Our Team

We’re a team of experienced, energetic people who genuinely love what we do. You’ll tap into a wealth of real-world experience from people who have run their own businesses and built-up specialist skills and qualifications. We are committed to professional standards, ensuring our team are all certified ICNZB members (Institute of Certified NZ Bookkeepers).

Our team is led by …

Team Kelly | Bookkeepers NZ

Contact Kelly:

P: (06) 871 0452 Extn 1
M: 027 535 5586
E:

Kelly Thomsen BAcc – Director

I am excited to be a co-owner of Bookkeepers NZ with Diana Ketel and being a part of the bookkeeping world, supporting our clients to understand and keep up to date with their business needs.

I was raised in a small town of Te Kuiti where my family were in business and I lived a very happy life with my parents, brother and sister.
Once leaving my childhood and heading into my career. I chose to become a chef, this passion took me around the world experiencing cuisines and cultures that I will remember forever.

Upon my return I chose to look at purchasing a restaurant, however did not know the first thing about accounts. This led me to undertake a couple of business papers with Massey University, which uncovered a new passion (only few will understand this!) for numbers & accounting!

I worked full time in an accountancy practice and studied full time extramurally with Massey University to attain my degree in Accountancy, this led me to well-known accountancy firms in Taupo and the Hawke’s Bay where I thrived for many years.

In 2006 I met my husband Callum, he introduced me to the life of farming, yet another major change. With these combined interests I found myself specialising in rural accounting. I especially enjoy the area of converting clients to new software systems that best help them with their farming operations.

Callum and I have 2 children who we are hugely proud of and love. We are based in Puketapu, Napier amongst the supportive community. As a family we love the local pub (for lunches of course), parks, cycle tracks and of course the ice cream shop!

My shift from Accounting to Bookkeeping was to allow what so many of us are looking for in life, freedom, family, happiness and balance. I love to spend time with my family and also be able to spend time with my clients without watching the clock! It is important to me that my clients understand what they are doing in their business and they know I have time to help them.

Diana Ketel – Director

Bookkeepers NZ is an exciting step in my bookkeeping career. I’m proud to call Kelly Thomsen my business partner and I thoroughly enjoy this journey of switching our clients stress to success.

I’ve mostly been involved with horticultural properties throughout my life. Dad either owned his own orchard, or managed one until his switch to viticulture around 2001. My hort knowledge expanded while working at Fruitfed Supplies, which also resulted in a husband, Jeremy! I’ve always had a love of numbers and my interest in Accounts and Bookkeeping grew from here.

Before we started a family I started working towards an Accountancy qualification and hope to continue with this again soon.

My family are very important to me, and so is being kind to each other! The world needs more kindness and if it’s the only thing I manage to teach my children then I will be a happy Mumma! And baking, baking is very important to me too!

Jeremy and I have three children, Alex, Toby and Sophie who keep us very busy. My main hobby outside of working is keeping up with them. I enjoy watching the kids sport: Karate, hockey, cricket and gymnastic, drinking Gin, baking, raising funds for local charities and taking on the odd fitness challenge with friends. I’m also looking forward to taking up golf again sometime in the near future.

I have learnt a number of things while bookkeeping for clients. I believe communication is key, with suppliers, clients and staff. I believe in being open, honest & fair. You may not agree with everyone’s opinion, but everyone has a right to that opinion.

Team Di | Bookkeepers NZ

Contact Di:

P: (06) 871 0452 Extn 2
M: 021 617 263
E: 

Team Mechelle | Bookkeepers NZ

Mechelle

Bookkeeper

I have lived in Hawke’s Bay since 2011, coming from RotoVegas, I have owned and operated my own hair salon as well as doing accounts for my husband’s building business, which is how I became interested in accounts, of which I have been doing since 2013…

I have lived in Hawke's Bay since 2011, coming from RotoVegas, I have owned and operated my own hair salon as well as doing accounts for my husband’s building business, which is how I became interested in accounts, of which I have been doing since 2013.

I have been married to Mike since 1994. We have 2 beautiful children Caleb and Mackenzie. My family are extremely important in all I do.

Having moved to Nelson in 2021, I’m proud to be BKNZ’s first remote employee. I miss having treats with the team, but join staff meetings remotely and am always still available for my clients when they need me.

I have strong principles in life to do the best I can, enjoy life and be a person that can be trusted to get the job done!

I enjoy travel and having a spot of me time to enjoy yoga … eat food … drink coffee … drink wine!

I believe a Smile will get you a long way in Life!

Read More

Contact Mechelle:

P: (06) 871 0452 Extn 4
M: 027 614 5595
E:

Team Lauretta | Bookkeepers NZ

Lauretta

Accountant

I have had a varied working life, a lot of that time working in the horticultural industry with my partner running our own orchard in the Horowhenua and then moving to Hastings in 2004. Since then, I retrained as an accountant and completed BAcc…

I have had a varied working life, a lot of that time working in the horticultural industry with my partner running our own orchard in the Horowhenua and then moving to Hastings in 2004. Since then, I retrained as an accountant and completed BAcc and attained the professional qualification of Associated Chartered Accountant while I worked in the industry.

Moving to BKNZ in May 2019 has allowed me to get more job satisfaction and enjoyment in my work. I work with a great team of dedicated and talented women in a positive and supportive environment.

I love working with clients to assist them in getting the best out of their business by ensuring that their financial information is accurate and up to date. We live in a dynamic world with amazing new technologies that have vastly improved the way we communicate and process information. Successful businesses require financial data on demand for forecasting and strategic planning. I believe building strong relationships with all our clients is key to understanding their business, so we are better able to assist them through the ups and downs and allow them to focus on their enterprise and personal life.

Out of work my partner and I live and are developing a wild and overgrown block of land on the Taihape Road- we enjoy a challenge.

Read More

Contact Lauretta:

P: (06) 871 0452 Extn 3
M: 027 614 5775
E:

Team Lauren | Bookkeepers NZ

Lauren

Client Concierge / Bookkeeper

I am Hawke’s Bay born and bred, growing up in Taradale, until I went to Wellington to get my BA in English Literature at Victoria Uni. When I came back to The Bay, I went into an admin role which had a little bit of everything; through that, I discovered that although…

I am Hawke’s Bay born and bred, growing up in Taradale, until I went to Wellington to get my BA in English Literature at Victoria Uni. When I came back to The Bay, I went into an admin role which had a little bit of everything; through that, I discovered that although I love literature and the Arts, I have an affinity for numbers and accounts. I decided to take the leap and go back to study in 2020 and got my Diploma in Business (Accounting) and loved every second of it! I was even given the opportunity to tutor while at EIT and I got a deep satisfaction in helping others succeed. I plan to take it further and gain my degree, and I’m lucky to work in such a supportive environment where professional development is encouraged. I have always enjoyed learning new things and will be a life-long learner.

I think a work-life balance is so important, so you can enjoy time with family and friends as well; my husband and I have recently purchased a bit of land in CHB and we look forward to putting a home on it and enjoy the lifestyle that brings.

Read More

Contact Lauren:

P: (06) 871 0452 Extn 5
M: 027 249 1379
E:

Team Mitali | Bookkeepers NZ

Mitali

Bookkeeper

I hold a Bachelors of Business (Accounting) and Master of Professional Accounting along with having six years of invaluable bookkeeping experience for clients across Australia, New Zealand and the UK. I surely consider myself a number enthusiast, who finds joy in…

I hold a Bachelors of Business (Accounting) and Master of Professional Accounting along with having six years of invaluable bookkeeping experience for clients across Australia, New Zealand and the UK. I surely consider myself a number enthusiast, who finds joy in meticulously crunching numbers for diverse businesses and I thrive on the challenge of adapting to the unique needs of the different types of businesses I work for. I have been working with Bookkeepers NZ since January 2023 and it has been an amazing journey to work with such an incredible team who looks after the clients with so much care and attention. My journey with Bookkeepers NZ would be incomplete without my CEO and team at Admin Army as they have constantly believed in me and supported me through this wonderful journey.

I am a bit of an introvert and in my spare time you’ll find me binge watching Korean dramas or trying different cuisine from around the world. I proudly consider myself as the ultimate relaxation expert who loves a good series with a side of fried chicken.

Read More

Contact Mitali:

E:

team placeholder f s | Bookkeepers NZ

Darcy

Bookkeeper

Born and raised in Australia, I fell in love with New Zealand at the age of 17 while attending a LOTR convention! However it wasn’t until 2018 that I was able to make my dream come true and move to Hawkes Bay, where I’ve lived ever since…

Born and raised in Australia, I fell in love with New Zealand at the age of 17 while attending a LOTR convention! However it wasn’t until 2018 that I was able to make my dream come true and move to Hawkes Bay, where I’ve lived ever since. I studied Accounting before leaving Australia, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It just felt right, which is funny because my great grandfather was an accountant and both my grandmother and mother were bookkeepers!

I’ve worked in a couple of accounting firms since moving to New Zealand, and have now settled in with the wonderful Bookkeepers NZ team. I enjoy bookkeeping and developing good relationships with my clients, and helping relieve some of their stress when it comes to their business.

Outside of work, I’m a bit of a pop culture geek. I enjoy board games and trivia, movie nights with my fiancé and daughter, and music.

Read More

Contact Darcy:

M: 027 306 2655
E:

Team Jess | Bookkeepers NZ

Jessica

Payroll Administrator

My husband and I have owned and operated several businesses over the years, something I have enjoyed immensely and certainly learnt a great deal from! A hairdresser by trade I started my career in Wellington before becoming…

My husband and I have owned and operated several businesses over the years, something I have enjoyed immensely and certainly learnt a great deal from! 

A hairdresser by trade I started my career in Wellington before becoming the Technical Consultant and Educator for Wella NZ. The experience of mixing business with creativity set me on the path to owning my own business and winning several business awards along the way.

The past thirteen years have included the birth our two beautiful children, two years living in China and most recently having the role as administrator and bookkeeper for our painting and decorating business.

Moving back to Hawkes Bay from Wellington has been a fantastic move for us and in my spare time I can almost always be found (when my children allow me) sitting in the sunshine relaxing with a good book.

After completing a Payroll Practitioners course, I am excited to be onboard as Payroll Administrator for Bookkeepers NZ and love being part of this dedicated, talented and friendly team of staff.

Read More

Contact Jessica:

M: 027 244 6151
E: