Thomas Brears Picture
Thomas Brears
He/Him
Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand

A passionate problem-solver with a collaborative mindset and a drive to build real-world tech solutions.

About Me

I am a technology enthusiast with a passion for solution building and problem-solving. The customer service skills I have gained through customer facing roles, make me effective at listening for and providing solutions that deliver what is needed. I hold a Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences (majoring in Software Development, minoring in Networking & Cybersecurity and Creative Technologies) from Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau - Auckland University of Technology (AUT).

Having been drawn to technology from a young age, I started coding and creating basic HTML sites from age 11. My innate curiosity sharpened through formal study and hands-on project work, including leading a team of four to deliver a full-stack web application for AUT Events + Venues. I pick up new concepts quickly, thrive under pressure, and am just as comfortable coordinating a team as I am deep in a technical problem.

I’m now looking to begin my professional career in a role where I can contribute to real-world technology solutions, continue developing my technical skills, and learn from experienced teams. I’m particularly interested in opportunities that combine problem solving, collaboration, and emerging technologies such as AI, and/or where I can add value while continuing to grow as a developer

Technologies & Tools I Work With

Languages, frameworks, and tools I use

Languages

HTML HTML Experienced
CSS CSS Experienced
JavaScript JavaScript Proficient
TypeScript TypeScript Familiar
Java Java Proficient
PHP PHP Familiar
C# C# Familiar
C++ C++ Learning

Frameworks

React React Proficient
Next.js Next.js Familiar
Node.js Node.js Proficient
Express.js Express.js Familiar

Tools

Git Git Proficient
GitHub GitHub Proficient
Figma Figma Proficient
Postman Postman Learning
Markdown Markdown Experienced

Cloud Services

AWS AWS Learning
Google Cloud Google Cloud Familiar
Firebase Firebase Proficient

Miscellaneous

Tailwind CSS Tailwind Proficient
Cloudflare Cloudflare Familiar
WordPress WordPress Learning
Auth0 Auth0 Learning

Work Experience

Project Manager & Lead Developer

July 2024 – June 2025

AUT Events + Venues Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand

I led a cross-functional team of 4 to design, develop, and deliver a custom web application for AUT Events + Venues, replacing a manual onboarding and compliance process with a streamlined digital induction system. I managed the project planning, stakeholder communication, and hands-on full-stack development throughout the full delivery lifecycle. (Final year Academic Project)

Barista

March 2021 – Present

Fort Greene Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand


Responsibilities included opening and closing of the cafe, preparing barista-quality beverages, delivering table service, and ensuring a positive customer experience through attentive and friendly service.
Reference from Fort Greene: “Throughout Thomas’s employment with us he proved himself a trustworthy, flexible, careful and diligent worker. He is extremely motivated and has a track record of exceeding customer’s expectations through exceptional services. He developed superb relationships with customers, co-workers, and managers. Thomas would be a tremendous asset for your company and has my recommendation.” Full letter of reference can be viewed at www.bit.ly/REF-FG

Cafe All Rounder

July 2019 – Febuary 2024

Two Birds Cafe and Restaurant Ruakākā, Aotearoa New Zealand

Responsible for preparing and serving coffee, serving customers, preparing food and more.

Work Expperience Placement

June 2019

Two Birds Cafe and Restaurant Ruakākā, Aotearoa New Zealand

Five week work experience placement learning all aspects of the business.

Education

Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences

Auckland University of Technology Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand 2022 - June 2025

At AUT, I have recently completed a Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences, majoring in Software Development with minors in Creative Technology and Networking and Cybersecurity

Certificate in Science and Technology

Auckland University of Technology Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand 2021

Pathway course to my Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences.

High School

Bream Bay College Ruakākā, New Zealand 2014 - 2020

Selected achievements:
Prime Minister's Vocational Excellence Award (2020)
Completed NCEA levels 1-3 (2018-2020)
Recognised for leadership and contribution, including outstanding citizen and gateway awards.
First in Hospitality, Trade skills and vocational pathways (Levels 1-3)
Multiple awards for excellence in Digital Technologies, including a cup for Innovation and placings.

Pinned Projects

Induction Portal Website Screenshot

AUT Events Induction Portal: Full stack Induction website

As part of my final year R&D project, we developed an induction website for our client, AUT Events + Venues. This is a full stack web application utlising React.js, Node.js, Express.js, Firebase AUTH, FireStore, Google Cloud Storage, Vercel and more.
This project has been completed from the group up by us and we have worked through this entire project with the clients best interest at the forefront. We have have utilised a XP/SCRUM hybrid methodology and development best practices

HTML Logo Css Logo JavaScript Logo Firebase Logo React Logo Node.js Logo Express.js Logo Google Cloud Logo Figma Logo GitHub Logo NPM Logo Tailwind CSS Logo Plus more Logo
Induction Portal Website Screenshot

KoruFlicks: Full stack video website

**This project is currently in development**
KoruFlicks is a video searching website that allows users to search for videos from the Movie Database API and view them in a user-friendly interface. Users can also create an account to save their favorite videos and view their watch history.
This project is being developed as a personal project to further my skills in full stack
As a personal project, I have been creating the video searching website, KoruFlicks. This is a full stack web application utlising React.js, Node.js, Express.js, Firebase AUTH, FireStore, Vercel, the Movie Database API and more.

HTML Logo Css Logo JavaScript Logo Firebase Logo React Logo Node.js Logo Express.js Logo GitHub Logo NPM Logo Tailwind CSS Logo Plus more Logo
PriceHound Website Screenshot

PriceHound: Price comparison website

PriceHound is a full-stack price comparison web application that uses a Pupeteer web scraper to get the current prices of products so users can view and compare prices for their favorite products. PriceHound was created by my team for our course, COMP602: Software Development Practices. It is created with a React.js Frontend and Node.js/Express.js backend with various APIs and libraries to get the best experiences possible. (Note: Search functionally does not currently work in online version due to issues with our web scraper)

HTML Logo Css Logo JavaScript Logo Firebase Logo React Logo Node.js Logo Express.js Logo Google Cloud Logo Plus more Logo
Multi Converter Website Screenshot

Multi-Converter website

Introducing my Multi-Converter website – a versatile platform meticulously designed for seamless handling of various conversions. Built using a robust combination of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, this dynamic tool empowers users to effortlessly convert values across multiple domains. Experience the convenience of automatic completion as you enter values in any field, streamlining the conversion process for Number Bases, Weight, Percentage, Temperature, ASCII/Unicode, Time, Length, Area, Volume, Angle, and Speed. Each input field is equipped with a convenient copy function, allowing users to easily replicate results for immediate use. In addition to its functional prowess, the website offers a sleek and user-friendly interface, complemented by a Dark Mode for a comfortable and visually appealing experience.

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SPEED Website Screenshot

Software Practice Empirical Evidence Database (SPEED)

This website was created for ENSE701 as a project for my course at AUT. It is a web application that uses a Next.js Frontend and Node.js/Express.js backend with MongoDB and Mongoose for article data. and various APIs and Librarys including MailJet for email notifications to get the best experiences possible for article submition, moderator and analyst review before public display.

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Taxi Booking System Website Screenshot

Taxi Booking System

A simple real time full stack taxi booking stystem created with a HTML frontend and JS for server side rendering and PHP my Admin and MYSQL for story data. This was created as course work for COMP721: Web Development scoring A+ (This website is hosted on the internal AUT servers, so you will not be able to access it)

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Contact Me