78 | Rhys Finlay Contractors T T Karen Phelps Trusted building partner for Kāinga Ora With a team of around 50 staff and contractors, including four apprentices, the company has become a trusted building partner for Kāinga Ora housing programmes in the region. BUILDING For nearly two decades a Lower Hutt building company, Rhys Finlay Contractors, has been quietly transforming lives through its work with Kāinga Ora - Homes and Communities, providing quality housing, and work opportunities for local tradespeople while strengthening the Wellington region’s communities. Established in 2006, it has built its reputation on more than just constructing and renovating homes. With a team of around 50 staff and contractors, including four apprentices, the company has become a trusted building partner for Kāinga Ora housing programmes in the region. “It’s fantastic to be able to help provide healthy homes for locals to live in,” says Rhys Finlay, the company’s owner and founder. “We get tenants in tears of joy sometimes when they move back into their house.” Currently the company has around 30 builds underway for Kāinga Ora around Lower Hutt, with as many again in the pricing stage. The work for Kāinga Ora encompasses everything from full property renovations to new builds and ongoing maintenance. The relationship between Rhys Finlay Contractors and Kāinga Ora spans over 20 years, built on what Rhys describes as mutual commitment. “We’ve been working for Kāinga Ora for a long time, and they have been a core part of our business,” explains Rhys. “We’ve been committed to them through the years, and they’ve been committed to us.” This enduring partnership is founded on four key pillars: quality of workmanship, timeframe adherence, competitive pricing and clear communication. The company’s work involves bringing state houses up to building code and beyond, with full property renovations including double glazing, insulation, and complete refurbishments that deliver homes ready for tenants to move in immediately. When it makes more economical sense for Kāinga Ora to build new properties, Rhys Finlay Contractors steps in to construct brand new homes, maximising the potential of properties Kāinga Ora owns. The company also handles maintenance work, from minor repairs like door handles falling off to major projects such as new kitchens and bathrooms. “Our team of experts offers a wide range of trade services in Wellington to completely manage preventative and reactive maintenance for our customers with 24/7 wrap around service,” explains Rhys. For Rhys, who brings around 25 years of building experience to the role, the impact extends far beyond bricks and mortar. The company’s commitment to training has seen it qualify over 30 apprentices since its inception, many of whom remain with the company today. Some staff members have been with the business for 18 years, creating a strong company culture built on career progression and loyalty. “Working for Kāinga Ora has also been awesome for our training regime as it covers a lot of aspects of building for our apprentices and really raises their levels of skills,” explains Rhys. This commitment to developing local talent reflects Rhys’s broader vision for giving back to the community. The fully New Zealand-owned company doesn’t just provide employment; it creates skilled tradespeople who will continue to serve the region for years to come. Proud to be the plumbers of choice for Hodson Construction YOUR TRUSTED PROJECT PARTNER FOR PLUMB I NG + GASWORKS + DRA I NAGE FREEPHONE 0508 527 847 PHONE 04 939 0011 EMAIL
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