Volume 34 | Issue 8 | November 2025 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Saving an icon An important slice of Dunedin history will be preserved and given a new life thanks to the efforts of the Port Chalmers Foundry Society. Page 07
2 | Contents 132| Flying high Air Milford’s Hank Sproull has been recognised for his contribution to the Wakatipu aviation industry. 68| Cutting the cake Industrious Mosgiel firm KB Contractors is celebrating 40 years in business. 104| Gibbston glory Queenstown’s Lakes Building Company has struck gold with a stunning Gibbston vineyard home. 68 104 132 #businesssouth #yourstory www.waterfordpress.co.nz Pic’s Peanut Butter ...................................03 Road Runner Panel & Paint ....................04 Garston Hops ..........................................05 The Gofer ..................................................06 Port Chalmers Foundry ...........................07 Naylor Love Dunedin...............................08 Amalgamated Builders ............................10 Connor Jones Group ................................12 Lightyears Solar........................................13 Santana Minerals .....................................14 Safari Group .............................................16 Cooper Developments ............................17 Christchurch Airport: DHL Group ..........18 Christchurch Airport: Enatel ...................20 Bushnell Builders .....................................22 Boss Construction ....................................24 MTM Investments ....................................26 GM Building Wanaka ...............................28 Cromwell Industrial Subdivision ............30 Gary McCormick Transport.....................31 Southern Automobiles ............................32 Carter Group ............................................34 CCL Construction Contracting ................36 Winton Group...........................................37 Jim Reed Builders .....................................40 Wakatipu Transport Alliance ..................42 West Coast Regional Council ..................43 Selwyn District Council ............................44 Waitaki District Council ...........................45 Tasman District Council ..........................46 Tasman Bay Food Co ...............................48 Tranzalpine Honey...................................50 Airborne Honey........................................51 Brown Acres .............................................52 Canter Valley .............................................53 Wenita Forest Products ...........................54 S Jones Logging ........................................56 Southland Forest Service ........................58 Smartlift Systems .....................................60 Shotover Engineering ..............................61 NK Windows .............................................62 Steelbro.....................................................63 Timaru Signs & Graphix ..........................64 Diggs Limited ............................................65 Egypt Civil Construction ..........................66 Queenstown Civil Contracting ................67 KB Contractors .........................................68 Central Concrete Pumps .........................70 Aotea Electric Invercargill ........................71 Tonkin Electrical Solutions ......................72 Martin Excavating & Contracting ...........72 Midland Contracting ................................74 Queenstown Scaffolding .........................76 Shane Mitchell Contracting .....................78 D Roberts Fencing ....................................79 All Elements Landscape Design .............80 One Square Rate Landscaping ...............81 Area Landscapes ......................................82 Poolside Christchurch .............................84 Mayfair Pools and Spas Central Otago ..85 NB Architects ............................................86 NJS Architecture .......................................88 Theca Architecture...................................89 Team Green Architects ............................90 OUR PARTNERS: Christchurch Office 112 Wrights Road, Addington, Christchurch Phone 03-983 5500 PO Box 37 346 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Queenstown Office 70 Glenda Drive, Queenstown 9300 MANAGING DIRECTOR James Lynch james@waterfordpress.co.nz BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Chris Pearce chris.pearce@waterfordpress.co.nz EDITORIAL Editor Nick Gormack nick@waterfordpress.co.nz SUB-EDITORS Christine Defilice, Randall Johnston WRITERS Alexia Anderson, Emma Bailey, Kim Bowden, Bernadette Cooney, Kelly Deeks, Hugh de Lacy, Russell Fredric, Kim Newth, Sue Russell, Karen Phelps, Rosa Watson, Aimee Wilson, Virginia Wright RESEARCH & MARKETING James Anderson, Sam Dart, Chris Graves, Megan Hawkins, Annie Patrick, Chris Pearce, Danielle Percival, Adam Shirra, Leo Smith, Alasdair Thomson sales@waterfordpress.co.nz PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT General Manager Luke Lynch luke@waterfordpress.co.nz Graphic Artists Anton Gray, Francesca Hildawa, Sophie McCleary, Liki Udam art@waterfordpress.co.nz CONTENT COORDINATORS Alissa Crosby, Ann-Marie Frentz, Michelle Phelan Josie 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Dream Bathroom Solutions ....................91 Kevler Homes ...........................................92 Hallmark Homes ......................................94 Aflex Homes .............................................96 Bagley Construction ................................97 Steve Brown Builders ..............................98 CKH Construction ...................................100 Hillview Construction.............................101 Versatile Homes - North Canterbury ...102 Transit Homes and Haulage .................103 Lakes Building Company .......................104 Lakeside Design and Build ....................106 Home Factor ...........................................108 Form Construction Queenstown .........109 Ant Wallace Building ..............................110 Brendan Murray Construction .............111 Statement Homes ..................................112 Nailing it Homes .....................................113 Russell Lilley Construction ....................114 BJ Carter Builders ...................................116 Plains Construction ................................117 Holmesmade Builders ...........................119 SGA Builders ...........................................120 Rydan Homes .........................................121 All Saints Burwood .................................122 Hornby High School: HRS ......................124 Dunedin North Medical Centre ............125 Qestral Corporation - Banbury Park ....126 Qestral Corporation - Coastal View .....129 Summit Property Management ...........130 Air Milford ...............................................132
| 3 T T Kim Bowden Flavours gain acclaim REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Pic’s Peanut Butter Eighteen years ago, a Nelson market stall selling homemade peanut butter set out to challenge Sanitarium, then the dominant brand on supermarket shelves. Today, Sanitarium has exited the category entirely, and Pic’s Peanut Butter holds a 41% market share, the clear number-one in New Zealand. The story began when founder Pic Picot, then in his 50s and losing his eyesight, decided supermarket peanut butter was “disgusting” and full of unnecessary sugar. “He actually bought some peanuts and went home and roasted them up and blew up his blender making peanut butter, because he remembered his mum and his aunty making peanut butter at home,” recalls CEO Aimee McCammon, Pic’s stepdaughter. “He started selling it at the Nelson Farmers Market and people just really liked it.” From those early sales, word spread quickly. Friends sold jars at markets around the country, local supermarkets came on board, and eventually New World and Wellington’s Moore Wilson’s stocked the brand. What sets it apart, Aimee says, is quality and authenticity. “We fresh roast on premise, which not everyone does, and so that it’s a bit like coffee – you really control the individual flavour with the roast, so it’s delicious.” Pic’s uses high-oleic peanuts, which have a higher oil content and deliver creamier peanut butter without additives. Equally distinctive is the branding. Pic himself cobbled together the original labels from brown butcher’s paper and clip-art. “We always say, ‘look for the star on the jar’,” Aimee says. “The story behind our brand icon, the star, is literally that it was free on Microsoft when Pic was making his first labels.” The sense of fun continues inside the business. The company still runs a stall at the Nelson Farmers Market “to honor our origins”, Aimee says, and Pic continues to drop into meetings or take staff out for coffee. “A lot of our team has been here for a really long time. So, you know, lots of people have babies. We call them peanut butter babies.” Innovation also plays a role, although carefully. The company’s Salt & Pepper Peanut Butter, winner at the 2025 Food Awards, grew from Pic’s own quirky breakfast habit: Vogels toast topped with peanut butter, tomato, and plenty of cracked pepper. While Pic was sceptical anyone would buy it ready-made, new-product development manager Purdey O’Sullivan developed the product, trialled it at the Nelson market and the factory store, and proved him wrong. “We kept giving it to people, and they loved it,” Aimee says. “So, we started selling it, and then we submitted it for an award and won. It’s just such fantastic recognition for the team.” This year also marked a significant change in ownership. Melbourne-based Scalzo Foods, a family-owned food and ingredient supplier, has purchased a 51.3% stake in the company. Pic retains 42.4% and continues as the ideas guy and brand ambassador, while Aimee holds 6.3%. She says the partnership allows Pic’s to keep its manufacturing base in Nelson while securing the investment needed to grow. “We’re a quirky family company, and they’re a quirky family company,” Aimee says of the new partnership. “We’re delighted with how well we’re working together.” Pic’s product development manager, Purdey O'Sullivan, with the company’s Salt & Pepper Peanut Butter, winner at the 2025 Food Awards. ojifs.com Pic’s Peanut Butter Proudly supplying quality corrugated packaging to Packaging Southern | +64 3 547 5080 | case.si@ojifs.com Create the labels you want, with no compromise! 0800 425-223 | info@label.co.nz | www.label.co.nz Digital and Flexographic printing options for: Wine Honey Craft Beer Nutraceutical Personal Care Or any other kind of labelling you might need Labelmakers Group PROUD TO SUPPORT PIC’s PEANUT BUTTER
4 | Family firm celebrates Awards success Road Runner Panel & Paint was a big winner at this year’s Southland Business Excellence Awards. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Road Runner Panel & Paint T T Bernadette Cooney “The day we took over, Vince said he wanted to be in that big building next door within 10 years. And now, here we are.” Invercargill family-owned business, Road Runner Panel & Paint had plenty to celebrate at this year’s Southland Business Excellence Awards, winning the Trade Industries Award. The company was also a finalist in the Small Business of the Year category. The recognition was a significant milestone for company owners Ari Shaw and Vince Howell, who bought the business nearly a decade ago, and have since expanded its premises and its offerings within Southland’s collision repair and auto refinishing sector. The couple, originally from Northland, bought Road Runner in 2016 from former owner Greg Dawson. Vince, a qualified and talented panel beater, who once placed second in the Collision Repair Association Apprentice of the Year competition, was already working at the business when the opportunity arose to buy it. Ari, who has a background in public health, balances Vince’s technical expertise with her entrepreneurial drive, administrative system-building expertise and strategies for the long term. The experience of submitting their first entry into the business awards was both challenging and rewarding, says Ari. “We don’t stop to celebrate our wins as you’re always on the go, so applying to the awards gave an opportunity to reflect and analyse the business, which is an amazing way to see how far we’ve come.” Vince and Ari have made major advances since they took the helm, including shifting into new, purpose-built premises this year at 54 Bay Road – a former packhouse Vince had his eye on since day one. “The day we took over, Vince said he wanted to be in that big building next door within 10 years. And now, here we are,” says Ari. The new site is three times the size of the original 1500sqm premises, with the empty packhouse transformed into a fully functional workshop and office space across almost 4500sqm. The new premises feature modern reception and customer lounge, spacious offices and dedicated workshop and parts room. The move expands Road Runner’s capability to deliver high-quality passenger-vehicle collision repairs, both insurance and private, plastic welding, rust removal, refinishing, and custom paint projects, including fibreglass works on caravans and campervans. An approved and authorised structural repair centre with the Collision Repair Association, Road Runner Panel & Paint is a team of 11 across the board, from skilled panel beaters and spray painters to estimator and administrator. “We’re on the lookout for another experienced panel beater currently,” says Vince. Three years ago, the couple purchased Coyote Automotive, just five minutes away at 10 Bond Street, Invercargill. Initially bought to complement its services by handling vehicle suspension and mechanical work, Coyote Automotive now houses a tuning and performance department, specialising in Japanese performance cars, ECU tuning and custom upgrades, a first of its kind for Invercargill. “That’s where our passion lies,” says Ari. “We love performance cars, so adding that capability was a natural fit.” Road Runner Panel & Paint sponsors Waikiwi RFC junior rugby team, the Roadrunners, which Vince helped coach to Team of the Year status this year. “Southlanders are loyal to their locals and that’s something we’ll continue to support going forward.” Order now at TradeSaver.co.nz | 0800 900 908 Coating Supplies is proud to partner with Road Runner Panel & Paint, celebrating their success and supporting their journey of growth. Coating Supplies – your trusted partner in coatings, innovation, and performance. Congratulations Finalists in the 2025 Southland Business Awards Specialists in All Auto Electrical Repairs & Servicing Proudly associated with Road Runner Panel & Paint 4 V I C T O R I A A V E N U E , I NV E R C A R G I L L Phone 03 218 3200 | admin@ajautoelectrical.net.nz Delkor battery specialist Caravan electrical and solar Air conditioning Auto electrical repairs and servicing
| 5 T T Russell Fredric Hops with a real taste of home Garston Hops operates from a generational sheep farm located at Garston, a quiet hamlet situated in a picturesque valley south of Lake Wakatipu. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Garston Hops After starting with just 50 plants and a dream, Garston Hops’ owners, the McNamee family, are crafting a legacy and a reputation that has gone global. Following an initial round of judging, the Northern Southland hop growers have also been nominated as a finalist in the 2025 Datagrid Southland Business Excellence Awards in the PowerNet New & Emerging, and the Invercargill City Council Small Business of the Year Award categories. Garston Hops operates from a generational sheep farm located at Garston, a quiet hamlet situated in a picturesque valley south of Lake Wakatipu. With the addition of hops first planted in 2016 and harvested commercially in 2022, the farm is now a complementary two-tier system. Five New Zealand hop varieties – Motueka, Nelson Sauvin, New Zealand Cascade, Rakau and Riwaka – are grown on 4.8-metre-high poles at 45 degrees south latitude providing cold winters and long summer days. Globally, hops grow best within belts located between 35 and 55 degrees latitude in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. These regions offer the perfect balance of climate, daylight, and seasonal rhythm for healthy, high-quality hops, Lizette McNamee says. “Hops need lots of daylight to produce cones. At 45 degrees south, our plants enjoy up to 15 hours of sunlight in summer, which is perfect for flowering. A proper winter dormancy gives our hops a healthy reset, preparing them for strong spring growth.” Hops are like grapes in relation to the climate, adequate water, and terroir, so consequently Garston Hops produces vibrant, aromatic hops, but with a unique Southland character “that we are excited to offer to brewers,” Lizette says. “Based on all of that with our terroir, you wouldn’t find any hops quite like Garston-grown New Zealand hops anywhere else in the world.” Hops grown by Garston Hops are striking a note with craft brewers worldwide, and rather than simply producing a commodity, the company collaborates with brewers “who help shape what we grow”. “Because we’re small, we can work directly with brewers to trial new varieties, tweak growing techniques, and even experiment with harvest timing. “This means every brewer who works with us gets a selection of different lots per variety – so you can choose the hops that perfectly suit your brewing style.” Garston Hops is proud to support New Zealand craft brewers first, with additional volumes supplied to international markets. “New Zealand is a small market, so we’re producing enough now to export. We’re exporting to Australia, the USA and Canada, and we’re hoping to very shortly sent our first lot of hops to the UK,” Lizette says. “It’s been so good to put Southland on the map. That’s what James always dreamed of. It’s not just to do it for ourselves, but to leave a legacy behind for everybody. Garston Hops now has recognition among the biggest breweries in the world. That’s just amazing.” Garston Hops currently has 22 hectares planted, with the next eight hectares of infrastructure almost completed, and planting planned for late spring this year, for a total of 30 hectares “Starting something like this is not an easy thing to do. Being the first ones in the region to do something new is often hard with a lot of challenges, but we definitely have some people in the community that have been by our side and helped us a lot that we couldn’t have done without,” says Lizette. “I think we have so much to celebrate in Southland, because we are so unique and so untouched and there’s so much for it, so it’s about celebrating all of that.” General farming equipment manufacturing Repairs and maintenance Jet boat repairs and maintenance All engineering requirements. Repairs, Maintenance & Custom Builds. Proudly Supporting Garston Hops 03 248 5005 Contact Us diptoneng@outlook.com mmca.co.nz We’ll help you build a smarter, better business. Chartered Accountants | Business Advisors We’re proud to support businesses like Garston Hops. Contact CWS today for all your clean water needs Water Testing - Filtration & Water Treatment Irrigation Design & Install - Pumps - Tanks - Digger Hire Parts & supply of a full range of fresh water solutions from dripline, pipe, hoses, valves, pumps and a range of fittings. Leaders in horticultural irrigation design, installation & supply Proud supporters of Garston Hops www.cwsnz.co.nz 03 5280040 admin@cwsnz.co.nz
6 | Finding staff when farmers need them Rocky Cormack and Janelle Daviso set up The Gofer in 2021, providing relief staff to farming businesses. The Gofer T T Russell Fredric REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT The owners of thriving Southland business The Gofer are “are absolutely over the moon” to have been a finalist in the 2025 Datagrid Southland Business Excellence Awards. The brainchild of Rocky Cormack and Janelle Davison, who started it in June 2021, the company provides relief staff to farming businesses. The couple still work hands-on as relievers themselves, alongside overseeing the day-to-day operations but have added layers of structure and systems to manage growth, ensuring their clients receive a high level of service and support. The Gofer qualified as a finalist in the Small Business of the Year Award and the Primary Industry Excellence Award and while it was not ultimately a category winner, Rocky and Janelle were very successful in creating some strong connections with other Southland business owners. “This recognition means the world to us; we’ve poured our hearts into The Gofer and to be named finalists was just amazing,” Janelle says. “We are beyond proud of the business we’ve built, the journey we’ve taken, and the incredible support we’ve received from our clients, families and especially our team along the way.” They regarded entering the awards as a good way of benchmarking the business, meeting like-minded people and to gain greater exposure for the business. It was also a big goal when they first started out. The seed for the business was sown when they saw the need for farmers to be able to more easily find relief workers while working among these roles themselves, and with wordof-mouth referrals generating on-going work, The Gofer brand was born. “We did the first year ourselves and then we got to the stage where the work became too much so we employed our first staff member.” The Gofer has a team of relief staff which fluctuates between university holidays, staff members availability and seasons. Managing the business’ growth, cashflow and forecasting have been a key challenge. However, with the advice of an excellent accountant and installing accounting and payroll systems, this has clarified the business’ direction. By employing key staff to manage operations, recruiting, social media, marketing, administration, payroll and accounts, The Gofer is well-structured to provide a high level of service and to accommodate further growth. Becoming members of the Southland Business Chamber, and the opportunities this has provided to network, extend professional development and gain confidence has been extremely helpful not just to Rocky and Janelle but to their team as well. The couple describe the business today as thriving, with high demand for relief milkers, calf rearers and general farm labour. In addition to providing labour, The Gofer has available a 2.5 tonne digger, two augers, a skid steer and a root rake, with a variety of attachments for specific tasks. The Gofer aims to make the process simple and painless for farmers who quickly need to fill a labour gap. “They don’t have to worry about a thing. We sort payroll, ACC, do the interviewing. They just have to ring us and then we do everything.” Rocky and Janelle count themselves incredibly fortunate to have a collaboration with a local dairy farmer “out of the goodness of their heart” who sees the benefit and potential of The Gofer, to have one of their staff full-time working and training new recruits for relief milking on what is effectively a training farm. The Gofer provides staff with health and safety training and a mental health first aid course to enable situational awareness, as well as self-awareness, regular team meetings and one-on- one meetings. For prospective employees, work does not require formal study, provides immediate income, the opportunity to meet new people, the potential for long term employment and for career progression. Heavy Equipment Forestry / Agriculture TicketedWelding Transport 14 Lindsay Street, Winton 9720, New Zealand Ph: 03 236 0132, Mob: 027 444 1351 or 027 742 1557 www.bulleidengineering.co.nz YOUR ONE STOP SHOP FOR ALL ENGINEERING PROJECTS WHETHER BIG OR SMALL Steven McDowall P 03 236 8065 E workshopwinton@xtra.co.nz A 290 Great North Rd, Winton
| 7 T T Virginia Wright Society determined to save an icon The Foundry was built in the early 1900s by Stevenson and Cook Engineering, and quickly gained an international reputation for its quality of shipbuilding and repairs. Port Chalmers Foundry When demolition of the former Stevenson and Cook shipbuilding yard loomed to make way for a car park, the Port Chalmers Foundry Incorporated Society volunteered their time and energy to save it. Kris Smith is the co-chair of the society, and he along with Bill Brown and the other seven active members, including Dougal Stevenson, grandson of one of the founding partners, have strong links to the Port Chalmers community. They are working constructively with the Dunedin City Council (DCC) to not only preserve the building as an historic industrial site, but also turn it into a valuable community asset. “It’s a beautiful structure, and an iconic building that’s part of Port Chalmers’ history. So many buildings from that age (early 1900s) have been pulled down so we wanted to save the original part of the structure, in particular, and develop it in two stages. “First, to preserve the original structure as a space for general community use, and then to raise funds for a new contemporary space on the end to support the arts, particularly the visual and performance arts,” explains Kris, who has lived in Port Chalmers for 40 years. The society members have been working closely with architects from RTA Studio to develop initial concept drawings for the overall project, but in the meantime the pressing issues involve earthquake-strengthening and getting a roof back on to make the building weathertight and preserve its character. Originally named the Maori Ironworks, The Foundry was built in the early 1900s by Stevenson and Cook Engineering, and quickly gained an international reputation for its quality of shipbuilding and repairs. Its capacity extended from building huge gold dredges to work Otago rivers, to carrying out repairs and maintenance on Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship the Aurora so he could continue exploring the Antarctic. Traces of those historic days remain to this day, and safeguarding those features is a key focus of the current work. “The original gantry crane can still be seen in the structure running along the roof, so we’ll be retaining that, along with the original brick archways, internal steel work, and the oversize green doors that feature in some classic New Zealand art,” explains Kris. With four years of fundraising already behind them, the society members have enjoyed strong support from local businesses and Port Otago, as well as the DCC, with additional support coming from companies with links to Port Chalmers, such as Naylor Love, and lawyers Gallaway Cook Allan. “It’s a big exercise, and we’re keen to hear from anyone who’s interested in joining our organisation as the work continues, as well as any sponsors or donors who would like to be involved,” says Kris. The bones of the project are in place, thanks to the Dunedin City Council taking the essential first steps of stabilising the cliff behind the building and decontaminating the site. The lengthy next step involves the Port Chalmers Foundry Society actively working with architects and engineers to get the costings for the first stage: the refurbishment, development and protection of the original structure. One thing everyone knows is that the land and the buildings, both the original and the new space for contemporary arts, will always be owned by the people of Otepoti-Dunedin, under the stewardship of the Foundry Society, offering their community a place rich in local culture and the powerful sense of belonging that comes with over 100 years of shared history. PORT CHALMERS FOUNDRY w w w . p c f o u n d r y t r u s t . c o . n z We would like to sincerely thank and acknowledge the generous support of the following organisations, whose contributions have been invaluable in raising the profile of the Port Chalmers Foundry Society and supporting our projects: Dunedin City Council, RTA Studios, Otago Community Trust, Port Otago Limited, Peasea Art, West Harbour Community Board, Gallaway Cook Allan, Digiart, and Naylor Love. Building People, Creating a Sustainable Future Proudly Supporting Port Chalmers Foundry Naylor Love Dunedin | 78 Ward Street | Phone (03) 474 1153 Naylor Love offers a full range of commercial construction services throughout New Zealand. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT “It’s a beautiful structure, and an iconic building that’s part of Port Chalmers’ history. So many buildings from that age (early 1900s) have been pulled down so we wanted to save the original part of the structure…”
8 | Naylor Love Dunedin T T Bernadette Cooney Bringing Health & Safety to the fore Gary and Phyllis Clarkson at this year’s New Zealand Institute of Building (NZIOB) Awards, where Gary was a finalist in the Southbase Health, Safety & Wellbeing category. “Common sense only comes from a position of knowledge. If you give people the information, they can make better, safer choices. And that leads to stronger projects for everyone.” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Naylor Love Dunedin Health & Safety manager, Gary Clarkson, was a finalist in this year’s New Zealand Institute of Building (NZIOB) Awards, in the Southbase Health, Safety & Wellbeing category. Although he didn’t take home the top prize, Gary says the recognition reflects the culture and commitment that Naylor Love fosters across the country. “It was an honour just to be nominated,” Gary says. “The support from Naylor Love has allowed me to start initiatives that have genuinely upskilled and empowered our people to consider Health & Safety from a position of knowledge, so they can make informed decisions.” Gary, who has been with Naylor Love Dunedin for six years, introduced three Health & Safety programmes designed to ensure making safe decisions becomes second nature for all construction site workers on Naylor Love projects. “For apprentices and younger workers, that has meant intensive coaching and mentoring, giving them not only technical knowledge of risks, like the dangers of dust, noise, or sharp tools, but also the confidence to speak up when something’s not right,” says Gary. The second component targeted site supervisors, equipping them with stronger awareness of responsibilities and practical tools for assessing and managing risk. Perhaps most significantly, Gary established an ongoing Health & Safety Forum for subcontractors. “Many of these are smaller businesses, perhaps lacking dedicated Health & Safety staff, yet they account for more than half of Naylor Love’s on-site workforce.” Gary’s forum, running every six weeks for the past 15 months, has given subcontractors access to tools, techniques, training, and open dialogue. “Common sense only comes from a position of knowledge. If you give people the information, they can make better, safer choices. And that leads to stronger projects for everyone,” Gary says. The results have been tangible, he says. Subcontractors now arrive on-site with clear expectations, engagement has risen, and workers are more confident about voicing concerns. These Health & Safety strategies have been tested on some of Dunedin’s most complex projects over the past couple of years. Most recently, Naylor Love delivered the new ACC building at Queen’s Garden for Ngāi Tahu Properties. Naylor Love’s new Health & Safety approach, drew praise from stakeholders such as Laurie Corbett, the Ngāi Tahu property development manager. Another notable project was the gasworks chimney restoration for Dunedin City Council. The heritage project required intricate safety planning, including suspended work at height under highly technical conditions. Naylor Love Dunedin also applied its H&S strategy to the construction of the Otago Polytechnic Trades Training building, a technically demanding project with unique risks. Gary’s dedication stems from personal tragedy. Growing up in Scotland, he lost a close friend in the 1988 Piper Alpha oil rig disaster in the North Sea, which claimed 167 lives. The event left a deep impression on him, and ultimately inspired him to pursue a career in Health & Safety. “Watching those images on TV, seeing the devastation, and then following the inquiry, I thought, this isn’t right. People need the knowledge and accountability to stop this from happening again.” contractors of choice Painters & Decorators JAMES WREN & CO LTD 50 Carroll Street PH: 03 477 9384 www.wrens.co.nz EST 1896 Contracting • Painting, Decorating • Programmed Maintenance • Solid Plastering • Specialist Coating • Tiling • Textured Coating “Aotea Electric Southern are proud to align ourselves with the Health & Safety values shared by Naylor Love and look forward to our continuing H&S Group collaborations.” 03 455 1039 aoteaelectricsouthern.co.nz Electrical | Communications | AV | Solar | Industrial | Building Compliance Applicators of sealant, waterproo ng, resin ooring and membrane roofs
| 9 Naylor Love Dunedin Another notable project was the gasworks chimney restoration for Dunedin City Council. The heritage project required intricate safety planning, including suspended work at height under highly technical conditions. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLACEMAKERS DUNEDIN & MOSGIEL 50 Burns St & 34 Carncross St Phone: (03) 466 4617 Email: orders.dunedin@placemakers.co.nz PROUDLY SUPPORTING PLACEMAKERS DUNEDIN & MOSGIEL TansleyElectrical “Trusted for over 65 years” www.tansleyelectrical.co.nz • Residential & Commercial Electrical • Fire Protection & IQP Compliance Proud to support Naylor Love - Dunedin DBC PROUDLY STANDS WITH GARY & THE NAYLOR LOVE DUNEDIN TEAM enquiries@dbcco.co.nz dbcbuildingservices.co.nz
10 | Amalgamated Builders T T Karen Phelps Partnerships underpin longevity ABL operates across four South Island regions with offices in Christchurch Dunedin, Invercargill and Queenstown. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT For over six decades, Amalgamated Builders Limited (ABL) has been steadily constructing not just buildings across the South Island but something far more valuable: enduring relationships built on trust, quality and reliability. “We like to build long-term relationships with our clients, subcontractors and supply chain, many of which have spanned decades,” says Chris Dowall, ABL’s Otago area manager. “These connections, along with our longstanding history in the region, are key to the successful delivery of projects.” ABL’s story began on November 1, 1961, when the late Graeme Hill opened the doors to G.R. Hill Ltd as a young local Invercargill builder. By 1972, expansion necessitated a partnership with another builder, Steve Farrant, and Amalgamated Builders was born. Graeme guided the company through the challenging economic climate of the late 1980s and early 1990s, setting the stage for future success Today, ABL operates across four South Island regions with offices in Christchurch Dunedin, Invercargill and Queenstown. The company takes a collaborative team- based approach with regionally-based teams focused on delivering projects, and directors taking a more strategic view of the South Island business as a whole. However, it is the company’s approach to partnerships that truly sets it apart in the commercial construction sector. “As a commercial builder we rely heavily on the performance of our subcontractors,” says Chris. “This dependency has become one of ABL’s greatest strengths, with more than 500 regular subcontractors forming the backbone of our operation across the company.” ABL offers a full range of construction-related services, backed up by its large in-house workforce, who carry out the core concrete and carpentry trades, and its significant supply chain. It can complete small projects, such as maintenance contracts, right through to significant construction projects, such as the $165 million Invercargill Central Project Chris says ABL can come on board once a client has their design completed and is ready to start building. It can also get involved as an ECI contractor right from the inception of the project, fulfilling an advisory role on buildability, budgeting and material selection, or as a design-and-build contractor taking on the management of the design as well as the construction. The company’s portfolio of completed projects demonstrates the tangible results of these enduring relationships. The Oracle Aged Care Apartments project, comprising 24 residential apartments over four floors, and completed in 2024 with a contract value of $15 million, presented particular challenges due to escalating costs during the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was a matter of working with the client and contractors to make changes where necessary to ensure the project met the budget,” says Chris. “The project’s success was only possible through collaboration, goodwill and trust between all parties.” Another significant project illustrating ABL’s capabilities and collaborative approach was the Dunedin Law Courts Restoration Project, completed in 2017. This high-profile, $12 million restoration of the Category I historic building required substantial interventions along with maintaining the highest conservation standards. The Southern Heritage Restoration Award jury recognised the project’s excellence. Another testament to ABL’s project-management capabilities was the Dunedin Town Hall Redevelopment, a $32.5 million project completed in 2013. Undertaken in three stages over 33.5 months, the project transformed the historic venue into a state-of-theart conferencing and performance centre, whilst preserving its renowned historical features. The project was completed on time and well under budget, despite encountering numerous unknowns inherent in working with heritage buildings. www.impactotago.co.nz | 10B Strathallan St, Dunedin SPECIALISTS IN ROOFING, PLUMBING & GAS FITTING Drainlayers 03 455 5871 THE BEST CONNECTION Pleased to be associated with Amalgamated Builders - Dunedin ELECTRICAL • data • TELECOMMUNICATIONS • security Phone (03) 477-2795 | www.oec.co.nz OEC (2017) Ltd - Trading As: Otago Electrical & Communications Tansley Electrical “Trusted for over 65 years” www.tansleyelectrical.co.nz • Residential & Commercial Electrical • Fire Protection & IQP Compliance Proud to support Amalgamated Builders Limited. 0800 847 434 viridianglass.co.nz For specialist frameless glass & retro-fit double glazing Viridian Glass is proud to support Amalgamated Builders - Dunedin There's something special about natural light
| 11 Amalgamated Builders Another significant project illustrating ABL’s capabilities and collaborative approach was the Dunedin Law Courts Restoration Project, completed in 2017. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT external partnerships. The company has low staff turnover, focusing on providing a good workplace where people are valued and career advancement pathways exist. “We have a very stable workforce of around 60 on-site staff in Dunedin,” he says. This internal stability, combined with the company’s multi-trade workforce and successful apprenticeship programme, means many staff members have come up through the ranks and remained with the company for long periods.” He says the whole team places the client at the heart of everything it does. “Clients become friends by knowing us, liking us and trusting us. The longevity of the company is testament to the relationships we have formed over many years. Recent projects include the University Union Conservatory extension, delivered over the 2024/2025 Christmas break, and the recently completed Mornington Health Centre upgrade, which included extensive alterations to the building, all while keeping the centre fully operational. “Good planning, staging and communication were key to meeting expectations around timing of each part of the Mornington Health Centre project,” explains Chris, describing the approach that saw the project completed on time and on budget. A significant project for the wider company was the delivery of the $165 million Invercargill Central Project, a new inner-city block filling a 21,500sqm site and accommodating a Farmers department store, a multi-storey car park and retail precinct. A three-year project completed in 2022 and constructed during the Covid 19 pandemic, it was delivered on schedule, which was a major achievement given unprecedented constraints facing the industry over that period, says Chris. ABL Invercargill managed this project locally with supplementary management resource from the Christchurch branch. The project won a gold award, and was the Retail category winner at the New Zealand Commercial Project Awards. Current projects include the Dunedin Airport terminal enhancement and a new aviation security building, along with a few school projects Chris says ABL’s approach to workforce management mirrors its philosophy towards Excellence in Engineering Your one-stop engineering workshop • Design • Fabrication • Waterjet Cutting • Press Work • Certified Welding • CNC 5-Axis Machining • Site Maintenance • Conveyors / Machinery Manufacturing • CNC Plate Rolling • Full Machine Shop •Civil Works • Sub-divisions • Transport • Demolition • Recycling • Siteworks www.hallbros.co.nz (03) 477 1141 Ph: 03 456 3530 • Cell: 027 242 9337 • www.decoratingservicesltd.co.nz • PAINTERS • DECORATORS • WALLPAPERING • COMMERCIAL • DOMESTIC
12 | Synergy keeps the wheels turning Connor Jones Group has taken on a diverse pipeline of projects ranging from residential builds to government retrofit programmes Connor Jones Group T T Kelly Deeks “It’s a market that has hardly been affected by the recent recession, and there’s still so much to be done there.” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Dunedin-based Connor Jones Group is continuing to defy market pressures, expanding its footprint across the South Island and cementing its place as one of the fastest-growing construction companies in the region. Founded in 2018 by Tom Connor and Chris Jones, the company has steadily built a reputation for delivering seamless construction and engineering services. That dual capability has helped it win a wide range of projects across residential, commercial, and government sectors. Recognition of the group’s rapid growth came in 2024 when it earned a place on the prestigious Deloitte Fast 50, ranking among New Zealand’s fastest-growing businesses. The achievement followed two consecutive years as the fastest-growing construction company in the lower South Island. Managing director Tom says the accolade reflected both the risks the business had taken and the hard work required to maintain momentum in a turbulent market. “The past two years have been hugely challenging for the construction sector.” he says. “Margins are tight, competition is fierce, and you’ve got to work twice as hard just to get a contract signed. It’s felt at times like we’re sitting in a Ferrari in idle – we know the power is there, we just need the right road to drive on.” What began as a fabrication business run by Tom quickly evolved into a fully fledged construction company when builder Chris joined three months after start-up. From those early days in Dunedin, the business has grown to 33 employees and has established operations in Invercargill, and most recently, Queenstown. Connor Jones Group’s fabrication workshop remains an integral part of the business, supplying not only its own projects, but also taking on external work. Projects have included upgrades and maintenance for Dunedin’s breweries, alongside structural steel packages for large commercial builds. On the construction side, Connor Jones Group has taken on a diverse pipeline of projects ranging from residential builds to government retrofit programmes. Its Invercargill team is currently completing a significant project for James Hargest College, while the Queenstown expansion is already securing forward work in a market the directors see as comparatively recession-proof. “We see Queenstown as a strong long-term play,” Tom says. “It’s a market that has hardly been affected by the recent recession, and there’s still so much to be done there.” To support this geographic growth, Connor Jones Group has built a strong management structure, including an operations manager, regional project managers and quantity surveyors, and a fabrication and engineering manager. This depth of leadership ensures projects run smoothly, while allowing the founders to continue steering the company’s strategy. Tom says the group’s strength lies in the synergy between its two arms of the business. “In every construction project there’s steel, timber, or concrete at the heart of the structure. Having both building and fabrication capability under one roof makes life easier for clients. “They get confidence that those critical elements are in expert hands, and we’ve got the skills and the systems to make sure it all comes together seamlessly.” Looking ahead, Connor Jones Group’s focus is on consolidation rather than unchecked growth. With tentative steps already being made into Christchurch, the company aims to establish high-performing teams in each region, steady its pipeline, and embed consistent processes across the business. trade.admin@megadunedin.co.nz Phone 03 455 3341 www.mitre10.co.nz/trade 350 Andersons Bay Rd, DUNEDIN Proud to support Connor Jones Group OPEN 7 DAYS FOR ALL YOUR BUILDING SUPPLIES We are proud to support Connor Jones Group Mild Steel • Stainless Steel • Aluminium www.precisionprofile.co.nz sales@precisionprofile.co.nz 03 477 7277 12 Birch St. Dunedin | | OTAGO’S PLATE CUTTING SPECIALIST Now Laser Cutting
| 13 T T Rosa Watson Solar farms meeting increased energy demand Lightyears Solar co-founder and director Matt Shanks. Lightyears Solar: Ashburton Solar Farm REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT A newly constructed solar farm near Ashburton is showcasing how energy production and agriculture can work in harmony. The farm, developed by Lightyears Solar using local contractors in its construction, is a community-scale project with a generation capacity of 7 MW, covering about eight hectares of a 16-hectare rural lifestyle farm located south of Ashburton. In line with Lightyears’ agrivoltaic approach, the panels are elevated and mounted on sun-tracking frames, allowing livestock, in this case sheep, to graze underneath while maintaining efficient solar energy capture. Farming is able to continue on the site, supplementing landowner income and preserving agricultural productivity, Lightyears Solar co-founder and director Matt Shanks says. Lightyears owns and operates 1 MW, while the remaining share is owned by private company RCR Green. The farm connects to the local Ashburton power network, EA Networks. Construction of the farm provided a boost to the local economy, with a number of local businesses engaged, Matt says. The two combined farms at the site produce approximately 7.2 MW, enough to power around 1800 homes annually, boosting the share of renewable energy locally and ensuring most energy is consumed within the Ashburton community. Lightyears Solar was formed in 2019 when Matt and school friend, Sean Tobin, identified an untapped space for solar energy production in New Zealand. Countries around the world already have advanced solar production, and Matt himself has worked on projects in the Pacific Islands and in Southeast Asia. “We’re actually the last country in the OECD to deploy solar at scale. It’s well-deployed overseas,” says Matt. “We looked at the cost and thought it could work in New Zealand. It’s very mature technology worldwide and we are really just at the start of deploying it in New Zealand.” He says solar farms provide resilience to communities in terms of energy supply. “It could be a future where we end up with communities like Ashburton completely self-sufficient in terms of electricity supply.” In a phenomenon unique to Mid-Canterbury, energy use increases over the summer months due to irrigation use, which fits in perfectly with solar production, Matt says. “They use a high amount of energy over summer, which is exactly when the solar farm is producing the most energy.” Today, Lightyears has a team of 17 staff and has commissioned five solar farms across the country, usually on five to 15 acres, with more under construction. Matt says they receive phone calls every week from landowners enquiring about whether their property would be a suitable site. “It tends to be farmers contacting us looking for more productive land use.” He says solar farms will be key to meeting the country’s future energy demand. “The energy demand of the country is growing as we continue to electrify transport and electrify boilers for industry.” Residential homes are also driving demand, moving more towards electric heating. Matt says solar farms have little impact on the landscape, as they able to be screened out by planting. “Most people won’t know there’s even one there.” It brings huge benefits to the landowners, offering farmers a new and stable revenue stream, while preserving the land’s agricultural value and bringing value to the local community, delivering reliable, clean energy to communities that often experience energy poverty or unreliable grid access, and providing employment during construction. The company’s work has been recognised with a number of awards this year. It picked up the Utility Scale Solar Trailblazer Award and was also joint winner of the Best Medium Business at this year’s SEANZ Aotearoa Industry Awards. It was also named as a finalist in the Social Procurement category at this year’s Energy Excellence Awards, and in the Infrastructure Decarbonisation category of the Building Nations 2025 Impact Awards. “We’re actually the last country in the OECD to deploy solar at scale.” Brendon Sloane Owner/Operator 027 290 8729 sloaneexcavation@outlook.co.nz | follow us on Sloane Excavation TURN SUNSHINE INTO SAVINGS! We’re proud to have worked alongside Lightyears Solar to bring Mid Canterbury’s solar farms to life. We’re here for all your solar needs, big or small! Get in touch today: 03 308 2106 726 East Street, Ashburton ashburton@levelelectrical.nz www.mckay.co.nz | 0800 462 529 New Zealand’s largest privately owned electrical company. McKay is proud to have delivered the electrical construction and commissioning of the Ashburton Solar Farm. Photo: Rebecca Kempton Photography
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