Waikato Business News | March 1, 2024

MAY 2024 

Fosters – thriving at 50 

Foster Construction held a glitzy celebration in 

Hamilton to celebrate its 50th birthday. Director and 

shareholder Leonard Gardner tells senior writer Mary 

Anne Gill why the proudly Waikato firm has survived 

the building industry’s ups and downs. 

Leonard Gardner had 

already racked up eight 

years with a leading 

Hamilton accountancy 

firm when he joined Foster 

Construction in April 2003 as 

the company accountant. 

Still in his 20s, he knew 

he wanted some commercial 

experience at a corporate 

first before buying his own 

business so applied for the job 

at Fosters. 

Two years later he “rocked 

up” to Fosters’ property legend 

Colin Wade. 

“I said I was off to look out for 

a business (to buy) and he said, 

‘why not buy into Fosters?’” 

Why not indeed? Eighteen 

years later Gardner – now 46 - 

is still there. Companies Office 

records show him owning 25 

per cent of Foster Construction 

Group which has an 84 per 

cent shareholding in Foster 

Construction. 

He is usually the man 

standing front and centre 

smiling broadly at various 

public events and is one of 

five directors and eight 

shareholders. 

But it is the shareholder 

which owns 20 per cent of the 

company Gardner points to 

as giving him several proud 

Fosters’ moments. 

Those 19,999 shares – 

previously held by Wade – 

have been owned since 2018 by 

the Foster Group Custodians 

Trust which distributes its 

profits back into the Waikato 

and Bay of Plenty communities 

in a philanthropic move he 

cites as a powerful process. 

Gardner is a trustee of 

the trust which supports 

the Waikato Chamber of 

Commerce business awards, 

the Chiefs, Boon Street 

Art Festival, Community 

Enterprise Leadership 

Foundation, Tauranga Arts 

Festival, Balloons over Waikato 

and Momentum. 

Staff have the opportunity 

to donate $500 on behalf of 

the company through the trust 

to a charity of their choice – 

Women’s Refuge, Pink Shirt 

Day, Relay for Life and various 

sports and cultural clubs have 

benefited since 2019. 

The trust came out of a 

strategy session shareholders 

had about seven years ago 

when they looked at how the 

communities had supported 

Fosters through their journey 

since its foundation in Te 

Rapa, Hamilton in April 1973. 

The New Zealand 

construction industry has 

had its difficulties, times 

Gardner describes as “brutal”, 

but which Fosters seems to 

overcome through the strength 

of their relationships. 

“When things are good, it’s 

very good, but when things are 

bad, it’s awful.” 

The Global Financial Crisis 

in 2008 was one of them 

although Gardner says it 

was the following year which 

was the testing one for them 

helped by the Claudelands 

Events Centre project. “It’s all 

character building stuff,” he 

says. 

A book published to mark 

the 50th anniversary recalls 

directors saying at the time: “In 

these tough economic times, 

the Fosters’ good name gets 

our foot in the door of many 

projects. Please do everything 

you can to preserve the 

Fosters’ reputation, from being 

proactive in health and safety, 

to looking after with care your 

part of the construction, to 

contributing to the team”. 

A big part of construction is 

managing risk which Fosters 

does by a mix of projects 

– 40 per cent of which are 

industrial. 

“We’re not immune to 

anything but I like to think we 

understand risk.” 

Plus, the company chooses 

its friends well. 

“There’s too much at stake to 

just throw in a price. We have 

200 staff so we can’t do dumb 

stuff.” 

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 

Leonard Gardner speaking at last year’s Waikato Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. 

 

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2 MAY 2024 

Editor 

Roy Pilott 

027 450 0115 

News 

Mary Anne Gill 

021 705 213 

Viv Posselt 

027 233 7686 

CONTACTS 

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maryanne@goodlocal.nz 

viv@goodlocal.nz 

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Janine Davy janine@goodlocal.nz 

027 287 0005 

Owner 

David Mackenzie 

david@goodlocal.nz 

Office 

07 827 0005 admin@goodlocal.nz 

Website 

wbn.co.nz 

Readers’ contributions of articles and letters are 

welcome. Publication of contributions are entirely at 

the discretion of editorial staff and may be edited. 

Contributions will only be considered for publication 

when accompanied by the author’s full name, 

residential address, and telephone number. Opinions 

expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers. 

Waikato Business News is published by Good Local 

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Also publishers of 

Shedding some light 

Menz Sheds are enjoying a growing profile in Waikato communities – we look at 

why they are regarded as important. 

The demands for a place for 

men to be with other men 

is increasing every year, 

especially among older men as 

more and more of them reach 

retirement age. 

Last year it was recognised by 

the World Health Organisation 

that loneliness affects a 

substantial portion of men over 

the age of 50, and I Canada, 

58 per cent of men in this age 

bracket reported experiencing 

loneliness. Similar figures 

apply across New Zealand and 

Australia. 

Loneliness has been identified 

as a major killer of older men, 

and is said to be responsible 

for more sickness, suffering, and 

death than any other cause. 

In both New Zealand and 

worldwide membership of 

Menz Sheds is increasingly 

being seen as a major method of 

combatting such loneliness, and 

with helping men cope more 

easily with a range of illnesses 

that regularly confront older 

males. 

“As men get older, they often 

face major changes in their 

lives,” says Te Awamutu Menz 

Shed chairman Richard Cato. 

“They can suddenly find 

themselves with nothing to do 

due to retirement, through loss 

of a partner or close friends, 

geographical separation from 

family, or health issues. And 

they often have smaller circles of 

friends than women do, so they 

get less opportunity to share 

their concerns with others,” he 

says. 

“Many older couples find that 

when one or other retires, the 

sudden closeness with each other 

all the time creates difficulties. 

So, joining up with a Menz Shed 

gives the man a chance to escape 

the stresses of ‘the underfoot 

syndrome’. It also provides 

his wife with some ‘breathing 

space’ as well. We often find 

that women are among the most 

ardent supporters of Sheds,” 

says Cato. 

He says some men join a Shed 

“just for the pleasure of having 

a mug tea and a yarn with other 

blokes”. But they can also find 

that talking helps cope with 

stress or health problems. There 

is a growing understanding that 

“keeping an eye on each other” 

is all part of the value of being 

Shed members. 

It is noted that in Australia, 

where there are about 

1300 Men’s Sheds, the 

Federal Government is now 

acknowledging the considerable 

social and health values of the 

organisation and has been 

providing grants annually since 

2010 to assist individual Sheds 

continue important work in 

helping with men’s wellbeing. 

Late last year it gave $500,000 

to be used by nearly 90 sheds 

across the country on such 

projects as organising dementia 

awareness sessions, healthy 

cooking classes, the purchase 

of new tools, hosting health 

and practical workshops, yoga 

classes, and CPR refresher 

training courses. 

There are now more than125 

Sheds throughout New Zealand, 

with at least 2500 members. 

Numbers are increasing every 

month. Across the Waikato, 

there are 15 Menz Sheds - one 

in most towns, with Cambridge 

being the newest. 

Morrinsville, which recently 

built a large new Shed, has 

increased its membership by 25 

per cent in the past two months. 

Now, with the extra space, they 

can offer more services for the 

members. Their shed includes 

a large smoko room, ideal 

for health professionals and 

supporting services to meet with 

the men. 

“The great value of these 

Sheds is that they are a safe 

and relaxed place for men to go, 

to enjoy companionship, and to 

quietly seek help with health 

and wellbeing issues if they want 

to,” Cato says. 

“Sheddies, as they are known, 

often work on community 

projects, personal tasks, and 

carry out repairs on all sorts 

of items for 

members of the 

public. Carpenters 

and engineers 

help lawyers, 

accountants, and 

teachers gain 

Richard Cato 

new skills, and in return they 

sometimes learn professional 

skills. The comradeship between 

men from all walks of life is 

wonderful,” he says. 

“Menz Sheds are places 

where men can contribute 

to their communities, have a 

sense of belonging, and create 

a meaningful purpose, coupled 

together with old-fashioned 

mateship.” 

Information on the Menz 

Shed movement can be found 

here – menzshed.org.nz 

This newspaper is subject to NZ Media Council 

procedures. A complaint must first be directed in 

writing, within one month of publication, to the 

editor’s email address. 

If not satisfied with the response, the complaint 

may be referred to the Media Council P O Box 10- 

879, The Terrace, Wellington 6143. Or use the online 

complaint form at www.mediacouncil.org.nz 

Please include copies of the article and all 

correspondence with the publication. 

“Sheddies” busy working in their new Morrinsville home. 

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Your MP for Waikato 

Backing Waikato Businesses 

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Briefs… 

Truckin’ on 

One of the country’s leading 

suppliers of cars and 

trucks will set up a North 

Island service centre at the 

Ruakura Superhub. Sime 

Darby Motors NZ has taken 

a long-term ground lease on 

a 2.4ha site where work will 

start on building later this 

year. 

Good advice 

Cambridgebased 

My 

Mortgage 

director 

and adviser 

C l a i r e 

Williamson 

(pictured) 

has won 

the New Zealand Financial 

Services Group Adviser 

of the Year award in the 

regional category at the 

2024 New Zealand Mortgage 

Awards. Williamson, who 

joined the company in 2015 

also runs a small business 

Velma and Beverley, holds 

several board roles. 

Bromfield on board 

Waipā Networks has 

appointed Tom Bromfield as 

its general manager delivery. 

Bromfield arrives with over 

20 years of experience in 

the industry in New Zealand 

and abroad. 

Repair, renew 

Hamilton City Council 

has budgeted $12 million 

to renew nine community 

facilities including the 

Celebrating Age Centre. 

Fibre plan 

Spark is investing in a 

new fibre backbone from 

Ōtorohanga to Te Kauwhata, 

serving Hamilton East and 

Ruakura. It will be part of 

a $15 million investment 

into digital infrastructure 

in Waikato as it partners 

Waikato University to take 

over management of its 

date centre facility on the 

campus. 

New faces 

Public relations and 

communications agency 

HMC has appointed Anna 

Clausen and Gabriel Renner 

as Senior Digital PR Content 

Creator and Junior Digital 

PR Content Creator, 

respectively. 

3 

Bikers overtaken by hikers 

New Zealanders are taking to 

the outdoors - but not so many 

are getting on their bikes. Chris 

Gardner reports. 

Outdoor adventure 

gear retailer 

Torpedo7 has closed 

its Hamilton store as 

consumer demand drops 

across the sector. 

The Barton Street 

store closed after owner 

The Warehouse Group 

announced it was selling the 

Torpedo7 brand to Tahua 

Partners Limited for $1. 

Torpedo7 chief executive 

Lesley Francis-Ziogas 

did not answer Waikato 

Business News’ questions 

on the closure, but The 

Warehouse Group said 

Torpedo7 had faced ongoing 

performance challenges 

related to lower consumer 

demand in the global bike 

market. 

Its store at The Base, Te 

Rapa, continues to trade. 

Torpedo7 was founded 

in 2004 by mountain bike 

enthusiast Luke Howard- 

Willis who, according to 

the brand’s website, felt at 

the time the New Zealand 

selection of bike and cycle 

gear was limited and 

overpriced. 

As Torpedo7’s Barton 

Street doors closed 

for the last time KMD 

Brands Limited, owner 

of Kathmandu, Oboz and 

Rip Curl, announced a 

$9.7 million loss in the 

six months ended January 

31, 2024, as group sales 

decreased 14.5 per cent to 

$468.6 million. 

“Through the first half 

we continued to experience 

the effects of weakness in 

consumer sentiment,” said 

KMD Group Chief Executive 

Officer and Managing 

Director Michael Daly in 

an ASX and NZX media 

announcement. 

“Sales were 14.5 per cent 

below last year’s record 

result; and decreased for all 

three of our brands.” 

Small, independent stores 

have fared much better than 

the chains. 

Equip Outdoors owner 

Geoff Rawlings said the 

Killarney Road, Hamilton 

retailer had “been quite busy 

until now, but this is the 

time of year things do drop 

off”. 

“Summer is our busiest 

time and this year it has 

been quite strong, and the 

previous three seasons have 

been pretty strong too,” 

Rawlings said. 

“We have performed a 

little bit better than some of 

our competitors in the last 

12 months. 

Torpedo7 has closed its central Hamilton store, although its store 

at Te Rapa, continues to trade 

Equip Outdoors owner Geoff Rawlings with retail assistant Brooke Norton. 

“People are really getting 

out there and doing stuff 

with a lot of new campers.” 

Across the city Trek N 

Travel owner Colin Hancock 

had a similar story. Business 

had been “very good” for his 

Victoria Street, Hamilton 

business while overseas 

travel was restricted in 

the wake of the COVID-19 

pandemic. 

“There’s been a drop off 

in that middle age group 

who are back travelling 

overseas, but we are seeing 

more people in their sixties 

and seventies coming into 

the shop to buy backpacks 

because they are getting the 

tramping bug because they 

can’t be bothered to travel.” 

There was strong interest 

in the Duke of Edinburgh 

Award Scheme run by 

schools and Scouts Aotearoa 

as well as Youth Search and 

Rescue, he said. 

“We are seeing parents 

coming in to get gear for 

their kids, and a lot of them 

hire gear to see if they like 

it.” 

Outdoors leadership 

coach Andy Thompson of 

Adventure Lens NZ said 

the pandemic had triggered 

a rethink on outdoor 

activities. 

“There’s freedom in 

going into the outdoors on 

your own timetable, you 

don’t have to stand on the 

sidelines, it’s a fantastic 

thing,” he said. 

“Once you have got the 

equipment you can make it 

last a long time. But people 

have got to make sure that 

they are going into area that 

are appropriate for their 

skill level.” 

“More people in New 

Zealand are going hiking 

and tramping,” said New 

Zealand Mountain Safety 

Council chief executive Mike 

Daisley. 

Mt Pirongia’s Pahautea 

Hut saw a 50 per cent 

increase in bookings 

between the 2020-21 and 

2023-24 summer seasons. 

Pahautea Hut bednights 

rose from 602 in 2020-21 

to 791 in 2021-22, 843 in 

2022-23 and 903 in 2023- 

24. 

The 20-bed hut is DOC’s 

only bookable hut in the 

Waikato region. 

“What we can see 

is an unusual growth 

in participation and 

Department of Conservation 

bookings are very high. It’s 

very hard to book. Tracks 

and trails are getting busier. 

More regular trampers 

are looking for alternative 

routes.” 

The Indian-Kiwi 

community has also 

turned to tramping, as it 

acclimatises to the New 

Zealand lifestyle. As a 

result, the Mountain Safety 

Council has partnered with 

Auckland Council to provide 

best practice material to 

the Indian-Kiwi community 

based on the New Zealand 

Bushcraft Manual. 

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Long term contact 

is a tre ble bonus 

A 

deal to provide aircraft 

maintenance for the 

Royal Thai Air Force 

promises to provide a multimillion 

dollar export boost 

for the aeronautical sector. 

NZ Aero, the country’s 

sole commercial aircraft 

manufacturer, has signed 

a Memorandum of 

Understanding with Thai 

Aviation Industries, a 

leading maintenance, repair, 

and operations organisation, 

to provide parts. 

The deal will also see 

collaboration to expand Thai 

Aviation’s capabilities. 

The agreement was signed 

during a seven-day mission 

to Singapore, Thailand and 

the Philippines led by Prime 

Minister Christopher Luxon. 

“New Zealand has a 

serious ambition to lift our 

relationships with this region 

in ways that deliver real 

benefits and that advance 

our shared security and 

economic interests,” he said. 

“The memorandum of 

understanding signed by NZ 

Aero in Thailand is a great 

outcome on all fronts.” 

NZ Aero is based at 

Hamilton Airport and was 

in the news late last year 

for developing the versatile 

SuperPac Xstol aircraft. 

Company chief Stephen 

Burrows said Thailand’s 

government has launched 

NZ Aero’s SuperPac Xstol. Xstol stands for extremely short take off and landing. 

plans to create a world-class 

aviation hub for the Asia- 

Pacific region. 

“The new multi-year 

agreement signed between 

Thai Aviation Industries Co., 

Ltd and NZ Aero is set to 

triple the value of parts and 

maintenance exports to that 

market and help strengthen 

our relationship so that 

as their existing fleets are 

phased out, our new utility 

aircraft are seen as a viable 

replacement.” 

NZ Aero will supply a 

range of over 800 parts for 

Thailand’s CT4 Airtrainer 

fleet for use in military 

training operations. 

Other New Zealand 

aviation repair firms will 

also benefit from regular 

maintenance contracts to 

overhaul engines. 

“The Philippines is set 

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defence budget by over 

50% to modernise their 

military in the next five 

years, similarly Singapore’s 

increase in defence spending 

in the coming year will be 

highest in over a quarter of a 

century,” Burrow said. 

“The mission’s timing to 

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objectives and provides 

a tangible opportunity 

to grow our aeronautical 

manufacturing capacity.” 

Waikato company 

seal Laravel deal 

By Steve Edwards 

A Waikato-based app 

developer has forged a 

milestone relationship with 

an international associate. 

LuminateOne is the first 

New Zealand company – and 

the second in Australasia – 

to become a partner for the 

Laravel program, launched 

in the United States in 2010. 

Matthew Whyte, Business 

Development Manager at 

LuminateOne, says Laravel 

essentially provides the 

skeleton for any software 

development. 

“A framework is what 

really makes or breaks a 

software project.” 

He says while anyone 

can use Laravel, a formal 

process was followed for 

LuminateOne to become a 

platinum partner. 

Australia boasts a single 

emerald partner and 

Whyte understands the 

parent business behind the 

platform is not accepting 

other requests. 

He says the formal 

partnership with Laravel 

provides a “competitive 

advantage” 

for 

LuminateOne. 

Laravel has partners in 

North America and Europe. 

The partnership 

programme aims to help 

companies establish greater 

credibility and client trust. 

To become a partner, 

LuminateOne had to 

demonstrate experience 

in custom Laravel 

development, with case 

studies andreferences to 

attest proficiency. 

To maintain partnership 

status, companies must 

demonstrate their ongoing 

commitment to the Laravel 

“ecosystem”, such as 

contributing blog posts 

and tutorials relating to the 

program or passing on their 

knowledge through boot 

camps and training. 

LuminateOne Managing 

Director Nick Humphries 

says the partnership gives 

LuminateOne staff direct 

access to resources, tools 

and support which makes 

for a quicker turnaround in 

building an app.” 

He says using Laravel 

“takes months off” the 

development cycle. 

Nick Humphries 

5 

A recent example was a 

Waikato tannery which 

engaged LuminateOne 

to improve its reporting 

processes. 

Using Laravel, Nick says 

LuminateOne developed 

a system to “pull” data 

from grading machines to 

associated managers. 

Apps can be tailored to 

suit the particular business 

for any type of activity, 

ranging from merchandising 

through to healthcare. 

LuminateOne had its 

origins in rural Matamata. 

It now operates out of 

Hamilton and also works 

in the areas of data and 

AI (artificial intelligence) 

software development. 

The company, which 

has 14 staff including 10 

developers, started working 

with Laravel in 2015. 

Laravel was created in the 

United States by software 

developer Taylor Otwell, 

who envisioned an online 

tool that could simplify 

the development process 

and offer features to boost 

productivity. 

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Resthaven development opens 

By Viv Posselt 

The sleek first stage 

of Cambridge 

Resthaven’s multimillion-dollar 

development 

project was opened in the 

town last month. 

Stage 1, which was started 

in April 2022, comprises 

33 apartments, made up of 

studio units and one- and 

two-bedroom apartments. 

Of those, 25 are in the new 

Hanlin Building and eight in 

the adjacent courtyard wing 

of an existing building. 

One of the studio units 

has been funded by the 

Waipā District Council. 

Additional apartments are 

planned for Stages 2 and 3 

of the development which 

will take place over the next 

few years. 

Stage 1 has cost around 

$16 million. Estimates 

for the full multi-stage 

development were initially 

put at around $36 million, 

but that figure is expected 

to change as it will depend 

on building costs at the time 

each stage proceeds. 

Stage 1 also includes a café 

and a soon-to-be opened 

village shop. There are 

also several ‘pool’ electric 

By Chris Gardner 

“It’s tough out there, 

off the back of some 

tough years whether 

they were flat tack 

or squeezed,” says 

Cambridge based Tracey 

Olivier. 

“Leaders are tired. But 

most leaders I know are 

not wasting the crisis. It 

calls them to be creative, 

resourceful, and focused. 

All of these make for 

resilient leaders. What’s 

the alternative when you 

have people counting on 

you?” 

vehicles available for 

residents. 

Speaking at last month’s 

opening, Taupo MP Louise 

Upston commended 

Resthaven for further 

adding to what she described 

as the ‘unique’ facility it 

had created in Cambridge. 

She said she hadn’t seen 

anything like it elsewhere 

and its ‘by the community 

for the community’ nature 

was an impressive point of 

difference in the provision 

of retirement facilities. 

Describing Cambridge as 

a magnet for retirees, she 

added: “At the moment 20 

percent of our population 

is aged over 65. In nine 

years, that figure will be 25 

percent. It is fantastic to 

see the forethought that has 

gone into providing for our 

own.” 

Resthaven’s roots are 

deeply embedded in the local 

community. The Cambridge 

Resthaven Trust Board was 

established in 1966 involving 

six community groups who 

helped raise funds for a local 

rest home. 

Cambridge Resthaven 

chief executive David 

Hall acknowledged 

Cambridge Resthaven chief executive David Hall, left, with other Resthaven representatives and 

those from some of the businesses involved in the project. They are, from left, Mia Sonntag 

(OCTA Project Management); Ash Burkhart, Josh Reynolds and Samantha Blanken (all Livingstone 

Building); Jason Russell (Resthaven property development manager); Greg Liddy (Resthaven Trust 

Board chairman); Scott McVicar-Lukey (OCTA); Glen Larsen and Neville Davy (both Livingstone); 

and Wade Kobus (OCTA). 

Photo: Michael Jeans 

representatives of those six 

organisations, naming them 

as the Fencourt Country 

Women’s Institute, Lions, 

Rotary, RSA, Federated 

Farmers, and the then 

Cambridge Borough 

Council. 

He also said: “We have 

named the Hanlin Building 

in recognition of the Hanlin 

sisters whose generous 

Don’t waste the crisis: 

leadership coach 

People working 

in businesses need 

assurance and certainty 

in recessionary times, 

says Oliver, whose 

clients include Arc 

Automation, Security 

and AV Solutions and 

Braemar Hospital 

in Hamilton, and 

agricultural contactor 

Gavins in Gordonton. 

“Now is the time to 

create as much clarity 

as possible for your 

people... you can tell 

them what you are sure 

of and remind them of 

where you are going as a 

business.” 

“People don’t 

necessary need their 

leaders to fix anything, 

but a listening ear and 

understanding of what 

people are facing is 

wise and can also be an 

opportunity,” Olivier 

said. 

“As humans we can 

get quite creative when 

we have constraints. 

Necessity is the mother 

of invention, constraint 

is the aunty.” 

She advocates the 

strategy of business 

leaders being as 

transparent as possible 

with their teams. 

“As a leader don’t think 

your people don’t know 

when you are doing it 

tough. Chances are they 

will know before you are 

even aware of it. Just be 

honest, tell them what 

you can share, again 

you will be surprised at 

the creativity of people 

and the willingness to 

help. You don’t have to 

struggle alone, obviously 

there are things you 

can’t share, but share 

some of the obstacles 

with your people. They 

contribution in the 1960s 

helped establish Resthaven.” 

The first residents have 

been moving into their new 

homes over the past two 

months. 

Cambridge Resthaven 

Trust Board chairman Greg 

Liddy described the project’s 

gestation period as longer 

than that of an elephant, 

explaining that the concept 

Tracey Olivier 

often have the solutions 

you can’t see.” 

Business leaders must 

work hard to balance 

retention and growth 

during recession and 

bolster morale – and 

be realistic while taking 

care of themselves. 

for further development was 

first floated in 2016. 

“Apparently we are one 

of the longest projects on 

Livingstone’s books … but 

we do acknowledge that 

Covid got in the way,” he 

said. “We needed to ensure 

that we remain relevant 

for the future … that our 

facilities align with the 

population as it ages.” 

Treble success 

in bio awards 

Three awards prompted celebration in the 

Waikato at the annual national biosecurity 

awards last month. 

The Waikato Regional Council’s kauri 

protection programme won the Eagle 

Technology Local and Central Government 

Award and the GIA Industry Award went 

to VeritAg. 

VeritAg and partner, Hamilton-based SVS 

Labs, were acknowledged for supporting 

the Biosecurity New Zealand’s Mycoplasma 

bovis eradication programme. 

The New Zealand Biosecurity Kura Award 

went to Hamilton’s Maeroa Intermediate 

School for a gully restoration programme. 

A 0.5-hectare gully at the school, neglected 

for decades and turned into a dumping 

ground for rubbish and a breeding ground 

for pests had been out of bounds to students. 

To rectify the situation, the school set up 

a restoration programme in 2020 – with a 

12-year plan. 

Since the project began, the gully has been 

populated by more than 4000 eco-sourced 

plants, native trees have been planted and 

a lizard habitat and outdoor classroom 

created. 

Briefs… 

7 

Sunair back 

Airline Sunair has returned 

to the Waikato to introduce 

a new service between 

Hamilton and Gisborne, 

Napier and Whangarei. The 

$390 a seat flights take an 

hour to the east coast, and 

slightly longer to Northland. 

The service will use a sixseater 

twin engine Piper 

Aztec aircraft. 

New tool in the box 

Cambridge-based Rocketspark 

has unveiled an AI tool 

which customises website 

content to fit a brand’s tone, 

style, profile, and customer 

preferences. Rocketspark 

co-founder Grant Johnson 

says would usually take 

someone up to 20 attempts 

to produce decent content 

has now been refined to just 

one or two steps. 

Growing fast 

Farmer Ian Rew has 

launched an organic chitinbased 

product for growers 

which is being promoted as 

increasing plant root mass 

and shoot growth by 26 

per cent. The formulation 

was tested at Ag Research 

Hamilton and Plant and 

Food Research Lincoln. 

Pacific expands 

Two Pacific Radiology 

branches opened in 

Hamilton last month in 

Pukete and Te Kōhao Health, 

Hamilton East, will increase 

the availability of medical 

imaging services in the 

province. 

Cheers, Keg Room 

Rototuna bar and eatery The 

Keg Room was named Best 

in the Central North Island 

category at this year’s Top 50 

Gastropub awards. 

Open for business 

Entries for the 2024 Waikato 

Business Awards opened on 

April 29. 

New faces 

Hamilton’s Anglesea Clinic 

has announced changes in 

its leadership team. Donovan 

Clarks, who has previously 

served on the clinic’s board, 

is the new chief executive 

and he leads a team which 

includes a new clinical 

director, two new service 

managers and a new finance 

manager. The clinic has been 

a charitable trust since 2022. 

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Fosters – thriving at 50 

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 

Gardner cites the 44,000 

square metre APL five 

star green rated factory at 

Hautapu, near Cambridge, 

as one of his highlights in 

the past decade. 

It came out of one of those 

relationships Fosters value. 

“The end product is 

absolutely beautiful, 

outstanding. There was a lot 

of trust both ways in the 

process.” 

Another more recent 

highlight is Union Square in 

Hamilton, once a car yard, 

now a partnership between 

Foster Develop, Ebbett 

Group and Imila Ltd. 

The second of five 

buildings in the complex 

recently opened on the 

corner of Anglesea, Hood 

and Alexandra streets. 

Eventually there will be 

23,000 square metres of 

office space. 

That project, the highprofile 

Waikato Regional 

Theatre, Renal Centre at 

Waikato Hospital and other 

developments are enough 

to keep Fosters “profitable 

and sustainable” during 

what is another downturn 

in the construction industry 

coming so soon after the 

disruption of Covid. 

“The whole landscape has 

changed. I empathise but 

we’ve got to get on with it,” 

says Gardner. 

Shortages in the industry 

have been a killer for several 

companies. 

“There’s always a solution, 

you’ve got to find it. You’ve 

got to think differently.” 

There is another APL 

building to do at Hautapu 

and a couple of potential 

commercial projects which 

he would not divulge. 

“We’ve just got to wait for 

the market to correct itself.” 

Gardner, who was born 

in Rotorua and moved to 

Hamilton when he was 13, 

is married to Denise and the 

couple live in Raglan. Not 

for the surfing “I wish,” he 

says. 

The couple have three sons 

who have all left home and 

like their father attended 

Hamilton Boys High School. 

Gardner keeps recharging 

himself through innovative 

projects, his involvement in 

the Fosters trust and other 

ventures. He is proud of 

the company’s journey, his 

role in it and the succession 

planning in place. 

You have to work at 

Fosters to own shares. 

“It helps that personal 

engagement and ownership 

decisions,” particularly 

when all its business is in the 

Waikato and Bay of Plenty. 

“We’ve got 14 shareholders 

across the Fosters group 

and their average age is mid 

30s so that’s a pretty good 

succession process plus 

we’ve got the best people.” 

Like site manager Stu 

Miller who has worked for 

Fosters since 1984, when he 

started as an apprentice, and 

is the longest serving staff 

member. 

He was acknowledged 

at the 50th anniversary 

dinner as was director and 

shareholder Ross Pacey who 

retired after 24 years with 

the company. Pacey joined 

Wade and Ian Sanders in a 

panel discussion about the 

company’s history. 

Key alumni, past 

shareholders, clients, 

business partners and 

current staff were all on 

hand to celebrate. 

And so too was Gardner, 

front and centre again with 

that effervescent smile which 

has become his signature at 

any Fosters’ event. 

Socialising at the end of another successful project, Fosters’ Leonard Gardner, centre, with Hamilton 

City Council’s Blair Bowcott, left, and Cambridge architect Antanas Procuta, right. 

 

Photo: Mary Anne Gill. 

Guests at the 50 th anniversary dinner at Claudelands Event Centre. 

2024 

WAIKATO CHAMBER 

OF COMMERCE 

BUSINESS 

AWARDS 

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AWARD ENTRIES 

NOW OPEN! 

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FOLLOW OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR 

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DROP IN HELP SESSIONS 

SESSION ONE 10 May VIRTUAL 

SESSION TWO 7 June IN PERSON 

SESSION THREE 21 June VIRTUAL


OUR ENVIRONMENT 

ADVERTORIAL 

9 

Marae as 

infrastructure 

By PHIL MACKAY 

As with any crisis, disaster or societal 

challenge, the extreme weather events of 

the last couple of years also present some 

interesting opportunities. One is the 

opportunity, in planning for future events, 

to consider how marae might play a greater 

role as a core part of our civil defence 

infrastructure. 

At the New Zealand Economic Forum 

earlier this year, Bryce Davies of IAG noted 

the economic cost of weather-related events 

sits at around 4.3 per cent of gross domestic 

product a year - similar to what we spend on 

education. He pointed out that, “as resilient 

as New Zealanders are, individually and 

personally, we have a resilience deficit in the 

country”. 

Sir Brian Roche, in the same session, said 

“we have made a virtue of recovery, and not 

of our preparedness”. 

Many marae are in remote areas at risk 

in extreme weather events. It makes marae 

uniquely placed to become sanctuaries for 

communities in times of need. 

We’ve seen this in action already last year; 

marae, and iwi and hapū mobilised quickly 

and played a significant role in the response 

to Cyclone Gabrielle. 

Meihana Watson at Omāhu Marae was 

quoted saying that by the third day after 

the floods, they had taken in 800 displaced 

people. 

“We saw no one from any Civil Defence, 

council for about seven days, so we had to 

stand up as a community and that’s what we 

did.” 

There are already initiatives underway to 

take this further and strengthen relationships. 

COUNCIL COMMENT 

Amalgamate 

the functions 

By ANDREW BYDDER 

There are 67 councils across New Zealand. 

Is that too many? Should we get rid of some 

by amalgamation? 

Councils began with amalgamation around 

150 years ago. District Water and Road 

Boards were joined because the same people 

were doing the same administration. It made 

sense to reduce bureaucracy. 

Since then, many more roles have been 

added to councils. Some of these functions 

make sense, such as rubbish and sports fields, 

which are best managed locally. Others made 

sense when they started, such as libraries and 

building consents. 

Now that these can be managed nationally, 

it is inefficient to have 67 councils across New 

Zealand each running their own systems. Still 

more have never really made sense. Zoos and 

theatres have great community value, but 

councils don’t bring any management skills 

to the board room table for highly specialised 

services. 

Hamilton City Council has 28 different 

business units. The smaller councils in the 

region have similar responsibilities, but 

fewer staff to deal with them. This implies 

amalgamation is essential because it is very 

hard for the smaller councils to cope. But the 

real problem is that councillors and senior 

managers simply don’t have the expertise in 

all those areas to be effective, or even useful, 

regardless of the size of the council. This why 

Auckland amalgamation has resulted in more 

bureaucracy, not less. 

The solution is to amalgamate certain 

functions, either regionally or nationally, 

and give them autonomy. For example, a 

Waikato District Council states that “we 

want to work with marae in our district 

to build relationships and capacity between 

Civil Defence Emergency Management and 

mana whenua”. 

“We are currently working with CDEM to 

develop a Marae Resilience Strategy. The aim 

of this strategy is to work proactively with 

marae communities in our district to prepare, 

plan and support their resilience.” 

Te Kotahi o Te Tauihu Charitable Trust (a 

collaboration of the eight mana whenua iwi 

in the top of the South Island) have launched 

Ipu Ohotata – emergency containers filled 

with equipment, and skilled trained response 

teams, geographically spread across Te 

Tauihu rohe (Marlborough, Nelson, Tasman). 

A review into the Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence 

response to Cyclone Gabrielle recommended 

a law change that would see Māori formally 

included in disaster planning and recovery. 

Report author Mike Bush said “they must 

be included. 

They have the capability, they have the 

resource, but unless we co-ordinate our 

response appropriately with all of that 

capability, we won’t get the right outcome”. 

The network of marae across Aotearoa 

provide a unique advantage in terms of the 

physical and social infrastructure required to 

adapt and respond to the threats of climate 

change and natural disaster readiness. Many 

marae already have long terms plans for the 

development of their marae. The opportunity 

is to include Marae as a critical component 

of planning, and identify ways to assist in 

funding facilities we ultimately all benefit 

from. 

national building consent service can be 

run by building experts funded by consent 

fees; libraries (which already have a national 

association and inter-regional loan system) 

can be managed centrally and funded by 

taxes rather than rates, while zoos could be 

run by independent trusts with a combination 

of admission charges and subsidies. Kaitaia 

library has more in common with Bluff 

library than either has with their local council 

sewer system. 

The advantage to councils of removing some 

functions is to simplify their management 

systems for their retained services. Currently, 

the health and safety manager has to deal 

with librarians at risk of a paper cut, right 

through to zookeepers at risk of being killed 

by a tiger (which happened in Hamilton). Any 

one system that tries to deal with this range 

ends up being complicated for every user. 

It is to nobody’s benefit. An autonomous 

national library can have a system tailored to 

their needs that is very different to one used 

by zoos. 

Where services, such as water, wastewater, 

and stormwater, benefit from local knowledge 

and management, local councils can be 

retained for local representation. There are 

no economies of scale to be gained by merging 

management of Te Kuiti’s sewer system 

with Tauranga Council when the pipes are 

separated by 140km and a mountain range. 

The outcome of amalgamation by function 

will allow councils to change focus from mere 

administration back to good management, 

with less bureaucracy and therefore lower 

rates. 

One Of A Kind ‐ 

Purpose-Built Accommodation 

Near Hamilton Airport 

Every now and again we come 

across something truly unique 

(a word used far too often), 

but the opportunity at the 

Clearways Accommodation Campus, 

formerly the L3 Commercial Pilot 

Training Accommodation facility, is 

exceptional. Located at 54 Clearway 

Rise, Rukuhia, and designed to cater 

for diverse accommodation needs, it 

is strategically situated only 3km from 

both Hamilton Airport and the Waikato 

Expressway. This modern purposebuilt 

accommodation complex offers a 

unique blend of comfort, convenience 

and space, nestled on lush park-like 

grounds, with additional land for future 

expansion of complimentary type 

requirements. 

Comprising 6 buildings and sheltered 

amidst 6 hectares of sprawling native 

planting, this property stands as a 

beacon of modernity and functionality. 

The original four accommodation 

blocks were constructed in 2006 and 

boast meticulously designed spacious 

interiors to facilitate a comfortable 

living experience for occupiers. Each 

of the buildings feature centralised 

common areas, including lounges, 

kitchens, laundry facilities, gym 

facilities and table tennis tables, 

air conditioning/heating units, and 

outdoor patios equipped with BBQ 

facilities and seating arrangements. 

The amenities within the common 

kitchens are nothing short of 

comprehensive, including walk-in 

chillers, freezers, pots, pans, crockery, 

and cutlery, ensuring that residents 

have everything they need at their 

fingertips. Furthermore, each bedroom 

is thoughtfully furnished with a double 

bed, individual climate control, a study 

desk with an office chair, an easy chair 

for relaxation, and a ranch slider leading 

to a patio. 

Over the years, the property has 

undergone significant enhancements 

and numerous expansions to 

meet the growing demand for 

accommodation. Building 5 was 

added in 2008, followed by Building 

6 and extensions to Buildings 1 and 

2 in 2013, growing the complex to 

collectively accommodate 

for up to 200 beds. 

NAI Harcourts Hamilton 

are privileged to have 

been appointed as 

the exclusive marketing agents to 

re-lease this campus, either all or in 

part. Its strategically positioned on 

Clearways Rise, via a gated access 

off SH21/Airport Road, a location 

offering seamless connectivity to key 

destinations such as Cambridge, Te 

Awamutu, and Hamilton. Additionally, 

with the Waikato Expressway to 

Auckland at its doorstep, occupiers 

enjoy unparalleled accessibility to major 

urban centres, north, south and east”. 

The proximity to Hamilton 

Airport and Titanium Park Industrial 

subdivision, along with neighbouring 

attractions such as Tieke Golf Estate 

and Mystery Creek Events Centre, adds 

to the allure of this prime and growing 

destination. 

Under the purview of the Operative 

District Plan of the Waipa District 

Council, 54 Clearway Rise resides 

within the Rural Zone, holding 

a Resource Consent specifically 

designated for large format 

accommodation purposes. 

This unique property offering 

presents a compelling lease 

opportunity for organizations involved 

in pilot training or other related 

industries to secure a premium 

accommodation facility for their 

training and business needs. This 

extensive and unparalleled offering 

could potentially also suit other 

accommodation based uses/types 

and the owners are prepared to 

investigate those possibilities. With 

its contemporary amenities, strategic 

location, and robust infrastructure, 

Clearways Accommodation Centre 

stands ready to elevate the living 

standards of its future residents 

while meeting the demands of a 

dynamic large format accommodation 

landscape. 

Having lived around Hamilton most 

of my life, I didn’t know this existed, as 

is probably the case for most people. 

So, if you might have an interest in all 

or part of this complex, let us know 

– or maybe you know someone else 

looking for such a facility? as the 

opportunities appear to be wide 

and varied. 

Website: https://nai.harcourts. 

net/nz/office/nai-hamilton- 

commercial/listing/l27086416- 

54-clearway-rise-hamiltonairport-nz

10 MAY 2024


TOURISM 

How we rise 

the tide 

By NICOLA GREENWELL 

When I meet business and community 

groups, the most common perception is that 

the role of a regional tourism organisation 

(RTO) is to promote its region as a must-see 

destination to bring in more tourism dollars. 

While it’s true this is a vital part of what 

regional tourism organisations like Hamilton 

and Waikato Tourism do, what’s often less 

understood is our broader role of facilitating 

‘regenerative tourism’ – ensuring tourism 

benefits our people and places beyond just 

dollars and cents – and advocating for, and 

building the capability of, the sector. 

I’ve written and spoken a lot about 

regenerative tourism over the past 24 months 

but our role building the capability of the 

sector is equally important. By developing 

the skills, knowledge and awareness of 

tourism operators and event organisers and 

others involved in the sector, we can have 

an amplifying effect and rise the tide for all 

and to ensure our manuhiri have an amazing 

experience in our region. 

A great example was the Thermal 

Explorer Regional Events Fund roadshow, 

which brought together more than 60 event 

organisers from our region and across the 

central North Island in March. 

The $3.75 million Thermal Explorer 

Regional Events Fund, which is now in its 

final year of operation, was established by 

central government in the aftermath of 

the Covid-19 pandemic to help stimulate 

domestic tourism. 

Workshops in Hamilton, Taupō, Ohakune 

and Rotorua helped event organisers and 

those involved in event management develop 

strategies for measuring the performance of 

their events and plan for future growth. 

It was attended by everyone from event 

HEALTH IN BUSINESS 

Cancer 

conversations 

By HELEN CARTER 

While business doesn’t stop for a cancer 

diagnosis, with four in every 10 New 

Zealanders diagnosed with cancer before 

they’re 75 and cancer rates set to double 

by 2040, the reality is conversations about 

cancer are going to become more and more 

common at work. 

If you’re a business leader, just how do 

you balance empathy and flexibility with the 

everyday realities of business and what does 

somebody with cancer really need from their 

workplace? 

Pause and remember that someone with a 

new cancer diagnosis is grappling with their 

own mortality - this is huge. They may also 

be anxious about losing their livelihood and 

becoming a burden to their colleagues. 

Allow them time to process the news in a 

way that works for them. Let them take the 

lead in terms of how they want to show up, or 

not, in those first few days. 

Get clarity about how much they want to 

tell the wider team and remember this will 

likely change in the weeks that follow. 

Avoid asking details about treatment 

timeframes - the journey is rarely 

straightforward. Demonstrate you can 

handle this uncertainty, as uncomfortable 

and inconvenient as it might be. 

Show up, and keep showing up, as the 

unflappable boss - a steady hand who they 

can trust and keep the communication lines 

open. 

Keep tabs on the support they are getting 

at home and find ways to help in practical yet 

organisers and venue and council event 

teams to community organisations and club 

representatives. It included organisers of 

some of our best-known events, as well as 

newcomers. 

By bringing everyone together to network, 

share what has and hasn’t worked, and learn 

from expert presenters, we and other RTOs 

in the Thermal Explorer region are helping 

create sustainable events that return each 

year and add vibrancy – and a source of 

income – to our communities. 

The March roadshow was the third in a 

series of four funded as part of the Thermal 

Explorer Regional Events Fund. 

It was fantastic to see the survey of 

participants at the March workshops 

found all survey respondents rated them 

as ‘extremely valuable’ or ‘valuable’ and all 

would be interested in attending further 

workshops. 

That’s a glowing endorsement of the value 

capability building is providing, and the 

growing number of events coming to our 

region – and returning each year – provides 

living proof of the difference capability 

building efforts like this provide. 

As RTOs head into a new financial year 

and contend with some of the tightest 

funding constraints we’ve faced, it’s vital we 

don’t lose the ability to support regenerative 

tourism or deliver on our capability building 

promise. 

For destination management to succeed 

regions need both marketing and industry 

development, including capability building, 

to help ensure the economic, social and 

environmental health of our regions. 

• Nicole Greenwell is the Chief Executive of 

Hamilton and Waikato Tourism 

unintrusive ways. 

Sometimes communication funnels 

through a colleague with whom they have the 

closest friendship. Ask ahead of treatment 

what works best for them. 

Be mindful of the rumour mill and 

remember your discretion is critical. Just 

because colleagues want to help doesn’t 

entitle them to personal information that 

somebody isn’t comfortable disclosing. 

Check in before making any moves to 

re-allocate work or reassign direct reports. 

Any attempts to be proactive and alleviate 

stress without consultation, while wellmeaning, 

may backfire. 

Avoid offering advice but remember there 

are organisations well placed to do this, 

including the Cancer Society. 

Keep a note of milestones, be it the first, 

tenth or final day of chemotherapy or 

radiation and consider checking in with a text 

either directly or via their support person. 

Remember there are lots of invisible ways a 

person who has undergone cancer treatment 

may struggle when they return to the office. 

They may experience numbness in their 

hands and feet which affects fine motor skills, 

or suffer from fatigue, brain fog, headaches or 

nausea. Make it safe for them to tell you and 

make it no big deal to accommodate them. 

Talk openly about workload expectations 

and remember the mental health rollercoaster 

is still very much in motion. 

• Helen Carter is chief executive, Waikato- 

Bay of Plenty Cancer Society 

Level 2 

586 Victoria Street 

Hamilton 3204 

0508PATHWAYS 

enquiries@pathwaysnz.com 

Level 3 

50 Manners Street 

Wellington 6011 

11 

ADVERTORIAL 

Employers be aware – 

immigration policy 

changes will impact you! 

Due to concerns over 

unsustainable immigration 

levels, the high proportion of 

lower skilled workers coming 

to New Zealand under the Accredited 

Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and 

ongoing migrant exploitation, the 

Government has recently introduced 

a number of policy changes. 

Changes, to limit the number 

of low skilled workers, include a 

minimum English standard, an initial 

visa term reduced to 2 years, and the 

need to involve Work & Income in the 

job-search process. Employers will 

also need to explain why any New 

Zealand job applicants are not able 

to be “job-trained” to work in the 

role. These changes only apply to 

Skill level 4 and 5 roles which mainly 

comprise manual, clerical, service and 

administrative workers (with some 

limited exceptions). 

Employers need to be mindful that 

while it is still possible to obtain an 

AEWV for a lower skilled role this 

may prove a time-consuming and 

challenging process, with Immigration 

NZ likely to increasingly focus on 

why NZers cannot be readily trained 

for such roles. Expect Job Check 

and AEWV processing times to 

be extended as a result of these 

changes. 

Employers must now take 

reasonable steps to ensure any 

AEWV worker meets the required 

qualification and skill requirements 

for their employment. They must also 

notify Immigration NZ (INZ) within 

10 working days of any AEWV holder 

leaving their employment, and also 

inform INZ of any changes in the key 

people making any hiring decisions. 

New penalties, including instant 

fines and accreditation suspension/ 

cancellation, have now been 

introduced for employers for breaches 

of employer accreditation regulations 

meaning all accredited employers 

need to be particularly mindful of all 

of their accreditation obligations. 

Most of the 34,000+ INZ 

accredited employers will need 

to apply for the renewal of their 

accreditation during the next year. 

Interestingly a significant number of 

employers have not, as yet, employed 

any AEWV workers. Given the 

additional obligations and penalties, 

and current economic conditions, it 

would not be surprising if a number 

of employers decided not to renew 

their accreditation at this time. If 

an employer does not renew their 

accreditation their AEWV holders can 

continue to work for them. However, 

they will need to become accredited 

again if/when their worker needs 

to extend their AEWV, or apply for 

residence or when employing any 

new AEWV worker. 

With any accreditation renewal 

application INZ is expected to 

now check the business’s financial 

standing, and whether they have 

met their original accreditation 

obligations - including the completion 

of the Employment NZ employer and 

employee modules, and the timely 

provision of settlement information 

to each AEWV worker. For those 

employers who have not met these 

obligations it is hoped INZ will take 

an “educative” approach, and use 

this opportunity to more clearly and 

pro-actively set out what is actually 

required of all accredited employers 

– something which was previously 

lacking. 

Accredited employers looking 

to renew their accreditation can 

benefit from professional input from 

a Pathways Licenced Immigration 

Adviser to check their accreditation 

performance to date, and how to 

address any potential issues, in order 

to best prepare for their renewal 

application. 

As the new Government continues 

to review the immigration settings, 

more changes are expected. For 

advice on any changes, and how 

these may impact your business, 

please do not hesitate to contact 

Pathways for any clarification. 

www.pathwaysnz.com

12 CONFERENCES 


Your guide to: Conference, Venues and Events 

Quick points 

• Does the venue size fit the 

numbers? 

• Too big a venue will dampen the 

ambience of your event and too 

small will make it uncomfortable 

and crowded – make sure 

you choose a venue that fits 

the number of your guests 

comfortably, from seating to 

parking. 

• Think about what you will need 

when choosing a venue – not 

all will come complete with 

everything you need from the 

basics of tables and chairs to 

tablecloths, cutlery and crockery 

– even portable loos may be 

required. This is aside from 

whatever theme decorations 

you may use. Be sure all these 

are included, or are in your list of 

budgeted items you know you 

need to cater for. 

• Check that everyone will be able 

to see well any speechmakers 

or ceremonies. Also look at 

how having a photographer or 

videographer in place might 

impact on your guests’ ability to 

see if the area is tight or narrow. 

• Is catering provided or required? 

If required, make sure your 

venue has an appropriate kitchen 

setup so that your chosen 

caterer can organize courses 

and clearing of past ones 

efficiently and well. And, if you 

are providing your own, always 

make sure you have a Plan B. 

• If your venue is shared and you 

intend to have children attend, 

be comfortable that the area you 

will use can remain private from 

other users of the venue. 

• Cleaning – it’s important to know 

who is responsible and what 

time it needs to be done by. 

Some venues will want it done 

before you leave, and others will 

have a team to do it once you 

have gone. Be sure you know 

whose responsibility it will be 

and if it’s yours, make sure you 

have a team on standby. 

• Make sure you book well ahead. 

Popular venues are often booked 

a year or more in advance. 

Interactive venues an 

emerging trend 

An emerging trend when it comes 

to venues and fun events is that 

of the interactive. 

What this means is the event 

isn’t just one where people get together 

and intermingle, and celebrate – there is 

an activity based format which can range 

from anything from cooking classes, 

games, through to paintball or even a 

murder mystery. And the equally exciting 

trend of using the different interactive 

realities created by 21st Century 

technologies. 

Interactive venues are more than just 

spaces; they are dynamic environments 

that engage, inspire, and connect 

people in various ways and are often 

used by workplaces for teambuilding 

environments, as well as wider family 

events – even weddings with a difference. 

From interactive museums and art 

installations to immersive theatres 

and themed entertainment centres, 

these venues are designed to captivate 

audiences and provide a whole lot of 

entertainment. 

One of the key features of interactive 

venues is their ability to blur the lines 

between spectators and participants. 

Unlike traditional venues, interactive 

venues depend on active engagement. 

Guests are invited to touch, manipulate, 

play, and become part of the experience. 

This hands-on approach not only 

enhances the enjoyment but also 

deepens the learning and understanding 

of the subject matter if used in a learning 

environment. 

Technology plays a significant role in 

shaping interactive venues. Augmented 

reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed 

reality (MR) technologies are frequently 

utilized to create immersive and 

interactive experiences, for example. 

Whether it’s exploring ancient ruins in 

VR, interacting with virtual creatures in an 

AR exhibit, or participating in a simulated 

space mission, these technologies 

transport visitors to new worlds and 

realities. 

Interactive venues often leverage 

gaming techniques to enhance 

engagement. By competition, 

exploration, and achievement elements, 

guests are motivated to actively 

participate and explore the venue’s 

offerings. Whether it’s completing 

challenges, earning points, or unlocking 

rewards, gaming adds an element of fun 

and excitement to the experience. 

SKYCITY HAMILTON IS THE IDEAL VENUE 

FOR YOUR NEXT CONFERENCE OR EVENT 

WAIKATO 

SUITES 

CONFERENCE 

CENTRE 

MARBLE 

ROOM 

We are the “Home of Entertainment”, conveniently located in the heart of Hamilton’s 

CBD. With multiple venue options, catering for up to 500 guests, chef-curated functions 

menus, 300 underground carparks, and several onsite dining and entertainment options, 

SkyCity Hamilton is the ideal location for your next event. 

Talk to our dedicated functions team about your conference and event requirements. 

346 Victoria Street, Hamilton hamilton.conferences@skycity.co.nz skycityhamilton.co.nz +64 7 834 4989


FEATURE 

CONFERENCES 

ADVERTORIAL 

Host an unforgettable event 

at Hobbiton Movie Set 

13 

Collaboration is another key aspect of 

interactive venues. Many of these spaces 

are designed to facilitate social interaction 

and collaboration among guests. 

Whether it’s working together to solve a 

puzzle, create a piece of art, or navigate 

a virtual environment, collaboration 

fosters teamwork, communication, and 

creativity. 

These venues often serve as platforms 

for experimentation and innovation. 

Artists, designers, and technologists 

are constantly pushing the boundaries 

of what’s possible, creating new and 

innovative experiences that challenge 

perceptions and expand horizons. From 

interactive light installations to multisensory 

performances, these venues 

serve as incubators for creativity and 

innovation. 

In addition to entertaining and 

Getting to grips with 

the catering 

educating, interactive venues also have 

the power to inspire action and drive 

social change. By immersing visitors 

in thought-provoking experiences 

that address pressing social and 

environmental issues, these venues can 

spark conversations, raise awareness, and 

inspire positive action. 

In this way, interactive venues offer 

a unique and immersive way for people 

to engage with the world around them. 

By combining technology, gamification, 

collaboration, and innovation, these 

venues create memorable experiences 

that entertain, educate, and inspire. 

Whether it’s exploring distant galaxies 

in VR or collaborating with strangers to 

solve a puzzle, interactive venues have 

the power to transport us to new worlds 

and unlock endless possibilities. 

Hobbiton Movie Set offer a 

range hosting options to 

ensure that whether your 

next event is a large scale 

affair or an intimate gathering, it is a 

success and your guests are given an 

experience to remember. 

Work with the friendly events 

team to tailor your experience to 

your group’s needs in one of the 

unique venues on offer located on 

the famous Movie Set including; 

The Green Dragon Inn, The party 

Marquee, The Millhouse or Yard Flat. 

Also available is The Hub conference 

rooms, a flexible meeting space 

located at The Shire’s Rest with 

stunning views overlooking the 

surrounding farmland and rolling 

green hills of the mighty Waikato. 

Add to the magic of your Middleearth 

event with showstopping event 

additions on offer from interactive 

market places bursting with Hobbit 

fare, water screens ascending from 

the lake to drone shows illuminating 

the skies above The Shire, your 

guests are sure to leave your event 

with an unforgettable experience. 

Groups are also welcome to join 

one of the special events on offer 

throughout the year including the 

Mid-Winter Feast which will be held 

on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 July 

2024 and welcomes guests to escape 

the winter chill and warm up with a 

special feast in the Shire. 

All events hosted at Hobbiton 

Movie Set begin with a Hobbiton 

Movie Set Tour where guests will 

journey around the movie set, past 

colourful Hobbit Hole doors including 

the iconic Bag End, before arriving 

at Bagshot Row for a glimpse of 

the interior of a humble Hobbit’s 

home. The tour concludes with a 

journey past The Millhouse, across 

the double-arch stone bridge and 

into the world-famous Green Dragon 

Inn, where guests will enjoy a 

complimentary, exclusive beverage 

from our Hobbit Southfarthing range. 

Add some Middle-earth 

magic to your next 

business event 

Choosing the right venue is just 

one aspect of your day – making 

sure the catering is taken care of 

is equally as important. 

While many venues have their own in 

place, quite a few will also allow you to 

engage your own. 

Selecting the right caterer for your 

event at a venue is crucial to ensuring a 

memorable experience for your guests. 

There are several key factors to consider 

when making your choice. 

Menu variety and flexibility: A good 

caterer should offer a diverse menu 

to suit different tastes and dietary 

restrictions – there will be those in your 

group who will have requirements such 

as gluten free or be vegetarians for 

example. Look for a caterer who is willing 

to customize menus to accommodate 

specific preferences or dietary needs of 

your guests. 

Quality of food: The quality of the 

food served can make or break an event. 

Request tastings from potential caterers 

to evaluate the taste, freshness, and 

presentation of their dishes and above 

all, look for reviews of their work from 

previous customers. Ask for referrals, 

and enquire about their experience 

working at your chosen venue. 

Logistics and staffing: Ensure the 

caterer has the capacity to handle the 

size of your event. Ask about their 

staffing levels and inquire about their 

ability to handle setup, service, and 

cleanup efficiently. 

Attention to detail: A great caterer 

pays attention to the little details that 

make an event special. Consider factors 

such as presentation of their meals, 

garnishes, and serving utensils when 

evaluating potential caterers. 

Budget: Be upfront about your budget 

with the caterer right from the beginning 

to ensure they can provide options that 

align with your financial constraints – this 

is one of the biggest costs of your event 

and you’ll need to up with the play as 

to how much per head this is likely to 

cost you. Be wary of caterers who try to 

upsell you on unnecessary items. 

Communication and responsiveness: 

Effective communication is essential 

throughout the planning process. 

Choose a caterer who is responsive to 

your enquiries and can provide timely 

updates on menu options, pricing, and 

logistics. 

Licensing and insurance: Verify that 

the caterer holds all necessary licenses 

and permits required by the local district 

council and/or central government and 

other agencies. Additionally, ensure they 

have liability insurance to protect against 

any unforeseen incidents. 

Flexibility with venue requirements: 

Some venues may have specific rules 

or restrictions regarding catering 

arrangements. Choose a caterer who is 

familiar with the venue's policies and can 

adapt to any requirements or limitations. 

Backup plans: Mishaps can occur, 

so it's important to enquire about the 

caterer's contingency plans in case of 

emergencies such as equipment failures 

or inclement weather – or if the worst 

should happen and they can’t fulfil their 

contract. 

Celebrate your next event in the 

pictureqsue setting of The Shire 

Experience the real Middle-earth with a tour 

of Hobbiton Movie Set as seen in The Lord of 

the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies. 

WWW.HOBBITONTOURS.COM

14 CONFERENCES 

MAY 2024


CONFERENCES 

Your guide to: Conference, Venues and Events 

15 

The venue is pivotal for a fantastic wedding 

The factors that you need to take 

into account in choosing a venue 

for your wedding can’t be underestimated. 

Finally settling on one is a pivotal 

decision that will set the tone for your big 

day – and no matter where you choose 

to hold it, there are plenty of variations 

out there. From grand ballrooms to 

rustic barns, the options are endless, 

but finding the one that aligns with 

your vision, budget, and practical needs 

requires careful research. 

The basis for any choice will be the 

size of your guest list. The venue has to 

comfortably accommodate your expected 

number of attendees without feeling 

overcrowded or empty. 

Then there is the location. Consider 

the convenience and accessibility for both 

you and your guests. Is it easily reachable 

from major highways or airports? Is 

there ample parking or transportation 

options available and how far is it to 

accommodation providers? Additionally, 

think about the surrounding scenery 

and ambiance—whether you prefer a 

cityscape backdrop, a beachfront view, 

or a picturesque countryside setting. Is 

privacy important? 

Your venue should reflect your 

personal style and the atmosphere you 

want to create on your wedding day, so 

you need to think about the style you 

want. Whether you envision an elegant 

affair in a historic mansion, a whimsical 

celebration in a garden, or a modern 

event in an industrial loft, choose a 

venue that resonates with your aesthetic 

preferences. Narrow these down and 

actually spend time going and visiting, if 

you can the final shortlist – sometimes 

the reality doesn’t meet with the photos – 

and sometimes the reverse is true too. 

Consider what amenities and services 

are included in the venue package, be 

cause this can make or break your day. 

Does it provide tables, chairs, linens, and 

tableware? Are there on-site catering 

options, or can you bring in your own 

vendors? Some venues offer additional 

perks such as bridal suites, on-site 

coordinators, or audiovisual equipment, 

which can streamline the planning 

process. 

Establish a clear budget for your venue 

expenses - and stick to it. Weddings can 

be like home renovations, there is always 

something overlooked or can cost more 

than originally thought – or you want 

changed. 

Remember to account for any 

additional fees such overtime charges. 

Look for venues that offer flexibility in 

pricing or customizable packages to 

accommodate your financial constraints. 

Don’t forget an important aspect - 

weather contingency plans. If you're 

planning an outdoor wedding, have 

a backup plan in case of inclement 

weather. Choose a venue that offers 

indoor options or has a marquee available 

for rent to ensure your celebration can 

proceed smoothly regardless of the 

weather conditions. 

Enquire about any restrictions or 

regulations imposed by the venue, 

such as noise control curfews, or 

decor limitations. Ensure they align 

with your vision and any cultural or 

religious requirements you may have. 

Additionally, seek venues that are 

open to customization and willing to 

accommodate your unique requests. 

The big one is reviews and 

recommendations. Research the venue 

thoroughly by reading reviews from 

past couples and, as mentioned above, 

visiting in person if possible. Seek 

recommendations from friends, family, or 

wedding planners who have experience 

with the venue. Their insights can provide 

valuable perspective and help you make 

an informed decision.

16 COFFEE BREAK 

WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY 


COFFEE BREAK 

A generational love of food 

IT’s a beautiful thing when the 

passions of two grandmothers 

come together in a new 

generation. And for Mike and 

Laura Pritchard, whose business Dot & 

Winnies Eatery was named after those 

two nannas, the past year since they 

opened has been testament to their 

love of food. 

The café, at 127 Alexandra Street in 

Hamilton oozes the families’ traditions 

of hospitality and warmth, backed by 

the décor and their grandmothers’ 

vintages baking dishes, with Laura 

saying everything is made in house. 

“I do a lot of classic baking with a 

modern twist, so you’ll see a lot of our 

grandmother’s favourite recipes on 

offer here, but with a nod to the fusion 

of today’s tastes.” 

There is a full cabinet stocked with 

everything from sweet to savoury, 

from scones and Louise slices, for 

example, to salads, with hot savoury 

food items on offer as well. 

You can also browse a really good 

breakfast and lunch menu. And of 

course there is the catering – whether 

it’s a small informal occasion or a 

big formal one, Laura and Mike offer 

personalized menus based on what 

their clients’ needs are every time. 

What’s more, they offer an inhouse 

venue as well as catering offsite. 

The beauty of Dot & Winnies Eatery 

is that its open spaces offer great 

acoustics, which means there’s not 

a lot of noise as can happen in cafes. 

So for those looking for an offsite 

meeting, where discussions can 

easily be held, it’s the perfect place to 

choose. 

Mike Pritchard- Owner/Chef 

“We even have one table that seats 

12, making it an ideal place for a workbased 

meeting,” Laura says. 

There is great website that 

showcases what is on offer and if you 

have a catering requirement or simply 

want to know more, have a look at 

dotandwinnies.co.nz 

They are open Monday to Friday, 

7am till 3.30pm and on Saturdays for 

catering only. 

Timeless favourites and innovative 

new creations. All made with the 

freshest, locally sourced ingredients. 

Cabinet food • Coffee • Catering • Venue Hire 

• Take home dinners • Order online • Delivery Available 

127 Alexandra Street Hamilton 3204 | Laura Ph: 021 154 5943 | Mike Ph: 022 434 7848 

EAT WITH US Mon-Fri 7am – 3.30pm 

food - coffee - cuisine - catering 

Offering house 

made Smoothies, 

Milkshakes, Teas, 

Coffees, Soups, 

and fresh 

cabinet food, 

with an amazing 

Chef Menu. 

5a Somerset Street Hamilton 

Ph:07 929 3465 

Mon-Fri 7am- 3pm | Sat 8am-2pm


HUMAN RESOURCES & RECRUITMENT 

The importance of 

HUMAN RESOURCES AND RECRUITMENT 

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

The necessity in understanding good recruitment skills 

17 

New Zealand has some of the 

most stringent employment 

legislation in the world and on 

that basis, it’s vital that those 

recruiting new employees, whether 

small business owners through to 

an organization’s Human Resources, 

know the basics of getting the best 

employee. 

Or, as many choose to do if they 

do not have good handle on the laws 

relating to it, use the services of a 

reputable recruitment company to 

select and vet a selection of contenders 

for the position that a business can 

choose from, depending on the 

knowledge of their own structures and 

values. 

Basically, it’s the process of 

attracting, selecting, and appointing 

suitable candidates for jobs within an 

organization, and it plays a crucial role 

in shaping the workforce and ultimately 

the success of a company. In New 

Zealand’s dynamic economic landscape, 

where talent is a key differentiator, 

having strong recruitment skills can 

make a significant impact on business 

outcomes. 

One of the primary reasons 

why good recruitment skills are so 

necessary is the pressing need to find 

and retain top talent. With a relatively 

small population compared to other 

countries, the talent pool in New 

Zealand can be quite limited, especially 

for niche skill sets. So it’s vital to have 

effective recruitment strategies that 

enable businesses and organizations to 

identify and attract the best candidates 

for available roles, whether national or 

international. Skilled recruiters can tap 

into various channels, from online job 

boards to social media platforms, to 

reach potential candidates and engage 

them in the recruitment process. 

DIVERSITY 

As a country based on immigration, 

New Zealand’s values are about 

diversity and multiculturalism, and 

businesses are increasingly recognizing 

the benefits of having a diverse team 

in terms of creativity, innovation, and 

decision-making. Skilled recruiters 

understand the importance of diversity 

and inclusion, and actively work to 

attract candidates from different 

backgrounds and perspectives who 

will understand the myriad of different 

cultures a business may engage with 

via its customer base. By fostering a 

diverse workforce through effective 

recruitment practices, businesses can 

enhance their reputation, appeal to 

a broader customer base, and drive 

better business results. 

Perhaps most importantly, 

good recruitment skills contribute 

significantly to reducing staff turnover 

and providing a robust base for good 

employee engagement. Hiring the 

right candidates who not only possess 

the required skills and experience but 

also fit well with the company culture 

usually leads to higher job satisfaction 

for other staff members, and lower staff 

turnover rates. 

Skilled recruiters are adept at 

assessing candidates not only based 

on their qualifications but also on their 

alignment with their organization’s 

values and goals. By making strategic 

hiring decisions, businesses can build 

a cohesive team that is motivated, 

committed, and productive – and 

looking for job longevity. 

LAWS AND REGULATIONS 

Those same good recruitment 

skills are crucial for compliance with 

employment laws and regulations 

in New Zealand. The country has 

specific legislation governing various 

aspects of the recruitment process, 

such as discrimination, privacy, and 

employment contracts. Recruiters 

need to be well-versed in these laws 

to ensure that their hiring practices 

are fair, transparent, and legally sound. 

It is vital legal requirements and 

ethical standards in recruitment are 

met, and by doing so, businesses can 

avoid potential risks and reputational 

damage. 

Businesses that prioritize 

recruitment skills are investing in 

their most valuable asset - their 

people – to gain a competitive edge 

in the marketplace. By continuously 

improving recruitment capabilities 

and adapting to changing trends, 

businesses at every level can secure 

a strong talent pipeline and drive 

sustainable growth and success. 

Reliability, resource, and results: 

Reasons to partner with Asset in 2024 

ADVERTORIAL 

Reliability, resource, and 

results… when the recruitment 

market is tight, securing 

reliable candidates with the 

right skillset of resources who will 

deliver results for your business can be 

like searching for a needle in a haystack. 

But, as Carmel Strange, Manager 

of Asset Recruitment explains, these 

three “Rs” are reasons to partner with a 

recruitment agency. 

“Recruitment is a balancing 

act. Businesses need to time their 

recruitment activities for when resource 

is required but, when all hands are on 

deck, shortcuts can be taken. That 

can result in quality candidates being 

missed, inaccurate job descriptions, 

large numbers of unsuitable applicants, 

and rushed decisions that can have 

adverse effects down the line. That’s 

when the expertise and guidance of a 

recruitment agency pays dividends.” 

Carmel says recruitment agencies 

can take the hassle out of finding, and 

securing, the right candidate(s) for a 

business’s needs, providing employers 

with a reliable recruitment service, 

expert guidance, and support, not to 

mention cost savings in the long run. 

“At Asset, we partner with our clients 

to understand their business. We know 

exactly who our clients are looking for 

and can recruit candidates who not only 

have the skillset for a role but align with 

an organisation’s culture and values. It 

makes for a seamless experience, not 

only for the client but for the candidate 

as well. We also understand current 

market trends and salary expectations 

so can help narrow down the search for 

the right candidate from the outset.” 

New Zealand’s current economic 

climate adds a further dimension 

to many organisations’ recruitment 

activities. With costs being looked at 

across the board, and savings a priority 

for many businesses, there’s potential 

for recruitment support to be deemed a 

‘nice to have’, rather than a ‘need’. 

“What many organisations don’t 

realise is that partnering with a 

recruitment agency can actually 

save time and money,” says Carmel. 

“Agencies handle the initial advertising, 

screening, interviewing and reference 

checking process. In the current 

climate we are receiving huge numbers 

of applications, thus reducing the 

burden on your internal resources. At 

Asset we spend time searching and 

researching for suitable candidates 

through LinkedIn and other global 

platforms, which can fast-track the 

recruitment process for many of our 

clients. Through the longevity of our 

recruitment team our networks are well 

established and broad resulting in our 

ability to connect with right candidates. 

As Waikato’s leading recruitment 

agency, Asset Recruitment is focused 

on providing clients with a reliable 

recruitment experience that delivers 

results. “The recruitment environment 

is forever changing, which makes it an 

exciting industry to work in for us, but 

can be challenging for our clients,” says 

Carmel. “That’s a further reason for 

organisations to seek the support of a 

recruitment agency.” 

“Partnering with an agency can 

provide a business with access to a 

wider pool of talent, cost savings, 

expertise, and flexibility. It’s an effective 

way to make strategic hiring decisions 

and ensure the success of your 

company.” 

Seeking to position excellence in your 

company? Give Carmel and the team at 

Asset Recruitment a call today.


Out and about… 

More Out and about photos wbn.co.nz 

Send us your contributions to Out and about – editor@goodlocal.nz 

Waikato Business News even extends its Out and About pages to the Channel Islands. Mary Anne Gill filed this shot from 

an Anzac Day service in Guernsey showing the Dean of Guernsey Tim Barker, whose wife Judy is Australian, leading the 

Anzac Day commemorations attended by about 50 people including several ex pat Kiwis at Fort George. Lieutenant Governor 

Richard Cripwell, waits to lay his wreath at left, and New Zealand flag bearer Annaliese Sanders, 14, behind at right. 

Night owl Carol Dix has delivered newspapers around the 

Waikato for more than 40 years and has also been a stalwart 

of Cambridge Pony Club since she was 10. She is now district 

commander and was one of the organisers at Leamington Pony 

Club’s Easter gymkhana last month. Photo: Mary Anne Gill. 

Waikato author David Farrell published his second book Where the Birds don’t Fly 

last month and took the opportunity to give one to ex-pat reviewer Shirley Field 

in Cambridge to take back to the Staines Mac Book Group in Middlesex, United 

Kingdom for them to critique. 

Photo: Mary Anne Gill. 

Part of the crowd in the Cambridge Town Hall for the Waipā citizenship awards last month. Photo: Mary Anne Gill. 

The first of six new EV buses set to service Waipā was launched in Cambridge last month. Welcoming it 

outside Cambridge i-Site are, from left, Waipā District Council’s group manager service delivery, Dawn Inglis; 

Destination Cambridge general manager Ruth Crampton; Waikato Regional Council public transport manager 

Trudi Knight; and Waipā District councillor Roger Gordon. 

Photo: Viv Posselt 

Highlight after the Waipā citizenship awards is the group shot in front of the iconic 

Cambridge Town Hall. Getting 104 people plus mayor Susan O’Regan is always a challenge 

but worth it as this shot last month shows. 

Photo: Mary Anne Gill.


Out and about… 

More Out and about photos wbn.co.nz 

Send us your contributions to Out and about – editor@goodlocal.nz 

19 

Young and old gathered at the Ōtorohanga railway station to discuss its history last month ahead 

of a June centenary. Kaea Ngapo, 7, from Kio Kio gleaned some memories from Hillview, Te Kuiti, 

resident Vivian Wilson 

Altrusa Cambridge president Glenda Little, left, with a lineup of models - Adi Mercer, Desma Barrie, 

Toos Grootscholten, Florence Monson and Fay Haakma – who took part in an April fundraising 

fashion parade organised by the service club. 

Photo: Viv Posselt 

Andrew Pietersz and Melissa Renwick were celebrating after The Keg Room in Rototuna, 

Hamilton, was named best in the central North Island category at this year’s Top 50 

Gastropub awards. 

Talking old times and the Fosters’ way at the company’s 50th celebration dinner were from left Colin Wade, Ian 

Sanders and Ross Pacey. 

Little Ellie Turner and a bunch of her friends from Rainbow Kids Childcare 

were in Hamilton’s Garden Place last month to create their annual display 

of ‘poppies’ for Anzac Day. The childcare centre was awarded a highly 

commended in the public good category in last year’s Hamilton Central 

Business District Awards. They have been putting up the display in Garden 

Place for the past few years, using the opportunity to pass on an ageappropriate 

version of the Anzac story to the children throughout the year. 

Judge Ed Massey pictured with representative of Maeroa Intermediate School - Julie Yeoman, Linda McPhail, Oriana 

Tauranga – celebrating their win at the New Zealand Biosecurity Awards last month.


They (Fosters) exceeded 

our expectations in several 

aspects: project management 

was exemplary, with clear 

communication and proactive 

problem-solving throughout. 

Jon Brewer, 

Managing Director, Camex Civil 

The new Camex Civil office at Hautapu was a design and build project 

incorporating a 750sqm warehouse, 980sqm of office space across 

two levels, a gym, and an outdoor area. The objective being to create 

a modern, functional workplace where employees would thrive, feel 

connected to the business, and embrace a culture of innovation. 

Camex Civil Managing Director Jon Brewer said that Fosters was chosen 

for the project due to their reputation in commercial construction, as well 

as their extensive expertise in understanding client needs, their innovative 

approach to design and construction, and because they offered a costeffective 

solution. 

“Our decision (to go with Fosters) was further solidified by a very tight 

timeframe” adds Jon. “Our existing lease was expiring, necessitating swift 

and efficient completion of the project. Fosters’ proven track record of 

delivering high quality work to stringent deadlines made them the clear 

choice.” 

The project posed several specific requirements, including construction of 

an architecturally designed building, working within the parameters of an 

already in-use yard with heavy traffic. 

“Fosters adeptly accommodated these and other challenges, such as the 

cost of certain design elements,” said Jon. “Leveraging the full Fosters 

offering, they were able to deliver a great and cost-effective outcome, 

including some of the finer finishing details.” 

The bespoke architectural aluminium punch panel screens to the front of 

the building were made in house by Fosters’ engineering team. 

Jon notes that Fosters greatest strengths lie in their meticulous attention 

to detail, their relationship-based approach, and their commitment to 

exceeding client expectations. 

“Their precise execution ensures every aspect is carefully managed, while 

strong client relationships foster collaboration,” said Jon. “In our experience, 

Fosters consistently strive to go above and beyond, adapting swiftly 

to ensure projects are delivered on time, showcasing their capability to 

handle complex projects with excellence. 

“They exceeded our expectations in several aspects: project management 

was exemplary, with clear communication and proactive problem-solving 

throughout. 

“The quality of the finish surpassed our expectations, showcasing their 

commitment to excellence in every detail. 

“And, they not only met the timeframe set for the project, but they also 

exceeded it, demonstrating their efficiency and dedication to delivering 

results promptly. 

“Without hesitation, we wholeheartedly recommend Fosters, primarily for 

their exceptional team who demonstrate professionalism, expertise, and 

unwavering dedication to delivering a successful project. 

“Working with Fosters is a truly rewarding experience; we have complete 

confidence in their abilities and would gladly collaborate with them again 

in the future.” 

Got a build project in mind?

Waikato Business News | March 1, 2024

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