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Meet The Team
We strive to meet and exceed all our customer expectations and remain your mechanic of choice
Meet The Team

Rauten Vorster
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General Manager
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Rauten has 15 years' experience in business management and sales within the automotive industry. He recently moved to New Zealand from South Africa and brings strong leadership and management skills. Rauten enjoys fishing and renovating classic off-road motorcycles.
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Joseph Kora​
Lead Technician​
Joe is a EWPA Qualified Inspector/Repairer and has his National Trade Certificate and welding certificates. He began working for Transport Maintenance in 2000 and has experience in all departments of general automotive engineering from lawn mowers to 4 axle trucks and wheel alignments. Joe enjoys motorbikes, fast cars and sports.

Stephen Kirkham​
Workshop Foreman​
Steve began his career in 2004 and has a certificate in Trade Technology Heavy Equipment, automotive heavy engineering road transport certificate and an automotive light certificate. He is an experienced trade qualified diesel mechanic with 8 years' experience working on buses and prior experience working on heavy mining equipment on the mines in Australia. Steve enjoys fishing, hunting and overseas travel.

Pete Matthews​
Technician​
Pete is a qualified Level 4 Diesel Mechanic and holds Class 1, 2 4, 5L and 6L licenses. He has been in the automotive industry for over 10 years, holding previous roles in Parts and Sales Representative for various organisations. Pete returned to the TML team in 2024, and outside of work enjoys touch rugby, motorhome travel, Holdens and Chevys.

Aldrin Espino​
Technician​
Aldrin is a diesel mechanic dedicated to keeping engines running smoothly. With 7 years of hands-on experience with heavy diesel vehicles, he thrives on diagnosing issues, maintenance and under chassis repair from trucks to heavy equipment. Aldrin enjoys playing basketball, fishing and hunting.

Ignacio Gallardo​
Technician​
Since 2013, Ignacio has been an automotive technician specialising in electric systems, previously employed by a workshop specialising in American and European trucks. Originating from Chile, Ignacio worked with a Chilean shipping company with underwater cleaning robotics equipment in a salmon farm in Patagonia. Ignacio enjoys playing soccer, mountain biking and 4x4 driving.

Aruna Hitigedara​
Technician​
With over 10 years’ experience as a Diesel Mechanic, Aruna joined the team in 2024 after previously working in Romania and Qatar where he was a Hydraulic Mechanic. Originally from Sri Lanka where he has a wife and young son, Aruna is able to speak several languages including, English, Sinhala, Hindi, Romanian, Thamil.

Rinoj Sameera​
Technician​
Rinoj joined the TML team in May 2024 bringing with him 14 years experience in the Diesel Mechanic trade. Originally from Sri Lanka, Rinoj has also worked in Romania and spent almost 10 years in Saudi Arabia where he worked on vehicles for the county's largest Dairy Distribution company (Almarai). When free time allows, Rinoj enjoys being on the cricket pitch.

Taffy Richards
Driver
Taffy is a 1st class diesel trawler engineer with many years of experience as skipper/engineer.
He holds his class 1,2,3,4,5,6 Drivers licenses with Endorsement F.
Taffy enjoys going for long rides on his motorbike and gardening.

Robert Green​
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Parts Administration Manager​
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Rob began working in parts after leaving school in 1985, his 35 years of experience in vehicle parts, aftermarket parts and specialized braking are highly regarded. He handles our supplier invoices as well as direct part sales to the public. Rob enjoys motor biking, camping, outdoors and overseas travel whenever he can get the opportunity!

Sara Laugesen ​
Office Manager​
​Sara began working in administration and finance in 2003. She covers all the office administration, invoicing, wages and finance among other things. Sara enjoys motorsport, classic cars, gardening, baking and traveling with family.

Tom Thorne-Large​
Sales Manager​
Tom has been in the lighting & electrical wholesale industry for last 25 years in various senior sales management roles before joining TML.
He started life in the motor industry as a sales rep with Chloride Exide Batteries servicing trucking companies, farmers and garages. This was followed by a move to Australia working for Mercparts, as GM looking after sales across NSW and Qld.
Tom enjoys time spent with his grandkids, golf and travelling to Australia to see family.














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