About Us

We built Kotuku to help ambitious businesses grow. Combining deep expertise in R&D grants and incentives with fractional CFO and strategic finance capability, we provide the hands-on support businesses need to build, innovate and scale.

We are Kotuku Consulting.

Aligned, focused, ready for take-off.

Meet The Founder

Our team brings hands-on experience across entrepreneurship, finance, technology and advisory, giving us a practical understanding of what it takes to build and grow a business.

  • Founder

    Chas is a Finance Executive where he had an instrumental role in a complex merger of 11 tech companies in a transaction valued over NZ$1bn+. He has over 15 years experience in high-growth tech companies across diverse industries, led many capital raises as well as co-founded several deep tech startups. An agile leader with a commercial mindset and ability to navigate complexity has enabled him to drive material value creation for investors. Chas began his career at Ernst & Young, EY, as a consultant.

Meet Our Team

Sasmithaa M

Sasmithaa brings over five years of experience in technical project management across software and technology businesses, including leading AI and Machine Learning R&D projects within high-growth startups. She holds dual undergraduate degrees in Computer Science and Information Security, providing a strong technical foundation for complex software R&D. As R&D Manager, Sasmithaa is a trusted senior member of the Kotuku team and works closely with the Founder in leading R&D client delivery and supporting clients across New Zealand’s R&D funding and incentive programmes.

R&D Manager

Shenu is a qualified Accountant and Senior Finance Lead at Kotuku Consulting, bringing over nine years of experience across accounting, financial reporting, audit and financial operations. She works closely with our clients to deliver accurate financial reporting, management insights and robust finance processes, while supporting R&D tax and funding initiatives. With a Master’s in Accounting and Finance and extensive experience in multi-client finance environments, Shenu brings a detail-focused and commercially minded approach to supporting growing and innovative businesses.

Senior Finance Lead

Shenuka R

Bodhini H

Bodhi is a qualified Accountant and Finance Lead at Kotuku Consulting, with a strong background across financial accounting, audit and finance operations. She brings experience from PwC and multi-client accounting environments, with expertise across financial reporting, general ledger management, reconciliations and month-end reporting. Bodhi works closely with Kotuku’s clients to deliver accurate financial reporting, strengthen finance processes and support R&D tax and funding initiatives for growing and innovative businesses.

Finance Lead

Waranga H

Waranga is an R&D Consultant at Kotuku Consulting with a Software Engineering background and a passion for building practical digital experiences. Her experience spans software development and UX/UI design, combining technical problem-solving with a strong focus on usability and user experience. She contributes to R&D projects by exploring new technologies, developing digital concepts and translating technical ideas into practical solutions.

R&D Consultant