| 71 Putting people first City Cleaning Services now employs more than 700 people, and services over 1000 workplaces across the country, positioning it among New Zealand’s largest commercial cleaning operators. T T Russell Fredric City Cleaning Services CONTRACTING City Cleaning Services has operated in New Zealand’s commercial cleaning sector for more than four decades, building a nationwide presence supported by scale, structured systems and a peoplefocused operating model. Founded in 1981 and 100% New Zealandowned, City Cleaning Services now employs more than 700 people, and services over 1000 workplaces across the country, positioning it among New Zealand’s largest commercial cleaning operators. Director Graeme Clarke says scale, however, is only part of the story. “A people-first philosophy underpins the business model and has shaped its growth trajectory during our 44 years of operation. No matter what – service first means people first. We’ve always been a really personable company; people are not numbers to us.” Operating from major centres and regional locations, the company delivers commercial and contract cleaning across government and corporate offices, education facilities, industrial sites, retail and public environments, and specialised facilities. Securing the KiwiRail contract in 2014 proved to be a significant growth catalyst. City Cleaning Services’ client portfolio now includes 10 councils, BNZ, Auckland Transport, the Ministry of Social Development and the Ministry of Health, with around 300 staff deployed in the Auckland region alone. Consistency across that footprint relies on strong systems, with national standards ensuring service delivery remains uniform, whether a client is based in Auckland or a regional centre, Graeme says. “We use one system across New Zealand – a standard operating procedure – so we get consistency right across our business.” Environmental performance and compliance form another layer of the company’s operational framework. City Cleaning holds Toitū Enviromark Diamond accreditation, along with SiteWise and Tōtika prequalification, and maintains a commitment to the Living Wage across applicable contracts. A fleet of more than 80 vehicles supports nationwide coverage, while a streamlined chemical programme, reduced from more than 30 products to around six environmentally certified options, reflects a deliberate focus on efficiency and sustainability. Late 2025 marked a new chapter for the company, with a refreshed brand identity, updated values framework and a new website signalling confidence in the decade ahead. Technology is also shaping future delivery models, particularly in large-format environments, such as shopping centres and universities. “I probably see the future where we’d have robots around Auckland, monitored remotely from someone’s phone,” says Graeme. Even with increased automation, the business maintains a clear position on employment and workforce stability. “There will always be cleaning needed in buildings. The robots have come into the market, but we’re a business that actually likes to employ people and keep people in jobs.” Community involvement remains part of the broader company ethos. City Cleaning supports Nurturing Families (formerly Mummys in Need), contributing material, emotional and educational assistance to families across Auckland, Waikato, Taranaki and Christchurch. “Giving back is part of the reason we’re doing what we’re doing,” says Graeme. In a sector where offshore-owned franchise operators are common, City Cleaning Services remains independently owned and New Zealand-based. “Our longevity reflects disciplined systems, national scale and a steady commitment to people, both those who work within the business, and those who rely on our services every day.” Let's be a Green Kiwi. En v i ronme n t a l So l u t i on s Earthy www.cleaningsupplies.net.nz We Are Their Village. Nurturing Families provides essential items - cots, prams, nappies and clothing - to children and families in crisis across New Zealand. Last year, we supported over 20,000 people and worked alongside 200+ frontline agencies nationwide. To learn more about how you can support, visit our website nurturingfamilies.nz
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