88 | Toko proud to be “doing it for my people” Mahanga Builders has plenty of work on throughout the South Waikato. Mahanga Builders T T Sue Russell BUILDING Waikato builder Toko Samuels is pleased with what he has achieved since establishing Mahanga Builders two years ago, though his engagement in building goes back a further 27 years. Choosing to create a business at the same time as Covid was wrecking havoc was a bold move but he did it for good reasons. “I did it for my people,” says Toko who is based in Leamington, west of Maungatautari and Karapiro. By doing it for his people, the proud Māori means taking on young people from within his wider whanau. It’s about showing them a pathway forward while equipping them with valuable skills that will enable them to stand proudly on their own feet one day, and, hopefully help their next generation come through as well. “I felt this was something I could really focus on which was important to me. Making something better out of my years in the trade.” Toko describes it as a really positive experience, taking young people out on site to give them a taste of what a building site is like and working with other people around. So much so that mid-way through this year he had signed up three for apprenticeships. Asked who is delivering the trade learning, Toko says he chose to use WINTEC because he felt it had a lot more to offer with the boys engaged in block courses and with a WINTEC tutor visiting four times a year. Together with BCITO, that makes for a strong learning encounter and one that acknowledges different learning styles. And with its relatively short history, Toko says since starting Mahanga Builders its all been very worthwhile, despite some rough months, as so many in the building sector currently experiencing. “Our forecast for the next couple of years looks really good.” Contributing their energy and skills is office manager Tiakina-Ora Hooper-Goes and Watea Tarapata, contractor/site forman. Taawhiao Wharawhara is senior apprentice and leading hand, while Ashton Winterson and Mauriora Ohia-Papa are in their apprenticeship training. After a good conversation with wife Tanya Samuels, Toko made the decision to structure roles to provide him with a good work/home life balance. It has been a very positive decision, he says, to step out of actually building all the time, instead looking at the bigger picture and working sustainably. “I do hope to grow the business. My preferred number would be eight at the maximum, meaning we can split into teams but its going to take time to get to this size.” Working across most of Waikato through to Coromandel, west to Raglan and down to Taupo is a large footprint for potential work. “There’s actually a lot of work happening in South Waikato and there are not a lot of builders so that’s a good area to focus on at this time.” It’s been by word-of-mouth that business has generally come to his door. Toko says he’s fortunate to have supportive sub-contractors and one of his apprentice’s parents own an electrical and plumbing company. He’s very loyal to his group of subbies saying its impor- “I felt this was something I could really focus on which was important to me. Making something better out of my years in the trade.” tant to establish these relationships and stick with people who work to the same standards and carry similar values. “We’re like a collective of tradees and it works really well for us all. I couldn’t have progressed this business without the valuable support of all our contractors and companies. I appreciate them all.” A new build about to get underway in the next couple of months will keep the team busy for the following six months. This will be followed by a full renovation so the outlook is very positive.” “I guess for me now looking back on my building career I wish I had made the decision to help support the next generation in the whanau earlier than I did. I see only good coming from this commitment.” Your Business, Your Industry, Your News. Volume 6 | Issue 2 | April 2021 www.waterfordpress.co.nz ‘Excellence in Energy’ Taranaki’s Todd Energy will have a key role to play as New Zealand moves toward a low emissions economy. Page 8 Waikato farmers Dean & Ang Finnerty have expanded their dairy cow operation into a successful goat milking enterprise as well PAGE 10 Turning challenge into opportunity AUTUMN 2022 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Volume 6 | Issue 3 | July 2021 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Making waves Back on track New Zealand hydrofoil maker Armstrong is generating interest around the world with its high performance products. Work on the ambitious NZCIS facility in Upper Hutt is progressing well after Covid disruptions. PAGE 70 PAGE 10 Healthy delivery A new elective surgery facility in Hastings will provide a big boost to the region’s operating capacity. PAGE 52 Volume 6 | Issue 5 | December 2021 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Cheers Boys! YoungWellington irm3Māori Boys is creating a buzz with it’s ground-breakingWai Manuka natural beverage. PAGE 45 Passion and pride New Plymouth’s Energyworks has forged a strong reputation in 50 years of business. PAGE 64 Seaview upgrade CentrePort’s SeaviewWharf facility is set for a major upgrade to bring it up to international standards. PAGE 14 businesscentral Each edition priority delivered to your door. i i i i li . www.waterfordpress.co.nz/subscriptions . . . 03 983 5525 Stay informed; we work with business owners and decision-makers across all economic sectors, pro iling their success. i ; i i i i - ll i , ili i . Proudly Supporting Mahanga Builders • Electrical, Power and Lighting • Alarms and security • Air Conditioning and ventilation • Plumbing and Drainage • Soak holes and retention tanks • Gas and Electric Hot Water www.Gofox.nz Ph 0800 95 99 99 or 07 883 83 83 Residential • New Builds • Renovations • Maintenance AC/Heat Pumps • Data • Security • EV Charger • Solar • Commercial Services 027 696 3467 - Dan connectelectrical2015@gmail.com www.connectelectrical.co.nz CONNECT ELECTRICAL 2015 LIMITED
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