38 | Seeka & Anex HORTICULTURE Spacious, modern kitchen facilities form part of the accommodation complex. www.rmt.co.nz E. dispatch@rmt.co.nz P. 07 315 6454 (Opotiki Depot) Proud to supply logistics and transport solutions to Seeka & Anex Carriers of bulk fertiliser – PKE and animal supplements Agent for Ballance Agri Nutrients Limited and Graymont Lime Agricultural Spreaders available (Opotiki / East Coast / Matawai) MPI Approved Transitional Facility (27901) – AS/NZS ISO 9001:2015 Contact Brad e Ph: 07 543 2481 | www.tpc.net.nz • Plumbing • Drainlaying • Gasfitting “We were very happy with Land Developments’ approach to the project, and also their innovation around the cost of the build. They have brought together local companies to support them, which aligns with our own values in respect to supporting local businesses. For example, Coresteel Bay of Plenty provided all the steel framing and construction technology. “The physical construction of the building has been carried out by Hawkins, who effectively supplied the skilled workforce to put the building together.” The project is being managed by Anex Limited from Tauranga and the principal of that company is Mike Stilwell who Michael says brought significant experience in accommodation style construction and a robust project management methodology to the build. Construction of Turanga Whetu commenced last September, and Michael outlined that it will be officially opened on the 1st of September. “We have RSE workers here now dotted in various locations, so as soon as we get through the final stages and all the details are finished to our satisfaction we will start to move people in. “The workers have seen the facility being built, and they are really looking forward to moving in. The builders have also done a great job. They are just two weeks behind target, which is remarkable when you take into account the terrible weather events we have been through. The weather has really been the only thing that we have had to contend with. Outside of that the build has been quite smooth.” Seeka’s journey started in 1980 in the small rural township of Te Puke when a group of kiwifruit orchardists saw an opportunity to generate better returns from their kiwifruit. RSE workers ‘critical part’ of business T T from page 36 By following its vision, Seeka has grown to become the largest producer of kiwifruit in New Zealand and Australia, and a major provider of supply chain services that’s delivers the very best produce to an ever-growing range of global consumers mainly through Zespri. The company also produces avocados and kiwiberry. For more than forty years, by selecting excellence Seeka has been helping more growers, deliver more produce to more markets. “We have eleven packhouse sites across the upper half of the North Island from Gisborne all the way through to Kerikeri and we have our own wholesale to market business in Auckland. “We also have an Australian business where we are an integrated fruit grower and produce supplier. Our demand is around 4500 seasonal workers at peak load and of that about 1500 will come from overseas, including the Pacific Islands and Malaysia, through the RSE programme. “They are a critical part of our business operation. While we don’t have any immediate plans to build another facility, if we were to do it again we would probably get someone else to build it and lease the facility, purely as a better use of our capital.”
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