Business North October 2025

Volume 24 | Issue 6 | October 2025 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Taking aim... Rotorua’s Kilwell Fibrelab is expanding its composite tubing design & manufacturing skills into the firearms industry… Page 03 businessnorth north Image courtesy of LTA Research

2 | Contents businessnorth 26| Gearing up The Tāmaki Regeneration Company’s massive urban renewal programme in Auckland is gathering pace. 45| Export leader Tauranga-based manufacturer Trimax Mowing Systems is taking its products to the world. 81| Hi-tec concrete The most technologically advanced concrete-mixing plant in the country is in full production at Cambridge’s Precision Ready-Mix’s site. 45 81 26 #businessnorth #yourstory www.waterfordpress.co.nz   Kilwell Fibrelab ��������������������������������������������������03 Medical Response Industries ��������������������������04 Rotorcraft �����������������������������������������������������������05 Tauranga City Council ���������������������������������������06 Allevia Hospitals ������������������������������������������������08 Kensington Private Hospital ����������������������������10 Culham Engineering �����������������������������������������12 DC Group �����������������������������������������������������������14 Treadway �����������������������������������������������������������17 Te Rūnanga o Te Rarawa ���������������������������������18 Ranui Generation ����������������������������������������������19 Ōmokoroa Country Club ����������������������������������20 Acon Industries �������������������������������������������������22 ARCO Group ������������������������������������������������������25 Tāmaki Regeneration Company ����������������������26 Signature Construction ������������������������������������32 Fletcher Living ���������������������������������������������������34 Matamata Piako District Council ���������������������38 Western Bay of Plenty District Council �����������40 Sport Northland ������������������������������������������������41 Trevelyan’s Pack and Cool ��������������������������������42 Te Kaha 15B Ahuwhenua Trust �����������������������44 Trimax Mowing Systems ����������������������������������45 Bradnams Windows & Doors ��������������������������46 Steelspan �����������������������������������������������������������47 Alaska Construction & Interiors ����������������������48 Argon Construction ������������������������������������������50 Hawkins Construction - 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| 3 Hugh de Lacy Taking a shot at a new product line The company’s 4200sqm Rotorua factory has a staff of 45, and 85% of Kilwell Fibrelab’s production is exported. Kilwell Fibrelab REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Already known world-wide for its fishing rods, Rotorua-based Kilwell Fibrelab is expanding its composite tubing design and manufacturing skills into the firearms industry, with stocks and carbon fibre-wrapped rifles. “We make stocks for firearms for the rifle manufacturer Hardy Rifles in Palmerston North from carbon fibre, and wrap carbon fibre around rifle barrels,” says Amanda Wells, co-owner and director of Kilwell Fibrelab with her brother, Geoff Wells. They are the grandchildren of the founder of the company, John L Wells, who made his name as the designer and manufacturer of the Kilwell range of fishing and boating gear, and for his fishing rods in particular. “Most of our business is serving the sports industry, and we’ve become a world leader in composite design and manufacture with products like rowing-oar and squash racquet shafts, masts, booms, prods, spinnaker poles, outriggers, stern tubes and telescopic pole sets – it’s a pretty comprehensive inventory,” Amanda says. “Being at the sharp end of composite industry developments, we’re looking for new uses for our products and technology, and that led us to experiment with different production methods and extend into the firearms industry with stock manufacture and barrel wrapping. “Carbon fibre wrapped around rifle barrels aids in heat dissipation, reduces the weight of the barrel, and ultimately, looks pretty sharp.” The 4200sqm Rotorua factory has a staff of 45, and 85% of Kilwell Fibrelab’s production is exported, with key clients including the Australian company Croker Oars, which uses Kilwell blanks for the competition rowing oars it produces. An American client, Industrial Tube, uses Kilwell-produced tubes in a water-divining product, while the long-established Australian sports retailer, Wilson Fishing, is one of the company’s biggest consumers of fishing rod blanks. And it was those fishing products that launched John L Wells on the path that led to Kilwell Fibrelab becoming the company it is today. English-born John L was a passionate fly fisher, and he first set up a sporting goods shop called Kellys, specialising in fishing gear, in Auckland in 1933. He was drawn to Rotorua because it was already famous for its trout fishing, and in the mid-1930s he set up a shop, first in Fenton Street, before moving to the present site in Te Ngae Road in 1989. John soon switched from retailing to wholesaling, picking up the New Zealand agency for globally known fishing brands such as Mitchell, Scientific Anglers and Abu, while continuing to make and market his own Kilwell products. Sons Jeremy and John G Wells bought their father out in 1965, and in 1968, broke new ground by establishing Kilwell Firetube and becoming the first company in Australasia to produce tubular fibreglass and rod blanks. Jeremy’s family took ownership of the company in the early 1990s, and today it is run by the third generation of the Wells family, Amanda and Geoff. Amanda is mainly focused on the marketing and operations sides of the business while Geoff, who has a passion for fishing and competitive shooting, is in charge of sales. Proudly supporting Kilwell Fibrelab Image courtesy of LTA Research

4 | Helping to make events safer for patrons MRI provides a comprehensive range of tailored services, starting with an event medical risk assessment to ascertain the amount of cover needed for the event. Medical Response Industries T T Anne Boswell “At MRI, my focus is on collaborating with event managers and promoters to provide medical response that meet the needs of events of all sizes – whether it’s a small gathering or a large concert or festival.” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Alofa Goodall’s diverse background has positioned her to change the face of event medical care in New Zealand – and that’s what she’s achieving as founder and CEO of Medical Response Industries (MRI). With a career that has evolved from managing Parliamentary elections as regional manager for the Chief Electoral Office, to owning two Lone Star restaurants and then working as an ambulance officer for Hato Hone St John, Alofa combined her skills and experiences to create a new model for medical support at events. “Following a restructure at St John last year, I had an opportunity to reflect on what I was going to do going forward,” she says. “I discovered that my passion lay in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of individuals at public events.” Strong relationships with event industry professionals gave Alofa the encouragement she needed to launch MRI. “At MRI, my focus is on collaborating with event managers and promoters to provide medical response that meet the needs of events of all sizes – whether it’s a small gathering or a large concert or festival,” Alofa says. Now, with over 180 doctors, nurses, paramedics and first-aiders on the books nationwide, MRI has been nominated for Supplier of the Year at the 2025 NZEA Awards. “MRI’s success is driven by an exceptional team of clinicians who combine skill, compassion, and absolute commitment to outstanding care,” Alofa says. MRI provides a comprehensive range of tailored services, starting with an event medical risk assessment to ascertain the amount of cover needed for the event. Appropriate staff are allocated for high- and low-risk events, performing all tasks from simple first aid for cuts and bruises, to acute treatment, on-site medication administration and rapid emergency response. They work seamlessly with local emergency services, aiming to treat patients at the event wherever possible, preventing unnecessary ambulance transports and easing the load on local hospitals. The model is data-backed and effective. The Mānuka Phuel SYNTHONY Festival – where the dedicated MRI team delivered high-quality, professional medical care to thousands of festival-goers – remained virtually undetected by Auckland Hospital staff next door. “To have an event with 40,000 people on your doorstep and have a normal Saturday night in ED speaks wonders about the model we’re using,” Alofa says. Led by medical director Dr Michael Murphy, MRI contacts local hospitals ahead of each event to keep communication lines open. The result is fewer hospital admissions and a safer experience for event-goers. MRI’s work spans the country, from small community events to large-scale concerts for promoters such as Live Nation and Frontier Touring. High-profile events they have covered include the L.A.B Summer Tour, Laneway Festival, and charitable initiatives like the Special Children’s Christmas Party. While this year has been focused on event medical care, MRI is preparing to expand into rural and primary health support. Plans include mobile medical pop-ups for non-urgent conditions, first-response training for security staff, and broader community health education. For Alofa, the mission is highly ambitious, but entirely achievable. “Our aim was to raise the bar of event medical delivery,” she says. “Being named a finalist for the NZEA Award has been an important benchmark in that journey.” I N S U R A N C E MA D E E A S Y We take pride in our reputation as trustworthy insurance professionals, providing valuable advice to our clients across the country. From taking the time to learn about your unique circumstances through to the settlement of claims, helping our clients succeed is always at the forefront of everything that we do. LET’S CHAT 09 238 5557 admin@insiteinsurance.co.nz www.insiteinsurance.co.nz

| 5 “We’re unique in the fact we have our own in-house avionics manager in Simon Mortby, who is a licensed, rated and experienced avionics specialist,” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Rotorcraft T T Bernadette Cooney Keeping the rotor blades turning Rotorcraft has been a fixture of the Hamilton airfield for more than 30 years. This October marks two years since Rotorcraft of Hamilton moved into its state-of-the-art facility at Titanium Park, on the terminal side of Hamilton Airport. After outgrowing its original leased hangar, the company purchased land from the airport in 2023 and commissioned Construct Ltd to build a purpose-designed facility. The 1195sqm facility includes 815sqm of hangar space, with the remainder in modern workshops and office space. Office manager and wife of co-director Brad Collins, Tracey Collins, says the new premises have proved to be exactly what they needed. “We’ve been in here about 18 months, coming up two years in October. Having everything under one roof means we can offer more services, accommodate more staff, and provide greater workshop space, including a dedicated paint bay,” says Tracey. Rotorcraft has been a fixture of the Hamilton airfield for more than 30 years, since it was founded in the 1990s by Chris Minnee and Curly Roe. In 2017, Rotorcraft entered a new chapter when it was purchased by Brad Collins and Brad Lentfer – both licensed, rated and experienced engineers, who had spent years honing their skills within Rotorcraft and the wider aviation industry. Rotorcraft Engineering manager and co-director Brad Collins began his aviation career in the RNZAF, before moving on to commercial aviation operations here and overseas. Following that, he took up a post with Rotorcraft. Chief engineer and co-director Brad Lentfer has been a part of the company’s story since leaving school, before pursuing his aviation engineering career, which included time in the UK as a helicopter engineer. Supporting commercial and private helicopter operators across New Zealand with unmatched engineering expertise, Rotorcraft today employs 12 staff and manages maintenance routines for nearly 60 helicopters. “We’re unique in the fact we have our own in-house avionics manager in Simon Mortby, who is a licensed, rated and experienced avionics specialist,” says Tracey. “Sets us apart a bit, because other engineering businesses rely on outside avionics contractors, but here, it’s all under one roof.” Rotorcraft is an accredited service agent and installer for Garmin and AeroLED, offering full navigation and communications upgrades and rebuilds. The family-owned company is an MPI-approved facility with experience in helicopter container devanning and inspection for importing and exporting. They also partner with the Civil Aviation Authority for the issuing of airworthiness certificates. Rotorcraft offers one of the most comprehensive service ranges in the country for helicopter owners, covering everything from routine maintenance to major upgrades. “We can handle all aspects of helicopter maintenance and airworthiness reviews, as well as repairs and modifications to full rebuilds. We’re an experienced and wellequipped team,” Tracey says. Services include helicopter maintenance and defect rectification, modifications, avionics, airworthiness inspection and precision repainting of components and rotor blades. The company also provides 24/7 emergency breakdown support, ensuring operators are never grounded longer than necessary. Farmers and commercial operators can rely on Rotorcrafts expertise to keep them operational. As a leader in helicopter maintenance and avionics, Rotorcraft continues to keep New Zealand’s commercial helicopter fleet safe, reliable, and ready for lift-off. 107a Hautapu road, Cambridge Email: office@cominsplumbing.co.nz Phone: 07 823 7263 Web: www.cominsplumbing.co.nz Plumbing, Drainage & Gasfitting Specialist Proud to support

6 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Tauranga City Council: Merivale Community Centre T T Sue Russell New community centre for Tauranga Merivale Community Centre is led by a community board, which had long been planning a new centre. Like schools, community centres often serve as a focal point of activity for the community – a place where people can gather, meet with others, be supported and learn, making these spaces such a valuable resource. Such is the case with Merivale Community Centre in Tauranga, which has served its local people, of all walks of life, for many years. When the existing building no longer met the needs of those accessing the myriad services and activities provided within its walls, this signalled it was time for redevelopment. This has been the journey of late for those connected with the centre, including the local council, which recognised the important part the facility plays in the lives of local residents. Senior project manager at Tauranga City Council, Deon Connoway, says the Merivale Community Centre is a meaningful project to be leading. “It’s rewarding to help deliver a facility that responds directly to the needs of the local community,” he says. Funding support from TECT, Lottery Grants Board and Bay Trust, has helped make possible a new fit-for-purpose facility on the community centre’s original site at 10 Kesteven Avenue. Designed by Designgroup Stapleton Elliott, the building delivers user-friendly, flexible spaces for individuals, social service providers and groups, small and large, to gather. Careful thought has been given to the layout and facilities offered inside the modern, welcoming building, which is just over 600sqm. Deon says the architects have done “a wonderful job” delivering a building in scale that made it within reach financially. “It has various amenities the community needs, including a purpose-built kitchen, amenities spaces, a large open hall space and separate rooms, along with an outdoor half basketball court. “Considering the wide range of services and activities that will call the centre home when it opens later this year, it reflects the thoughtful planning and collaboration that went into meeting the community’s needs,” says Deon. Merivale Community Centre is led by a community board, which had long been planning a new centre, given the increasing demand since it was first established in 1993. “Council recognised the importance of supporting a facility that enables vital community services to continue and grow. Mana whenua have also held a keen interest in this project because they understand its significance to the community.”

| 7 REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Tauranga City Council: Merivale Community Centre Designed by Designgroup Stapleton Elliott, the building delivers user-friendly, flexible spaces for individuals, social service providers and groups, small and large, to gather. Council has worked closely with the Merivale Community Centre manager Dave Merton, who believes the much-needed new centre will create a positive feeling within the community. “The purpose of the Merivale Community Centre is to achieve a thriving, vibrant community, realising its potential where people are safe, connected, and making healthy choices for themselves, their whānau and their community,” Dave explains. Work began on its construction after the original centre was demolished in August 2024. Before this, a temporary home was created at 386 Fraser Street. “It was important that services were not interrupted so we supplied a modular building, from Modcom on this site and it has worked very well,” Deon says. Merivale Community Centre provides an array of social services and whānau support, such as after-school and school holiday programmes, youth nights and mentoring, along with community food parcels. The design was led by the community centre, and council’s role was to facilitate fine-tuning of the original floor plan and to project manage its construction. “Marra Construction won the tender to build the centre and work has progressed very well,” says Deon. “We’re beginning to turn our attention to the official opening.” • Electrical • Security • Communications • Air Conditioning 07 575 2746 Visit our showroom 1/18 Barberry St, Judea, Tauranga 07 5799118 grindking.co.nz Total Residential & Commercial Door Solutions Bay of Plenty and Waikato Wide Specialising in Wooden Interior Doors, Pre-hung Doors, Cavity Sliders, Exterior Doors, Barn Doors, Door Hardware and Accessories, Wardrobe Systems and House Lots. Contact Us 07 348 5370 www.totaldoorsystems.co.nz A 20-Year Legacy of Excellence ALL SEASONS AIR CONDITIONING www.allseasonsair.co.nz Tauranga Branch 90 Waihi Rd, Judea Phone 07 578 1200 Hamilton Branch 46 Killarney Rd, Frankton Phone 07 871 8220 THINK OF ANY LARGE COMMERCIAL BUILDING THAT HAS RISEN IN THE BAY OF PLENTY OVER THE PAST TWO DECADES, AND CHANCES ARE THAT ALL SEASONS AIR CONDITIONING WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN DESIGNING AND INSTALLING ITS MECHANICAL VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS – AND PROBABLY STILL ARE, ENSURING THEY CONTINUE TO RUN EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY. THIS IS A TESTAMENT TO OUR TEAM'S DEDICATION TO DELIVERING EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE AND TOP-NOTCH SOLUTIONS THAT STAND THE TEST OF TIME.

8 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Allevia Hospitals - Epsom T T Anne Boswell New wing extends surgical facilities Allevia Hospitals CEO, Ian England: “ This expansion shows our commitment to providing the highest standard of care to our patients.” “The Gilgit Wing strengthens Allevia Hospital Epsom’s position as New Zealand’s leading private healthcare campus, further solidifying our role as a provider of world-class and value-based healthcare.” Allevia Hospital Epsom has taken a major step forward in patient care and surgical capability with the opening of the new Gilgit Wing and the completion of a state-of-the-art Admissions Unit upgrade. Named for its location adjacent to Gilgit Road, the Gilgit Wing houses a new operating theatre suite and the new McAuley Ward – named in honour of Sister Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, the order that originally established the hospital on the Epsom campus. The six-year project was officially opened in late May, with the first surgeries performed in early June. “This expansion shows our commitment to providing the highest standard of care to our patients,” Allevia Hospitals CEO Ian England says. “The addition of these new operating theatres and a modern ward enable us to not only increase our capacity to perform a wide range of surgeries, but also better serve the healthcare needs of our growing community. “The Gilgit Wing strengthens Allevia Hospital Epsom’s position as New Zealand’s leading private healthcare campus, further solidifying our role as a provider of world-class and value-based healthcare.” The four-level, 6700sqm building boasts a modern suite of 10 operating theatres, 17 post-anaesthetic care beds, six intensive care unit (ICU) beds and six high-dependency unit (HDU) beds. The McAuley Ward features 20 single- and four double-patient bedrooms, while the facility also includes three passenger lifts and a dedicated goods lift for surgical instruments. The Gilgit Wing project brought together top industry expertise, with Klein as architect, NDY as building services engineers, Structure Design as structural engineers, Initia as geotechnical engineers, RCP as consulting project manager, and BBD as quantity surveyor. Construction was delivered by Method Construction (enabling works), JFC (excavation and piling) and Leighs Construction (base build and fit-out). Alongside the Gilgit Wing, the Admissions Unit has been redeveloped into a modern, future-proofed space. A complex demolition phase was carried out 12 months earlier to ensure the connection between the Admissions Unit and the Gilgit Wing, creating a vital internal link for staff. The new Admissions Unit features 10 patient bed spaces, five consultation rooms, and a welcoming admissions lounge. The project was delivered in a live hospital environment by Alaska Construction & Interiors, with XLN Design as architect, NDY as building services engineers, Structure Design as structural engineer, and Igneous Fire as fire engineers. Allevia Hospitals, formerly MercyAscot Hospitals, is one of New Zealand’s largest private surgical hospital groups, operating from three sites – Epsom, Ascot and Allevia Endoscopy in Epsom, and Takapuna. Each year, over 360 leading specialists perform more than 20,000 procedures in the group’s 22 operating theatres, covering a full range of surgical specialties. Allevia Hospitals is the only private hospital in Auckland with both ICU and HDU capabilities to support high-acuity cases. As part of one of the largest private healthcare groups in New Zealand, Allevia Health, Allevia Hospitals continues to invest in advanced technologies, innovative care models and expanded facilities, ensuring that more New Zealanders can access world-class care, from diagnosis through to treatment and recovery. Specialists in commercial interiors, office fit-outs and aluminium joinery W AK-interiors.co.nz P 021 726 444 E Keiren@ak-interiors.com Amotai Member

| 9 REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Allevia Hospitals - Epsom The four-level, 6700sqm building boasts a modern suite of 10 operating theatres, 17 post-anaesthetic care beds, six intensive care unit (ICU) beds and six high-dependency unit (HDU) beds. Fire Engineering Consultants Re-Igniting Fire Engineering to Basics. Complex Problems, Simple Solutions. Fire Engineering Design Due Diligence Assessment Passive Fire & Construction Monitoring Peer Review Services Fire Protection & Sprinkler Design (09) 391 3340 info@igneousfire.co.nz Level 17, 19 Customs Street West, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010 igneousfire.co.nz Contact Us Now! Fire engineering consultancy Igneous Fire is on a mission to simplify the complex world of ire safety. Driven by a clear philosophy – that ire safety should be as clear as it protects – the company focuses on communication, clarity, and collaboration, ensuring that ire safety is not just technically sound but also well understood by clients and seamlessly integrated into building designs. “We bring clarity to complexity,” Igneous Fire director Jen Tang says. The company’s core values—Listen, Understand, Communicate and Collaborate—are re lected in every project, big or small. It also prides itself on “Simplicity through Expertise,” taking intricate problems and translating them into clear, actionable steps without sacri icing technical accuracy. Innovation plays a key role in Igneous Fire’s work, as the team continually embraces new technologies and methods to bene it the wider construction and building management industries. Igneous Fire o ers a wide range of services including due diligence assessments (particularly prior to building occupation or leasing), ire engineering design and reviews, passive ire protection and construction monitoring, and peer reviews. The company’s expertise spans many sectors—from residential and commercial to education, healthcare, and aged care facilities. A recent project that demonstrates their values and capabilities is the Allevia Hospital (Mercy) renovation. With a deep understanding of both the facility and its operational needs, Igneous Fire played a key role in the upgrade and connection of the existing hospital to the newly built Gilgit Wing. The team provided practical, e icient advice that allowed the project to progress smoothly under tight time constraints. One major component of the renovation was the upgrade to the Inwards Goods area. Here, Igneous Fire carefully minimised changes to ire systems—such as separations, egress and sprinklers—to reduce disruption and speed up the consent process, all while the existing hospital remained operational. They also supported the refurbishment of the Admissions Ward, which included modernising the space and integrating it with the new wing. With close coordination between Allevia and the design-build contractor, Alaska Interior, Igneous Fire developed a robust ire report that clearly outlined necessary alterations, resulting in a smooth consent process and successful project delivery. With a unique ability to balance technical depth with clear communication, Igneous Fire is rede ining what it means to provide ire safety solutions—proving that when expertise meets simplicity, everyone bene its. Bringing clarity to fire safety

10 | Kensington Private Hospital � Kim Newth Surgery meeting Northlanders’ needs Many credentialled specialists using Kensington Hospital’s facilities are nationally recognised experts in their fields. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Combining modern facilities with excellent specialist surgical and nursing care and services, Kensington is Northland’s only comprehensive private surgical hospital. It has five operating theatres and a 21-bed inpatient suite, as well as a day-stay unit, and offers a wide range of surgical services. Having a facility like this provides Northlanders with access to specialist surgery options in their own region, as well as assisting to alleviate the pressure on local public hospital resources. Kensington Private Hospital also has plans to grow further in coming months to help meet Northland’s rising surgical needs. “We have well-developed plans for a sixth operating theatre and another eight ward beds and are looking towards providing this early next year,” says Kensington’s CEO Steve Soufflot. “If we were not here, patients would definitely need to travel out of the region for surgeries. That would be challenging from an equity perspective, given that many don’t have the means to travel or the right family supports in place.” Over half of the referrals to Kensington Hospital are generated either through ACC or Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, meaning a significant number of people being seen at Kensington are not private paying or insured patients. Kensington Hospital has adopted a collaborative approach on working with the public sector to target optimal outcomes for the region’s patients. “If you look at private and public health as one whole picture, we like to work together so we can get the best outcomes for as many Northland patients as possible,” says Steve. “We have had over 500 public patients through Kensington in the first half of this year – that’s 500 patients who would not have got surgery otherwise. That’s really good for Northland and its people. All our patients are at the centre of what we do. We’re really proud of our team and the effort they put in to give top-quality care.” Many credentialled specialists using Kensington Hospital’s facilities are nationally recognised experts in their fields, who chose Northland for its idyllic lifestyle. “We’ve had 10 new surgeons coming on board since March, each bringing niche specialty expertise that enables us to further grow what we offer,” Steve says. The 110-strong nursing team at Kensington are known for their exceptional care and service, with that same caring ethos shared by the hospital’s anaesthetic technicians, healthcare assistants, sterilisation team and support staff. Many surgeries undertaken at Kensington Hospital are life-changing for patients. Common procedures include cataract surgery, hip and knee-joint replacements, cancer surgeries and diagnostic endoscopies and colonoscopies. In paediatrics, Kensington regularly undertakes grommet surgery and tonsillectomies. “It’s important that children needing grommet surgery, for example, can access it in a timely way to improve their hearing and quality of life, and to keep them learning.” While public hospitals have more infrastructure in place to manage acute caseloads, Kensington Hospital is very well equipped for the range of specialist surgery it undertakes. “Examples of where we’re leading the way in technology include knee replacement surgery. A few years ago, we were the first private hospital in the North Island to introduce robotic knee replacement surgery, which is very accurate and precise and is now used widely through most hospitals. Kensington Hospital is run independently. Part-owned by Allevia Health, Kensington can access the group’s bigger resource base when needed. The hospital’s board of directors includes two health governance leaders from Allevia Health, two local surgeons and two independent directors, including board chair Nikki Davies-Colley.

| 11 Kensington Private Hospital REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Rooms at Skin Cancer Doctors, 11A Norfolk Street, Whangarei M: 021 090 34161 E: reception@rajeshpatelsurgery.co.nz www. rajeshpatel surgery. co.nz OUR SERVICES • Breast Surgery • Skin Cancer • Melanoma • Endocrine Surgery • Hernia Surgery • Lipoma Surgery • Gastroscopy • Ingrown Toenail • Teaching Mr Rajesh Patel MBChB FRACS General, Breast, Melanoma and Endocrine Surgeon Whangārei’s Kensington Private Hospital is supported by a team of highly skilled specialists taking care of a wide range of surgical needs in the Northland region. One such specialist is Dr Rajesh Patel, who trained as a general surgeon in New Zealand before gaining sub-specialty training in endocrine surgery for parathyroid, thyroid and adrenal diseases in Canada as well as oncoplastic breast surgery and melanoma/skin cancer in Melbourne. Now Northland patients are benefiting from his considerable surgical expertise. “My wife and I had been living in Melbourne and were wanting to come back to New Zealand when the vacancy came up in Whangārei,” explains Raj, who is originally from Auckland. “It was a big adjustment at first, but now Whangārei is home and we wouldn’t be anywhere else. We just love it here.” Raj is Whangārei Hospital’s main melanoma surgeon and one of four breast surgeons there and also provides surgery through his private practice, Rajesh Patel Surgery, utilising the surgical facilities at Kensington Private Hospital. “Most of the work I’m doing is in cancer management and surgery – breast cancer, melanoma, skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, thyroids, parathyroids - as well as general surgery like lipoma surgery and hernias, which are very common. “For certain people who have health insurance, having an option in the private sector means they can get treatment faster. If I can assist those people, then I like to be able to do that. It also helps the public sector if that person with insurance is not on a health waiting list. I’m generally doing one or two private cancer surgeries a week.” Patients are referred to his practice by local GPs. The added benefit for many is the convenience of not having to travel to Auckland for specialist treatment. Raj notes that the surgical equipment at Kensington Private Hospital is also of a similar high standard to that used in the public hospital. Currently, the Government is focussed on stepping up elective surgery rates using both public hospitals and private providers, with an extra 21,000 operations set to be performed over the next year. “My preference is for funding to stay with the public hospitals, but the Government is currently committed to outsourcing more public care to the private sector. That means Kensington Hospital, and I, have a huge role to play as a private provider of specialist surgery in this region.” CONTACT Rajesh Patel Surgeon M: 021 0903 4161 E: reception@rajeshpatelsurgery.co.nz www.rajeshpatelsurgery.co.nz SPECIALIST CARE, CLOSE TO HOME With the launch of Ultra Group NZ in January 2025, Northland businesses have unprecedented access to a complete suite of communications, security and IT services, tailored to their needs. Ultra Group ties together three critical service streams – Ultra IT, Ultra Secure and Ultra Connect – united by a single goal to help local businesses streamline, secure and succeed. Behind this powerhouse provider is a 10-year story of evolution and innovation that started in May 2015 when Louis Pretorius, a leader in Northland’s IT sector, formed BizIT Solutions. By 2023, BizIT and Ultra IT had merged, marking the start too of a partnership with One NZ and the gaining of AWS Select Tier Status and Microsoft Modern Work Partner designation. In 2024, Louis and Joel de Vetter, a seasoned IT and automation specialist, fully took over Ultra IT. Following the launch of Ultra Connect in November 2024 (now One NZ’s acquisition partner), Ultra Group was formed and continues to build momentum within NZ and internationally. Today, the group employs a 20-strong team. "We're now poised for the next chapter – a chapter where we truly believe in the power of possible,” says Joel, the group’s ‘Connector’. “We believe in growth through partnership, finding the best solution, person or company for the job. Ultra Group has taken this to heart and has been establishing national and international partnerships to ensure the right person is available for the right project.” As an example of their role and work as a strategic support partner, Joel cites the example of a key customer that first approached Ultra Group six months ago for advanced cybersecurity solutions and for guidance on innovation pathways. “They’re an awesome company to work with as they’re keen to embrace innovation and be as modern as they can be. They wanted to partner with us because they know that we’re always looking at ‘what’s next’. We can present options to them to help increase productivity without them having to do that research for themselves. In fact, we have just launched an AI assistant for management that streamlines and automates many of their existing processes. Security is also of the utmost importance when you need to protect patient data and patient confidentiality. We partner with organisations globally to put together very robust cybersecurity solutions that are managed and monitored 24/7.” Joel describes their role as being like that of an IT department, where there is regular face-to-face contact and communication – “we aim to put ‘human’ back into technology.” Ultra Group, Northland’s business technology partners Northland’s business technology partner. Smart, secure IT, communications and security solutions that help local businesses streamline, protect and grow. www.ultragroup.nz

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