Nicholson Autos is a family owned business dealing with Kia, Suzuki, Mazda, Nissan, GWM/Haval & used vehicles. With fully equipped workshops and parts departments.
When the business originally opened in Morrinsville it was owned by the Paine family, with strong emphasis on providing quality GM vehicles at affordable prices. Today the business is still family owned, though now by the Nicholson family.
In 2016 Nicholsons took on a brand new franchise in Whakatane, welcoming Mazda NZ to the family. Then January 2018, Nicholson Autos grew into another region with again a new franchise. This time opening a brand new Nissan dealership in Rotorua. We welcomed Kia in 2020 at both our Morrinsville and Whakatane dealership.
In 2021, we welcomed our latest franchise GWM/Haval.
While the capability of vehicles has undergone immense change since the business first opened. One thing that remains and will continue into the future, is the complete commitment to our customers.
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Brad McKenzie
Chief Executive Officer
Brad has been with Nicholson Autos since we opened in Whakatane in 2013. He started as a Service Advisor and worked in every department before becoming our Dealer Principal. When Brad isn't working he enjoys field hockey and spending time with his wife and kids.
Geoff Masters
Chief of After Sales & Performance
Geoff has been in the Automotive Industry for nearly 40 years, starting as an apprentice Technician. He is a fully qualified Technician and has worked in both New Zealand and Australia. Geoff started his journey at Nicholson's as a Service Advisor and has worked his way up to Chief of After Sales & Performance. In his spare time, Geoff loves to go fishing on his boat and hit a round of golf.
Our Team
Alan Kerby
Community & Promotions
Alan has worked at Nicholson Autos for almost 10 years. Alan moved to Morrinsville with his wife Nicole and step son Zack in 2019. Since moving to Morrinsville they have adopted a retired greyhound named Nana and welcomed their baby girl Kennedy into the world. Alan enjoys gaming and anything "nerdy".
Dylan Nicholson
Accountant
Dylan is the oldest son of Ross Nicholson. In 2023, Dylan completed his Bachelors in Accounting. Dylan is involved in many horse racing syndicates and even had a winner in the 2021 Karaka Million Group 1 race. You can also find Dylan playing basketball in-between studying and work.
Jane Passi
Accounts Assistant
Jane lives in Morrinsville with her husband Danny and three fur babies, Priscilla, Presley and Jessie. You can usually find Jane having a round of golf or bowling a few ends at the local indoor bowls club.
Our Team
Curtis Nicholson
Dealer Principal
Curtis is the youngest son of Ross Nicholson. He has worked in all departments, starting as a Service/Parts Advisor, then Business Manager, before moving into Sales and working his way to Sales Manager. Curtis lives in Morrinsville with his wife Baylee and son Harry. When Curtis isn't working, you can usually find him down at the Morrinsville Rugby Club.
Kiel Keat
Sales Manager
Kiel has been with Nicholson Autos since he was a young teenager. Kiel was raised in Morrinsville, where he now lives with his wife Leah and two boys Declan and Clay.
Erin Klatt
Sales Consultant
Erin was born in Wisconsin, USA and lived there up until 2016. She then travelled to New Zealand to see all that New Zealand has to offer. She decided to set up camp in Morrinsville, where she took a job on a dairy farm. After 3 years of farming she made a change and joined our Sales team just round the corner from her home. Erin now considers herself a Morrinsville local.
Ryan Kerby
Service Manager
Ryan join Nicholson Autos in 2021 as a Service Manager. He has a wealth of experience, being in the industry for over 15 years. Ryan lives in Te Kowhai with his wife and four kids. When Ryan isn't working, he can usually be found helping out his local junior rugby club or lacing up his boots and playing a game for the prezzies.
Andrew Marks
Parts Manager
Andrew is a local Morrinsville guy, through and through. He has been in the automotive industry for over 25 years. From Apprentice to Technician to Service Manager, Andrew has done it all. He was also a Holden Gold Certified Technician. In 2023, Andrew joined the Nicholson team as Parts Manager to be closer to home and have a new challenge.
Bronwyn McNally
Service Advisor
Bronwyn brings a down-to-earth, friendly approach that immediately puts customers at ease. She is the first person you'll meet when you bring your car in for servicing and repairs, and she helps translate complex mechanical language into clear, understandable terms. Outside of work, Bronwyn is a devoted pet owner, cherishing her cat, Geri, who is as much a part of her family as any human. Her rural roots and genuine love for helping people have made Bronwyn an invaluable asset to the Nicholson Autos team since 2022, ensuring every customer experience is as smooth and pleasant as possible.
Summah Evans
Service Advisor
Raised in the beautiful Coromandel and now residing in Paeroa after a stint in Australia, Summah brings a vibrant and adventurous spirit to Nicholson Autos. She shares her home with Bingo, her beloved blue heeler, named after Bluey’s little sister in the hit TV show Bluey. In her free time, Summah loves traveling, hunting, and indulging in a good margarita slushy.
Mikayla Hawkins
Parts & Tyre Consultant
Mikayla Hawkins grew up in Hamilton and later basked in the scenic beauty of Waiheke Island before making Morrinsville her home to stay close to her family. Her weekends are often spent cheering on her cousins at their sports games in Hamilton or sharing cherished moments with her great-grandmother. While Mikayla is a huge animal lover, she currently doesn’t have any pets, but her passion for animals is evident in everything she does.
Brad McKenzie
Dealer Principal
Brad has been with Nicholson Autos since we opened in Whakatane in 2013. He started as a Service Advisor and worked in every department before becoming our Dealer Principal. When Brad isn't working he enjoys field hockey and spending time with his wife and kids.
Chris Holmes
Sales Manager
Chris has been with Nicholson Autos for over 10 years, starting in the Morrinsville Service Department. He has always wanted to be a Car Salesperson and achieved this goal in 2013. Chris lives in Matamata with his partner and his dog. Chris is in full swing renovation mode and loves anything to do with cars.
Cameron Trask
Sales Consultant
Cameron joined Nicholson Autos as a vehicle detailer and not long after moved into Vehicle Sales. He has always been into cars, it all started with his Grandfather Chris Barns a well known rally driver. Cameron also enjoys building his new car a JZX100 and when not doing that, he is usually doing a bit of gaming.
Ian Holbrook
Service Manager
Ian has been in the Automotive Industry almost 40 years, starting his career as a Service Advisor at a large Toyota dealership in Hamilton. He started at Nicholson Autos as a Service Manager in 2005. Ian lives in Hamilton with his wife and enjoys training for half marathons in his spare time.
Jazmin Matchitt
Service Support Manager
Jazmin started at Nicholsons as a Vehicle Detailer in 2016 and quickly moved into the role of Service Advisor. She has always had in interest in cars and is really into JDM vehicles. When Jazmin isn't working she is gaming or horse riding.
Mark Mountfort
Parts Manager
Mark is born and bred in Rotorua. He has been working in Automotive Parts Departments since 2012, specializing in Holden and Isuzu. In 2019, Mark join Nicholson Autos as Parts Manager. Mark is another Nicholsons employee that loves his cars, owning a 370z and a Nissan Navara. When he isn't working he enjoys weight lifting and getting out and about exploring.
Mario Brunetti
Sales Manager
Mario has been with Nicholson Autos for 5 years in our sales department. He makes his daily trip over the hill from Ohope to come to work every day. He is passionate about keeping fit and spends as much time as he can with the family in his spare time.
Abi Webb
Sales Manager
Abi has been at Nicholsons for over 5 years. Before joining the Nicholson team, she was a full-time chef at a local restaurant. She started her career as a Service Advisor and later moved into sales. Abi lives in Whakatane with her husband Blair and her beautiful daughter Harper.
Maria Costello
Business Manager
Maria moved to Whakatane in 2020 from the Hawkes Bay region. She has been a Business Manager in the automotive industry for over 10 years. In her spare time Maria likes to ride her 1986 Harley Sportster.
Lynne Butler
Business Manager
Lynne lives in Whakatane with her husband Wayne. She has two sons Mark and Flynn. Mark is a qualified heavy diesel mechanic and Flynn is currently at medical school. Lynne loves to take her motor home on road trips when she gets a few days off.
Andrew Wilson
Service Manager
Andrew started at Nicholson Autos as a technician but quickly moved into the role of Service Manager. Andrew has been a qualified technician for over 20 years. Andrew is a volunteer fire fighter in Whakatane and has been 16 years. When Andrew is busy fighting fires, he likes to be at home with family.
Our Team
Kelsey Palmer
Service Advisor
Kelsey grew up in the Whakatane region on a dairy farm. She has been at Nicholson since 2019 as a Service Advisor. Kelsey loves dirt bikes and social gatherings on the weekend.
Our Team
Ritchie Tidd
Parts Trade Manager
Ritchie started at Nicholson Autos in 2016 as a Parts Advisor with plenty of experience being a qualified panel beater. Ritchie has put all that experience to good use and is now our Parts Trade Manager. When Ritchie isn't working, you can usually find him having quality family time.
Ben Jones
Service & Parts Manager
Ben has been at Nicholson Autos since we opened in Whakatane in 2013. He started as a Parts Manager and is now currently our Parts and Service Manager. Ben is restoring a jet boat at the moment.
Rob Howard
Valet Manager
Rob has been at Nicholson’s for three and a half years. He started as service advisor and expanded his career within Nicholson’s over the last few years. Prior to that Rob worked at a multiple franchise dealership in Byron Bay. In Rob’s spare time he likes to do paddle boarding in the summer and skiing in the winter with friends.
