen to continue expanding her knowledge in this area.
Carol McSweeney
Technical Advisor
Controls Expert Across Multiple Industries
A Fellow, and former President, of the New Zealand Occupational Hygiene Society (NZOHS), Carol is also the founder of Air Matters and is now a consultant to the company. Her extensive knowledge and experience are invaluable, and Air Matters is privileged to continue benefiting from her expertise
Jim Napier
Technical Advisor
A Fellow of the New Zealand Occupational Hygiene Society (NZOHS) and a Certified Occupational Hygienist (COH®), Jim's many years of experience in Occupational Hygiene cover both consultancy and regulatory work. Jim is a part time consultant to Air Matters, and we are fortunate to benefit from his considerable expertise.
Amy Clark
Administrator
Admin Extraordinaire
Amy keeps us on the straight and narrow with her sharp eye for detail and efficiency. Amy ensures our clients needs are being serviced and in a timely fashion.
Leigh Rumney
Accounting Administrator
Business Catalyst and Operations Driver
Leigh has a long-standing background in accounts and office management, beginning her career in banking. At Air Matters, she enjoys being part of a friendly and enthusiastic team that values professionalism and teamwork.
Robert Murray
Technical Advisor
BSc, BA, MNZOHS, CertOH
With more than 20 years of experience in air quality, Rob now contributes to our team as a trusted casual consultant. His deep expertise in stack emission testing, ambient air quality monitoring, dispersion modelling, and air quality assessments is drawn upon when his skills are the best fit for our clients’ needs.