74 | Discount Drainage is laying the groundwork for its next stage of growth, with the Canterbury contractor building its commercial portfolio through subdivision work, community projects, and increasingly complex developments across the region. Christchurch-based drainage specialist, Discount Drainage, has traditionally been known for its residential work, but is now positioning itself for a bigger role in Canterbury’s commercial construction sector, backed by an experienced team, modern equipment, and a focus on efficiency. General manager, Leigh Tuuta, says the business has grown steadily over the past three years and is now ready to take on larger and more diverse projects. One of its most distinctive recent projects was completing the drainage and plumbing works for the new Hindu Temple in Templeton, which is the largest Hindu temple in the South Island. The project involved installing the complete drainage system, plumbing, fire hydrants, water mains, and septic system for the new community facility. It also included six 30,000-litre water tanks to ensure sufficient supply for fire protection requirements. “It was something completely different for us,” Leigh says. “We worked with the Hindu Temple Trust on what was a real community project. It was great for our team to be involved in something outside the normal run of residential housing, and it was a good challenge.” While the temple project provided a new experience for the Discount Drainage team, Leigh says the company is continuing to see strong demand across Canterbury’s residential development sector. The company has recently completed drainage infrastructure for the first 26 homes in a subdivision at Oliver Grove (33 Sutherlands Road, Halswell), installing the underground services required. Townhouse developments and multi-unit projects are becoming an increasingly important part of the company’s workload as Canterbury’s housing market continues to evolve. Discount Drainage CONTRACTING Business ready to diversify Christchurch-based drainage specialist, Discount Drainage, has traditionally been known for its residential work, but is now positioning itself for a bigger role in Canterbury’s commercial construction sector. T T Kelly Deeks “We want to grow our commercial side because we believe we can offer real value in that space.” “We want to grow our commercial side because we believe we can offer real value in that space,” Leigh says. “We have the team, plant, and equipment to get projects completed efficiently and ahead of schedule.” Leigh entered the drainage industry in 2012 and established Discount Drainage in 2014 following the Canterbury earthquakes where he gained valuable experience working in a high-demand construction environment. “The earthquakes taught me a lot about efficiency, because there was so much work to be done. You had to be organised and productive, and that has stayed with me.” Today, Discount Drainage employs 11 staff, including qualified tradespeople, labourers, apprentices, office support, and operations management. Developing the team remains a key focus, with three apprentices currently progressing through their qualifications. “We’re big on professional development and getting people qualified. A qualification is something they can take with them for life, and the more skills our team has, the more we can offer our clients.” The company has also appointed a new business development manager as it prepares for further growth, with additional systems and processes being introduced to support expansion. Leigh says the goal is to ensure Discount Drainage becomes a recognised name, not only in residential drainage, but also across Canterbury’s commercial sector. “When people think about drainage, we want them to think of us. “Speed and efficiency are where you make your money in this industry, but ultimately it comes down to doing a great job and being the team people call back for the next project.”
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