| 81 Grounded Company HQ CONTRACTING Big awards for Grounded Company HQ One of the things that set Grounded Company HQ apart is an innovative training programme. Whanganui civil construction company Grounded Company HQ has claimed the supreme title at the 2025 Te Manu Atatū Māori Business Awards, cementing its reputation as a values-driven enterprise that puts people before profit. The proudly Māori-owned business, founded just two years ago by husband and wife team Carol and Matt Loader has experienced huge growth. It also secured the Trades and Construction Award and was nominated in the X-Factor Award. “We thought we were doing a good job but the awards have really cemented the fact that we are,” says Carol. “To be recognised has given us the confidence to continue forward on the path we are on, even though it’s kind of unorthodox as most businesses are more profit rather than community driven.” One of the things that set Grounded Company HQ apart is an innovative training programme Carol, a qualified teacher, designed to bridge the skills gap in civil construction. “You can have a lot of people with no experience wanting to get into the industry and that’s difficult for employers to take on as it’s so time consuming,” explains Carol. “So this funded training helps people to get a licence endorsement or know how to run T T Karen Phelps certain plant and machinery so they come in with some capability. It has had a 100% success rate with employment outcomes from those that have already been through the programme. The company is now working with Te Puni Kōkiri to apply for funding and plans to scale up internally to become a training provider. The Grounded Company HQ business model reflects deeply held Māori values. “We don’t just work on infrastructure projects; we build people,” explains Carol whose is whakapapa is Ngati Tuwharetoa (Turangi/ Korohe). “Quality, relationships and people are our company values. It’s all about how we look after our people and our clients.” This people-first philosophy extends throughout the organisation’s structure. “We are a whānau first business. We support our staff in any way we can so they can put their family first,” says Carol. “We also do regular coaching with our team to celebrate their wins in life as well as at work. The coaching creates goals for both personal and professional life.” The company’s kaupapa reflects broader aspirations for community development. “We like to give people opportunities that might not have them. Sometimes with a bit of guidance, support and pastoral care people can have a really great career,” says Carol. “Part of our kaupapa is to support, uplift Landscaping | Building | Fencing CONCRETING - IT'S WHAT WE DO BEST! • Site Preparation • Boxing • Placing • Finishing • Cutting • Commercial • Residential • Driveways • Paths • Foundations Contact Us 0274 905 580 wanganuiconcrete@xtra.co.nz wanganuiconcrete.co.nz 0274 905 580 others to have better opportunities.” The company’s community focus is evident in its project portfolio, which includes significant work for local schools. Recent projects include a large hockey turf for Fordell School and a 700-square-metre car park for Brunswick School, both in Whanganui. “We like to be involved in community projects and can offer a discounted price for these. We are active in our community and like to support where we can,” says Carol. The business journey began in 2023 when Matt, a third-generation civil construction company owner with over 20 years’ industry experience, and wife Carol, a former school teacher, decided to start their people-first business. The team has expanded to include four full-time staff, one part-time administrator and two part-time truck drivers. The company offers a comprehensive range of civil construction services from council- approved vehicle crossings and section levelling to commercial and residential and rural drainage, driveways, and retaining walls. It specialises in both large and small projects and continued growth is the aim: “The goal is to build a Tier 1 capable company over the next five years with end to end capability.”
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