34 | Taupo: Mātanga Projects T T Kim Newth Doing the best for Taupo The Matanga Projects team – making a positive local impact. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT With a mission to be Taupo’s top civil project management company, Mātanga Projects has made a big local impact since launching in 2021. Company founder and Director Brad McKenzie established Mātanga Projects with two other shareholders to meet a need in the local market for quality project management in the civil works sector. “We are working at the scale of one or two projects per project manager and really homing in on the detail and delivery of those projects. For us, it’s all about quality, not quantity.” Brad brings considerable experience to his role managing Mātanga Projects. He first entered the industry at 19, starting his diploma in civil engineering while working for a small contracting firm in Wairoa. Three years later, he joined Opus [now WSP] in Taupō, gaining invaluable experience in project management over several years before returning to contracting with Downer in Taupō. At Mātanga Projects, he has sustainably grown the business from a solid foundation and today employs a team of six, including an in-house civil designer/surveyor, two project managers and two project technicians, both on track to become project managers. The company culture encourages making the most of their beautiful location, whether to go fishing on the lake or skiing at Whakapapa in winter. “We’re able to provide a work-life balance for our employees and get them involved in various activities around Taupō, supporting local as much as we can.” Comprehensive project management, civil design and project MSQA (quality assurance) are core services offered by Mātanga Projects. Their goal is always to get the best outcome while hitting budgets and deadlines for their clients, with trusted contractor-consultant relationships playing a key part in project success. Taupō’s population is projected to keep growing steadily into the 2030s and strong ongoing demand for holiday homes there reflects its popularity as an iconic tourist destination. Mātanga Projects regularly works on projects with the Taupō District Council to further enhance the local urban environment. “We have a massive project with the council at the moment, revitalizing the paved lakefront area with new asphalt. That’s our main thoroughfare – it represents Taupō. We plan to finish that by the end of February. We’re project managing that and are also serving as the council’s engineering rep. “We are proud to be making a positive local impact through projects like this. We also managed the delivery of physical works for the Anzac Memorial Drive project that involved upgrading the main route leading into Taupō Airport. We got so much good feedback – it’s like the gateway to Taupō. We widened it to make it safer for motorists and have given it a new lease of life.” Alongside the council work, Mātanga Projects is busy with a number of local development projects. Brad is currently working as project manager at Kokomea Village Park, a new 134-villa retirement village called LakeCrest. Stage one of six stages is nearing completion, with all 34 villas in that first stage now sold. Brad says a majority of villas in the second stage have been snapped up too with the new village showhome attracting plenty of interest. Another key project underway is a commercial/industrial development on land surrounding Mātanga Projects’ office base at 189 Napier Road, on the edge of town. Confirmed tenants include Bunnings, Burger King, Popeyes chicken, Starbucks and NPD fuel. Civil works are getting started this month (January 2024). “We’re doing project management, survey, MSQA, civil design – the full package.” Mātanga Projects is also delivering its full service package to a papakāinga project in Waimahana, where 14 homes are being built for the local Māori community. This much-needed development is on track to be finished in April. “We’ve got another two papakāinga projects in the pipeline as well. To give back to the marae and local iwi and hapū is always so rewarding.” Driveways (Asphalt, Chipseal, Concrete or Metal) Carparks (Asphalt and Chipseal) Roadworks & Maintenance | Landscaping Earthworks | Drainage Subdivision and land development Footpaths | Sub-contracting we have the capacity to complete your project in an efficient, timely and quality manner. Peak Civil is your one-stop shop for any civil work. Jobs big or small, Visit our website for enquiries and quotes www.peakcivil.co.nz Road Safety Corridor Management Asset Management Working together to improve New Zealand roads. www.corridorsolutions.co.nz admin@corridorsolutions.co.nz 027 209 3826 Excavation Services Taupo We Provide Expert Excavation Services In The Taupo & Central Plateaux Areas TARRANT CONTRACTING L I M I T E D QUARRY SUPPLIES CARTAGE RETAINING WALLS CIVIL WORKS BUILDING PADS RURAL AND DAIRY FARM EARTHWORKS DEMOLITION 027 449 4788 PO Box 1447, Taupo 3351 russel.tarrant@xtra.co.nz www.tarrantearthworkstaupo.co.nz
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