52 | Culture underpins quality ENGINEERING Meara Engineering T T Anne Boswell Meara Engineering’s Cole and Dayna Meara say they are not only employers in the heart of Whangarei, but part of a close community as well. “We are in the industrial heart of town in Herekino Street, and all the businesses around us form a tight-knit community,” Dayna says. “We all support each other and look after each other.” That community extends to the atmosphere within the Meara Engineering workplace, a business that was established in 2015, with the workshop opening in 2020. Not only are the Meara Engineering team members experts in fast, precise fabrication using advanced machinery, but a close crew resulting from the creation of a great working culture. “We are a husband-and-wife team, with loyal employees, who have become like family to us,” Dayna says. “All our kids know each other and are similar in age.” Meara Engineering undertakes a lot of heavy industrial work, as well as some council work and smaller projects. Affco New Zealand and Croft Poles and Timber are among their larger clients. “We have been doing ongoing maintenance for Affco for three years; they are a big part of the success of Meara Engineering. We do a four-week shutdown there each year,” Cole says. “We did a trimline project for Croft Poles and Timber over 12 months, which was completed in mid-2024. We also did a bin sorter for them, which took three of our guys 15 months to complete, working full-time.” Meara Engineering has more than industrial engineering skills up its sleeve – the company also takes on precision work using refined stainless steel, such as artwork and balustrades. This is made possible by the proficient use of advanced machinery, such as the press brake, guillotine and CNC plasma cutter, Frame Group Treetop walkway earns industry recognition T T Kim Newth Auckland-based Frame Group has once again won recognition for exceptional mahi, having recently picked up a 2025 Association of Consulting and Engineering (ACE) Silver Award for the high-profile Kauri Glen Reserve Walkway Treetop Bridge in Northcote, Auckland. It follows ACE Silver and Sustainability Awards in 2023 for their contribution to developing National Kauri Dieback Track Infrastructure Guidelines, as well as managing and delivering track upgrades in Northland to help prevent the spread of the fungal pathogen that causes kauri dieback. As Aotearoa New Zealand’s engineering specialist in tracks and outdoor visitor structures, Frame Group remains at the forefront of efforts to save our iconic kauri forests, working alongside Northland Regional Council and other local authorities, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and the Department of Conservation (DOC). Just recently, the team has finished another kauri dieback track mitigation project for Northland Regional Council at Helena Bay, which involved the installation of boardwalks, box steps and geoweb root protection. Mitigating kauri dieback was a key focus, too, in this year’s award-winning project at Kauri Glen Reserve, where the team was engaged by Auckland Council to come up with solutions to improve tracks and access-ways. “The Kaipātiki Local Board swung behind our preferred solution – to build a 60-metre glulam bridge, cantilevered at each end, to span the gully and extending into the treetops,” producing work that is efficient, precise and high quality. “We take pride in our work, and make sure what is going out is of a high standard,” Dayna says. “Our team values clear communication and a customer-first approach, ensuring every project meets the client’s expectations.” Part of that is ensuring staff members are upskilled regularly. All engineers are qualified in heavy engineering – including the training of apprentices – and must receive a 100% score with Sitewise. Meara Engineering’s success began with Cole’s vision, the dedication of loyal and talented employees, and strong professional relationships with suppliers and fellow tradesmen. “Cole has built a great relationship with Leo McCullough from Electec through the project at Croft Poles and Timber, and Leo continues to support us where he can,” Dayna says. “Vulcan is another company that is always ready for us when we need them. We stock a lot of Vulcan metal supplies in the workshop, which allows us to be a one-stop-shop.” “The cheapest option would have been to build a staircase down to the creek and back out; instead, the Kaipātiki Local Board swung behind our preferred solution – to build a 60-metre glulam bridge, cantilevered at each end, to span the gully and extending into the treetops,” says Drew Kenny, general manager Frame Group. “All the tracks around there have been upgraded too. That project attracted so much interest on social media – it went viral. 1News at Six picked it up and then it was on TVNZ Breakfast as well.” The 2025 ACE judges praised how the project’s reframing had seized a broader opportunity to deliver long-term environmental, recreational and social value. Since opening in April 2024, Kauri Glen Reserve’s tree-top bridge, boardwalk and track have been well-used by commuters, students and other locals. Drew says the community has been very supportive, including Northcote School. • STEEL • STAINLESS • ENGINEERING STEELS • PLATE PROCESSING • COIL PROCESSING • ALUMINIUM - SHEET & EXTRUSION AVAILABLE VULCAN IS PROUD TO SUPPORT MEARA ENGINEERING WWW.VULCAN.CO Aluminium Sales 09 4387380 Steel Sales 09 4388526 Electrical Solutions for Industry Reliable Solutions to Keep Your Operations Running Smoothly • Rapid fault-finding & root-cause analysis to minimise downtime. • Tailored services: electrical design, CAD drafting, inspections, PLC programming & automation, instrumentation, hazardous-area installations. • Flexibility: after-hours support, emergency response, proactive maintenance. Contact us: admin@electech.net.nz • 027 711 0468 • Whangarei 0145, NZ Appreciate supporting Meara Engineering YOUR OUTDOOR OASIS AWAITS • Landscape Design • Soft Landscaping • Garden Maintenance • Track Construction CONTACT US TODAY! Phone: 021 740 408 Web: wwin@plantpro.co.nz Meara Engineering undertakes a lot of heavy industrial work, as well as some council work and smaller projects
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