Business Central September 2026

Volume 11| Issue 4 |September 2026 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Sweet sensation A homegrown pear developed over more than two decades is poised to become the country’s next export success story.  Page 42

2 | Contents 14| Everything aluminium McKechnie Aluminium Solutions is one of Taranaki’s largest manufacturers. 34| Talent rewarded Emma Ractliffe was named Emerging Leader of the Year at the Napier Port Hawke’s Bay Primary Industry Awards. 94| Top performer Taranaki’s Albon Building has carved out a reputation as a go-to firm for high-end residential construction. 34 94 14 Te Toi Mahana ��03 Raglan Food Co ��04 Project Maunga ��06 Ngā Ara Tūhono Charitable Trust ��08 The Lake Hotel ��09 Laminex NZ ��10 Techlam NZ ��12 McKechnie Aluminium Solutions ��14 Chris Bell Construction ��18 New Plymouth Vet Group ��20 JGP Projects ��21 Supreme Construction ��22 Fulton Hogan Taranaki ��24 Graham Harris Ltd ��25 Wharariki Trust ��26 Coresteel Buildings Hawke’s Bay ��28 Advance Properties Group ��30 Bay Planning ��32 Stradegy ��33 Progressive Meats ��34 Meiros Orchard ��35 Taupō District Council ��36 Horowhenua District Council: ��38 CentrePort Wellington ��39 Assurity Consulting ��40 Development Nous ��41 Prevar - PIQA Red ��42 Squawking Magpie ��44 URLAR ��45 Fulton Hogan Hawke’s Bay ��46 Simpson Logging �� 48 Bay Forest Harvesting �� 49 Wairarapa Forestry Services �� 50 Eastweld Engineering �� 51 Roadrunner Manufacturing �� 52 Trayla Trailers �� 53 Treadlite New Zealand �� 54 City Collision Repairs �� 55 Keyway Construction �� 56 Sierra Delta Civil �� 58 Excavat �� 59 Fleetline Diggers �� 60 Scotts Roofing �� 61 Scafit �� 62 Topline Contracting �� 64 Strong Electrical Limited �� 64 Foundation Bricks and Blocks �� 66 Tū Mai Rā Investments �� 68 MB Developments NZ �� 70 Fiso Group �� 72 DJM Construction �� 73 Southern Hills Homes �� 74 Cannon Point Development �� 75 Pou Architecture �� 76 Ignite �� 78 Gibbons Architects �� 79 Kingsbeer Architecture �� 80 Ailtire Architects �� 81 McLeod Architecture �� 82 Moore Design �� 83 OUR PARTNERS: #businesscentral #yourstory www.waterfordpress.co.nz   T&C’s: These conditions are prescribed for the sake of understanding between the Waterford Press Ltd and its clients. 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Christchurch Office 112 Wrights Road, Addington, Christchurch Phone 03-983 5500 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Queenstown Office 70 Glenda Drive, Queenstown 9300 MANAGING DIRECTOR James Lynch james@waterfordpress.co.nz BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Chris Pearce chris.pearce@waterfordpress.co.nz EDITORIAL Editor Nick Gormack nick@waterfordpress.co.nz Sub-editors Christine Defelice, Margaret Landauer WRITERS Anne Boswell, Kim Bowden, Kelly Deeks, Hugh de Lacy, Russell Fredric, Kim Newth, Sue Russell, Karen Phelps, Rosa Watson, Aimee Wilson, Virginia Wright RESEARCH & MARKETING James Anderson, Sam Dart, Chris Graves, Megan Hawkins, Annie Patrick, Chris Pearce, Danielle Percival, Adam Shirra, Leo Smith, Alasdair Thomson, Jane Watson sales@waterfordpress.co.nz PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT General Manager Luke Lynch luke@waterfordpress.co.nz Graphic Artists Anton Gray, Francesca Hildawa, Jamie Thomson, Liki Udam art@waterfordpress.co.nz CONTENT COORDINATORS Alissa Crosby, Ann-Marie Frentz, Michelle Phelan, Josie Villa OFFICE AND ACCOUNTS Lyn Barlow lyn@waterfordpress.co.nz Print ISSN: 2538-0001 Online ISSN: 2538-001X Tui Architecture ��84 David O’Connor Design ��85 Pacific Environments NZ ��86 Integrating Architecture ��86 Sorenmobler ��88 Mastercraft Kitchens By Healey ��89 SB Joinery ��90 Jennian Homes Hawke’s Bay ��92 Manor Build ��93 Albon Building ��94 Cavalier Homes Taranaki ��96 Pro-Structure ��98 Peak Building Taranaki ��101 David Brown Building ��102 H G Nitschke Builders ��104 HTG Construction ��105 New Style Homes ��106 Craig Homes Development ��107 Coull Builders ��108 Bourke Building ��110 CJS Carpenters ��111 LW & Co Building ��112 Meechan Builders ��113 Department of Corrections ��114 Bupa Care Services NZ ��115 Summerset Group Holdings: Boulcott 115 Summerset Group: Kenepuru ��116 Hospice Organisation NZ ��118 Mary Potter Hospice ��119 Life Flight ��120

| 3 Te Toi Mahana REGIONAL T TVirginia Wright The evolving face of public housing The Te Toi Mahana FM team was recognised as a finalist in this year’s FMANZ Awards (Facilities Managers Association New Zealand). Over the last few decades, the shape of public or social housing around New Zealand has changed with successive governments and shifting priorities. In the early 2000s Wellington City Council was New Zealand’s second-largest public landlord providing rental homes below market rates for older adults, families, and people with disabilities. In 2023 that public-housing portfolio became the responsibility of Te Toi Mahana, a for-purpose charitable trust established on the belief that everyone deserves somewhere to call home, and that housing is the foundation for personal and community wellbeing. Today Te Toi Mahana is one of the largest Community Housing Providers (CHPs) in Aotearoa, providing safe, warm and dry homes for almost 3,000 people across the Wellington region. They work in partnership with Wellington City Council and their mana whenua partners, Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika, Te Āti Awa ki Te Upoko o Te Ika a Māui, and Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira, as well as their tenants and the wider community. Their goal is to add hundreds of new affordable homes to the portfolio they manage over the next 10 years and, in the meantime, the team in charge of managing and maintaining the existing portfolio is taking the mandate of driving better outcomes for tenants and the Wellington community very seriously. Now, the organisation’s Facilities Management (FM) team of seven is working to more pro-actively address tenants’ maintenance needs. From Miramar through to Tawa the buildings span decades and range from standalone, three-bedroom houses, through to apartment complexes covering five blocks with over 100 people living there. Together the FM Team is realigning what has historically been a largely reactive approach. “While we will still maintain the actual physical property through the provision of scheduled and unscheduled works such as fixing a leaky tap or completing annual building washes, the planning to replace end-of-life assets will be directed by data. “This is where using asset data to front-foot maintenance and having our input as buildings are refurbished or built new is hugely beneficial to the portfolio and its tenants,” says Craig Parker, Te Toi Mahana Manager of Assets and Facilities. Having the experienced FM team pro-actively involved in the planned upgrade of 825 of the older properties in the Council’s portfolio, for example, brings short and long term efficiencies to the process. Simple things like “This is where using asset data to front-foot maintenance and having our input as buildings are refurbished or built new is hugely beneficial to the portfolio and its tenants.” ensuring fittings are robust enough to support tenant use, from door handles to toilet roll holders, makes a big difference when you look at the volume of properties. Analysing the asset data across the portfolio to inform decisions is the challenge. For example, managing hot water cylinders across almost 2000 homes requires a different approach to managing one in your own home. So does managing smoke detectors, with a limited lifespan, across the whole portfolio, that need to be replaced before their life expires. It’s a hugely complex, multi-layered web of logistics that must pro-actively manage every home’s risk profile efficiently and in a timely manner. “It’s a large operation which you don’t want to be managing all in one year, and we want to ensure that we’re looking after the needs of the community at the same time,” says Craig. That people-first, community-led approach is one of the reasons the Te Toi Mahana FM team was recognised as a finalist in this year’s FMANZ Awards (Facilities Managers Association New Zealand). Whether it’s supporting tikanga Māori-led Mara kai community gardens to enhance community wellbeing or managing trade tasks they uphold a culture of service, grounded in empathy for the people who call their homes their own. Te Toi Mahana are working to bring another 500 new homes to Wellington’s social housing network over the next 10 years — each carefully designed and equipped to ensure they’ll go the distance while offering a safe, comfortable and affordable home to someone in need.

4 | Raglan Food Co REGIONAL • Design & Build Projects • Industrial Electrical Installations • Control Panel Design & Build • EEHA - Hazardous Areas • Electrical Engineering • Control & Automation • Electrical Thermography • Machine Safety Systems T TKim Newth Dairy-free yoghurt scoops top award “There’s a growing movement of consumers looking to have plant-based, dairy-free diets, either because they can’t have dairy or they’re wanting to make a lifestyle change.” Raglan Food Co is in the spotlight after being named Dairy-Free Champion for its Vanilla Bean Coconut Yoghurt at the recent 2026 Outstanding Food Producer Awards, with the judges describing the plantbased yoghurt as “awesome … a Rarotongan breakfast on a spoon!” For Raglan Food Co’s CEO, Peter Simmons, and head of marketing, Sonya Stichbury, receiving the accolade on behalf of their team at the awards function was a very proud moment. “It was a thrilling experience for us being there to represent our small team of 30,” says Sonya. “There were more than 400 entries this year across all categories, so for us to receive that was quite an honour. We were super-proud to represent Raglan at the awards.” The award-winning champion yoghurt is Raglan Food Co’s top-selling product, closely followed by their creamy Natural Greek-style dairy-free yoghurt. The latest success follows previous accolades at the Outstanding Food Producer Awards. Raglan Food Co has twice received the Outstanding Sustainability Award, and in 2021 their dairy-free coconut kefir label topped the drinks category. “There’s a growing movement of consumers looking to have plant-based, dairy-free diets, either because they can’t have dairy or they’re wanting to make a lifestyle change,” Sonya says. “There are also a lot of flexitarians wanting to consume more plant-based food. We’re helping to lift the vibe on plant-based eating by providing healthy, natural options that don’t compromise on taste.” Raglan Food Co’s story started on a kitchen bench top in Raglan just over a decade ago. Founders Tesh and Seb wanted to enjoy a dairy-free diet without giving up yoghurt, so Tesh began making coconut yoghurt at home. They then started selling jars to Raglan locals. As word spread and demand grew, the fledgling business soon moved into a shipping container in the township. Today, they operate from a purpose-built plant on the outskirts of Raglan, producing a wide range of dairy-free yoghurts and kefirs for the New Zealand market. Raglan Food Co also supplies product to stockists in Hong Kong and Singapore. “We’re fortunate to have been founded by passionate people – it has been an incredible journey,” says Sonya. “When you’re innovating new product, so much work goes into getting the recipe right and sourcing the right ingredients. Raglan Food Co’s consistent award-winning track record is a testament to the ongoing hard work happening around recipes, production and sourcing of ingredients. Our new plant-based protein yoghurt range is an example of all these elements coming together.” Raglan Food Co believes business can be a tool for doing good. In their case, that means producing good product as sustainably as possible and operating as a Fair Wage Company for their team. Certified as a Toitū Climate Positive company, Raglan Food Co is committed to making a positive impact into the future. Just one of many projects they are involved with is the 1 Million Pieces Campaign, a community clean-up programme around New Zealand to remove one million pieces of plastic from our beaches. “We’ll have more to say on this milestone in a few months’ time – watch this space!” Raglan Food Co’s head of marketing, Sonya Stichbury, and CEO, Peter Simmons at the Outstanding Food Producer Awards.

| 5 Raglan Food Co REGIONAL EMPOWERING SUCCESS WITH AUTOMATION & INTEGRATED CONTROL Nemesys is a specialist industrial automation and control system integration company, havingdelivered more than 500 projects across New Zealand. From offices in Waikato, Taranaki and Southland, Nemesys provides reliable, future-ready engineering solutions nationwide from concept to commissioning. Nemesys engineers work alongside manufacturers to design and deliver integrated, robust control systems that support and enhance production while at the same time protecting people and safeguarding operational processes. The Nemesys team is proud to be adding value to New Zealand industries and has particularly strong working relationships in the dairy sector where strict standards must be met on quality control and food safety. Highlighting the breadth of their impact in this sector, one of their clients – Raglan Food Co. – was recently named the Dairy-Free Champion for their Vanilla Bean Coconut Yoghurt at the 2026 Outstanding Food Producers Awards. “It is a great result,” says Mel Slade, Nemesys Hamilton branch manager. “Our part in that success came through working behind the scenes to give Raglan Food Co. visibility over their plant operation, in turn, enabling them to achieve greater consistency.” Nemesys first began meeting with Raglan Food Co. in late 2024. While the company had excellent automation hardware in place at that time, the software side needed attention. "They had limited visibility across the operation, which increased production risk and made it harder for operators to consistently achieve the outcomes they were targeting,” says Dylan Baker, Nemesys Business Development Lead. “Our focus was on giving the team the insight and confidence needed to make better operational decisions." Nemesys designed and implemented a solution that delivered greater operational certainty across the plant. With improved visibility into production performance, Raglan Food Co. can identify and address issues sooner, reduce the risk of product loss, and maintain more consistent manufacturing outcomes. The resulting insights have also helped inform future plant improvements, supporting the company's ongoing growth and commitment to quality. “Another big positive for Raglan Food Co. is that there’s now much better operational engagement right across the board,” says Mel. As demand for smarter, more connected manufacturing continues to grow, Nemesys is investing in the people, engineering capability and systems required to support New Zealand manufacturers. With a growing team across Waikato, Taranaki and Southland, the business is continuing to expand its capability while developing the next generation of automation engineers through its graduate programme. Raglan Food Co operates from a purpose-built plant on the outskirts of Raglan, producing a wide range of dairy-free yoghurts and kefirs for the New Zealand market.

6 | Project Maunga: Taranaki Base Hospital - East Wing Building REGIONAL sam@contego.co.nz 022 522 4473 03 260 7888 www.contego.co.nz Proud to have completed the drainage & water infrastructure on Project Maunga Contact Phil on 027 555 1556 to discuss your requirements or email phil.civilworkstaranaki@gmail.com Specialists in: • Drainage - sewer, stormwater & watermains • Subdivision works • NPDC approved for stormwater & sewer connections • Roading, driveways & retaining walls • Cartage T TKaren Phelps Huge leap forward for Taranaki health The maternity and neonatal services within NEWB are a particular highlight, and include eight birthing rooms. “Having maternity and neonatal together in one place, with modern facilities, is something families in Taranaki have needed for a very long time.” A landmark new building has opened at Taranaki Base Hospital, marking the culmination of years of construction, and the single biggest investment in healthcare infrastructure the region has ever seen. The New East Wing Building (NEWB), gifted the Māori name Te Rau Mātāpuna o Taranaki, was officially opened on June 25, with patients beginning to be treated in the facility from 29 June. The six-storey, 22,000sqm acute services facility adds 55 patient spaces to the hospital, a 57% increase in capacity, and brings together under one roof, services that were previously spread across the campus. “This building represents a genuine step change for healthcare in Taranaki,” says Wendy Langlands, group director operations for Taranaki. “For the first time, our most critical services emergency, ICU, maternity, neonatal, radiology and laboratory are co-located in a way that dramatically improves how we can care for patients.” The Emergency Department has approximately doubled in size, and a new Acute Assessment Unit has been established to reduce unnecessary admissions and shorten lengths of stay. A rooftop helipad provides direct access to the Emergency Department, ICU and theatres, a feature designed to save critical minutes in life-or-death situations. Wendy says the scale of what sits behind the walls of NEWB is difficult to comprehend. The building contains over 62 kilometres of pipework, enough to wrap around the base of Mount Taranaki, and 290 kilometres of electrical cabling, more than the distance from New Plymouth to Palmerston North. More than 5950 lights illuminate its corridors and wards around the clock, and over 5100 sprinkler heads cover an area equivalent to roughly 15 rugby fields. Sustainability has been central to the design. NEWB has achieved a 5 Green Star Design certification, and is one of New Zealand’s largest, fully electric hospital facilities, operating primarily on electricity through advanced heat pump technology rather than gas. Rainwater harvesting, high-performance building insulation, and digital energy-management systems are among the features expected to reduce operating costs over time. “What’s remarkable is that this isn’t just a bigger building, it’s a smarter one,” says Wendy. “It’s been designed to keep operating during major events, to flex as demand grows, and to support the wellbeing of the staff who work here every day.” The maternity and neonatal services within NEWB are a particular highlight, she says, and include eight birthing rooms, with six of them equipped with pools, and a 12-cot neonatal unit co-located with the postnatal ward. “Having maternity and neonatal together in one place, with modern facilities, is something families in Taranaki have needed for a very long time,” says Wendy. NEWB forms the centrepiece of stage 2 of the Taranaki Base Hospital redevelopment, known as Project Maunga, which carries a total cost of $462.6 million. That figure includes a $53 million uplift approved in May 2025 to address post-Covid construction-cost escalation, though the project has been delivered within its approved budget. Construction commenced in June 2022 and finished approximately two months behind the original schedule, a minor variance that Wendy describes as within expectations for a build of this complexity. Together with earlier stages of Project Maunga, including the Renal Unit, and Energy Centre, the investments at Taranaki Base Hospital represent the largest health infrastructure programme in the region’s history. Other recent investments include the completion of a purpose-built cancer centre, bringing radiation therapy and oncology outpatients services together, as well as a stand-alone, four-bed mental health rehabilitation facility.

| 7 Project Maunga: Taranaki Base Hospital - East Wing Building REGIONAL The six-storey, 22,000sqm acute services facility adds 55 patient spaces to the hospital.

8 | Ngā Ara Tūhono Charitable Trust: Te Ara Mangawhero and Te Hangruru Trails REGIONAL Ph: (06) 388 0126 | www.byfords.co.nz Contract Crushing • Aggregate Supplies • Civil Contracting Proudly Supporting Nga Ara Tuhono Charitable Trust engineers | surveyors | planners Your Trusted Local Partners 2XU 5XDSHKX RIÀFH SURYLGHV HQJLQHHULQJ VXUYH\LQJ DQG SODQQLQJ H[SHUWLVH WKURXJKRXW WKH 5XDSHKX :KDQJDQXL 7DLKDSH DQG .LQJ &RXQWU\ UHJLRQV Contact Dean _ GHDQV#FKHDO FR Q] *ROGÀQFK 6WUHHW 2KDNXQH Welcome to Matahiwi Coffee Shop & Roadside Cabins! Stop in for a good rest or grab a bite to eat from our cafe! (06) 342 8112 (Shop) 027 939 2168 matahiwigalleryenquiries@gmail.com matahiwicoffee.com 0800 289 787 btw.nz Creating a better future for our clients and communities SURVEYING ENGINEERING PLANNING ENVIRONMENT 0800 289 787 btw.nz Creating a better future for our clients and communities. INNOVATIVE + SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS SURVEYING ENGINEERING PLANNING ENVIRONMENT Trail developments bring multiple benefits The network encompasses more than 300kmof pathways across Ruapehu and Whanganui. T TVirginia Wright Mountains to Sea - Ngā Ara Tūhono is demonstrating how trail investment can support local enterprise, strengthen communities and build regional resilience. It began taking shape in 2010 with the opening of the Ohakune Old Coach Road. Since then, it has grown section by section into an established regional asset that connects communities, supports businesses, and gives visitors new reasons to stay and spend. Today, the network encompasses more than 300 kilometres of pathways across Ruapehu and Whanganui. With coordinated whole-of-network leadership, and the completion of its remaining connections, it will grow to more than 330 kilometres. Its diversity is a major strength, offering experiences that include accessible family rides and remote adventures to two national parks, rural communities and Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River). The journey stretches from Tongariro National Park, recognised for its dual UNESCO World Heritage values, to Whanganui, a UNESCO City of Design, and the Tasman Sea. ro and Te Hangāruru, supported by a $10.8 million government investment announced in late 2025. The first stage of Te Ara Mangawhero opened in November 2024 as a family-friendly Grade 2 forest loop above Ohakune. The next phase will extend it towards Tūroa, ultimately creating an approximately 21-kilometre connection between Ohakune and the mountain. Developed with Ngāti Rangi, it shares the landscape’s cultural and natural significance. North of Horopito, 9.1 kilometres of Te Hangāruru opened at Matariki in 2025. A further 1.1 kilometres to the historic Last Spike is under construction, including a 99-metre suspension bridge across the Manganui o te Ao River, with opening expected at Labour Weekend 2026. The Last Spike commemorates the railway’s joining of the north trunk and the south with a polished silver spike in 1908. That bit of history is just one of the ancestral, transport, forestry and market-gardening stories of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua and the Waimarino. At the Whanganui end, the trust is working with Whanganui District Council to improve visitor facilities, including toilets along the Whanganui River Road, and complete further Grade 1 off-road sections, particularly the final journey to the North Mole. These improvements will make the network safer and more accessible for residents and visitors as use grows. The economic opportunity is already evident. The 2025 evaluation of New Zealand’s Great Rides estimated that, in the year ending June 2025, 44,777 visitors came to the region wholly or mainly because of Mountains to Sea. Together, they generated 138,618 visitor nights and approximately $34.3 million in visitor expenditure during the year. That spending supports accommodation, shuttle and bike-hire operators, guides, hospitality businesses and retailers. Construction and maintenance create further opportunities for regional contractors and suppliers, while 80% of surveyed stakeholders regarded the trail as a catalyst for community development. Established in 2025, the Ngā Ara Tūhono Charitable Trust provides whole-of-network leadership. “The trust gives us the structure to bring the network together and realise its full potential,” says Kaihautū Ara - general manager Lynley Twyman. “It is about completing missing sections, caring for the trail and sharing its benefits.” The trust brings together representatives of Ngāti Rangi, Te Korowai o Wainuiārua, Tūpoho Trust, the Whanganui Māori Regional Tourism Organisation, Ruapehu District Council, Whanganui District Council and the wider trail community. It is chaired by Andrew Tripe. The Department of Conservation contributes alongside these partners, bringing conservation, land management and technical expertise to the wider kaupapa. Its charitable status allows the trust to receive donations, pursue philanthropic grants, develop sponsorships and form partnerships, giving businesses, funders and the wider community new ways to contribute. The trust’s current programme reflects the breadth of the network. In Ruapehu, major construction is focused on Te Ara Mangawhe-

| 9 REGIONAL The Lake Hotel LSA where your space problems make room for design solutions. • Work undertaken includes residential & commercial • New builds, plus additions & alterations • Architect for Lake Haven Hotel, Taupo NZ Institute of Architects Registered Practice and Design 3 LBP www.lyndaslaneyarchitects.co.nz Contact: 021 2648559 Grant Fisher Phone 027 492 6895 Proud to be associated with The Lake Haven Hotel Taupo Proud to support Lake Haven - Taupo “Totally Dependable” Residential | Commercial | Maintenance & Servicing Central Heating | WasteWater Treatment Laser Plumbing Taupo 07 377 3023 3/41 Runanga Street, Taupo taupo@laserplumbing.co.nz www.taupo.laserplumbing.co.nz T TKaren Phelps Location and style set hotel apart The Lake Hotel is located on Tongariro Street in the heart of Taupō’s hospitality district. A new boutique hotel is set to welcome its first guests into the centre of Taupō, marking the culmination of a four-year journey for the investors behind one of the town’s most ambitious hospitality projects. The Lake Hotel, located on Tongariro Street in the heart of Taupō’s hospitality district, is opening with strong early interest from travellers. “It’s a project that’s taken about four years, so it’s very rewarding to get to this point,” says Murray Jones, the commercial investor that has overseen the development. “We’ve already got good forward bookings.” The 30-room boutique hotel occupies the second storey of an 850sqm building that spans both Tongariro St and Tūwharetoa St. The former backpacker accommodation, originally built in 1957, has been comprehensively gutted and re-imagined following a renovation project that has exceeded original budgets by $1 million. “We’ve created the most compliant accommodation place in Taupō, everything is up to the latest building code. We’ve put double Gib on every wall, installed fire-rated windows and implemented the latest fire rating systems throughout,” says Murray. Each of the 30 rooms measures approximately 25sqm and features contemporary décor, fully marble-tiled bathrooms, 55-inch televisions, and writing desks, making them well suited to singles and couples. Every room has ensuites, tea- and coffee- making facilities and king beds. “To give people more options, some rooms have beds that can be split into two singles and some of our larger rooms offer both double and single bed configurations. Several provide either lake views or overlook the Tongariro Domain.” The hotel takes a modern approach to guest services, with no traditional front desk. Guests book and pay online before using state-ofthe-art kiosks to access their rooms via pin codes. Lift access and rear car parking are also available. There are plans to add three, two-bedroom apartments to The Lake Hotel atop the Cobb & Co restaurant. At around 100sqm each, and connected directly to the hotel, the apartments will cater to families and larger groups. Construction is due to begin later this year. “You couldn’t get a better location – there is no other hotel in the middle of the CBD,” says Murray. “It’s a very modern offering for Taupō, very distinct. We are boutique, and are offering something different to the market. It’s quite an accomplishment to complete it.” The location is central to the hotel’s appeal, says Murray, who has been investing in Taupō for three decades and now calls it home. He owns The Lake Hotel along with three other investors. The building also houses several established businesses, including Cobb & Co restaurant, Finn’s Bistro and Beer Garden, Taupo Nails, Kebab Turka and Luna’s Gelataria – the latter owned by Murray’s sons, Michael and David. Guests need only step outside the door to access the town’s full hospitality offering, with the lake itself just a short walk away. Murray sees The Lake Hotel as part of Taupō’s broader rise as a premier North Island destination. He says recent infrastructure investment has further bolstered the town’s appeal, with the council refurbishing main streets and increasing car parking capacity. Motorway connections mean Taupō has excellent access to Auckland and Hamilton. “I call it the Queenstown of the North Island,” he says. “It’s a really nice place and is like waking up every day in a holiday resort.” “We’ve created the most compliant accommodation place in Taupō....”

10 | Laminex NZ - Taupo REGIONAL PROUD PARTNER OF LAMINEX NZ – TAUPO 2026-2027 AT KITCHENS BY HEALEY LTD P: 06 355 4646 E: info@kitchensbyhealey.co.nz 127 Keith Street, Palmerston North mastercraft.co.nz We are also manufacturers of custom made cabinets or shelving for bathrooms, laundries & wardrobes • Quality assured with a 10 year guarantee ˊ˛˘˥˘ ˗˘˦˜˚ˡ ˕˘˖ˢˠ˘˦ ˥˘˔˟˜˧ˬ ˱ ˃˥ˢ˨˗ ˧ˢ ˦˨ˣˣˢ˥˧ ʿ˔ˠ˜ˡ˘˫ ˁˍ ˱ ˆˠ˔˥˧ ˆˢ˟˨˧˜ˢˡ˦ ʷ˥˜˩˘ˡ ˕ˬ ˤ˨˔˟˜˧ˬ ˖˔˕˧˘˖ʡ˖ˢʡˡ˭ ˯ ˦˔˟˘˦ʳ˖˔˕˧˘˖ʡ˖ˢʡˡ˭ T T Karen Phelps Boost for wood processing industry The investment sends a strong signal about the company’s long-term commitment to New Zealand manufacturing and the forestry sector. At a time when many parts of New Zealand’s wood processing sector are facing significant challenges, Laminex is making one of the largest manufacturing investments in the industry’s recent history with a world-class wood panel manufacturing facility in Tauō. General manager at Laminex, Rachel Silcock, says the investment sends a strong signal about the company’s long-term commitment to New Zealand manufacturing and the forestry sector. “This is a significant investment in local manufacturing capability, and demonstrates our confidence in the future of wood processing in New Zealand,” she says. “We’re backing New Zealand timber, New Zealand manufacturing, and New Zealand jobs. The benefits of this project will extend well beyond our business, supporting local communities, regional employment, and the wider forestry value chain.” Fletcher Wood Products has been leading the construction of the new facility, working alongside specialist contractors and international equipment suppliers to bring the project to life. With construction now largely complete, commissioning activities are well underway, with operational knowledge and capability progressively being transferred to the Laminex team ahead of the plant’s formal handover later this year. Located alongside Laminex’s existing Taupō manufacturing site, the new facility represents the next chapter for an operation that has supported the New Zealand wood processing industry for more than 50 years, Rachel says. Construction commenced in 2023 and the plant is expected to be fully operational later this year, replacing infrastructure that is nearing the end of its serviceable life. The facility will feature a highly advanced production line supplied by German engineering company, Dieffenbacher, with Rachel saying the technology is regarded as among the best in the world. Purpose-built for New Zealand conditions and customers, the plant will replace the site’s existing particleboard operation and significantly expand manufacturing capability. “The new facility will increase our production capacity to around four times our current capability, and also provide the flexibility to develop new products specifically for New Zealand applications,” says Rachel. The investment represents more than increased volume. It introduces a new generation of Fine Surface Strand Board (FSB) technology, enabling Laminex to manufacture panels with enhanced performance characteristics for both decorative and structural applications. Unlike traditional particleboard, which is produced from small wood particles, FSB is manufactured from precision-cut wood strands combined with advanced resin and wax technologies. The result is a stronger, more durable panel with exceptional consistency and performance. Rachel says the new process will also provide greater flexibility to develop innovative products tailored to New Zealand’s construction and interior markets. She says sustainability has been a key consideration in the plant’s design. Biomass energy generated from bark and other wood residues will be used to fuel the site’s energy plant, producing the heat, steam and hot water required throughout the manufacturing process. “From raw log through to finished panel, the facility has been designed to maximise the value extracted from New Zealand-grown timber while reducing waste and improving resource efficiency,” she says. The project is already creating employment opportunities and supporting local businesses throughout the region. Laminex currently employs more than 50 people at its Taupō site, and expects to recruit additional staff as production ramps up following commissioning. “This investment is about much more than replacing an ageing asset,” says Rachel. “It’s about creating a modern manufacturing platform that will support our customers, our people and the New Zealand wood processing industry for decades to come.”

| 11 Laminex NZ - Taupo REGIONAL Purpose-built for New Zealand conditions and customers, the plant will replace the site’s existing particleboard operation and significantly expand manufacturing capability. + . « 1 0 # . / + ¥ ! ! . # . / 0 . ! 0 ¥ 0 # / 0 P[PlHFlP[H^MMHi ^\m\DmlMZ^^iP\N ;\FDHPZP\NjOHHlj . / ! 0 Ä # . ¥ ##. / ¥ ! 0 . «0 ! ! 9 7 / ¥ ! / ¥ / 0#. # . / Ink<+<^I[Ql< . !;<hhk<QlIGlnkoEnok<[h<^I[uPQEPE<^DIEoln`]EonNk`]`ok]]Ö]]D`<kG 0kolnIGQ^Ôhk`XIEnl InQ^n`oEPn`G<wn`[`EZQ^lhIEQ<[hkQEIl`^N[``kQ^O<^GEIQ[Q^Ol ¥ ! #Ã 0. /9/0 / # !; ¥ 777 0. /9/0 / # !;

12 | REGIONAL Techlam NZ Northbrook Aquatic Centre, Wanaka TO BUILD BETTER WITH TIMBER. Timber Manufacturer: Techlam Architect: Woods Bagot Timber beams coating: CUTEK® Euro with a custom Colourtone Photography: © Winton NZ WORKING TOGETHER T T Russell Fredric Reshaping commercial construction Structural glulam combines high strength with low weight, allowing engineers to design lighter structures while simplifying construction. “Engineered timber can be manufactured and shaped into virtually anything you can dream up, from massive clear spans to complex curves.” Techlam is helping reshape New Zealand’s commercial construction sector, combining advanced engineering, digital manufacturing and sustainable timber design to deliver landmark buildings in communities throughout New Zealand. From its Levin manufacturing facility, the family-owned company designs and manufactures structural glulam systems for projects ranging from community facilities to large commercial developments, working closely with architects, engineers and builders from the earliest stages of design. One recent example is the eight-storey building in Devonport Road Tauranga, now home to Tauranga City Council. Techlam supplied more than 58 cubic metres of premium structural glulam, including 600 x 600mm exterior columns up to 7.8 metres long, for what is New Zealand’s largest mass timber office building. Techlam managing director, Brett Hamilton, says early collaboration was fundamental to the project’s success. “Getting involved early with the design and engineering teams was very important. It meant we caught potential clashes onscreen rather than on-site, which kept delivery timelines on track. The columns were on the critical path. If they were late, the whole build stopped.” The building balances the structural requirements of a large commercial office, with exposed timber elements and cultural narratives developed alongside tangata whenua. It achieved a 6 Green Star design accreditation and is expected to reduce lifetime carbon emissions by more than 60% compared with a conventional concrete and steel structure. Structural glulam combines high strength with low weight, allowing engineers to design lighter structures while simplifying construction. “Glulam is strong but lightweight compared with steel or concrete,” says Brett. “Architects and engineers can design smaller foundations, while construction teams need fewer heavy truck movements and smaller cranes. Because most components are prefabricated, they arrive ready to install, and basically slot together.” Beyond its structural performance, Brett says engineered timber gives designers greater freedom than conventional solid timber. “Engineered timber can be manufactured and shaped into virtually anything you can dream up, from massive clear spans to complex curves. In New Zealand, it performs exceptionally well in earthquakes because of its natural flexibility, and in a fire the outer layer chars to protect the structural core.” That design flexibility is supported by a digital manufacturing process that translates building designs into precision-built structural components. Using 3D modelling, CAD/CAM technology and CNC machinery, Techlam digitally maps every connection before cutting, drilling and machining each component. “Every joint, screw and connection is mapped out digitally before a single piece of timber is cut,” Brett says. “Because we cut, drill and often pre-coat the timber in the factory, site delivery becomes a matter of precise assembly. It removes the guesswork.” Sustainability is another driver behind engineered timber’s growth. Brett says glulam stores carbon captured as trees grow, while manufacturing requires far less energy than producing steel or concrete. Techlam sources timber from sustainably managed New Zealand plantations and manufactures components to exact project requirements, reducing waste while helping developers meet ambitious environmental targets. “We are investing heavily in our prefabrication capacity, CNC machinery, staff and building a data-driven process that connects directly with design teams.”

| 13 Techlam NZ REGIONAL info@pt lnz.com | www.pt lnz.com | Chr istchurch | Queenstown | Auckland PTL are your next Structural and Fire engineering team and are proud to have partnered with Techlam on many of their award winning projects. PTL work with architects, developers, manufacturers and construction companies to provide innovative and economical structural and fire design. Expert advice, practical solutions, fast response. The impressive eight-storey building in Devonport Road Tauranga, now home to Tauranga City Council.

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