| 71 CONTRACTING Rochford Landscapes Creating special spaces Matakana, where the office and yard is situated, is the company’s home base. T T Sue Russell Living and working in Northland provides plenty of scope to be involved in some wonderful landscaping projects, says Todd Rochford of Rochford Landscapes. Having grown up on an organic farm, and with a father who had a definite bent towards sustainability and permaculture, eventually establishing his own company in a similar field was a really good fit for him, Todd says. “Dad just loved trees, and I think an appreciation for nature and outdoor environments has rubbed off on me, certainly from my upbringing,” he says. Matakana, where the office and yard is situated, is the company’s home base, while another facility in Mangawhai gives the team a good spread of the northern locations. “First and foremost, we’re a landscape contracting company,” says Todd. “We will assist clients with a designer if they haven’t already engaged one, and we know all the best designers and their work. Depending on what they want, I can recommend a designer that I think will suit well.” When Todd first left school he spent time overseas on his OE, and upon returning, knew he didn’t want to undertake a traditional trade apprenticeship. “I knew I didn’t want to be a builder or a sparky. Landscaping is one of these occupations where you have the opportunity to apply a variety of skills. There’s a lot you need to know something about.” Todd considers landscaping very much a specialist trade in itself, and says it’s an industry where great environments are created for clients. “It’s physically demanding work at times, and there’s a lot of problem-solving that goes with it,” he says. These days, the team has grown to include 20-plus staff on the tools, and Todd says he is fortunate to have a pool of on-call people he can depend on when the projects require. He is also keen to see his team be given opportunities to become qualified. “We work with a training organisation, who do a lot of on-site training. Through Primary ITO there are different levels of achievement you gain, so there’s plenty of scope to acquire new skills.” High-end landscaping has become a specialty for Rochford Landscapes, involving metal work, the building of fences and gates, creating sculptural elements in a landscape, and moving earth to create new forms and spaces. “We own three different diggers for excavation work and don’t usually engage outside contractors. We do the work ourselves, so it involves understanding falls and how drainage elements are correctly constructed.” Todd says the aim has always been to grow the business in scale to basically be able to tackle all the work themselves. “And away from the construction aspects, you then have to understand about plant husbandry, where and how plants and trees grow well, and what they will become over time.” With an abundance of work carrying them through this year and well into next, Todd says he is pleased with the situation of the business, the types of projects it undertakes, and the reputation for good work it has built. Working these past four years with a business mentor has really helped him focus on developing all the necessary building blocks to achieve his goals, he says. “It was a game-changer. He helped me establish my goals. Without goals for your business you’re flying blind. I know I’ve really benefitted from this engagement and support.” With a good business structure now in place, Todd’s days are filled with procurement of new work and quoting on projects. “We’ve had to develop the structure to cope with the busyness. It’s been a big push and it hasn’t been smooth sailing all the time.” THE BEST SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS. Get in Touch 021 425 653 drinnancontractors.co.nz 40 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE IN OUTDOOR LIGHTING Design, installation, servicing & supply of New Zealand made fittings Our expert lighting designs transform your garden into a magical evening retreat. Our focus on garden and landscape lighting as our sole specialty ensures that every design is not only beautiful but functional. www.gardenlights.co.nz
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