96 | Versatile company with a community focus The company did a complete rebuild of St Francis Church at his whanau marae at Mangamaunu. Lee Mason Building T T Karen Phelps Some clients I have known all my life and went to school or kindergarten with them. You build strong relationships over the years.” BUILDING For Lee Mason, building is more than just construction – it’s about strengthening the connections that bind communities together, and his company thrives on deep local roots and multi-generational relationships spanning from Kaikōura to the top of the Marlborough Sounds. With bigger companies you often don’t see the boss. But I like to get on-site and get stuck into the jobs with my boys. It’s good for the clients, so if something goes wrong I’m there to sort it. I like to be very hands on, it’s a personal approach,” explains Lee. The importance of family and local connections runs through every aspect of the business. Lee’s whakapapa traces to the top of the South Island, and his mother hails from Kaikōura, heritage that has directly influenced some of his most meaningful projects. One such example was the complete rebuild of St Francis Church at his whanau marae at Mangamaunu, a structure dating back to 1878 that nearly collapsed during the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake. “We stayed on-site during the project and my workers learned a lot of history at the same time, so it was also a way to reconnect with family,” says Lee. The business model reflects these values through its team structure, which spans generations. “We have team from 74 years old to younger staff just starting their careers, including two apprentices. We’re always learning. I’m learning from them as well as trying to pass on my knowledge,” says Lee. “One of our team has been with the company since he was 20 and is like a son to me.” This personal approach extends to client relationships. “Some clients I have known all my life and went to school or kindergarten with them. You build strong relationships over the years,” Lee says. The company’s current projects reflect its commitment to people and the local area. At present, Lee is constructing a papakāinga in Picton, building four units and a house for whānau on Māori-owned land under the Papakāinga Act. “We need hundreds of homes in Marlborough in the coming years, so this helps meet that need,” he says of the project, which is expected to be completed by the end of next year. Recently completed works demonstrate the company’s technical capabilities, including a four-storey architectural build in the Marlborough Sounds totalling 400sqm. The five-year project involved complex engineering on a hillside site, requiring extensive retaining walls and 25 cubic metres of handmixed concrete. Lee says working in remote locations like the Marlborough Sounds, logistics and planning become crucial. “You can’t just jump in your car and get some nails. You have to be really organised.” Lee Mason Building’s expertise also extends to light-commercial projects. For example, it has constructed a kānuka oil and tea processing facility in the Pelorus Valley for local iwi. The business philosophy centres on versatility. We will build anything from a footpath to high-end architectural builds and work from the top of the south to Kaikōura, depending on the project,” explains Lee. “This flexibility, combined with low overheads from being a small to medium business, allows us to remain competitive as well as give a personal service.” Lee’s wife Sarah manages the administrative side of the business, and the couple also own LS Fibre Solutions, an asbestos surveying business. and Kumuhore Kānuka, producing honey, oil and tea. Lee says these diverse businesses reflect the multi-generational, community-focused approach that has made Lee Mason Building a cornerstone of the region’s construction industry. RISE TO SUCCESS WITH ELEVATEPRO o ce@elevateprosca olding.com SALES, INSTALLATION & SERVICE Whether you’re after a wall mounted unit for your bedroom or a ducted system for the whole home, Mint Air has a Heat Pump / Air Conditioning solution to suit your needs. Marlborough's leading heat pump and air conditioning specialist Proudly Supporting Lee Mason Building CONTACT US FOR A FREE QUOTE! 03 570 2298 www.mintair.co.nz 16A Timandra Place, Blenheim 03 579 3500 • NEW ROOFING • REROOFING • MAINTENANCE • ARCHITECTURAL PROFILES • WALL CLADDING • WARM ROOF SYSTEMS • SPOUTING • MEMBRANE WATERPROOFING info@profileroofing.co.nz profileroofingmarlborough.com
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