MAHI MAI Work here

A careful approach to find the right partners with similar core values has been the focus for the year.

We are pleased to have developed robust relationships to help us navigate through the many challenges within the construction sector. As part of the journey, we have facilitated various employment opportunities with our partners as they arise. We are very proud that 120+ business partners working at Waingākau, of which 86% are Māori. We continue to look for opportunities to support Māori business and individuals as the Project progresses.

Kaihanga Whare - Building Teams

Simply Business

Footprint Builders

Simply Architecture

Shoreline Concrete Ltd

Kahu Scaffolding

Havelock Hills Security and Eastek Ltd

Plumbing World

Twin City Aluminium

Metalcraft Fencing

Outdoor Worx

Jordy's

G.M Masonry Ltd

Superlift Garage Doors

The Surveying Company

Placemakers

Laser Plumbing & Electrical

Oneshot Diggers

Build 100

Plastex

Real Deal Roofing

TH Painting

Kevtech Alarms

Jacksons Flooring

Proplast Hawkes Bay

Te Kuzzies

Continuous Spouting

Pūhanga Metarahi - Civil Infrastructure

Downer NZ were appointed to build the roading infrastructure, helping to unlock 76 more lots on the site. Works started with Karakia in late April 2021 and are being completed in two stages, with the total civils project completed by March 2022.

Mike Paku, Chair of WHDL says “this continues to develop our aspirations of our whānau accessing warm, dry, healthy and efficient homes.”

Downers Regional Manager, Darrin Davies says “We look forward to a strong and collaborative relationship to ensure that together we engage and deliver to the community of Flaxmere, by offering employment opportunities within our team and to develop key individuals to start their journey on being leaders through the Downer Te Ara Whanake Māori Leadership Programme.”

Waingākau is thankful for funding support for this project from the Government’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, managed by the Provincial Development Unit. The success in securing the funding for the project is the result of collaboration with Te Puni Kōkiri, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, MBIE and Hastings District Council.

Mahi tahi: Mike Paku (WHDL Director and Chair) and Darrin Davy (Regional Manager, Downer NZ) celebrate the appointment of Downer NZ to construct the new Waingākau civil infrastructure (14 Apr '21)

Mahi tahi: Video: 3 May to 10 Dec 21'

Drone Shots: Progress from above as the roads take shape

Ma tini ma mano ka rapa te whai: Waingākau are proud of this accomplishment with "42 Trees, half a mile of road, under budget, early and in a pandemic"

Tono Mai - Want to work here?

Whilst we have built a strong, robust Building Team, we are also looking to add resilience into our labour supply chain. If you think your business will add value and align with our core values, then please click here.

Mahi: Waingākau team help 14 graduate from Downer NZ ‘Road Ready’ course.

Site Tours: TToH & WHDL host Associate Minister of Housing (Māori), Minister Peeni Henare, who visited to inspect the progress of the the roading infrastructureWaingākau team help 14 graduate from Downer NZ ‘Road Ready’ course.

Ngā rori o Waingākau
Waingākau road names

The site of which the Waingākau Development resides, is of utter significance to the many hapū who hold mana whenua and cultural authority over this end of Flaxmere, in particularly the associated area in which the development resides. After two Hui ā-Iwi were held at Te Aranga Marae and Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga it was decided to focus on Harakeke (Flax), when naming the roads.

Waingākau asked Matanga Kairaranga (Weaving expert), Te Muri Whaanga to provide information about the history of Harakeke to enable a better understanding of harakeke, and to explore and provide names or words associated with harakeke that can be used for the new roads.

Harakeke is a native plant to New Zealand which Māori discovered and have valued since their arrival on waka. In the spiritual sense the harakeke represents the whānau. In the physical sense it was the harakeke that clothed and sheltered our tupuna and was used to produce practical and necessary items for everyday use.

Waingākau looks to strip back barriers to homeownership, to bring whānau together, and provide structure to build a strong and resilient community. Therefore, the names that resonate with the Kaupapa are:

Kōrari (Flax stalk) - the centre stalk where the seed pods grow – represents new growth, food for ngā manu, and seeds providing the continuation of life. Kōrari to replace Mawson Ave.
Rito (New centre shoot) - the young centre leaf of the harakeke – represents the new development, new beginnings, aspirations for a strong vibrant future. Rito to replace Ryde Place.
Whītau (A flax fibre) - a strong yet flexible – represents our whanau journey, the need to stay strong and resilient, but flexible enough to weather the storms for brighter futures. Whītau to replace Frobisher Street.
Whiri (to plait) - represents the bringing together of whanau and weaving together their homeownership journey and building a vibrant future. Whiri to replace Mitchell Place, if required.