Our Team
Over 50 years of experience.
Our reputation as a global leader in precision optics is built on consistent excellence and innovation. Our scientists, engineers and master opticians draw on decades of experience and a love of what they do.
Jason Henry
Jason Henry
Jason Henry was appointed Vice President of KiwiStar Optics in October 2022, having joined Electro Optic Systems Pty Limited in early 2018. With an extensive background in operations and senior management, Jason has held prominent roles across the manufacturing, finance and Defence sectors. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business, a Diploma in Financial Services, and a Certificate in Governance and Administration. Highly regarded for his expertise in operations management, leadership and strategic planning, Jason leads KiwiStar Optics with a customer-centric approach, focusing on innovation, market diversification, and growth.
Dr Andrew Rakich
Andrew Rakich
Andrew Rakich is an optical specialist with international expertise in optical design, metrology, tolerancing, aberration theory, alignment, telescopes from KiwiStar Optics (then under Industrial Research Ltd the precursor to Callaghan Innovation) to working on large scale telescope projects with EOS Space Systems in Australia and EOS Technologies in Tucson, USA. Andrew’s international project experience includes Thai National Telescope project, Large Binocular Telescope, E-ELT for ESO and Giant Magellan Telescope. As Chief Technology Officer, Andrew will lead the development of our optical manufacturing, coating and metrology processes, Andrew will bring all his years of industry experience to bear and work closely with our clients to develop the optimal solutions.
Dave Cochrane
Dave Cochrane
New Zealand Certificate of Science – Physics
Dave Cochrane is our Principal Optical Manufacturing Technician and a Master Optician. He has over 40 years of experience in all aspects of the optical manufacturing, optical coatings and opto-mechanical production and assemblies. As Team Leader, Optical Manufacturing, he is responsible for the delivery of numerous international astronomical projects. Special expertise in manufacture of large precision optical components.
Extensive software experience in: Zemax (Optical Design), Microsoft Project (project planning), Intelliwave (Interferometric testing)
- 2016 – Present KiwiStar, Optical Manufacturing Team Leader
- 1992 – 2016 Senior Technical Officer in charge of the Optical Workshop, Measurement Standards Laboratory, Industrial Research Limited.
- 1970 – 1992 Science Technician in the Optical Workshop of Physics and Engineering Laboratory, DSIR.
- 2016 Awarded the RASNZ, Murray Geddes Medal.
- Member, Steering Committee, Optics NZ Cluster.
- Six trips to Antarctica in conjunction with the FRST funded Sea Ice program.
Publications (1996 - present)
- “In situ measurement of catalyst tube emissivity by means of a portable solid integrating sphere”, P. Saunders, A. Trotter, H. Edgar and D. M. J. Cochrane, Measurement Science and Technology, 12, 622-626 (2001).
- “Study of TiOxNy thin film selection surfaces produced by ion assisted deposition”, A. Bittar, D. Cochrane, S. Caughley and I. Vickeridge, Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology A, 15 (2), 223-229 (1997).
- E. F. Howick, D. Cochrane, and D. Meier, “Using a coordinate measuring machine to align multiple element large optical systems” in PROCEEDINGS-SPIE vol. 6676
- “Manufacturing Status of the WEAVE PFC”. SPIE, June 2016, Emilie LHOME, D Cochrane
Malcolm Young
Malcolm Young
Bachelor of Commerce and Administration
Malcolm Young has a strong international commercial management background. He is responsible for sales and marketing, operational management, strategic planning, contract negotiation and customer management.