Business North November 2021

38 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Creating an environmental legacy T Sue Russell Team members at Project Apōpō come from infrastructure, residential and commercial development sector backgrounds. Whāriki Business Network: Project Apōpō Archaeology & Cultural Heritage Management Rod Clough, PhD | Director 09 814 1946 027 485 0059 heritage@clough.co.nz www.clough.co.nz Address: Level 1, ANZ Bank 90 Kerikeri Road, Kerikeri Ph: 09 407 3255 Cell: 021 240 7325 Email: teampk@pkengin.co.nz STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING | GEOTECH ENGINEERING CIVIL ENGINEERING For the best solution everytime K erikeri-based construction project man- agement company Project Apōpō is led by Natalie Blandford. It’s proudly a Māori-owned business driven by a strong cultural ethos, best described in its mission statement: ‘Linking your environmen- tal legacy to project delivery’. Natalie was born in Whangarei. As well as English descent, Natalie has tribal affilia- tions to Ngai Tahu – Waikouaiti/Karitane and Ngapuhi – Kororareka (Russell). Natalie says, underpinning the projects they take on and the services they offer is the perennial impulse to always respect nature, improve environmental, social and cultural outcomes, and work with the inherent tradi- tional wisdoms held by indigenous people. “We very much enjoy working with or- ganisations who share the same values as ourselves, such as Kainga Ora, local councils and businesses.” The team are proud that they bring a uniquely Northland perspective to project delivery and that means very much working alongside the client, walking the same journey and bringing insight into enabling intrinsic values to be realised through the project. Project delivery includes consideration for the local context at an early stage. What special native creatives live in the project’s catchment area? How can the project contrib- ute to regenerating the environment through guidance from the Tangata Whenua and involvement of the local community? Through their direct engagement with the local flora and fauna, clients instantly get a sense of what they are looking to protect or regenerate as a legacy for their construction project. Team members at Project Apōpō come from infrastructure, residential and commercial development sector backgrounds, while the company has track record in deliv- ering projects with an environmental sustain- ability and Iwi/hapu empowerment focus. An example is the work at Lake Ōmāpere, devel- oping a feasibility study and strategic pathway to restore the lake to its original level. “This is a classic example of the types of projects we really enjoy, where we gather significant hapu and community input.” Of late, Project Apōpō has been working on projects in the mid-North, Bay of Islands, Whangarei and Kaitaia and has worked on projects as far South as the Poutō Penin- sula and Mangawhai. The company enjoys enhancing projects through technology and clients value Project Apōpō’s project dash- board portal where they can access real time site video feeds and a suite of project progress metrics. In offering clients a full suite of profes- sional services, Project Apōpō subcontracts locally established businesses like structural engineers and quantity surveyors, who are en- gaged with Northland’s natural environment, local culture and community. Project Apōpō is also careful to work with other companies that are invested in developing the potential of their people. “At Project Apōpō, we are developing intern- ship opportunities including “Tua Wahine” to encourage local talent – particularly women – into the construction sector. “We want to play a role in ensuring current and future generations have local oppor- tunties to reach their full potential. Having local talent involved is also good for broader project outcomes” Strong relationships with other Māori and Pasifika businesses across Northland have contributed to the business’ success and profile. As well as the Whāriki Māori business network, Project Apōpō is registered with Amotai, a network which connects Māori and Pasifika businesses to clients who recognise the social value gains from purchasing their services and products. Clients working with Project Apōpō are introduced early on in the project to the Tan- gata Whenua – allowing Māori perspectives to contribute to the ultimate success of the project. Natalie says the team at Project Apōpō are passionate about assisting the beneficiaries of Māori-owned land to realise its often un- tapped potential. “We want to see whanau stability generated by a combination of papakāinga, economic activities and environmental restoration. “We feel a strong responsibility to link our clients’ environmental legacy to their project’s delivery by introducing them at an intimate level to their project’s natural environment.” Northland’s beautiful landscape makes a stunning backdrop for the projects the team members at Project Apōpō have been involved with – whether it’s building a wastewater plant, a cycle trail, or a residential development. For Natalie and the team at Project Apōpō, it’s the icing on the cake to assist their clients to leave a lasting legacy to the environment and the people in the region. “We feel very blessed to be in a position to contribute our talents and skills to bring tangible value to this very special part of New Zealand.” “We feel a strong responsibility to link our clients’ environmental legacy to their project’s delivery.”