36 | Downer - Northland REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Keeping water flowing Reactive maintenance puts Downer Northland in the frame as part of the emergency response when events like last year’s Cyclone Gabrielle occur. T T from page 34 T T Karen Phelps Plant a cornerstone of the Far North AFFCO Moerewa For over a century, AFFCO Moerewa has been a cornerstone of the Far North community, providing employment, supporting local businesses, and adapting to meet the challenges of a changing world. Established in 1917, the meat processing plant has undergone numerous transformations to remain a highly efficient operation using modern technology, says plant manager at AFFCO Moerewa Kevin Casey. The plant, which employs approximately 340 staff, operates on a two-shift schedule for nine months of the year, with an additional three months dedicated to processing bobby calves. Kevin says this employment structure provides a steady income for many in the region, allowing residents to work locally rather than commuting outside the district. “There are good opportunities for people. We give training and upskill people as long as they come with a good positive attitude. “There are also opportunities for progression to leading hand and supervisor roles if people have the drive to further their careers,” says Kevin. AFFCO Moerewa’s impact on the community extends beyond direct employment. The plant supports various local groups and events, fostering a strong connection with the Northland community. As the largest regional employer, it enjoys robust support from farmer suppliers, creating a symbiotic relationship that further bolsters the local economy. The plant’s operations are diverse and comprehensive. AFFCO Moerewa is a multispecies facility, processing both bobby calves and bovine species from slaughter through to further processing. It produces a full range of cuts, both chilled and frozen, as well as offals and associated products, including foetal blood. The on-site blast freezing, cold storage, and rendering plant, which produces quality meat and bone meal, and tallow, contributes to its efficiency and self-sufficiency. Importantly, AFFCO Moerewa’ s plant is fully halal approved, and maintains a fully integrated compliance system, holding HACCP and AusMeat approvals, for major worldwide markets, including the EU, North America, and Asia, including China. This global reach ensures that the products of Northland’s farmers find their way to din- “Water asset renewals form an important part of our Operations and Maintenance contract activities. With the continued requirement to upgrade and renew ageing infrastructure Downer provides an asset renewal model where we work closely with the local suppliers and contractors to deliver these upgrades.” On the routine maintenance side whether it’s a faulty meter, a leaky pipe or a burst mains spewing water into the air the repair comes back to Downer. They annually walk the council lines to make sure there are no leaks; they make quarterly inspections of the pressure reducing valves which control the flow of millions of litres of water from Whangarei’s 28 reservoirs and Kaipara’s eight, to ensure water pressure remains constant with no burst pipes. They regularly inspect the reservoirs for faults, inspect and test fire hydrants, and undertake the backflow protection and testing of the 1380 valves that ensure no water flows backwards, whether it’s from a backyard swimming pool or a hazardous business, to taint the reservoirs which feed domestic supply. They supply a quarter of Kiwis, which is 1.25 million people, with clean drinking water, approximately 84,200 of those are in Kaipara and Whangarei. It goes up to 14 million if you include Australians. Reactive maintenance puts Downer Northland in the frame as part of the emergency response when events like last year’s Cyclone Gabrielle occur. When widespread flooding happened through the north it was their teams who were out in the storm fixing the networks to ensure services continued, explains Water Contract Manager Bronwyn Brown. She’s been with Downer for 11 years, six of them with their water services. “We had a kilometre and a half of water pipe above ground at Whangarei Heads to keep the water flowing through from the reservoirs to the public because the land was still slipping.” says Bronwyn. “Water asset renewals form an important part of our Operations and Maintenance contract activities. With the continued requirement to upgrade and renew ageing infrastructure Downer provides an asset renewal model where we work closely with the local suppliers and contractors to deliver these upgrades. “t works well. Through sharing the work locally, the focus is always delivering the best outcome for the communities we serve.” One year into this delivery model and Bronwyn is confident that the strategy is working to improve the network while at the same time saving the council time and money with its efficiencies. ner tables around the world, showcasing the quality of New Zealand’s meat industry. Kevin says the facility’s longevity is a testament to its ability to adapt and innovate and in recent years, AFFCO Moerewa has made significant strides in reducing its environmental impact, changing the boiler from coal to wood chip. This shift aligns with AFFCO’s broader commitment to responsible energy management. Since 2014, the company has partnered with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) to implement an energy management programme across 11 of its sites. These efforts have yielded impressive results, with AFFCO reducing its annual energy use by 45GWh and annual carbon emissions by 9,800 tonnes CO2e between the program’s inception and June 2019. Looking to the future, Kevin says that AFFCO Moerewa continues to balance tradition with innovation. “The company is actively working to reduce its use of plastics in packaging while maintaining product integrity.” In some beef plants such as Moerewa new cartons have been introduced that eliminate the need for plastic strapping, utilizing a tape and glue system that meets export standards. As part of the larger AFFCO organization, which has been supplying quality meat products to New Zealanders and the world for more than a century, the Moerewa plant benefits from being part of a New Zealand-owned company, says Kevin. AFFCO, a member of the Talley’s Group, exports lamb, beef, and allied products to over 80 countries from its 12 plants around New Zealand. As AFFCO Moerewa moves forward, Kevin says it remains committed to its role as a vital part of the Northland community. By providing employment opportunities, supporting local initiatives, and striving for sustainable operations, the plant continues to honour its century-long legacy while preparing for the challenges of the future. “The company is actively working to reduce its use of plastics in packaging while maintaining product integrity.” OUR SERVICES WE HAVE THE TEAM & THE TOOLS FOR ALL YOUR ENGINEERING & FABRICATION NEEDS GUILLOTINE PRESS BRAKE CNC PLASMA Contact us: (027) 367 83 62 mearaengineering.co.nz cole@mearaengineering.nz CUSTOM MODIFICATION MAINTENANCE BALUSTRADES | HANDRAILS WE’RE PROUD TO SUPPORT AFFCO - MOEREWA
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