Grahame Douglas Christian, Director/Shareholder, Smart Environmental, Director, Renew Energy Ltd

Grahame Christian established waste management firm Smart Environmental in 1993 and was Managing Director until 2019, when he stood down. He formed the company from zero staff to, on his departure, a nationwide business with over 500 staff and the largest privately owned company in the industry.

Grahame sold the majority interest in the business to Maui Private Equity and remains an active shareholder and director.

He has had numerous roles on boards and committees over the years.

Current governance roles include:

  • Director and Shareholder: Smart Environmental Limited
  • Managing Director, Smart Contracting Group Limited
  • Member: Thames Coromandel Economic Development Committee
  • Board Member: WasteMINZ

Former roles include:

  • Founder: Streetsmart Limited
  • Director: Touch New Zealand
  • Chairman: Pare Hauraki Asset Holdings Limited
  • Chairman: Preserve New Chum Inc
  • Chairman, Hauraki Fishing Group
  • Director, Taimoana Marine Farms

Smart Environmental Ltd

Smart environmental claim to have relationships with 18 councils across 25 contracts throughout NZ

Smart Environmental has been in the waste industry for over 25 years. The company initially operated as Streetsmart Ltd, then rebranded to Smart Environmental Ltd (Smart); the company was 100% owned by Grahame Christian for most of these years.
The company has relationships with 18 councils across 25 contracts and approximately 400 staff plus owner-drivers. Smart Environmental holds contracts with approximately 30% of New Zealand’s territorial authorities.

Smart Environmental branches throughout NZ

Maui Capital Aqua Fund

In July 2017, Maui Capital invested in Smart alongside Smart Senior Management through its Maui Capital Aqua Fund.

Maui and Smart’s shared vision is the creation of a uniquely Kiwi industry player of scale in the waste sector.