Business North November 2021

| 107 COMMUNITY TROW Group Intent on making a difference Saia Latu - creating job pathways for young Pasifika and Māori. Karen Phelps W hen founder of TROW Group Saia Latu got a contract with the Ministry of Education to help young people into the workforce he didn’t just take out an advertisement. Instead he picked them up in a pimped out van with a boom box. It was his way of building trust by engaging with the younger generation, particularly those that are at risk, on their level. It’s become part of TROW’s successful formula for creating job pathways for young Pasifika and Māori, building self-confidence, tool skills and knowledge through training and employment. “From one kid whose told a mate and so on, now we have a waiting list,” says Saia. “The Ministry of Education can’t work out how we’ve been so successful.” Saia’s a big believer in investing in people, not only providing career opportunities for people who could be lost in the system but also encouraging more inclusive employ- ment in general. TROW has so far trained, improved literacy skills and provided employ- ment for over 1,000 people. TROW’s team is predominantly young, with most aged under 30 creating a vibrant, dynamic team environ- ment not afraid to think outside the box. It’s just one example of how TROW, one of New Zealand’s largest deconstruction compa- nies, has always done things differently. The company is a successful socially conscious enterprise that is helping to improve the environmental outcomes of the industry by creating a circular economy and changing lives around the Pacific as a result. Saia, who was named 2020 Pacific Business Entrepreneur, started the company six years ago with Kiwi league legend Joe Vagana with the mission to create a more sustainable construction sector and create opportunities and wealth generation for Maori and Pacifika communities and businesses. TROW undertakes projects for organisations such as Auckland Council, Panuku, Kāinga Ora, City Rail, Auckland Transport, Piratahi, and Ministry of Education. It finds innovative and sustainable ways to repurpose hundreds of tonnes of building materials - over 90% of materials from projects are repurposed - by salvaging and diverting waste destined for landfill. This salvaged material is then recycled and reused for schools, housing, churches and communities across New Zealand and the Pacific. For example TROW Group has provided over 1,000 tonnes of fixtures, fittings and furniture to community organisations in New Zealand that would have otherwise gone to landfill, and also exports good quality used furniture to schools and churches in the Pacific. Innovation is a hallmark of the company: TROW is presently seeing how it could design and build tiny homes predominantly from recycled materials that could help alleviate New Zealand’s housing crisis. TROW has also been involved in producing the first NZQA micro credential for deconstruction due out in February 2022, which will include the envi- ronmental and social impacts of the industry and teach the benefits of creating a circular “From one kid who’s told a mate and so on, now we have a waiting list.” economy. Saia is a tough talker about the construction industry, which is renowned for producing waste: “We have to start taking more personal responsibility for environ- mental problems. There is a problem and the problem starts with you. “We have to find new ways of doing things and this industry has been resistant to change. But recycling and repurposing waste doesn’t have to cost more than sending it to landfill. At the end of the day it is the next gen- eration who will pay the price.” We are independent licensed assessors specialising in asbestos testing, surveys, clearances and consultancy for residential, commercial and industrial applications. Proudly working with Trow Group to help solve your asbestos problems • Asbestos testing and surveys • Asbestos project management • Asbestos management plans • Air quality monitoring • Asbestos clearances OUR SERVICES “We believe in ensuring a safe environment for us all to live, work, and raise our families.” info@hazmannz.co.nz www.hazmannz.co.nz 022 695 6741