Dr Robert Hillier is an accomplished geotechnical engineer and a proven leader: He is the Director of the Geotechnical Discipline for Tonkin + Taylor and leads and mentors over 100 engineering professionals.

Robert led this team through the Canterbury Earthquakes and recovery – a period of unprecedented demand for geotechnical expertise. He has built on the worldwide exposure his team gained from Tonkin + Taylor’s ground-breaking contributions to earthquake science. The innovation and dedication from his team resulted in them receiving significant peer recognition, multiple awards and a letter of appreciation from the Prime Minister of NZ. Four of his engineers were honoured with the Queen Service Medal.

Robert has the consummate consultant skill set: client focus, pragmatism, technical excellence and courage – he continues to build on Tonkin + Taylor’s reputation for delivering market leading solutions beyond conventional industry expectations, both in New Zealand and beyond.

Robert has a Bachelor of Science and a PhD in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering from the University of Surrey, England. He has published over 10 geotechnical papers and is an expert in the field of slope movement, landslide risk assessment/remediation and is often called on to provide expert evidence.

Robert is a chartered engineer (C. Eng), a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers (MICE) and member of the Institute of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ).