26 | Waitoa Industrial Estate T T Karen Phelps Processing facility boosts local economy The facility’s design includes a complete building envelope with multiple entry points for raw materials. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Waitoa Industrial Estate Ltd (WIEL) has successfully brought its state-ofthe-art 4000sqm protein-processing facility into full operation with the second stage of its 10MW substation commissioned in May 2025. “The significant investment being made by WIEL will mean good things for the region in terms of job creation, both during the development and after,” says Gordon Henderson, joint project manager for the new protein plant and general manager of the facility. “There will also be significant flow-on effects for the local economy, extending to the larger Waikato wider region, and WIEL is proud to be making a difference to the local community in which it operates.” A joint venture between Greenlea Premiere Meats, Glenninburg Holdings Limited, and Wilson Hellaby Meats, the industrial complex now houses four distinct operations: the original Wallace Proteins rendering plant, the new Waitoa Natural Proteins facility, Waitoa Tannery, and Waitoa Compost, with Waitoa Farms being the surrounding dairy operation. The development builds upon the site’s industrial heritage, which began in the 1940s with the original J.D. Wallace plant’s piggery operation, later expanding to include a rendering plant that ultimately processed 70% of the North Island’s dead stock. The plant produces high-quality bovine meat and bone meal used for a variety of high-grade products, also in overseas countries mainly for animal feed alongside premium tallow, with the latter destined for overseas biodiesel markets. A number of meat companies will supply the fresh raw material to the new protein plant. The facility operates year-round, 24 hours a day, six days a week, with maintenance scheduled for Sundays. “It is the latest plant in Australasia in terms of operating and environmental efficiencies with the ability to produce high-quality fresh product,” says Gordon. The facility’s design includes a complete building envelope with multiple entry points for raw materials, coupled with two bio-filters operating continuously to manage any potential odour issues. The new plant employs a low-temperature rendering system supplied by New Zealand company, Rendertech. The facility operates as a single-species processor, handling only bovine raw material. Export registrations have already been secured for countries including Fiji, Vietnam, and Papua New Guinea, and applications are pending for additional markets. “The trend around the world seems to be that overseas markets are wanting more a single species rather than mixed,” explains Gordon. “It gives assurance over what is in the product.” our new treatment ponds have been constructed to accommodate current and future operations on the site. These ponds incorporate advanced filtration and UV technology, allowing for responsible discharge either for land irrigation or back to the river system. Thirteen local staff have been recruited, including nine plant operators, an engineer, administrative personnel, a production supervisor and management. Gordon says the company has prioritised local hiring, offering training programmes. The project has also emphasised supporting regional contractors, with MW Builders serving as head contractor alongside Hennessey Electrical Solutions, Gray Consulting Engineers and Pattle Delamore Partners, which designed the treatment ponds and provided technical support through Feathers Planning. WIEL collaborated with Powerco and North Power to construct the new 10MW substation. Gordon says WIEL is exploring other initiatives, including potential biogas digesters that could generate gas and power for the site – particularly important given the uncertainty around natural gas supply in New Zealand. Additionally, a separate project is examining the rezoning of 200 hectares of land currently used for dairying, potentially allowing other businesses to establish operations within the estate, and further diversifying its economic contribution. Servicing Hamilton & Surrounding Areas Commercial, Industrial & Food Processing Area Construction, Building Maintenance & Alterations Postal: PO Box 21141, Rototuna Hamilton 3256 Phone: Email: mark.wallbank@xtra.co.nz Mark 021-912-942 MW BUILDERS LTD Licensed Building Practitioner Since 1991
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