Our Team
The people behind your growth
We're a small team on purpose. Every client works directly with a named specialist, someone who knows your business, your industry, and your goals. No juniors, no outsourcing.
With over 25 years in advertising and marketing across diverse industries, Daniel founded SME Growth in 2017 to bring together top marketing practitioners focused on driving measurable growth for NZ and Australian businesses.
His career has spanned successful campaigns for major New Zealand brands including Metlifecare, Skoda, MoleMap, Auto Super Shoppes and Continuous Group, alongside scores of small businesses. That mix of scale, from household-name corporates through to owner-operators, is where he's most at home. The marketing fundamentals that grow a big brand are the same ones that grow a small business; the tools just look different.
At SME Growth, Daniel leads the AI marketing practice, helping clients put AI tools to work so they can move smarter, faster, and more efficiently. He's been at the front edge of AI in marketing since early on, and spends much of his time translating what's genuinely useful for business owners versus what's hype.
Outside of work, Daniel is into travel, reading, fishing and golf. He also collects red wine, for that short amount of time before he decides it needs drinking.
With nearly 15 years in digital marketing and advertising, Kirstie brings deep agency experience and a genuine passion for the craft, one she still loves every bit as much as when she started.
Before joining SME Growth in 2019, she spent several years at Yahoo! New Zealand managing a portfolio of corporate clients and playing a key role in launching their self-serve programmatic advertising platform into the NZ market, including running agency training programmes. She also served as Programme Leader and lecturer for the Digital Marketing programme at NZIE, an NZQA Level 7 qualification and a chapter she counts among the most rewarding of her career.
At SME Growth, Kirstie leads the digital advertising practice and splits her time between New Zealand and the Gold Coast, where she helps service the agency's growing Australian client base.
Outside of work, she's all about people and her two dogs, daily companions and self-described office mascots. You'll find her near the beach, at a local café, or spending time with family and friends.
With over 10 years in digital strategy and SEO, Chris brings both deep agency expertise and real-world business ownership experience, having previously owned an audio and portable energy business. That combination gives him a grounded understanding of the specific challenges business owners face, and it shapes how he works with clients every day.
His client work spans major brands including MoleMap, Continuous Group, Kärcher, Englefield and Kohler, through to a wide range of small businesses: local electricians, legal firms, hearing clinics, carpet cleaners, plumbers, sports retailers and countless more. Chris often acts as a fractional marketing manager and growth advisor, sitting alongside clients to help them grow rather than just handing over reports.
At SME Growth, Chris leads the SEO/AEO and website practices and serves as senior marketing manager. He's known for being straight-up with clients about what will actually move the needle and what won't, and for building strategies that compound over time rather than chasing quick wins.
Outside of work, Chris plays piano in a band, keeps himself busy on the touch rugby field, and spends much of his downtime on adventurous camping and hiking trips with his family.
Lee Templin
Social Media & Content
With several years of experience across digital project management, marketing and eCommerce, Lee brings a well-rounded skill set and a sharp eye for effective digital solutions. She has worked with leading New Zealand agencies including Web Wonks and Zyber, a Shopify Plus specialist, and as Marketing Manager at Betta Group.
Her client experience spans the New Zealand Olympic Committee, Good Buzz, Jess's Underground Kitchen and Chances Surf. She specialises in Google Analytics, website builds, social media marketing and AI-driven solutions, with a passion for improving user experience and removing pain points for customers.
Beyond her commercial work, Lee dedicates time to the charity sector, supporting organisations with website builds, CRM projects and process improvements.
Outside of work, Lee is a proud mum who loves dragon boating and surfing Aotearoa's beautiful coastline with her family.
Ready to talk to one of our specialists?
Book a free consultation directly with the expert who'd manage your account. No sales reps, no runaround. Just a clear conversation about your business.