Life at UHY

Our history

Since 1955, UHY Haines Norton has grown from a small Henderson practice into one of Auckland's most trusted accounting firms. What started as a two-person operation has evolved into a diverse team of over 50 professionals, but our commitment to genuine partnership and client success remains unchanged.

The early years (1955-1980s)

Our story begins in 1955 when John Rose and Mack Butts established Rose, Butts & Co in Henderson. Back then, Henderson was a semi-rural community of just 2,750 people, with metal roads and no shopping mall. A phone call to nearby Avondale required operator assistance and counted as a toll call.

Mack Butts ran the Great North Road office with dedication and integrity, officially retiring in 1989 but continuing to serve his loyal clients for several more years. The practice operated during an era when everything was manual—no computers, no electronic databases, just typewriters, carbon paper, and filing systems that required organisational skills.

In 1977, the firm rebranded to Butts, Bainbridge & Weir, reflecting new partnerships that would shape the next three decades of growth.

Growth and transformation (1980s-2000s)

The 1980s brought significant challenges and opportunities. The introduction of GST and major changes to personal income tax rates—with top rates reaching 66%—required careful navigation for clients. Through economic upheavals, including the 1987 share market crash and subsequent recessions, the firm supported clients through property booms, creative tax structures, and changing business landscapes.

The 1990s saw the firm deeply embedded in the West Auckland community, with staff participating enthusiastically in local events from Henderson’s 150th birthday parade to corporate sports tournaments and Christmas parades. This community spirit remains a cornerstone of our culture today.

In 2001, following national trends, the practice incorporated as a company, splitting operations across two buildings on Edsel Street as the team continued to expand.

Modern era and rebranding (2000s-present)

The firm’s audit department rebranded to UHY Haines Norton in 2006, joining the international UHY network. By 2008, the entire practice operated under the UHY Haines Norton banner and relocated to our current head office at 22 Catherine Street, Henderson.

This period marked significant expansion with new offices opening in Helensville (2010), Kumeu (2015), and Auckland CBD (2017). Each location serves specific client needs while maintaining our collaborative approach to professional services.

Leadership evolution

Our leadership has evolved thoughtfully over the decades. Long-serving directors like Tim Livingstone (over 30 years as director, including 10 as managing director) and John Ballard (13 years as director) established our reputation for client-focused service. Their retirements were carefully managed with successors like Andrew Scott stepping up to continue serving established client relationships.

More recent appointments reflect our commitment to fresh perspectives. Bhavin Sanghavi joined as audit director in 2016, Erin Gibson became director in 2022, and Emma Simpson merged her successful practice with ours in 2023. In 2022, Sungesh Singh was appointed managing director, bringing over 27 years of experience to lead the firm’s next chapter.

Today and tomorrow

We’ve relocated our Helensville operations to Kumeu and continue expanding our audit division, which now ranks among New Zealand’s largest. Our team includes two CAANZ qualified auditors and a large team of professionals, serving everyone from local family businesses to significant public sector clients.

In September 2025, UHY underwent a comprehensive global brand refresh, strengthening our position as strategic partners who help clients navigate an increasingly complex business environment. This refresh reinforced our commitment to being the business partners our community considers essential to their success—where bold dreams meet smart strategy.

What hasn’t changed is our fundamental approach: turning financial complexity into clarity, uncertainty into confidence, and business challenges into growth opportunities. We’re still the firm that takes time to understand your situation, explains things in plain English, and celebrates your success as our own.

From Henderson's metal roads to today's digital economy, we've been here for every transformation—always evolving, always reliable, always genuinely committed to unlocking freedom and possibility for the businesses and families we serve.

1977 – rebranded to Butts, Bainbridge and Weir.
1999 – Mark Foster joined the firm as a Director.
1999 – Grant Brownlee merged his firm ‘Brownlee & Co’ with BBW and joined the Director
2001 – BBW began trading as a company.
2006 – Sungesh Singh was appointed Audit and Assurance Director.
2008 – Rebranded to UHY Haines Norton.
2010 – Helensville office opens.
2014 – John Ballard retires after 13 years as a Director.
2015 – Kumeu office opens.
2016 – Bhavin Sanghavi was appointed Audit Director.
2017 – Tim Livingston retires after 30 years as a Director.
2017 – Andrew Scott was appointed as a Director.
2017 – Auckland CBD office opens.
2022 – Kerry Tizard retires after 25 years as a Director.
2022 – Erin Gibson was appointed as a Director.
2022 – Sungesh Singh was appointed as Managing Director.
2023 – Emma Simpson was appointed as a Director.
2024 – Relocation of Helensville office to Kumeu office