We Are Fosters: The History of Foster Construction

WE

ARE FOSTERS

THE HISTORY OF FOSTER CONSTRUCTION

WE ARE FOSTERS: THE HISTORY OF FOSTER CONSTRUCTION

Copyright © 2024 Foster Construction Group Ltd

All rights reserved.

ISBN 978-0-473-61444-7

WE ARE FOSTERS

Michael Crawford Chairperson, Board of Directors Foster Construction Group Ltd

Foster Construction Group Ltd commissioned Ruth Greenaway in 2021 to research and compile this history of Fosters. We are delighted with the result. The Board of Directors recognised the importance of documenting the turning points in Fosters’ growth. I have learned a lot in the process of seeing the book come to fruition.

I have been involved with Fosters for the past 40 years, firstly as their external accountant and, more recently, as the Chairman of the Group and a shareholder of Foster Develop, which has allowed me to witness firsthand the changes to Fosters over that time.

Our story begins in the post-war era when, like many others, small family businesses took on the challenge of building their local communities, ensuring that the needs of future generations would be met and contributing to the growth in industry and enterprise of regions such as the Waikato.

Fosters has undoubtedly been one business that has grown from humble beginnings to become an industry leader. We’ve faced our share of challenges along the way, including global recessions, industry regulation, and the restrictions of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Fosters’ growth has been strong through its shareholder commitment and loyal, long-serving, quality staff.

Ruth Greenaway has done a great job revealing the human side of our story. She interviewed seventeen people for this project and explored our archives and media coverage of our work in the Waikato. We are proud of our success. Though we steer away from shouting this from the rooftops,

we value the external recognition we have received from our industry peers through the number of building and leadership awards Fosters has received. We have solid leadership in the Foster Construction Group. The book concludes with a vision for the company’s future and where our industry may be leading us.

On behalf of the Foster Group Board of Directors, shareholders past and present, and Fosters management, I thank Ruth Greenaway for creating this stunning publication. We will share it with our clients, stakeholders and the community we serve.

To the reader, I hope you enjoy learning about the development of the Foster Construction Group, the stories of its people, and how Fosters has contributed to our community, Hamilton and the greater Waikato.

A company is only as good as the people who make it tick.

We are Fosters is dedicated to all our staff.

Michael Crawford Chairperson, Board of Directors

Foster Construction Group Ltd

June 2022

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ruth Greenaway is an oral historian, historical researcher, writer and storyteller. Through her business, Tapestries, Ruth has interviewed hundreds of people and produced audio recordings, books, website content, visual displays, and radio and film documentaries. In recent years, Ruth has been writing the histories of community organisations. We are Fosters is her first book written for a company.

‘Fosters have been a fantastic company to work with. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting and interviewing the people featured in this book. I’ve been inspired by the Foster story, which speaks to the importance of underlying values, cultivating a solid organisational culture, and building positive relationships in all community sectors. I've learned, too, about the challenges faced within the construction industry. I hope people find this history as engaging to read as I found it to write.’

Ruth is a member of the Professional Historians’ Association of New Zealand/Aotearoa (PHANZA), the National Oral History Association of New Zealand (NOHANZ) and the New Zealand Society of Authors (NZSA).

www.tapestries.co.nz

Fosters would like to thank the following people:

Those who were interviewed for the book. Thanks for sharing your memories: Graham Foster, Colin and Sue Wade, Paul Wade, Carol Green, Gordon Hassett, Mitch Plaw, Ben van den Engel, Michael Crawford, Leonard Gardner, Ross Pacey, Stu Miller, Adam Findlay, Alister Arcus, Peter Calder, John Sittlington, Ian Sanders, Jack Poutsma and Lyrae Wood.

A special mention goes to the Foster and Mallet families; we hope this history celebrates and honours the legacy of Graham Foster and Graham Mallet. Without their leadership, hard work and dedication, there would be no Foster Construction Group today.

The oral history interviews were conducted in 2021. Primary sourced material has also included the use of Fosters’ archives. Other reference sources have included: Hamilton City Libraries, the National Library of New Zealand, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage online sources: NZ History and Te Ara–The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Other sources include the Waikato Business Review, Trade News, Stuff (Waikato Times, The New Zealand Herald), Radio NZ, Hamilton City Council, RMB, BRANZ, MBIE, Beehive.govt.nz, building.govt.nz and Building Today.

The author wishes to thank the following people and services that have assisted with this project: Tess James for her excellent administrative

support; SBS transcription services; Alysha Dodampegamage for her typing skills and assistance with the appendices; Adrienne Charlton for doing an excellent job of editing; Linda Perie, Kelly Fritz and Wendy Barnard from Fosters for their help sourcing archival material and some of the photos. And thanks to Gurleen Bal for designing the company’s graphics.

The photos used were sourced from many places, including iStock and Unsplash.com, Fosters’ archives, Graham Foster’s private collection, Jack Poutsma's private collection, and NZQIS for a photo of Tony Gemmel.

Thanks also to Lyrae Wood for supplying her image. The author wishes to thank Hamilton City Libraries Heritage Collections for providing some of the historic photos. All the other photos have been taken by either Wendy Barnard, Fosters Brand and Marketing Manager, or Fosters contract photographer, Craig Brown.

Finally, thanks to Melissa Holyoake of Pixel Project for designing this beautiful book.

Ngā mihi nui.

December 2022

OUR HISTORY

INTRODUCTION

This is the story of the Foster Construction Group Ltd, a construction company at the heart of development in Hamilton city and across the Waikato district. This is also the story of a father and son, Les and Graham Foster, and a family business that grew into an iconic, awardwinning, multimillion-dollar company.

Fosters have been at the forefront of construction in the Waikato since 1946, at a time of exponential growth in the provinces. In fifty years, Foster Construction Ltd has expanded its business areas, and today the Foster Group incorporates Foster Develop, Foster Maintain, Foster Engineering and Foster Construction.

Foster Construction Ltd has been a leader in sustainable development, design and build, and part of a broader conversation around the shaping of communities.

This history illustrates the critical turning points that have shaped the company and paralleled the growth of Hamilton city. The Trade News observed in 1995: ‘Foster Construction had its beginnings in Morrinsville in the 1950s, moved to Hamilton in the 1960s and has been writing its signature on Hamilton and parts of the Waikato ever since.’1

There are many iconic buildings in Hamilton city that Fosters have built, catering for a range of ‘end-users’. Foster Construction Ltd began building schools and soon moved on to hospitals, warehouses, office blocks, university lecture theatres, performing arts centres and much more. One of the most celebrated buildings is the Claudelands Events Centre in Hamilton.

Years of collaborating with many stakeholders and creating joint venture companies have driven Fosters to be more than just a building company. Since the very beginning, specific fundamental values have provided a pathway for how Fosters choose to operate in the community it serves.

Leadership: Fosters willingly take a leadership position to make things happen.

Relationship: Fosters recognise relationships are fundamental to delivering on their purpose.

Passion: Fosters have a passion for the construction industry and the good it can do.

Integrity: Fosters can be relied upon to do the right thing.

For over 50 years, Fosters has supported local businesses and the supply chains it relies upon.

Since 2018, the company has created a philanthropic side to its business. Through the Custodians Trust, Fosters 500 annually donates funds to the local community and supports the welfare of the Fosters team.

This history provides a written and visual summary of the Foster legacy while at the same time looking to the future in terms of leadership,

succession planning and partnerships in the greater Waikato region.

The book is a celebration of the demanding work, the laying down of foundations (both literally and figuratively) done by hundreds of people who have been employed by Fosters, those who have been clients of Fosters, and those in the broader community who have benefited from the contribution Fosters has made to ‘building greater communities through strong foundations’.

The history also explores the challenges that Fosters has had to face in terms of government regulation and economic downturn, as well as the learning that has taken place in respect of growing a business, from its humble beginnings to becoming one of the largest construction companies in Hamilton.

Today Fosters is celebrated equally by its clients and industry peers. ‘The wonderful thing about a business like ours is that we have more opportunity than most to leave a legacy, both in the physical structures we leave behind and in the communities which we employ, service and support.’

Leonard Gardner CEO and Company Director Foster Construction Group Ltd

April 2023

– Leonard Gardner, CEO and Company Director

Building supplies: Timber, iron, and other metals, which had been diverted from industry for defence purposes during the war, were now required for the construction of houses and commercial and civic buildings. Cement, however, remained difficult to obtain for years after the war due to the high demand for its use on national projects, including the various state hydroelectricity works.⁴

Aerial view of Hamilton, 1947.

CHAPTER ONE

THE EARLY YEARS

Graham Edward Foster was 22 years old when in 1958, he won his first tender to build a classroom block at Huntly West Primary School.

Five years earlier, he had established his own building business (G E Foster) with help from his father, Lesley (Les) George Foster and shared an office in Morrinsville with his father’s separate building business, L G Foster Ltd. This new contract was a natural step up, and saw him employing a quantity surveyor and working with up to 20 subcontractors, carpenters, painters, plumbers, electricians, roofers and drain-layers. G E Foster Ltd was on its way.

A post-war boom in construction

Graham grew up in Piopio, south of Te Kuiti1, with his parents, Les and Esther, and three brothers, Neil, Brendon and Kerry. Born in 1936, Graham can remember the blackouts and rationing of the Second World War, plus his father’s role in the home guard, which he balanced with providing for the family.

After the war, the Labour government brought in economic stabilisation measures, such as wages, prices, and rents, while rationing continued for some time. There was also a rehabilitation scheme for returned soldiers and a boom in population, including migration from Europe, especially the Netherlands and Britain, which required new houses to be built.2 Simultaneously, there was significant growth in the farming sector and new

opportunities for manufacturing and other industries across the regions, including the Waikato. Hamilton was the fastest-growing city in New Zealand during the 1950s.3

Les Foster was undoubtedly encouraged by the opportunities for secure employment that he saw the construction industry had to offer. So, he took his chances and, in 1946, established a building business under his name — L G Foster. Two years later, on 10 March 1948, the business was incorporated as a private limited company under the Companies Act 1933, with his brothers as equal shareholders.5

Les’s belief in construction as a growth industry was not misplaced. In 1947, he tendered and won a contract through the Education Board to build Piopio District High School. He was asked to move to Morrinsville, where there was a greater need for further building projects. The family duly put down roots there, with Graham starting at Morrinsville High School in 1948. By now, Les and Esther were the joint owners of L G Foster Ltd, and business was taking off, with most of their work being for the Education Board, building schools across the Waikato.

The consequences of the post-war ‘baby boom’ rise in birth rates soon became apparent. Among other things, accommodating this burgeoning

The urban drift

Before the war, hardly any Māori lived in urban areas. Still, the combination of population and economic growth and government policies in the 1950s saw many young Māori leaving their traditional rural homes for a new life of opportunity in the cities. This was evidenced by an increase in the number of Māori enrolled in urban secondary education and those entering trade apprenticeships, both of which would have consequences for the expansion of the Foster family businesses.

Graham joins his father’s business

young population led to the need for more schools across the regions; primary and secondary schools and tertiary institutions.

Overall, the 1950s was a time of great prosperity and suburban growth in the Waikato’s city and main towns. By 1951 the population of Hamilton had reached 29,838. After the privations of the Great Depression and then the war, goods and services were now readily available. Consumption increased as families installed refrigerators and telephones and bought new cars. However, power cuts would remain a regular feature of suburban life until the end of the decade.6

In December 1953, an estimated three out of four New Zealanders came to welcome their new monarch when a young Queen Elizabeth II visited the colonies after her coronation. Hamilton was no different, with large crowds gathering along London Street.7

As suburban housing spread, there were substantial expansions to Hamilton’s city boundaries in 1949, 1954 and 1959.8

In 1952, Graham left school and went to work for his father in the office of L G Foster Ltd. Having taken the commercial class at Morrinsville High School, Graham was charged with administering the weekly wages for all the carpenters and labourers. ‘I did general typing and stuff like that. Because I was fifteen, I had my driver’s license … so I would take the wages out to all the jobs.’ This entailed travelling as far south as Te Awamutu and north up to Te Kauwhata every week. After two years of working in the office, Graham recalls his breaking point: ‘I said to my father — I’m out of here, I’m going carpentering. I wasn’t an apprentice; I just started working as a carpenter.’

As with some of the other young men his father hired, Graham had no formal apprentice training. Les Foster preferred to give each man ‘a go’ and placed trust in them to learn on the job and do a good job. And the faith paid off, with many men working their way up from labourer to foreman. Thus, a tradition was to continue, encouraging employees to find a career path through the company.10

The two Grahams

Graham’s brother Neil was in the same year at school as Graham (James) Mallett, one form below Graham Foster. When Graham Mallett left school, also at the age of 15, Neil suggested he consider doing a carpentry apprenticeship in his father’s construction company. And so it was that Graham Mallett found himself working alongside Graham Foster on various projects until, at 18, he took 12 weeks out to do compulsory military training.

Les and Esther Foster.

G E Foster personal collection.

The other Graham was exempt: ‘I had bad feet, so I didn’t get in.'11

The business was so plentiful that Les Foster encouraged not only his son Graham but others working for him to go out on their own and, with his help, establish their own construction companies, some of which still exist today.12 So when in 1953 Graham Foster established his own business, G E Foster, Graham Mallett went with him. This couldn’t be seen as a break between father and son, though: contracts were still tendered for through L G Foster Ltd, and profits were shared equally become the two companies.

Schools a plenty

In 1954, one of the first construction jobs that Graham Foster worked on under his own banner was a school in Leybourne Circle, Glen Innes, East Tāmaki, Auckland; he was just 18 years old. And, again, Graham Mallett was working at his side.

The next project was a school in Te Atatū, in west Auckland.

'The foreman who was on the job in East Tāmaki said, “You can go and do this school” — “[who] me?!” He said you could take these apprentices. There was five of us. I wasn’t the oldest.’

For government-tendered building projects, supervisors or a ‘clerk of works’ would make regular on-site visits from either the Education Board or the Ministry of Works to check on progress.

‘The chief architect from [the] Auckland Education Board came along, and he looked at us and said’…. “Where is the foreman?” I told him, “I’m the foreman”. He said, “You can’t be the foreman. You’re too young.” I said, “I’m

Les Foster’s son.” “Oh,” he said, “well that explains it all!”

Did Graham feel he was up to the job, given his lack of experience, or was it expected that labourers could learn on the job? It seems that the latter was true enough.

‘The foreman just said….’ “You can do it.. get on your way.” I said to him: “How do we do this?” He said…”Get in the office, read the plan, and get on with it.”

Following Te Atatū came a contract to build Tauranga Intermediate School. This was the first time Graham Foster took charge of an entire project from beginning to end. He recalls there wasn’t a lot of work in the Bay of Plenty at that time, and after placing an advertisement in the local paper for carpenters and labourers, he was inundated the next day by men seeking employment. ‘They just came in waves off the street; there was no work. We had about 14 guys. We employed about 11 carpenters and three labourers, all sorts of guys. It turned out they were excellent carpenters and excellent guys, which made our job easier.’

This was the first time Graham Foster took charge of paying the wages and the subcontractors from his own company. At the time, the average wage for a labourer was five shillings an hour. This wouldn’t be the only time when Fosters could employ local subbies. The two Grahams would gain contracts for project work outside of Hamilton in the years to come, where local labourers were required. In times of building recession, they would assist with bolstering the local economy.

Waikato – Tainui: Māori seeking work came from across the 39 Tainui marae within the Waikato District Council’s boundaries and from towns such as Ngāruawāhia, Huntly and Morrinsville. The construction industry attracted many young Māori men who came to Hamilton searching for work and sought hostel accommodation in the city. Some men would have also come from as far as the East Coast in search of employment.9

Incorporation

GE Foster was incorporated under the Companies Act 1955 on 9 August 1957. The following year Graham Foster tendered for his first project through the Education Board to build a classroom block at Huntly West Primary School. The build cost was £110,000; it took about five months to construct. The next project was Cambridge Maternity Hospital, followed by Aotearoa Meats, in Cambridge.13

By 1958, the company was located in Te Rapa, Hamilton, and Graham was living in Hamilton, too, where he met his soon-to-be wife, Lynn. ‘We were getting our mechanical work done at Lynn’s parents’ place. I saw her there, and I asked her out.’14

Waikato Crane Services

The very first multistorey buildings built in Hamilton city were for two insurance companies: Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society Ltd (CML) and T & G Life Society, in 1949. The lowering of the central railway line in Victoria Street, which began in 1959 and was completed in 1964, created a substantial area of central-city land ready for redevelopment, from Victoria Street through to Angelsea Street. One of the first to seize this opportunity was, unsurprisingly, Hamilton City Council, which began constructing its new building between Angelsea Street and Garden Place in 1958. By the 1960s, the Bank of New Zealand building facing Garden Place had been built and a sizeable multistorey hospital.19

G E Foster’s trucks: Austin A40 and Bedford, 1954. G E Foster personal collection.

Graham Foster was quick to realise that there was now an extremely competitive environment for construction work in the city. If G E Foster Ltd were going to tender for multistorey building contracts, he would need to invest in cranes. Hence the advent of Waikato Crane Services.

G E Foster Ltd shared office space and a yard with the new company, Waikato Crane Services, in Daniel Place, Te Rapa. Lilian Rose, Bev Corban, Jill ForsterKing and Nicky Stroud worked in administration and reception over different periods. And it was a hive of activity. ‘We were the only crane firm in the Waikato, and we worked our butt[s] off!’ recalls Graham.20

Laying the foundations for East Tamaki School, 1954.

The Federated Farmers building at 169 London Street, Hamilton, was the first multistorey building built by G E Foster Ltd. ‘A forward-thinking group of five original members [of Federated Farmers] saw the need to obtain long-term strategic assets and found a way to build the property. Those members essentially took out life insurance policies that were then used as security to borrow the funds to buy the land and build the [current] fivestorey building, which was completed in late 1959.’21

The architect was Mark Stiles, and the engineer, James Roger Sedcole of P C Marks and Partners in Hamilton (both now deceased). The building was made of precast panels and floors by Stresscrete, also based in Te Rapa. The final structure took 12 months to build, with two stairwells and an elevator. Still standing today, it is now home to the Waikato Farmers Trust.22

Growth in the post-war years (1945–1960) became symbolised by the construction of large multistorey civic and commercial buildings,

schools, Waikato University, new bridges, arterial roads and new housing subdivisions.

A new decade begins

The 1970s would be another significant period of growth across many industries. But it would also be a decade of social upheaval and a time to reflect on what it meant to be a New Zealander. New Zealand was a maledominated society – both in work and in the ascendancy of the rugby field – but as one TV icon put it, ‘We don’t know how lucky we are!’24

Community connections

As they worked on various construction jobs, the two Grahams got to know many people from Hamilton and across the Waikato. These early connections would lay the foundations for future partnerships, joint ventures, and long-lasting client relationships. One such connection was with another Waikato family business, Vantage Aluminium.

Tauranga Intermediate School, built by G E Foster, 1955. G E Foster personal collection.

Vantage Aluminium was established in 1971 by Ian and Valerie Plaw of Mātangi. Their son, Mitch Plaw, would eventually take over the family business, now known as Architectural Profiles Ltd (APL). Mitch recalls meeting Graham Foster and Graham Mallett as a youngster when they built the family a sunken swimming pool. ‘Dad engaged them to build a swimming pool at our home, out in the country in Mātangi. I was a kid and helped Dad dig this jolly swimming pool out by hand.’26 Unbeknownst to him, he would have a professional working relationship with Foster Construction that continues to the present day.27

Te Rapa – at the heart of industrial growth:

By the 1960s, the Waikato was considered ‘more youthful and virile than any other region in the country. At 42,212, the population of Hamilton was now 50 per cent more than it had been only a decade before.15

There was the great promise of further prosperity from the burgeoning dairy industry and the manufacturing industry. Te Rapa became the heart of such growth16, having been set aside by the city council as an industrial area – deemed unsuitable for

residential purposes.

The first company to move to Te Rapa was Bartholomew Timbers in 1955.17 Then New Zealand Railways shifted its marshalling yard from Frankton to Te Rapa. By 1960, there were reportedly 400 people employed locally by general engineering factories and workshops, most located in Te Rapa. Much of this industrial growth was associated with the increase in farming throughout the Waikato.18

The Foster family on the day of Graham’s wedding. Graham back row, far right. G E Foster personal collection.

Moving to Te Rapa

In 1974 Graham Foster bought a 6-acre property at 1050 Te Rapa Road. It included a sizeable concrete-block dwelling. He and his father fitted out an office, which became a successfully shared base for Foster Construction Ltd and Waikato Crane Services. Soon after purchasing the property, additional workshops were added. The companies had their own fuel tanks and bowsers installed when filling increasingly large cranes at service stations became difficult.

The establishment of Foster Construction Ltd

Fairly early on, Graham Foster realised that he needed to separate the two companies. To avoid too many issues, GE Foster had accordingly officially changed the cranage company name to Waikato Crane Services, which became incorporated on 3 October 1960.29

Over time, as the business grew, it became apparent that the business structure once again needed to change to reflect how it was evolving. This time, Graham Foster invited Graham Mallett to join forces and become

Looking across Garden Place to Claudelands, 1967. The buildings in view around Garden Place are (clockwise from left): T&G, MLC (obscured), NZI Co Ltd (British Traders Building), Dominic Buildings (Stella Nova Studios), Woolworths, Pascoes, BNZ and the Chief Post Office (both on Victoria Street) and CML. The large building on Victoria Street to the left of the BNZ is the Regent Theatre. Security Building is between them.

a joint owner and director of a new company — Foster Construction — which would take over the building site of the original company’s work.

Foster Construction (Ltd) was thus incorporated on 5 April 1973.30

In fact, as their wives, Lynn Foster and Jocelyn Mallett, also became joint owners of the company. As Graham Foster was also working for Waikato Crane Services, he never took a salary under Foster Construction Ltd.

Graham Mallett’s pay for the first year of trading as Foster Construction Ltd was $7,028.31

Creating a team

As the two businesses grew and took on ever more varied and complex work, Graham saw the wisdom in gathering a core team of key players around him rather than solely relying on a procession of subcontractors. Graham invested in building a solid and loyal team, as his father had before him.

Anthony (Tony) Gemmell was Graham Foster’s first employed quantity surveyor. Tony was a member of the Quantity Surveyors Institute of New Zealand. Working alongside quantity surveyor Tony Gemmell was Patrick Trail, the company’s first building foreman.32

The first accountant was Bob Weaver and Kelvyn Fairhall, the board secretary. Jack Poutsma succeeded Kelvyn Fairhall in 1974. He recalls meeting Graham Foster for the first time at the job interview, which took

Moving to the metric system: The 1960s ended with one meaningful change for the construction industry, and that was the shift from imperial measurements to the metric system in 1969. This was a logical move, as the metric system was already being used by New Zealand’s trade and export partners worldwide.23

The before and after construction of the Federated Farmers Building was completed in 1959. G E Foster personal collection.

place at the Daniel Place offices. His future employer displayed a go-get-it attitude that ensnared Jack and later enabled Jack to get ahead himself. ‘I had already been offered (and accepted) a job in Auckland, but Graham ‘outbid’ the earlier job offer, and I joined the company, previously working for the Chubb Group in Wellington and Auckland. Later that year, I persuaded Graham to buy my car from me, to become part of my [remuneration] package, which enabled me to pay a deposit on a caravan, which he allowed me to park close by the office at 1050 Te Rapa Road. I lived there for about two years, with the shortest commute to work ever (about 25 metres) and, not only that, no rent or power bills. This allowed me to pay off the caravan, get married, and at the right time sell the caravan for a house deposit.’

His respect for the man only grew with a further acquaintance.

‘Graham Foster was an inspirational leader, possibly a workaholic, who had an amazing array of skills. He was a mechanic, car, truck, crane painter, boat builder, bridge builder, concreter, painter and decorator, businessman, company director, and of course, a builder, with everything carried out to the highest standards.’ – Jack Poutsma.

New Zealand in the 1970s, points of interest:

• Communities in the Waikato were in shock following the unsolved murder of Harvey and Jeannette Crewe at Pukekawa in 1970.

• The national population reached three million in 1973.

• By 1975, the average weekly wage was $95; the minimum wage for adult workers was $1.95 an hour, and the average hourly rate was $4.52.

• The land march from the Far North to Parliament in Wellington, in 1975, protested the continued alienation of Māori land under the banner of ‘Not One More Acre of Māori Land’. It galvanised action that led to the later occupations of Bastion Point in Auckland and Raglan Golf Course in the Waikato.

• The Weights and Measures Amendment Act became law in 1976, but New Zealand was in recession, feeling the effects of a global oil crisis.

• The National government introduced car-less days, alongside several ‘think-big’ national projects, to counteract the effects of the oil crisis.25

Cranes in the yard at Daniel Place, Te Rapa, 1974. G E Foster personal collection.

Victory Bridge

A significant project undertaken by Waikato

Crane Services Ltd in this period was a contract with Taumaranui Borough Council to build the Victory Bridge over the Wanganui River. In 1978, the new bridge replaced the original wooden structure built in 1921, using combined construction and cranage skills. This was the company's first bridge.28

Jack resigned on 29 January 1978 to relocate to the Bay of Islands. It was not a decision he took lightly. ‘Fosters was a great company to work for, and I’m sure I would have remained much longer, but for a need to move back to the Bay of Islands to support family,’ he recalls.33 Following his departure, the position of board secretary was filled by Clynton Neil Hardy. Hardy later became a justice of the peace and a director in several companies. Lloyd Allen was the company solicitor.34

Another valued member of the team was Colin Wade, who first ‘started on the tools’ with GE Foster Ltd in 1972 as a carpenter, and then continued working for Foster Construction Ltd. Originally from Whanganui, he had completed his apprenticeship there with Wight Construction Ltd and received his trade certificate. Colin recalls that at the age of 20, it was like going on a big OE to come up to the Waikato in search of work. ‘In those days … an OE was like moving from one city to another in New Zealand.’

Colin had relatives living in Te Aroha, and he turned to them for some local knowledge. ‘I spoke to a relative, and he said, “Try Foster Construction.” So, I rang Foster’s and got Graham Foster on the phone. I told him what [work]

I’d done and that I was a proper tradesman … And I always remember he said: “I’ll give you a go, boy.” That’s how Graham was, you know?’

Colin recalls the two Grahams as having quite different personalities but making the business relationship work.35

‘Graham Foster was ‘a real goer' back in those days, and Graham Mallett was ‘a family man’ who got to know everyone and took an interest in others’ family lives.’ - Colin Wade.

Colin's first construction job was the YWCA in Hamilton, with Peter Burrows, the site foreman. In 1972, about 30 other permanent staff worked for GE Foster Ltd, alongside many different subcontractors. Colin was paid $10 a week and remembered Graham Foster getting out of all the

Jack Poutsma on his wedding day. J Poutsma personal collection.

Colin Wade, 2021.

Tony Gemmell. Supplied by NZIQS.

Original certificate of incorporation, 1973. Foster Construction Ltd minute book.

employees ‘20 hours of labouring in a 12-hour day’. Colin got more than a job at Foster’s — he met his future wife, Sue, through the YWCA job. ‘I was only up in Hamilton about two weeks, working at the YWCA … and I [thought] I have to do something at night. So, I went along to badminton,’ where he met Sue. By 1973, they were married.36

At the time, Colin was constructing a ‘Nelson’ type classroom block at Fraser High School, on Ellicott Road in Hamilton, for Foster Construction Ltd. After that, he says, most of the jobs he worked on were warehouses. He ‘ran one job,’ which was the construction of two warehouses in King Street, Hamilton. Like many other builders and their families, Colin and Sue also built their own house. Colin became a foreman within a year of working for Foster Construction Ltd.

After Tony Gemmell resigned, Ian Daly joined as quantity surveyor, followed by David Sydney (Scotty) Beard in 1979. Rugby had brought David to New Zealand from Glasgow, Scotland, in 1976. While working in Australia, he hopped across the Tasman to support the British Lions tour

St Marys Cathedral, 1974, Foster archives.

of New Zealand. David had worked as a quantity surveyor in Britain, South Africa, Botswana, and Australia. He brought with him experience in the field of commercial buildings. Beard would play a significant role in the development and growth of the company during the 1980s, alongside Graham Mallett and Colin Wade.38

Construction projects in the 1970s

All construction jobs were recorded diligently in a minute book, with the company common seal affixed to the contract documents. The first official contract under Foster Construction Ltd, signed 18 June 1973, was to construct the Howser Marine building in Northway Street, Te Rapa, for a Mr F.W. Goord. Two more projects in Hamilton followed a classroom block at Fraser High School and a laboratory block at Ruakura Research Station.

The construction projects for 1974 were: phase one of the Glenview Park complex on Lewis Street, Hamilton, for the Hamilton City Council; St Mary’s Cathedral on Grey Street, Hamilton, for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Auckland; a beef chiller building at Horotiu for the Auckland Farmers Freezing Cooperative (later known as AFFCO); and the Te Rapa racecourse grandstand for Waikato Racing Club Inc.

In 1975 the company was contracted to build a complete intermediate school in Heath Street, Te Rapa, for the South Auckland Education Board. The contract was for $578,622 and appeared to have been the largest contract for the company to date. Jack Poutsma recalls another large project. ‘In the mid-seventies, work became scarce, and Fosters had close to 50 carpenters to keep busy, so tenders were lodged at minimal margins, as low at 2.5 per cent, and I believe even lower. At this time, a large contract was won at Southdown Freezing Works in South Auckland, which a crew from Hamilton completed, commuting daily.’

From 12 December 1978 onwards, Hardy, the new board secretary, noted contracts in the company’s minute book thus: “…in favour of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in respect of the construction of (NAME of the project)”.39 A list of the remaining construction projects from 1975 to the end of 1979 can be viewed in the appendices.

Financial records

For the year ending 31 March 1974, financial records showed a net profit for Foster Construction Ltd of $7,663. The company continued to show a profit until 31 March 1978, when it reported a net loss of $19,406, and again in 1979, a net loss of $28,245. To manage their cash flow in August 1980, the directors secured $30,000 from Lombard NZ Ltd, at a rate of 21.0 per cent interest per annum. The first dividends paid out to any shareholders wasn’t until 31 March 1984.40

The ‘can-do’ culture secures its place in history.

The 1970s was a decade when the ‘can-do’ culture, symbolised by the ‘number 8 wire’ (a throw-back to imperial measures), secured its place in our cultural lexicon and grew to represent Kiwi ingenuity and resourcefulness. Alongside the ‘can-do’ attitude was thinking laterally to solve many a problem. Over the next decade, this approach continued to prove true for the construction industry, particularly as architectural design and building methods became more complex.

The original Foster Construction Ltd sign at the gateway entrance to the yard at Daniel Place, Te Rapa. G E Foster personal collection.

Graham and Jocelyn Mallett (left) Graham and Lynn Foster (right), 1970s. J Poutsma personal collection.

DEVELOPING THE FOSTER WAY

The 1980s was a decade of boom and bust. This was an age when the baby boomers (now in their 40s) took over from the generation which had fought in the Second World War and the young, upwardly mobile professional (yuppy) sought status by wanting more of everything, in design and commodities, such as the latest advances in telecommunications.

This applied to business, too, and would become one of Fosters’ challenges. It found new ways to survive times of financial struggle flanked by the necessity of ‘finding the right tools needed to deliver on the demands of a new era in construction’.1

Surviving one recession, then another

Two recessions bookended the decade, which significantly impacted the building industry. First, there was the global energy crisis of the late 1970s and early 1980s, and then in 1987, the ‘Black Monday’ stock market crash.

Given the circumstances, Fosters needed to be careful with their spending and consider a realistic profit margin. Fortunately, Foster Construction made a good turnover as there was still demand for building large warehouses and prefabricated school classrooms.

There were substantial financial challenges; this was when the company would either fail or succeed entirely! Fortunately, Fosters did survive and grew throughout the period. It could be seen in a change within the company’s leadership, a growth in apprenticeships and a loyalty amongst

clients. There were also new, exciting and challenging construction projects.

The company’s will to survive and its desire to grow were consolidated during this decade, as was a collective ethos and a developing philosophy of doing right by its staff and clients. As many interviewed for this book have attested, relationships played a huge part in developing this early culture, and these internal and external relationships led to the development of 'The Foster Way'. Graham Mallett was at the forefront of developing this as a motto for the company that would stand the test of time and become a lasting legacy.

From a time of struggle to survival, Fosters developed a positive, trustworthy reputation and brand for the company, which would hold resolute in the years to come.

The changing face of Hamilton City

It is said that the economic and social reforms of the 1980s transformed our cities. The deregulation of financial markets led to a central city building boom that redefined city skylines. Weekend shop trading hours, liquor sales and gambling laws were liberalised, encouraging street cafés, nightclubs and casinos to flourish. City centres formerly emptied over the weekends were now filled with people and street life. An urban culture, distinct from the prevailing suburban culture, was being shaped.2

Hamilton city continued to undergo various transformations throughout this decade and began to shake off its image as only a ‘cow town’. By 1985, the city’s population had grown to more than 100,000, making it the fourth largest city.3

The MV Waipa Delta, a replica paddle steamer, now engine driven, was back on the river in 1985, and initial developments were taking place at Hamilton Gardens. Fosters were contracted for the majority of construction work needed at the gardens. Waikato Museum also opened in the central city, overlooking the Waikato River.5

During the 1980s, Foster Construction delivered various building projects, from schools to commercial property and residential. Still working with the Education Board, the company undertook additions and refurbishments for several schools across the Waikato, some of which could have been initially built by Les Foster. This, and the building of prefabricated classrooms, continued to be a reliable source of income for Foster Construction. Schools included: Hamilton East Primary, Te Awamutu College, Cambridge Intermediate, Hamilton West, Hamilton Girls’ High School, Melville High School, Matamata Primary School, Sacred Heart College, Te Kauwhata College,

Employment, wages and inflation: In the 1980s, women were still paid 22% less per hour than men. There was no formal records of women entering the construction industry until 1996.

There was a pay freeze from June 1982 to 1984, but a typical Kiwi household spent around $120 per week on housing and $92 on food by the decade’s end.4

The Waipa Delta on the Waikato River, Hamilton. The jetty building can be seen through the tree to the right on the river’s edge of Memorial Park. The rear of Waikato Museum is visible on the far side of the river at the left.

Waikato Diocesan School. Construction work was also undertaken for the University of Waikato, Hamilton Teachers College, and the Waikato Technical Institute (Polytechnic).

There were also civic building projects for the Hamilton City Council, infrastructural projects for the Ministry of Works and Development, and the Ministry of Energy and Resources, as well as buildings for the Dairy Cooperative, the Waikato Hospital Board, several factories, warehouses, service stations, offices and one McDonald’s restaurant.

The Modulock home became popular in the 1980s, and Fosters built a number of these for private residences. This low-cost, value-for-money package build consisted of aluminium joinery, exposed timber beams and natural wood panelling. It was marketed as offering the client ‘flexibility, with luxury and minimal maintenance’. Prospective clients could visit a Modulock show home built by Fosters in Te Rapa.

The State-Owned Enterprises Act 1986 heralded a major overhaul of New Zealand’s state sector. Several government departments became commercially oriented organisations with a stronger emphasis on ‘efficiency and profitability’. Fosters built a few of these new enterprise buildings or undertook refurbishments for NZ Post, Telecom and Electricorp (Electricity Corporation of New Zealand, ECNZ). (Refer to appendix for a complete list of facilities for the 1980s.)

The tendering process

Ian Sanders came to work for Fosters in 1982 when Fosters needed to be ahead of its game and secure as many wellpaying contracts as it could. Ian worked closely with David Beard as the lead estimator in the tendering process. He was soon nicknamed ‘the Colonel’, after Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken.7 ‘David and I sort of spoke the same language … he’d come down that [same] line of working on big and smaller projects both for the client and for the builders.’8

All upcoming tender closing dates would be advertised in the Waikato Times or The New Zealand Herald newspapers with a fax number provided. ‘On tender closing day, we all came together, Graham Mallett, David and me – and we’d look at all the figures. And in would come [by phone, fax or dropped in by hand] all the actual prices from the subcontractors … to that we’d add our on-site costs of the sheds, the cranes, all the consumables, toilets, everything else. And then a profit margin after that. That would give us our tender figure.’9 The figures were all written up on large sheets of butcher’s paper. The receptionist would then type up the tender document and usually hand-deliver it by 4 pm; it was too late if it wasn’t placed in the tender box on time! Carol Green recalls: ‘… David still working on a tender in the car on the way to drop it off while Ian was driving with the pedal to the metal. Such was the pressure they were under sometimes.’ On another

‘Design the home of your dreams’, Modulock advertisement. Waikato Times, December 1982.

Hamilton in the spotlight: The 1980s was also a decade of profound political and social change. Hamilton was not exempt from political protest. The city made international headlines in July 1981, when anti-tour protestors marched onto the pitch at Rugby Park,

forcing the rugby match between the All Blacks and the Springboks to be cancelled. This was the most significant civil disturbance seen in New Zealand since the 1951 waterfront dispute. Rugby Park later hosted some games in the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987.6

Ian Sanders, 2021.

occasion, ‘The Waikato Times printed the wrong fax number on the tender notice and, not wanting to miss any of the subcontractor quotes coming in that day, Ian organised for the elderly gentleman who owned the phone number to have the fax machine in his home and whenever the phone rang, the gentleman would manually connect the call to the fax machine.’10

Fosters kept a log of all the tenders they submitted and their competitors’ tenders, so each time they resubmitted a tender for a similar job, they could refer to the log and adjust their bid accordingly. Competitors at this time included: Holman’s, Hawkins, Medallion Homes, Parry, Ayers & Tyman, Taplin Bros, Jennian, McMillan & Lockwood, Cavanagh Bros, Metcalfe Construction, Concrete Construction, Wiseman & Mills, Nadal, Unicast, Downer, EDL, Skyline Garages, McLachlan Bros, Mitchell Construction, Lou Shaw Builders and others.

A growing loyalty among clients and associates

Relationships with clients strengthened throughout the 1980s. Businesses established in the post-war era in Hamilton and across the Waikato continued to work with Foster Construction and, in so doing, developed a growing loyalty and pride in the contributions each had made to the prosperity of the Waikato region.

Early clients were the Hamilton City Council, Vantage Aluminium (later known as APL) and Ebbett Motors (later known as the Ebbett Group). Russell Drysdale and Thomas (later known as RDT Pacific) were intermediaries working with Fosters and its clients.

Fosters' promise to its clients was ‘Quality Construction on Time and within Budget’.

Hamilton City Council

Civic building projects during the 1980s were: Hamilton Gardens, Pukete Industrial Estate, Minogue Park and Chartwell Library.

Gordon Hassett, 1986. Personal collection.

New Zealand Co-op Dairy Co. Ltd head office – (aka Anchor House), corner of Victoria and London Streets, Hamilton, circa 1948.

TAB Offices, Te Rapa, 1990.

Russell Drysdale and Thomas (RDT)

Having migrated from South Africa, via Australia, at the age of 24 years, Gordon Hassett arrived in Hamilton in 1981 at the Springbok Tour. He was to head up the RDT Hamilton branch office on the third floor of Anchor House, (now owned by Fonterra).

Since 1943, RDT had collaborated with clients in both the private and public sectors to provide advice and support in the cost management of building and development projects for clients in the construction industry.12

Having trained as a quantity surveyor and after being broken in, Gordon started working for RDT Pacific in Tauranga. His role was primarily focused on writing business cases and doing value management for development projects. He first contacted David Beard, Graham Mallett, Ian Sanders and Colin Wade. He recalls his first impressions of the company.

Fosters always had this interesting and very clever model: where there were two main management people, there would always be the business guy and the construction guy.

–

Gordon

Hassett 13

Gordon consulted on several buildings in Hamilton from schools to hospitals and commercial properties. His very first project management role was a bowls club, adjacent to Rugby Park, for Hamilton Properties who were the development arm of Hamilton City Council. Another early project (in 1990) that Foster Construction worked on with RDT was the construction of the TAB offices in Te Rapa. Ian Sanders was the estimator. ‘Ian was a great

character in my career from whom I learned a great deal.’ Colin Wade was the site manager. ‘He was the best site manager in Hamilton.’14

Vantage Aluminium

Fosters have been a client of Vantage Aluminium since the 1960s, purchasing aluminium framing, doors and windows for its many building projects. Mitch Plaw recalls that his first interaction with Fosters as a client was in 1976, buying a spec building in Pukete Road, Te Rapa, from Foster Development. In the years to come, Fosters would build all but one of the buildings owned by Vantage Aluminium/Architectural Profiles Ltd (APL).

‘There’s probably a fair sense of loyalty both ways between Fosters and its suppliers’, says Plaw.15

Deloitte

Michael Crawford, already an accountant, became a partner in Deloitte New Zealand in 1988. Deloitte provides audit, tax, consulting and financial advisory services to public and private clients spanning multiple industries.

Michael provided Fosters with financial, tax and investment advice through Deloitte.

Ebbett Motors

Ebbett Motors is one of the long-standing businesses in Hamilton.

Established in 1928, it was initially ‘sandwiched’ between a Chinese laundry and a gunsmith’s shop on Hood Street. The business focused on the popular General Motors products, namely Oakland, Oldsmobile and Chevrolet.16

Anchor House: Built in 1919 to service the dairy industry, Anchor House (owned then by the New Zealand Dairy Co-operative Ltd) was considered at the heart of the

Waikato’s ‘economic universe’. It was home to 16 central butter factories, 17 cheese factories, two Glaxo factories, three milk powder factories and a central casein factory.11

Ben van den Engel began working for Ebbett Motors in 1971 as an apprentice mechanic. ‘My father taught me: "In life, son, the best thing you can do is get a trade because you will always have a job." That was the thinking of the day.’17 He worked his way up the ranks to foreman, salesman, branch manager and marketing manager. By 1987, he was promoted to managing director of the Ebbett Waikato Group Ltd.

In 1987, Ben sought advice on selling a block of land owned by Ebbett Motors in Northpark Drive, Te Rapa, during the global recession. Mitch Plaw, Murray Wight, Michael Crawford and David Beard all came together to consider the potential use of the land. It was subdivided into industrial lots in the following year or so, one of which was bought by Vantage Aluminium, who then contracted Fosters to build one of its many warehouses.

Mitch Plaw and Craig Vincent (sitting) of APL, 2021.

Ebbett Motors on the corner of Hood and Anglesea Streets, Hamilton, 1939.

APL Te Rapa, 1984.

No ‘Them and Us’

The ideology of the decade – that ‘more was more’ – applied to construction through more inventive and elaborative architectural designs aimed at demonstrating growing prosperity within our towns and cities.

The challenges faced by Foster Construction were considerable but facing up to them and not walking away created a philosophy that has lasted through to today – one of ‘making it right’ no matter what curveballs were to come in their direction.

Ian Sanders described the challenge thus: ‘The owner communicated with the consultant who wrote the specification, and we then had to read the specification [interpret it] … In some situations, we’d just say to the consultant, “Look, we’ll wear that,” which created a little more harmony on site. Rather than creating a ‘them and us’ situation, it was a ‘we’.

'We are all there to do right by the owner.' – Ian Sanders

The growth of Foster Development

Between the two recession periods, Fosters grew its business by focusing on two new areas – Design and Build, and Leaseback – under the umbrella of ‘Foster Development’. Headed by David Beard, this was a separate unit within the company. David was able to find new clients through a network of real estate agents, architects and consultants.

David and Ian Sanders oversaw the negotiation of contracts for design and build, and leaseback projects. The team within Foster Construction led the building management and labouring for each construction. This established a new model of working and internal collaboration within Fosters.

Ian admired David’s ability to mix with various people to network and promote Fosters. ‘David was knowledgeable, very sharp, and he could see where the company was going. He needed educated and skilled people, so he and I used to go to conferences to see what was happening in the legal and design fields. Through that, of course, you would get to know the consultants and people in the upper levels, and that was his [David’s] forte. He could mingle with those people – the lawyers, solicitors, top architects and consultants.’ Work obtained through such networks was referred to as the ‘blue-chip investment jobs’. 18

Fosters invested seeding funds (through loans) into the growth of Foster Development, which enabled the purchase of industrial land surrounding Hamilton for development and leaseback, including Delamare Road (St Andrews), Bandon Street (Frankton), Garnett Avenue (Forest Lake), Avalon Drive (Nawton), Pukete, Foreman Road (Avalon), Hakanoa Street (Huntly) and land in South Auckland.19

A time for new leadership

Graham Foster resigned as a director of Foster Construction on 30 November 1983 to develop Waikato Crane Services. He left having voluntarily not taken a salary or received a dividend (due to low profit margins) as a shareholder of Foster Construction.

Graham Mallett took over as the company director and became known as

Michael Crawford, 2021.

‘the great white father’ to the builders. Colin Wade recalls, ‘He was a father figure. He had great foresight about how you should be building and how things should be run. He always helped all the foremen and the site managers. He was always around the job … He was very fair and steadfast.’20

Colin, now a foreman, could see a new opportunity ahead. He encouraged his younger brother Paul to join him. Paul recalls Colin saying: “Oh, you need to come up to Hamilton to work for Fosters because there’s an opportunity to buy into the company later.”

One afternoon in 1984, Colin and Paul were asked to take their wives and sign a few documents at the ANZ Bank. ‘We didn’t know what this was about,’ says Paul. It turned out that Graham Mallett had arranged for them to take a personal loan to buy Graham Foster’s shares in the company, making them both joint owners and directors. Both were fully aware that they were buying into a company struggling to make a profit, but they trusted Graham Mallett and remained optimistic for the future of Fosters.21

There were other changes at board level – Clynton Neil Hardy resigned as the company secretary in 1981 and was replaced by Barry Campbell Hammond. The latter also went on to work as the accountant for the company.

Building capacity

Having weathered the financial lows of the early 1980s and seeing the growth in Foster Development, Foster Construction was now in a position to undertake more complex builds. However, the leadership needed to address the issue of its internal capacity. This meant looking at all its resource needs, from employing more people (with varied skills/capabilities) to infrastructural systems and processes, new and bigger office space, new tools, upgraded vehicles and exploring the latest advances in technology.

Building a bigger team

Colin Wade, Pat Trail, Mervyn (Merv) Balloch, Keith Smithall, Glyn Hodgson and John Sittlington were leading hands/foremen/site managers for Foster Construction. Colin Wade continued as a site foreman until 1995, when he formally became a company director.

Graham and Lynn Foster, circa 1980. Personal collection.

Barry Hammond and Bev Corban at the Tasman Road office, 1987.

Lloyd Holland (aka Toad) was a builder and general handyman. He had been working for Fosters since the 1960s. Lloyd specialised as a finishing carpenter and would work on maintenance and refurbishment jobs in later years. ‘Toad’, his nickname, was a sign written on the door of his van.

Russell Anderson (aka Snapper/Ski) was a senior hammer hand; he had worked with the two Grahams since the mid-1970s until around 1999 when ‘Graham [Mallett] convinced him to move to Tauranga to be closer to his beloved fishing’.

In 1982, Paul Wade first worked as a builder with Colin before being promoted to foreman. Paul had done his building apprenticeship with Murray Wight in Wanganui. He would go on to mentor apprentices doing their workplace training with Fosters. His first building job with Fosters was for the Ministry of Energy in 1982.

When Paul first started, he knew the urgent need for making every job pay and saving money where possible. ‘I worked damn hard, and I was innovative,’ keeping a close eye on every cost involved and thinking of ways he might be able to make a profit on a job, even if it started at a loss. There were no health and safety regulations, and staff would take a few risks to get the job done.

Jeff Bedwell also started in the early 1980s and worked as a builder. He had a 30-year lengthy career with Fosters. Robbie Burns, too, had a lengthy career as a builder with Fosters, 30+ years. Rod Rendell was an ex-policeman with a ‘big personality who became a labourer’. Tony Featherston worked for Fosters as a builder for ten years. 22

While there was a recognisable hierarchy, job titles were loose and interchangeable. Foreman or leading hand, building worker or carpenter, lead estimate and quantity surveyor.

Derek Hobbs worked alongside Ian Sanders as a quantity surveyor and assisted Ian with aspects of contract administration, such as valuations, variations and ‘keeping the paperwork in order’.23

The administrative team (until 1984) were Barry Hammond (accountant for

Fosters and WCS), along with support staff and receptionists: Bev Corban (WCS), Jenny Pilkington and Kelly Kendall (Fosters).

Barry Hammond stayed on with Fosters, and Carol Green (née Duncan) joined the team at Foster Construction in 1987 after Kelly left. She recalls: ‘Graham [Mallett] later said to me that he hired me because I had lovely handwriting and I talked quickly.’ As there was no official title, Carol described her role as a ‘jack of all trades, girl Friday’. ‘If they asked you to do something, you did it,’ she says. 24

Carol saw the core staff at Fosters grow exponentially when she was there, and as she operated the switchboard, she got to recognise a lot of voices of the tradies, consultants and clients, and knew pretty much what was going on at any one time.25

Overall, Carol felt that working for Foster Construction was like being part of one big extended family. ‘I can’t stress enough the importance of the relationships while working for Fosters. Graham, David and Ian all treated me with nothing but affection and respect, which continued through the years, long after I left. The same can be said to be true of everyone who worked for Fosters at that time.’

Apprenticeships

Graham Mallett interviewed once a year for new cadets/apprentices. Usually, three were chosen for the year. Carol could ‘pick’ one of her choice, unbeknown to the young men waiting in reception to be interviewed. ‘What they didn’t realise was that the interview started the minute they walked through the door and saw me … Graham would say, “Well, who’s your pick?” Character rules in my world … it was never based on who was the cutest; it was not like that. It was who I thought genuinely would make the most of the opportunity.’26

Stu Miller started his apprenticeship with Foster Construction in 1984, aged 17. He was in his last year at school when his uncle mentioned to Graham Mallet that Stu was interested in entering the trade. Stu had an interview with Graham and remembers: ‘He pushed upon me that you’d

be working through the wet weather and that you just did the hard yards.’

Stu’s first memories of Colin Wade were as a fatherly figure and a leader within the company. ‘Colin made a bit of a name for himself … for being super organised and being that fella that got the job done in record time and made good money.’ When it came to mentoring young men in the building trade, Stu says: ‘Colin saw it as taking a boy and turning him into a man at the other end … He saw how things should happen. You did your apprenticeship, found yourself a lady, got married, built yourself a house, and then had a family.’ Stu did every one of these steps except getting married!

Stu took three and a half years to complete his apprenticeship – the equivalent of 8,000 apprenticeship hours. He spent nine weeks in the first year, six weeks in the second year and three weeks in his final year at trade school (polytechnic) in Hamilton, alongside working on jobs for Fosters.

During his apprenticeship, his most significant support and role model was Keith Smith-Hall, one of the leading hands from Huntly. ‘A really clever guy, he’d make something out of nothing … [such as designing timber strutting].’

Carol Green standing in reception at the Tasman Road office, Te Rapa, late 1980s. Personal collection.

Stu Miller, 2021. John Sittlington, 2021.

Stu lived in his hometown of Ngāruawāhia, and Keith would give him a lift into Hamilton each day. Keith had commercial building experience and was able to pass on a lot of skill and knowledge to the rest of the team. He stayed with the company for about 20 years.

Stu says he appreciated all the skilled tutors and met other young men doing their apprenticeships across the Waikato. Some of them came to work for Fosters or established their businesses. ‘I still associate with guys I started work with.’ Some of these young men included Wane Beasley, who became a site manager after his apprenticeship and started his own business. Dennis Porima did his training, left, then came back and worked for Fosters in the 1990s before joining the police force, and Mark Wallbank did his apprenticeship before leaving Fosters to start up his own building company.

Once he’d completed his apprenticeship hours, Stu says he felt that one year rolled into the next at Fosters as he went on to work with Paul Wade and others on several building projects. Some of the early builds in 1984 included: a dryer extension at NZDC in Tīrau, The Great Outdoors Company Ltd retail outlet building in Hamilton, Bryant Halls of residence, dining hall additions, and the new State Insurance office building in Victoria Street, Hamilton. ‘I suppose Paul Wade saw something in me and was incredibly supportive. All of Fosters were supportive.’ 27

'Back then, we never had the health and safety like you have now, and it was all a big competition – who could do it the fastest, quickest – and we had a lot of fun doing it! Some of the stuff we did was probably outrageous by today’s standards.'

– Stu Miller 28

As a leading hand, John Sittlington mentored several apprentices in these early years. ‘I believe in the theory side of building, the way we do things, the physics, i.e. fulcrum and levers.’ John believed in being hands on with apprentices he mentored, e.g. such as showing them how to sharpen a chisel and explaining the difference between a strut and a brace. In years to come, John would reflect back on these days as an enjoyable time

for apprentices to gain a whole perspective about building terminology, practice and skills.29

New offices

As the Foster team increased size it was felt by the directors that a new yard was needed for Foster Construction. So the company relocated office and yard, moving from Daniel Place to Tasman Road in May 1987. Still in the Te Rapa area.

Stu Miller’s first job with Fosters was to construct a shed for Alan Wade out the back of the yard at Tasman Road. Alan (Colin and Paul’s brother) had been brought in as a mechanic for Fosters.

Stu and some other men built their own homes and would use the Fosters yard over the weekends and use tools and machinery, even use of the company order book to charge a lot of the timber and supplies at a discount rate. ‘We’d do all our pre-cut/pre-nail on the weekends.’ 30

Systems were well established; each foreman had a ‘box’ on the wall outside by the rear entrance at the Tasman Road office. Any

Graham Foster. Smoko at the Daniel Place office in Te Rapa, early 1980s. Personal collection.

correspondence, i.e. plans or site instructions, would be left in their box, and the foreman would come in and clean out their box at the end of each day or first thing in the morning.

Carol recalls: ‘By regularly seeing and chatting with the same subbies week in, week out, when they came into the office to view pricing plans, you got to know them quite well.’ 31

In May 1988, Graham Mallett sold some shares in the Tasman Road property to David Beard, and Colin and Paul Wade, to establish Tasman Properties, where all four became shareholders. From here on, Fosters would be a tenant and whilst they owned the office building, they would lease the land from Tasman Properties.32

Company vehicles

Fosters soon recognised it was time to replace some of the old 1960s vehicles and invest in the latest, more modern cars and vans available through Ebbett Motors.

One story that gave rise to this need comes from Ian Sanders. Ian was living in Hamilton East near the gardens. He would cycle to work in Te Rapa each day, arriving by 7 am and often working later than 5 pm, until he was happy with a day’s work completed to his satisfaction – what he would refer to as a ‘tidy point’. ‘I worked till the work was done.’33 One morning, however, en route to work, he was hit by a car. Fortunately, he wasn’t gravely injured. In response, Fosters bought him a company car, a Mini, which Ian described as ‘a beautiful little car,’ and this made his job a lot easier. Ian felt very looked-after by the management team, a sentiment that would continue throughout his 40+ year career with the company.34

When Colin and Paul both bought shares in the company, they also received a company car each (funded through a bank loan), but as Fosters was making a loss, they were asked to pay the running costs of the vehicles themselves. However, in one audit, the company got ‘stung by the taxman’ as they were paying for petrol in cash themselves and had not kept their receipts to prove this.35

The yard at Tasman Road, 1987.

Graham Mallett took charge of mowing the front lawns regularly. This photo was taken in 1994.

Advances in technology

Some of the pieces of technology that made life in the office a lot more efficient included a franking machine (for the mail), a phone switchboard, two facsimile machines, an intelligent memory typewriter for Carol and a dictaphone for David. Carol remembers David loving his ‘toys’; he was the first in the company to get the ‘brick’ cell phone. ‘It was a huge brick of a thing – a big grey thing.’ Graham Mallett then got himself one, too. No other staff had one, so if one of the quantity surveyors wanted to make a call while out on site, they would have to borrow one of these cell phones.

Ian and David shared the company’s first computer, an IBM portable computer which they moved around the office on a trolley.36 Microsoft then put out a piece of software called ‘Project’, which allowed Ian to enter all the data for the programming process. ‘But the beauty of it was you could do a massive program and set the thing going and just walk away, and the next morning it would be printed out.’37 The downside was that it produced too much paper and large, A3-sized pages, which were too cumbersome. Carol went to classes to learn shorthand and later Microsoft Office.

Paying suppliers and subcontractors became a lot easier once computergenerated cheque runs came into use. Barry Hammond kept all the cheques written out in his top drawer and would ‘release them’ once he knew there was sufficient cash flow. Carol still ran the manual system alongside the new computerised one for several years after to ensure the claims that came in were assessed correctly and that there weren’t any over- or underpayments made. ‘He [Graham Mallett] appreciated that I was pretty ruthless with subcontractor and supplier invoices. I wasn’t paying unless I was certain everything was correct.’38 Telephone banking was introduced in June 1987.

A part of the record-keeping process was recording each construction project’s progress. The quantity surveyor would visit a building site weekly and take photos of the building progress; these would then be developed. Pictures of the completed construction would be kept in a photo album for posterity (many of which have been used in this publication).

The Tasman Road office, 1987.

The new State Insurance office building in Victoria Street, 1984.

Flagship builds

Several joint venture builds between Foster Construction and Foster Development attracted media attention in the 1980s and were considered flagship builds for Fosters and the client. On the opening day of each new building Fosters would be invited to celebrate with the client.

Fosters often gave its staff a gift, such as wine glasses etched with the ‘Flying F’ logo to mark these ‘roof-shouts’.

Pukete Industrial Estate

Fosters undertook this project under contract with the city council. The estate ran parallel to State Highway One at the intersection of Kapuni and Maui streets. Fosters began the construction of Pukete Industrial Estate in 1983. It was initially designed as a transport complex. The first businesses to establish their hubs there were: Ullexco (Ullrich Aluminium), Scott Transport, TASAG (Tasman Agriculture Ltd), Fletcher Wood Panels, New Zealand Express, Turners Cars (auctions), and A B Donald Ltd markets – together with Turners & Fows amalgamated to become Turners & Growers.

Turners Cars auction site in Avalon Drive began in 1983. The site included drive-in facilities from an inspection yard to the auction arena with cafeteria, administration and reception areas. In the initial stages of construction, Fosters needed to conduct extensive earthworks as the site was an old gully.40

Vehicles at the Daniel Place yard, early 1980s. Personal collection.

Advertisement

The Fosters ‘Flying F’ logo.

The introduction of mobile phones, computerisation and the Internet: The first generation of mobile phones were bricks by today’s standards. Some questioned their value, and they remained luxury items. Only 11.5% of the nation’s population had a home computer by the end of the decade.

While the DSIR, in the 1960s, utilised the first computer in New Zealand, it was at the University of Waikato that the first Internet connection was made in 1989.39

Cassell Trust Hospital

This was a refurbishment project. The hospital was initially built in 1920. It took Fosters six months to create a new $550,000 surgical theatre block; it was opened by the Hamilton East MP, Ian Shearer, in 1983. The block included top-of-the-line support facilities, a pressure sterilisation area, recovery room, sterile storage areas, staff changing and dining rooms. Then, in 1985, Fosters built a new laundry, and in 1987, there were further theatre additions for the hospital.

Hautapu dairy factory

Construction began in 1983. The brief was to construct a 500,000-gallon reservoir in Hautapu for the Waikato Dairy Cooperative. Paul Wade oversaw this project. His team had to build a precast water tank. ‘I’d never done anything like that before,’ says Paul. The job proved to be one where skill, innovation, collaboration and reviewing costs every step of the way led to a successful build in the end. Paul and his team faced many challenges, not only getting the structure of the tank correct by working with precast, curved panelling, ensuring the proper tension on the cables, welding, and sealing joints, but Paul had to also go back to David Beard and Ian Sanders to ensure that the job had been priced correctly to allow for all the steps involved in this construction. He got there in the end and saved Fosters money on the job! 41

A Waikato crane hauling the 500,000-gallon cast tank, 1983. Personal collection.

Hamilton Gardens

In 1988, Foster Construction won a tender to construct the Horticultural Hall at Hamilton City Gardens, beating its closest competitor by $2,000.

The bid put in by Fosters was for $1.227 million. This was the company’s most significant tender bid to date. It was also the most extensive alteration job, as the existing toilet block was retained and incorporated into the final building.

The Horticultural Hall was being built as the centrepiece of New Zealand’s largest flower festival – the Trust Bank Garden World Flower Festival, to be held in October 1989. The hall would consist of a seminar room, an exhibition court, and a central foyer available for hire. The 1,500 sq. m. building was the fruition of four years of planning by the council and substantial fundraising. The hall was designed to resemble a marquee.42

Out-of-town builds

John Sittlington came to work for Foster Construction in 1983. He had been running his own business but was struck by the global recession of 1982. ‘So I rang Graham Mallett, and he said, “I’ll get back to you.” Well, he got back to me within two hours and told me to be at the Boundary Road Bridge at half-past five in the morning.’ Graham took him to his first job with Fosters at the racecourse in Paeroa.

John worked for about eight months as a carpenter alongside Pat Trail (foreman) before being promoted to leading hand/site manager and in charge of out-of-town builds. His first job was to construct a warehouse at the Hopuhopu Military Camp in Ngāruawāhia.

For all the out-of-town builds, John had a team of builders from within Fosters. Fosters QS team would advertise for local subcontractors and seek suppliers in the towns where the construction was to take place. ‘I had PlaceMakers, who was our major supplier, wherever I went. I could ring the supplier, and he would leave the order at my back door on a Friday night, and it was all organised.’ 43

He says he always had a good team of workers, and the only challenge was getting the pricing for the job done as the ‘towners’ were often pricier than what Fosters would do the job for. He also oversaw a few appointments with David Beard through Foster Development. John says he has been ‘very blessed’, having worked for Fosters for over 40 years.

Foster Construction’s Graham Mallett (left) and Glyn Hodgson check the final additions. Fosters construct ‘Flagship’ centre. Waikato Times, 1983.

Surviving boom and bust

Finding means of financial security was the key to survival when the economy was struggling. Fosters operated on overdraft a lot of the time to ensure the company could pay the subcontractors' monthly claims. Likewise, invoices from suppliers would be approved for payment by the foreman once the order had been double-checked.44

A goods and services tax (GST) of 10 per cent was introduced in October 1980. It was raised to 12.5 per cent in 1989. In 1982, the Muldoon government introduced a wage and price freeze to control inflation. This was ‘the most dramatic peacetime economic regulation in New Zealand’s history’. As expected, the freeze was unpopular with employers and workers, but unfortunately it lasted until the snap election of 1984.45

A superannuation fund

To offer the staff some form of future financial security, Graham Foster and Graham Mallett created a staff superannuation fund in 1982, with the National Mutual Life Association of Australasia Ltd, in partnership with Waikato Crane Services and Morrinsville Industries Ltd (owned by Graham Foster’s brother Neil).

A misplaced sense of security

After 1984, there were a few years when things felt somewhat more financially comfortable, and the building industry experienced a relative boom. All three directors took a salary and received their first dividends by the end of that year. However, such comfort was not to last. The company went into decline once again after the 1987 ‘Black Monday’ stock market crash. ‘The effects of the October 1987 crash spilt over into its real economy [NZ], contributing to a prolonged recession. Deregulation had suddenly given financial institutions considerably more freedom to lend, though they had little experience in doing so.’ Fosters wasn’t making a profit, so no dividends were taken until 1998.

Fosters staff were fully aware of the company’s fight for financial survival. The directors make every effort to keep Fosters afloat, with overdrafts and several company loans from Lombard, UDC Finance, Marac Finance, Allied Mortgage Guarantee Co. and O’Neill and Allen Co. Graham Mallett, in particular, had secured each loan personally. Carol remembers: ‘Collectively, we all treated Graham’s money like it was our own.’

'We just genuinely wanted to see Fosters succeed. We all had the best outcome for Graham in mind, and we felt proud to work for Fosters.'

– Carol Green

The impact of this latest recession was wide-reaching. ‘Investment companies and property developers began a fire sale of their properties, partially to help offset their share price losses, and partially because the crash had exposed overbuilding.’ 46 The effects of this financial stranglehold on Fosters and other building companies would continue to be felt into the next decade.

BUILDING GREAT COMMUNITIES

By the 1990s, Foster Construction had been ‘growing’ with the Waikato for over 40 years, and was one of the region’s largest privately owned construction company. Hamilton city was well established as capital of the dairy sector and agricultural research, and a manufacturing and distribution centre. It was becoming increasingly identified as a student city, with tens of thousands of students attending Waikato University and Waikato Polytechnic. Fosters developed a strong working relationship with both institutions.

Construction combined with development meant the process of working was becoming more client centred. Fosters was no longer solely reliant on the tender process to obtain work; clients approached Fosters directly. Graham Mallett remained committed to the personal way of getting to know clients and fulfilling project briefs. ‘Our resources enable us to fulfil large projects, yet our size is such that the personal control of the directors is maintained on each project.’1

It was said that, by now, there weren’t too many from Hamilton, a city of 106,000 people, who hadn’t come into contact with Fosters in some way or other. For example, by 1995, Foster Construction catered specifically for worshippers, students, the sick and infirm, accident victims, the retail sector, businesses, distributors, the city council, families, bankers, office workers, academics and real estate agents.2 With this proven record,

Fosters was now at the forefront of new building work and becoming more aligned with the visioning process of placemaking in the urban environment, i.e. transforming public spaces to strengthen the experience and connections made between people and place.

Hence this was a time for new and imaginative design. Fosters collaborated with various architects and consultants throughout this unique time of innovation. Fosters staff were often challenged by the radical shift in design concepts but, in the end, Fosters gained recognition from industry peers for its ‘building excellence’. Fosters had a hand in building a vibrant and exciting city ‘offering unequalled lifestyle and exceptional business opportunities’.3

After an unsuccessful stint in Auckland, it became clear that Fosters would remain focused on serving the Waikato. By doing so, Fosters has shaped a tradition of supporting community-oriented businesses – big and small.

This is particularly so in the way the local supply chain and Fosters grew together and continued to for years to come.

Placemaking builds

Placemaking is a community development and urban design process centred on people and their needs, aspirations, desires, and visions, which relies strongly on community participation.

'We believe that to be part of a region one must participate in its growth. –David Beard.' 4

During this decade, Hamilton city focused on placemaking, e.g. by reviewing how the public interacted with its public spaces. The city prioritised access for pedestrians in the urban environment and by creating spaces for recreation. According to the New Zealand Institute of Valuers, statistics showed that pedestrian flows around Victoria Street in the central city increased during this decade. ‘The concentration of business and entertaining amenities has turned it into a magnet for the whole community.’5 The focus of town planning was now on placemaking, making the city more inviting and catering to the many needs of its growing and diverse population. One significant part of this was examining how the public accessed spaces within the city.

Pedestrians before traffic

Known as ‘Bridge Street’ (now Anzac Parade) – this traffic bridge (aka Victoria Bridge) reopened in the 1990s. Engineers widened the roadway, encompassing the original footway, with new pedestrian lanes cantilevered off the sides. The bridge spans the Waikato River and is located at the southern end of Victoria Street. Today the bridge is recognised as part of Hamilton’s early settler heritage.

Creating green spaces

Hamilton Gardens is a prime example of the city’s emphasis on placemaking. The gardens had already shifted from being a botanical garden in the 1980s to one focused on design, and developments would continue throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s. The first of the Paradise Gardens was opened in 1992. Fosters has been associated with the growth of the gardens since these times.

Hamilton Central Library moved from Worley Place into its present building at Garden Place in 1993. Garden Place was grassed over, had a central fountain and was somewhere the public could come and relax. This left space in the central city for a proposed shopping mall.

Mayor Evans at the ‘Victoria’ Bridge’s reopening, 1990s.

Waikato-Tainui development

1990 marked New Zealand’s sesquicentennial, as we came together to acknowledge 150 years since the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. In 1995, following a lengthy negotiation over compensation for land losses in the 1800s, the Waikato Raupatu Claims Settlement Act passed by Parliament made Tainui one of the most significant economic players in the region.6 Tainui Development Ltd undertook its first construction project in the Waikato with Foster Construction – offices and workshops for the Facilities Management Division of the University of Waikato.

Financial recovery for Foster Construction

It would take eight years for Fosters to recover from the two financial recessions in the 1980s. Other loans and mortgages were secured to keep the company afloat.

By 1992, Graham Mallett was confident that Fosters was now in an advantageous position going forward, not only financially, but in terms of the company’s increased capacity and the capabilities and resources of its staff. ‘The company has proven its ability to weather several economic troughs and peaks and has emerged from the most recent recession in a powerful position in terms of management, technical and financial resources.’7

The construction industry as a whole experienced a boom from 1993 to January 1995, during which time Fosters’ income was far more significant than it had ever been before, with contracts now in the millions, and 60 per cent of its turnover coming through the open market. In the last ten

years, Fosters won 32 per cent of all the tenders they submitted.

From 1995 to the end of 1998, there was another lull in activity, mainly due to the Reserve Bank increasing interest rates. The industry would pick up again from 1999. This was largely down to its leadership and participation in a collective decision-making process.

The triumvirate

'Telephone the Foster Construction Group in Hamilton and ask for the boss. One of three people will come to the phone. It is rare, if not unique, in New Zealand for a 12–15-million dollar a year company to have three bosses.'

–Trade News, November 1995

The directors – Graham Mallett, Colin Wade and Paul Wade – all wanted to ensure the company continued to reflect the spirit of teamwork and not being afraid to get your hands dirty, which the two Grahams had demonstrated to staff and clients throughout the 1970s. ‘Although Graham Foster is no longer part of the firm, its directors are all Waikato-based and participate in day-to-day management. Two of our directors still work on the jobs, as Graham and I did, and this results in a management structure that is close to its workforce and clients and that can recognise and adapt to their needs’ said Graham Mallett in a company profile document produced in 1992.8

'We see stable relationships with our workforce as fundamental in providing quality resources and service to our clients.' – Graham Mallett

Legislative change and regulation for the building sector: The construction industry faced challenges. The Employment Contracts Act, the Building Act and the Resource Management Act were introduced in 1991, followed by Building Regulations 1992. Also in 1991, following a report to the Minister of Labour, a National Asbestos Register was established by the government in 1992. The Building Act 1991 became law in 1993 and changed building controls from a prescriptive system to a more self-

regulated regime. In addition, the government dropped the apprentice training system for builders and the related building trades. The ‘leaky homes’ crisis was a significant construction and legal crisis up and down the country; it concerned timber-framed homes built from 1988, that were not fully weathertight. Allegations were brought before the courts until 2004.

'The goodwill within the company extends outward, for comment in Hamilton about Fosters is consistently favourable.' –Trade News, November 1995

This same reporter from Trade News observed: ‘Whatever happens, there is an atmosphere of assuredness about Foster Construction. It emerges from the hands-on style of the three owner-directors.’

Colin Wade described the strength of Fosters: ‘We are builders and developers, and we are damned proud of everything we do. We succeed because of that. And because everyone in the company knows what is happening.’

David Beard would go on to stress that: ‘You won’t find many architects who won’t collaborate with us a second time.’9

New team members

Ross Pacey first heard about Fosters through Tony Gemmel and Ken Duffield while doing his apprenticeship in plumbing and gas fitting. Ross went on to train as a quantity surveyor and in 1991 was employed by Foster Construction, working with Ian Sanders and Derek Hobbs while completing his studies.

The first female cadet

Fosters employed its first female quantity surveyor ‘cadet’, Lyrae Duncan, in 1993. Lyrae had trained at Polytech and was now doing work experience with Fosters. She remembers working with Ian Sanders. ‘He was a great teacher and had so much knowledge; I was privileged to learn from him. Ian was like a father figure to me, too. Ian is the reason that I love measuring.’ Lyrae also worked alongside Geoff Booth and Ross Pacey. ‘Ross and Geoff were both immensely helpful to a new cadet – both were great mentors and had no problem collaborating with a female cadet.’

She recalls that of Graham Mallett, Colin Wade and David Beard: ‘All three of these men were helpful to me starting out. They all mentored me in separate ways. They always said if I didn’t understand something, ask.

Ross Pacey started working for Fosters in 1991.

‘I did not find the Fosters staff to have a problem with a female QS/trainee. It was more the architects. The Fosters staff (guys on-site) were outstanding in helping me understand what plans meant regarding what was actually built on-site.’

'The Fosters team culture at the time I worked there was like a family – small, caring, helpful and thoughtful.' – Lyrae Wood

Lyrae stayed at Fosters for just over five years, leaving in June 1999. She then worked with Fletcher (residential) before becoming a self-employed QS for 16 years, collaborating with builders, subcontractors, and professional QS firms. Today, Lyrae is still based in Hamilton and works as a senior QS for Kingston Partners Quantity Surveyors.10

Alan Wade with Fosters trucks, getting ready for the annual Christmas parade sponsored by The Warehouse, 20 November 1992.

Left: Chris Woodcock – builder, working on-site, 16 December 1994. Below: Warren Clarke – engineer, the yard in Tasman Road, 16 December 1994.

Fosters staff volunteer their time to participate in The Warehouse Christmas Parade, November 1992

Alan Wade welding on-site, 1992.

Operating as separate entities

As the company grew, Fosters management structure became more complicated. It now had three separate entities – Construction, Machinery and Storage, and Development. Each was operating as an independent business, with its own manager and ownership structure, i.e. shareholders. Things, however, were on the verge of change as a restructure would happen in 1993.

Continuity

One of the challenges with having three separate operating businesses was to ensure the same employment standards were met across each business. With the new Employment Contracts Act 1991, Fosters wanted to retain skilled staff. In a company profile document put together in 1992, Graham Mallet wrote: ‘Our staffing policy is to maintain a full-time regular labour force and to offer stable employment and encourage advancement from educational, career and personal viewpoints. We encourage staff to stay with the company, and offer significant benefits in that respect. Our labour and industrial relations record is second to none.’ This also applied to apprenticeships. Fosters continued to take on apprentices annually.

'Our staff is the key to a business that aims to provide good-quality buildings.' – David Beard 11

Foster Construction employed up to 80 tradespeople (65 permanent staff and the rest subcontractors) and clients were approaching Fosters directly to contract the company for design and building projects.

Design and build

This service was created to cater for the client who had a particular site with a specific building requirement, and wished to maintain a strict budget and obtain value for money in terms of quality and economy. In its, marketing Fosters stated: ‘We work with highly qualified architectural and engineering practitioners with a proven track record and will select the designer based on his overall performance concerning the type of work being undertaken. We insist on the quality of the design and construction.

We select the architect and engineer in conjunction with the client to ensure that our policy of value for money is maintained.’12 Two examples of design builds were for the National Bank in Cambridge and the feta cheese plant for New Zealand Dairy Group at Te Rapa.

Builds included schools, service stations, offices, a Pizza Hut restaurant, hospital departments, banks, community policing centres, a masonic centre, a mill expansion, St John’s regional headquarters, a dairy product drying plant, retail distribution centres, transport buildings, additions to the Waikato Museum, extension and upgrade to the Hamilton airport, Windsor Court rest home, Hutton’s despatch chillers and packing facility, swimming pool complex, NIWA laboratory, Southern Cross Healthcare birthing unit, retail outlets, apartments, gymnasiums, medical centres and various workshops.

Foster Machinery and Storage (FMS) was Fosters’ transport and machinery supply side. Alan Wade oversaw the hireage and maintenance of the vehicles owned by Foster Construction. Just as Graham Foster had realised the need for cranes and other vehicles in the 1970s, Fosters was again looking to purchase large-scale vehicles for use on significant construction projects.

Foster Development continued to take on the role of proprietor and developer, leasing an industrial and commercial property to tenants for six or more years and selling investment property to future design and build clients. By 1994, Foster Development, under the leadership of David Beard, established Quadcon Properties Ltd. Colin Wade, Paul Wade, David Beard, Graham Mallett, Ross Pacey, Michael Crawford and Mitch Plaw all held shares in the company.13

Development projects

Fosters’ involvement in industrial and commercial property, investment and development continued to grow during the 1990s. Fosters could assist with financial and feasibility analysis, site selection and leasing options for clients interested in developing an investment property. They also offered to help with acquisition negotiations.

Management projects

This focused on providing construction management services during a build, such as site supervision, provision of a foreman, site management and attendant labour, setting out the condition of plant equipment, site offices and amenities, and control and supervision of subcontractors. In the age of computerised technology, Foster Development provided clients with critical path analysis and resource management techniques, stating - ‘We have completed fast-track projects on this basis on specialised multidisciplinary industrial projects.’14

Amalgamation

As part of the financial recovery, the directors decided, in December 1993, to consolidate into one group – Foster Construction Group Ltd. David Beard, Michael Crawford and Ross Pacey all became shareholders. From March 2000, Beard and Pacey were also company directors. There would be still further restructuring to come in the years ahead.

After amalgamation, it was necessary for management that all units under the Foster Group umbrella operated as one. Management continued to encourage a team culture that emphasised values of collegiality, loyalty, co-operation and trust.

'The culture of that time was of loyalty and respect. We were a well-oiled, tight-knit team that focused on making sure Fosters was the best it could be.' – Carol Green15

Across the three business entities, Fosters tried to maintain a clientcentred approach to its work and the values of quality, service, delivery, and reliability. External accreditation was one way of doing this.

Quality, reliability and service

Fosters pride themselves on being a little different. Quality is a strong word backed by Fosters 100% commitment.16

In 1992, Fosters took steps towards obtaining ISO accreditation; at the time, the standard was known as ISO 9000. Graham Mallett summed up the importance of ensuring quality control measures could consistently be demonstrated: ‘Although we have an enviable reputation for quality construction, we recognise that trends towards the formalisation of quality control systems are implicit in a company’s ability to provide customer assurance programmes that our mainstream clients expect.’

We are committed to meeting our clients’ needs in terms of quality and time, and to provide responsive and cost-competitive services. – Graham Mallett

International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO): ISO is an independent, non-governmental international organisation with a membership of 166 national standards bodies. Its members bring together experts to share knowledge and develop voluntary, consensus-based, market-relevant International Standards that support innovation and solve global challenges.17

Placemaking builds in the 1990s

The University of Waikato

In 1991, Hamilton Teachers’ College amalgamated with the university to become the School of Education. By 1995, the university was 30 years old and well established on the Hillcrest campus, occupying land on either side of Hillcrest Road, on the original title of the first Māori King, Pōtatau Te Wherowhero. As part of the settlement process with the Crown, the land was leased back to the university by Waikato-Tainui.

Fosters’ building work at the university during this decade included: new campus shops (1990), library (1993), lecture theatre (1996), buildings constructed with Tainui Development Ltd (1996) and Block L refurbishment (1997).

University library

Twenty years of planning came to fruition at the end of February 1995, with the opening of the University of Waikato’s long-awaited library extension. With the university now expanding its degree courses, there was a need to increase the size of the library to cater for more students and provide resources in more subjects such as science, management studies, computer science and law. The extension meant the library could house 640,000 new books, serials, microfiches and aerial photographs to a total value of $84 million. The cost of the build was $5.8 million.

The first stage of the library was built in 1976; it took 17 years to prepare for stage two of the development. The construction was also a flexible seismic structure that was unique in New Zealand. The building remained open for the whole of the construction period. ‘With goodwill and co-operation from the university staff and the contractor, the project was completed without significantly reducing the library’s service to the university community.’18

Lecture theatre

Fosters was contracted to complete the construction phase of a newly reinforced concrete lecture theatre. The building featured a copper roof on a steel frame extending over a courtyard. As well as the structure containing several complex elements in the construction, the team had to endure difficult winter weather conditions. With so much rain during the critical construction period, Fosters had to bring in more people to complete the build, the timeline was extended, but the team was still five weeks behind. Fosters had to think on their feet and work smart to get the building completed by Christmas 1995.

‘Fosters foreman Merv Balloch played a crucial role in maintaining a common-sense approach to the intense (and sometimes frustrating) activities on-site … The team approach of all consultants and contractors made for timely progress,’ said Robin Hannah, project architect from Chibnall Swann Architects. Murray Carlaw and John Sittlington from Fosters were also critical people in ensuring the build came together as intended.

Throughout the contract, Foster Construction Ltd site and management personnel were co-operative and professional in their approach. – John Badham, capital works superintendent

The completed library block, 1993.

Waikato Polytechnic

From 1990, a range of new degrees was on offer at the polytechnic, developed in response to changing employment needs, including nursing, midwifery, business, sport and exercise science, information technology and media arts. Then in 1999, land was purchased by the polytechnic on Avalon Drive to establish a campus with ample space for trades, sports, and hospitality training.19

Fosters gained several contracts with the polytechnic: student services and Māori Studies Centre (1991), administration building block B extensions (1992), the Learning Resource Centre (1994), and the Sports Studies Centre at Avalon Drive (1999).

The Learning Resource Centre

Paul Wade oversaw the construction of the Learning Resource Centre (also known as the library), a contract worth $6,332,000, the largest tender won by Foster Construction in this decade. The project was a large and complex extension and alteration to the existing library building on the leading campus site in Hamilton. Paul recalls: ‘We had to demolish the top two floors … take the top floor off it and leave the first floor, to chop out the ground floor, put all new foundations in and hold the concrete first floor up, take all the columns out, all the pads and footings, foundations, demolish them, hold the concrete floor above up and build two new floors above.’ The interior of the building was a challenge as well, as the architect’s plans called for a curved fibreglass ‘snake-like’ feature on the wall, and at the entrance to the building there was a ‘space frame’ feature and a glass lift. Paul was famously known for saying: ‘If you can pay for it –we can build it!’20

'A high level of professionalism characterised Foster Construction’s performance during the contract and a willingness to respond and contribute to successful outcomes throughout the process.' – Peter Wootton, Architectural Manager, Worley Architects Ltd

The completed building provided a focal point for student and staff activity on campus and was designed accordingly. ‘Through Fosters’ cooperation, we were able to occupy the building on time and open the facility for the new school term,’ said Dennis Twiname, Properties Manager for Waikato Polytechnic.

(From left to right): Paul Wade, David Beard and Colin Wade review the Learning Resource Centre plans. Trade News, November 1995.

Schools

Foster Construction continued to work with the Ministry of Education refurbishing, making additions, remodelling and building new schools in the region, such as Forest Lake Primary School, Te Kura o Ruamata, Southwell School Learning Centre, Melville High School, Te Rapa Primary School, Hamilton Boys’ High School, Te Kohao Kohungahunga Shool, Te Wharekura O Rakaumangamanga, and Hillcrest High School; and Titirangi Primary School and Drury School (both in Auckland). From 1990–1997, Foster construction built 160 relocatable primary classrooms. Many of these school projects received NZIA awards for excellence.

Te Rapa Primary was an example of modern design. Described as a novel yet practical design, the school’s architectural uniqueness complemented its local residential setting in the suburb of Pukete. An open arrangement of individual rooms grouped as ‘pods’ was preferred. Classrooms were all linked together with resource rooms by several walkways. The provision for the addition of future additional classrooms was essential. The project cost a total of $2.7 million and took one year from design and build to completion.22

In an interview for Trade News in 1995, Colin Wade described Fosters’ contribution to the Waikato landscape as constructing buildings of ‘shape and distinction’.23

Downtown Plaza

The first shopping mall in Hamilton was the Chartwell Shopping Centre in the north-east of the city. It was built in 1974 and underwent significant redevelopment in 1992.

Located in the CBD, Downtown Plaza was considered a placemaking project because the plaza came to define the retail centre of the inner city, just as Garden Place had in the 1950s. The city council upgraded Garden Place and Worley Place to become more pedestrianised; improvements included: footpath upgrading, additional outdoor seating and planting and an extension to the Alexandra Street underground car park, directly accessible to the mall by an escalator.

Downtown Plaza became another flagship build for Fosters in conjunction with Hamilton City Council. The multimillion-dollar complex had 30 retail outlets covering 4,000 m2. The project entailed first securing the Warehouse as an ‘anchor store’ for the complex. Fosters also developed the underground car park building.

Tertiary enrolments: The total ‘equivalent full-time’ students for the University of Waikato and the Waikato Institute of Technology increased by 13.5 per cent between 1994 and 2000, i.e. from 13,766 to 15,623 equivalent full-time students. 21

Project foreman Colin Wade at work in the new central city shopping plaza now nearing completion. Waikato Times, 20 September 1994.

‘Foster Construction felt the warm wind of the local community’s desire to spend up by building the biggest retail development in the central city,’ was how the Waikato Times reported on this inner-city development.24

Completed in September 1994, just weeks after the new Kmart complex had opened on Bryce Street, the plaza mall on the corner of Ward Street and Worley Place was well received, too, by the public and considered a significant factor in the revitalisation of the centre of Hamilton city.25

David Beard was immensely proud of this project: ‘Downtown Plaza brings the Hamilton CBD to a standard unparalleled anywhere in the country as a retail facility.’26 In 1996, Hamilton City Council and Foster Construction won a Hamilton Civic Trust award to transform the inner city.27

Following the success of this project, Fosters was also contracted to build a similar but smaller version of a mall in Cambridge, which opened in February 1995.

Advertisement signalling the completion of the Downtown Plaza, Waikato Times, 13 September 1994.

Graham Mallett speaks at the opening of Downtown Plaza, September 1994. The Plaza Food Court was completed.

Waitoa Dairy Factory

In 1994, Foster Construction entered into a joint venture project with Ebert Construction, of Taranaki, and New Zealand Dairy Group to construct the world’s biggest milk powder dryer in Waitoa at a cost of $10 million. The total cost of the dairy factory was $80 million. In addition to the dairy factory at Waitoa, the Dairy Group was also building a $90 million cheese factory at Lichfield, north of Tokoroa.

Foster Construction engaged Albert Smith Crane Services to assist with this project. Albert Smith had over 40 years’ experience and continues to work in the crane and construction industry to this day.28

Waitoa Dairy Factory, dryer tower, 1994.

Barry Hammond at the Tasman Road office, 14 September 1994.

Fosters farewells Graham Mallett

In August 1995, Graham Mallett resigned as a company director, but he kept a hand in by becoming chair of the board of directors and attended board meetings for years after. Mallett was also elected president of the Registered Master Builders Federation (RMBF) branch in Hamilton in 1997 as a regional councillor representing Waikato and Bay of Plenty Master Builders. He was also a member of the then National Council for 11 years. He held positions as a local House of the Year judge, a local Apprentice of the Year judge, and the Waikato/BOP Regional Advisory Group chairperson. He also became a life member of the Waikato Association.29

Barry Hammond also resigned in 1995 as the company’s accountant and secretary. Glen Munroe replaced him as secretary whilst Michael Crawford from Deloitte took on the role of external accountant and became chair of the board of directors.

Colin Wade took over as managing director. He followed the tradition of Graham Foster and would visit building sites weekly to hand-deliver every employee their pay packet for the week. ‘It meant that I could at least say gidday to all my staff.’30 Michael Crawford recalls: ‘Colin was a different type of manager than Graham Mallett, but similar in that he always wanted to be involved with every job.’31

(Left to Right) Colin Wade, Jocelyn Mallett, Graham Mallett, David Beard. Fosters Christmas function, 8 December 1994.

A trial period in Auckland

One of the last things Fosters did in this decade was to seek construction work in Auckland. Hamilton’s location being equidistant to the ports of Auckland and Tauranga (‘the golden triangle’) made it a key area for many companies. In 1999, David Beard put forward trialling Foster Construction and Development in Auckland.

Auckland’s North Shore was ‘siphoning off the land’ to developers at the time. Companies that once would have been located in Hamilton were establishing themselves in Albany. Ross Pacey headed up a small team at an office in William Pickering Drive, Albany. ‘We had some contacts that we’d worked for in Hamilton that knew us and came to us … The Auckland market was just starting to boom; there were many opportunities up there, a lot of building work going on.’

Out of town, there were a few challenges such as staff retention, supply chains, travel and other logistical planning that went with being in a bigger city. Ross remembers: ‘Guys would get poached pretty quickly by bigger players in the market. We found it quite difficult.’ There weren’t the same long-standing relationships. ‘Doing business up there was a lot harder than the Waikato, you know, you had a lot more trust here.’32 The office closed in 2005, and Ross relocated back to Hamilton.

A new millennium

On the first day of January 2000, at around 12.05 am, the New Zealand Internet sent more outbound transmissions than received inbound for the first time. And the world attempted to see if we had all survived Y2K. We did!33

Fosters survived, too. By now, it had dusted off the many financial hardships of the 1980s, grown its business and increased its annual turnover exponentially. Now the four firms which made up the Foster Group company were in a position of saying ‘no job is too big or too small, or too complex to take on’. There was a renewed confidence within the leadership for what lay ahead in the new century.

COMING OF AGE

In this chapter, we explore how Foster Construction Group came of age during another time of global recession. This was a time of fundamental growth for the company, by way of gaining confidence to tackle large-scale developments. Developments which would make Hamilton a destination city for sporting events, performing arts, culture and heritage.

Fosters also proved itself a leader in the construction industry for its commitment to environmental sustainability, and a growing commitment to social responsibility, by developing a philanthropic side to its overall business structure.

Concepts and ideas about what constituted ‘a liveable city’, which had been explored in the 1980s and 1990s, were now being consolidated in the 2000s, alongside a new consideration of the environmental impact of construction and development. Developers, city councils, businesses and construction companies – including Fosters – began to focus on their own environmental impact and carbon footprint, i.e. seeing how much waste could be saved from going to landfill, and asking themselves what constituted sustainable development.

Fosters began to demonstrate the numerous ways in which it could collaborate with clients in the Waikato around such concepts of sustainable development and environmental design. Fosters would go on to develop its own environmental policies, upskill staff and seek accreditation to the various certified environmental and sustainable development campaigns of

the day. This first decade of the new century was a time to reflect and look back on their achievements to date. In 2008, Fosters celebrated its 50th anniversary.

What drives us as a group of people is we are passionate about what we do. We’ve been here for 50 years, building a great team. Therefore, we have the flexibility and confidence to promise and produce an excellent result for our customers. – Colin Wade

This was a decade full of paradoxes, i.e. it was a time of growth and generosity, yet it was also a time for being careful with money; for example, Fosters strived to contract Hamilton-based subcontractors and businesses as a priority, especially during the Global Financial Crisis of 2008. Yet the company also began to sponsor community events during this period of austerity. 1

It was also a period for reflection and looking back, taking the opportunity to celebrate 50 years since Graham Foster established the original business. But there was also a need to plan for the future and to work in ways which would guarantee a sustainable future for the coming generations. There were a number of farewells during this new decade, to people who had been with Fosters from the early years, and welcoming new faces and fresh energy to the Fosters team.

New staff

Leonard Gardner came to work for Fosters in 2003, having first worked at KPMG as an accounting cadet. He studied part-time at Wintec and over an eight-year period gained a Bachelor of Business and became qualified as a chartered accountant. Leonard recalls, ‘I wanted to own my own business but thought I would get some commercial experience at a ‘corporate’ first. In February 2003, I applied for three finance jobs from that Saturday’s Waikato Times (River Mill Bakeries, Pop’n Good Popcorn, and Fosters) and got an interview with them all. I chose to go with Fosters’ offer because it was close to home and looked interesting.’2

Leonard went on to win the Young Chartered Accountant of the Year award in 2007. He was one of six candidates for it, each candidate having first won the chartered accountant award for their region. Leonard was recognised for having made a creative contribution to the overall development of his employer’s business, for making a significant contribution to the advancement of the profession and for conducting projects for clients to a high degree of professionalism, as well as for his role and contribution to local community affairs.3

Adam Findlay started his apprenticeship with Fosters in 2003, aged 15. He completed his apprenticeship mid-2007 when he was 19, alongside Stefan Hayward and Peter Crawford.4 In 2006, Adam was runner-up for the ‘Apprentice of the Year’ for the Waikato. That same year, he won the Ian Gillett Memorial Cup for the ‘top achieving’ Registered Master Builder Apprentice of the Year.

Adam worked alongside Stu Miller quite a lot in his first years, on projects

Leonard at the Young Chartered Accountant of the Year awards ceremony, 2007.

Adam Findlay with the Ian Gillett Memorial Cup, 2006.

such as the London Street apartments, and Horotiu Meat Works. He recalls that once he completed his apprenticeship, the money he would have earned for jobs he worked on with Fosters had been set aside during his training by Fosters, so that once he’d graduated, he was presented with a full set of tools, plus apron, valued at around $3,000. Through mentoring and his dedication to teamwork, Adam was promoted to site foreman. His first project in this new role was for the Spring Hill Corrections Facility project. Because of his advancement to a leadership role, Adam found himself taking on a new level of responsibility from a young age. ‘It was a bit of a challenge at the time,’ recalls Adam.5 He then worked on the Hampton Downs Motorsport Park complex and Claudelands Events Centre.

Farewells

Lloyd Holland (aka Toad), whom we met in Chapter 2, resigned in December 2006, after 46 years of service to Fosters. He said the best job he had worked on in all that time was the Wintec project in Avalon Drive. When asked to share a funny memory for the Foster Edition newsletter he told the following: ‘Working on the Ngāruawāhia Primary School, I was asked by Graham Mallett to remove the P&T cable as the P&T guys hadn’t arrived yet. So, I cut the cable, rolled it up and put it by the bottom of the pole so the site shed could be shifted. It took the P&T guys all weekend to find out where the fault was!’6

David Beard retired in April 2006, having started with Fosters in 1979 and been a director of Foster Construction since 1993. As well as working for Fosters, David had made a long-term contribution to the broader construction industry, too. David held the ‘purse strings’ of the Waikato Association of the RMBF in the late 1990s, and was also an active member of the Federation’s Commercial and Contracts Committee for more than 10 years. The purpose of the committee is to provide the RMBF practical policy advice around the many issues that arise from the sector – for example, the definition of building classes for licensing, health and safety … developing national standards in contracts … 6 During this time, he, along with Hawkins Construction’s Robert Finley, established a joint contracts

committee with the New Zealand Institute of Architects, and was also a driving force in the introduction of the MasterSpec Warranty Agreement.7

Graham Mallett, who retired from Fosters in 1995, was still an active member of the RMBF, alongside David.

Paul Wade left Fosters in 2007, after 25 years with Fosters (having started in 1982) and being a director of the company since December 1993. ‘I felt comfortable, and I was able to retire at 52.’ 8

Succession planning

As already discussed in previous chapters, the theme of succession planning is an important part of the Foster Group ethos. Graham Foster had said back in the 1970s that he did not want anyone to come into the ownership of the business who had ‘not been a builder’. While this specific criteria changed, the idea that whoever became a director and shareholder would have worked for Fosters has continued to be at the heart of the company’s succession planning. Colin Wade’s philosophy was to ’continue the tradition of excellence that Fosters had been built on.’ 9

After two years at Fosters (2005), Leonard met with Colin Wade and David Beard to tell them he was ‘off to buy my own business’. They suggested he buy into Fosters … ‘and here I am still!’ Leonard then progressed from being the company accountant to commercial manager (2004).10 He would later become the company’s CEO (2018) and a majority shareholder/ director along with Ross Pacey.

In April 2007, Ian Sanders, Tim Strawbridge and Dean Hope were brought in as shareholders in Foster Construction, in the confidence they would lead the company in years to come. Colin Wade remained as the managing director of the day-to-day operations.11

As yet, there had not been any women in leadership roles within the company, though more women were entering the trades. ‘We are always looking to staff to identify who our next leaders are so they can be brought up and put in positions of responsibility. With this comes training in things like construction management and people skills.’12

Upskilling staff was a key theme for Fosters in this first decade of the new century, as well as being particularly concerned with sustainability, i.e. design, waste management (recycling and reusing), environmental impacts, energy use, carbon footprint, the lifespan of a building and planning for future generations.

A growing industry

The construction industry as a whole within New Zealand was growing in capacity. As a consequence, there was now greater competition for large-scale projects of regional significance. This would influence Fosters’ strategic direction for the years to come.

Nationally, there was also more regulation and compliance for the construction industry, such as the passing of the Building Act 2004 and the Building Code, plus the creation of a Weathertight Homes Resolution Services Act 2006 to assist leaky-house owners.14

Following the passing of the Building Act 2004, a Licensed Building Practitioners scheme (LBP) was introduced in 2007. Whilst the scheme was voluntary, Fosters encouraged all their builders to be licensed. ‘We want to make sure we move quickly to recognise the skills of the people we have working at Fosters.’16 This also meant that clients working with Fosters could be assured that builders contracted to undertake the work had been assessed as ‘competent to carry out building work essential to the structure or weathertightness of residential (and commercial) buildings.’17

Foster Group entities

In 2004, the directors resolved to amalgamate Foster Development Ltd into Foster Construction Group Limited. The current directors of Foster Construction Group Ltd would remain as the directors of the amalgamated company.18

Foster Construction Machinery Ltd was incorporated in 2005 (known as FMS). It was 100 per cent owned by the Foster Construction Group. Ross Pacey and Colin Wade were directors. A range of machinery and vehicles available for hire included: a telehandler, digger, tilt deck truck, Hiab truck and a crane truck. Paul Wade oversaw the management of FMS. The yard and warehouse was located at 73 Duke Street, Frankton, Hamilton. The warehouse was available for storage for clients. The idea behind the initiative was to provide clients with support with any construction issues, especially with regard to moving and lifting and storage.19

A growing industry: In 2000, there were 16,200 people employed in the construction industry and 22 regional Master Builder associations, with 1,800 companies and over 15,000 employees and subcontractors registered, accounting for 65 per cent of the annual construction spending ($7.5 billion out of $12 billion per year). 13

Building Act 2004 and the Building Code: The Building Code set minimum standards that all new building work must meet but did not prescribe how buildings should be designed or constructed. Plans and specifications were assessed by local councils to ensure they complied with the building code before a consent was issued, whereas the Act set out the law for the construction, alteration, demolition and maintenance of new and existing buildings.15

New business opportunities

Fosters embarked on a couple of sideline businesses during this period. Fosters purchased the local Hebel distributorship through Lightweight Concrete Waikato Ltd as a way to explore more sustainable building material options. Fosters also became the British Plasterboard and Eterpan distributors through Building System Supplies to provide alternative product options in interior and exterior lining.

Both companies struggled to gain traction in the market and were eventually wound up, leaving just learnings for future business opportunities.

Sustainable development

The focus of construction and development in the early 2000s was very much on the ideals of sustainable development. To this end, there were a number of new certification schemes and national campaigns which Fosters endorsed and participated in.

In its 2001 annual report, sustainable development was defined by the Hamilton City Council as ‘development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs’.20

Agenda 21

The Agenda 21 campaign was the beginning of a global movement. Sustainable development was the cornerstone of Agenda 21 and recognised that global issues need to be addressed at a local level – hence the expression ‘think globally, act locally’, emphasising the advantages of people being actively involved in decision-making in their own communities. Some – local councils and communities – worked together to address environmental issues

Licensed Building Practitioners scheme: Its purpose was to encourage competent building practitioners to ‘build homes right the first time’. The scheme also gave consumers the necessary information to make informed decisions about the competence of the building.

One of Foster Transport’s trucks.

of transport, accessibility, pedestrianisation (as mentioned in Chapter 3) and the overall liveability of cities (commercial and residential).

Hamilton City Council’s Strategic Plan 1999–2019 was adopted in July 1999, as was the city’s Local Agenda 21 Plan for achieving sustainable development over the next 20 years and beyond, as outlined in this mission statement (2001): ‘To work in partnership with the people of Hamilton to meet the needs of the community, by providing quality services and sustainably managing the city’s natural and physical environment according to the principles of Agenda 21.’22 This would go on to influence the way in which Fosters worked in collaboration with its clients, including the city council and architects, as one of the region’s largest construction companies. This was also a key turning point for Fosters to consider its own corporate citizenship and notions of social responsibility.

Clean and green - New Zealand Green Building Council

Fosters has been a member of the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC) since it was founded in July 2005 by 31 progressive companies.23

We believe in delivering assets that are affordable and represent value for money over the long term, as well as being future-proofed for a changing climate and a low-carbon economy.24

The first ‘environmentally aware’ building in Hamilton was developed by Quadcon Properties and built by Foster Construction in 2008, setting a benchmark for the future of office space in the city. A three-storey office building was constructed on the old Parklands Hotel site on the eastern side of the Victoria traffic bridge, the top two floors being leased by the Deloitte accounting firm. The building became known as Deloitte House. ‘Building such an environmentally aware project, commonly referred to as ‘green’, is not taken lightly in the Foster camp.’25

Agenda 21: The Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) was created in December 1992 to ensure effective follow-up of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), to monitor and report on implementation of the agreements at the local, national, regional and international levels.21

NZGBC logo.

Deloitte House, 2010.

While it was a big investment to make in one construction project, it was ‘ground-breaking’ and it would ‘bear fruit in the future, not only for the company but for the future generations of Hamiltonians. Deloitte House gained due recognition for its design and build at the Waikato Registered Master Builder awards in 2010 by winning the following awards: for Business and Retail, Tourism and Leisure, and it took the supreme award for Commercial Construction. This was the first time that Fosters had won the supreme award.26

With an eye to the future of the construction industry, foreseeing aspirations of sustainable growth and environmental awareness, Leonard recognised that: ‘Not too many years from now, it will be essential to be ‘green’ accredited, especially when working with government projects.’

Fosters needed to be progressive and proactive in this area of development, taking a step in the ‘right direction’. ‘By upskilling staff now, we will be in a stronger position to offer the complete environmentally friendly solution to our clients,’ said Gardner. 27

Green Star certified

‘Green Star certified buildings are healthier and more comfortable, supporting greater productivity with improved levels of personal control, natural light and cleaner air.’28

Sustainable Business Network

In 2009, Fosters were the winners of the ‘Emerging – Large and Corporate’ business award for the regional Sustainable Business Network Awards. The judges noted ‘Outstanding performance in this difficult industry in actively working to incorporate sustainability as a normal process. Fosters has shown a high level of commitment to staff and building relationships.’ Established in 2002, the Sustainable Business Network (SBN) is ‘a national network of hundreds of progressive organisations and people that collectively invest in and act on system change’. 29 Clients benefit as sustainable buildings are more economic to run over their lifetime. During construction, and in operation, they reduce waste and emissions, and are much more efficient in their use of resources such as energy, water and materials.’30

To illustrate this, in December 2009, the company reported on its landfill vs recycling data. That year, Fosters had recycled 335.64 tonnes of waste and sent 186 tonnes to landfill, meaning the company had saved 64 per cent of its building waste from going into landfill. Fosters then set a target of reducing landfill waste by 75 per cent in 2010. 31

Green Star certification: Green Star has been used in New Zealand since 2007. The New Zealand version of Green Star was adapted from Australia’s Green Star tool. Since its introduction, there have been several updates and changes to Green Star NZ to ensure it incorporates new thinking and practice and meets the needs of the market.

(Left to right): Dean Hope, Ian Sanders, Ross Pacey, Colin Wade, Leonard Gardner and Tim Strawbridge, Waikato Business Showcase, April 2008

Fosters have continued to adhere to the values of sustainability for more than a decade.

Toitū Envirocare

Toitū Envirocare (previously known as Enviro-mark Solutions) leads positive change for businesses through ‘internationally recognised carbon and environmental programmes, based on science and backed by evidence’. They help businesses realise ‘efficiencies, reduce carbon footprints and enhance sustainability – and then be recognised for it’. 32

As far as possible Foster Construction is environmentally conscious. Enviromark notes that the company has shown a real commitment to improving its waste management systems. In fact, they acknowledge Foster Construction as industry leaders in environmental practice and resource recovery on site. – Colin Wade

Fosters was recognised for its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint by completing the Envirosmart Programme with Manaaki

Whenua – Landcare Research and receiving Toitū accreditation in 2008, and a gold award standard in 2010, in recognition of the systems put in place by Murray Stirling to reduce the amount of waste materials going to landfill.33 Fosters is proud to be the only construction company in New Zealand to hold both Toitū carbon zero and enviromark diamond certifications.

We believe in delivering assets that are affordable and represent value for money over the long term, as well as being future-proofed for a changing climate and a low-carbon economy.’

The Global Financial Crisis

Housing foreclosures and corporate insolvency in the United States and the United Kingdom, combined with debt crises across Europe, were the main causes of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). The GFC began to show itself in 2007 but really took hold worldwide in 2008 with a stock market crash. It was considered by many economists to have been the ‘most serious monetary crisis since the Great Depression’.

Here in New Zealand the situation was made worse by the demise of certain finance companies and the leaky building scandal which had its beginnings in the mid-1980s. The national economy declined by 0.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2008. To jump-start the economy, the New Zealand Government introduced fiscal policy changes, personal tax cuts, business tax cuts and an increase in infrastructure spending. However, for the year December 2007–2008, unemployment rose from 3.7 per to 6.1 per cent. Within the construction industry, many subcontractors and tradies lost work.

A united plea to staff, from the directors of Fosters, was made in April 2009. ‘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.’35

Logos for Toitū accreditation.

It was during this period that Fosters secured the Claudelands Arena and Conference Centre project for Hamilton City Council. While it was considered a political hot potato at the time, it was this project that helped Foster Construction get through the GFC, providing security of cash flow and employment of staff throughout what was a very tough period. For one month, this was Fosters’ only construction project on the go.

New Zealand emerged from the global recession in mid-2009, but the commercial construction market did not start to pick up again until 2010.

Fosters was supported by a number of great local clients coming out of the GFC, with projects including the Tompkins Wake office refurbishment, and Deloitte House Development, The Verandah café project, Greelea Premiere Meats cold store, Porter Hire, Albany (Auckland), Profile Foods warehouse extension, Fosters office extension (Barnett Place), Wallace Development, PlaceMakers (Whitianga) and the Hampton Downs substation.

Domestic demand within the construction industry picked up again, and then in 2011 there were the Christchurch earthquakes which put a lot of unforeseen pressure on the construction industry as a whole, the ramifications of which would be felt for years to come.36

As already mentioned, this was a time of paradox: whilst Fosters needed to proceed with caution in terms of its financial security during the GFC, they also had an eye to the future and building a recognisable brand as a go-to construction company. Part of this process was to examine its core messaging to clients.

Beginning with the end in mind

The same year as the GFC, Fosters, with the assistance of a marketing consultant, coined the phrase ‘Beginning with the end in mind’ and adopted it as its tag line. ‘Beginning with the end in mind’ encapsulated a philosophy which had been with the company since the beginning.

Fosters was now thinking beyond the actual building process and focusing on what it meant to build great communities, i.e. the ways in which buildings added to the experience of an inner city, its neighbourhoods and

community spaces. In practical terms, this meant working in collaboration with architects, consultants, clients and community leaders. Questions about the life of the building would come into mind. Such as: How would a building be utilised? How did a building contribute to the life of the city?

Will a building serve the community for the next 50+ years? This new way of approaching construction continued the theme of Placemaking as explored in Chapter 3.

50th anniversary for Foster Construction

Rising to meet the challenge in an industry that is forever changing has seen the team at Foster Construction spend [50] years at the top. –

Waikato Business Showcase, 2008

The opening of the new Foster office in February 2008 coincided with a celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of Foster Construction (dating back to G E Foster Ltd being incorporated 9 August 1957). Ashley Hartley, president of the Registered Master Builders Federation spoke at the opening . ‘Foster is a building company success story – a company that not only talks the talk but walks the walk. It is a long-standing and very active member of the RMBF. Many people, including me personally, owe a huge debt of gratitude to members of this company for the free knowledge they pass on for the benefit of all.’37

A new office and yard was built by the Foster team at Barnett Place, Te Rapa Park. The building was entered into the RMBF awards in 2008. Fosters received a gold award for the building and would stay in these premises until 2018.

A city in good heart

Hamilton city continued to be one of the fastest growing cities in New Zealand during the first half of the 2000s, growing faster than the national average. The city’s population was expected to be in excess of 140,000 by 2016. By 2001, there was development on the outskirts of the city as new suburbs spread. The once-rural settlement of Rototuna was absorbed as a new inner suburb, and others such as Tamahere became outlying suburbs of the city. Dairy farms were turned into lifestyle and new horticultural blocks. Council completed a significant ($7.7 million) roading project in Wairere Drive and Resolution Drive.38

Just as in the 1990s, there was continued upgrading and improvements to walkways and cycleways, particularly between the CBD and the University of Waikato.

The concept of placemaking in Hamilton city continued into the 2000s, with a greater emphasis on sustaining environmental integrity and heritage, with the ease of living both within the inner city and in any newly developed suburbs.

More than you expect

In April 2001, Hamilton City Council adopted the tag line ‘More than you expect’. This came from visitors’ feedback who had said they had been genuinely surprised by Hamilton’s level of development in the city. ‘The abundance of cafés and restaurants and the beauty of the city's surrounding environment.’39

New headquarters located at Barnett Place, Te Rapa Park, 2008.

Spring Hill Corrections Facility award, 2008. This was a collaborative project where Fosters worked alongside Mainzeal, Dominion Construction and Wallace Construction.

The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, before and after construction, 2009. The project involved a substantial redevelopment of the existing cathedral. It is the centrepiece of the Diocese of the Catholic Church in Hamilton. Foster Construction built the original cathedral in 1973, under the leadership of Graham Foster and Graham Mallet.

Proud to serve the community

Fosters were charged once more with the construction of several new civic placemaking projects in the city. These included: the Academy of Performing Arts (completed in 2000), The Verandah lakeside café (completed in 2008), and Claudelands Event Centre (completed in 2008), and work on the Centre Place redevelopment (completed in 2013). Other significant projects in this decade were the Ebbett Holden showroom (completed in 2002), Spring Hill Corrections Facility (completed in 2008), the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary (completed in 2009), and work on Hampton Downs Motorsport Park complex (completed in 2008).

'We’ve grown in the Waikato, we serve the Waikato, and we continue to focus on the Waikato. We want to be the best construction company in the Waikato region.’ – Leonard Gardner 40

Ebbett Holden showroom, Hamilton, 2002.

The Academy of Performing Arts

Prime Minister Helen Clark formally opened the complex in early March 2001 starting a week-long festival of music, dance and theatre.

‘As a major asset for Hamilton and the Waikato region, the academy will play a significant role in the development of the performing arts within the community and will serve the needs of local, national and international arts organisations.’ Hamilton City Council and the University of Waikato each contributed a $2 million grant alongside the WEL Energy Trust, which committed $1.7 million toward the $10 million project, which Fosters began constructing in late 1999. Fosters also came on board as a building sponsor. The city council then contributed $120,000 annually towards the centre’s operating costs.41

As part of the build, Fosters constructed a 340-seat concert chamber with ‘phenomenal acoustic qualities’ and a 240-seat theatre, dance studio and Te Whare Tāpere Iti – a venue specifically designed for Māori performing arts. Annika Shelley, academy manager was quoted as saying: ‘It means Hamilton

is coming of age – and recognising arts and culture plays a significant part in the community.’ 42

The arts centre won the Property Council's Rider Hunt supreme award and the Education Arts Building award in 2001. ‘The centre clearly demonstrates how all the issues that go into a good building work together in harmony.’ 43

The Verandah

The city council completed a redevelopment of Hamilton Lake Domain, playground and other facilities. Included in this was the construction of a new café. Fosters was contracted to replace the city’s historic lakeside kiosk with the new café, The Verandah; Chibnall Buckell (Swann) Team Architects designed the building. This was a high-profile project for Hamilton City Council. The brief asked for a unique and contemporary café and function facility, with panoramic views and direct access to the

lake and playgrounds. The canopy’s exposed and expressive curves were inspired by the playground equipment, while the white membrane of the ‘verandah’ canopy reference the boats and balloons that grace the lake.

Construction commenced in 2008, and the café was officially opened 1 July 2009. That same year, the project won a New Zealand Institute of Architects Design Award and in 2010, Fosters was awarded the Gold Reserve in the RMB Commercial Projects Awards for this project.44

Advertising the completion of the Academy of Performing Arts, March 2001.

During construction.

The Verandah, sitting beside Lake Rotoroa, Hamilton. 2010.

Claudelands Events Centre

This is a pivotal moment in the story of Foster Construction. Undertaking this project was a turning point for many reasons, which will be explored here.

‘Known for “Beginning with the end in mind”. It is this philosophy that is paying off with the large-scale development of Hamilton’s world-class indoor arena and event centre.’ – Waikato Business Review, 2010

Through this project, Fosters proved itself to be an environmentally aware and sustainable development construction company. Michael Crawford described this moment as a time for ‘demonstrating to people that Fosters had come of age’.45

A contract with Hamilton City Council contributed to securing the financial viability of the company, following the austere times during the GFC. This was the largest tender contract ($38 million) that Fosters had achieved in over 30 years and accounted for around 40 per cent of the company’s annual turnover. The entire complex cost the council $68.4 million.

Fosters worked in conjunction with: Holmes Consulting Group (engineer), Kingstons (quantity surveyor), N-Compass Project Managers (project manager), eCubed Building Workshop Limited (services manager) and Marshall Day Acoustics (acoustic engineer). Fosters also engaged with the largest team of local contractors ever for this project – 84 per cent of local tradespeople from Hamilton worked on this project. The only thing

sourced from outside of Hamilton was precast concrete from Auckland.

Chow:Hill Architects Ltd was the architectural firm charged with creating a design strategy that would meet the functional needs of the city council’s new event centre – by providing an arena, conference and exhibition facility, but to also create a landmark building which would become an asset for Hamilton and would enrich the city’s cultural environment for years to come.

The centre needed to create a ‘sense of place’, taking into consideration the natural environment; it needed to provide ease of access, i.e. easy movement for pedestrians, vehicles and public transport; it also needed to accommodate a wide range of different activities in buildings that would be designed to ‘interact with the surrounding open spaces’. And it had to be a sustainable development whereby the design and build strategies needed to include: the reuse of land and existing structures, recycling demolition materials, integrating energy-efficient systems, reusing rainwater, using permeable landscaped surfaces and keeping existing landscape features.46

Leonard Gardner is quoted as saying at the time: ‘For the Fosters team, this is a dream job as far as the impact in the community goes. This arena is where people will come to be part of the community and it is a wonderful thing to be part of … Completing the Claudelands project successfully is really going to set the next level as far as our capabilities as a company goes.’47

A brief history of Claudelands: Originally inhabited by Ngāti Wairere and known as ‘Te Papanui’ (a bird snarer’s seat). In 1886, a group of Hamilton residents, known as the Claudelands Syndicate, rented more than 80 acres from the government and, on expiry of the lease, purchased the land then leased it to the South Auckland Racing Club. In 1887, a grandstand was relocated from Cambridge to Claudelands. The Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association bought the site in 1903. During the

1920s, the site was used by the trotting club, for the A&P Association’s annual shows, gymkhanas, the Polo Association, greyhound racing and the Hamilton Motorcycle Club, among others. The annual Winter Show was moved out to Claudelands in 1967 and began a long association with the Claudelands venue. In 1984, the very first Waikato Home Show was held at the Claudelands Showgrounds. Today Claudelands is host to a multitude of music, entertainment, sporting and corporate events.

This was a job where getting all the elements right first time round was vital, following the principle of ‘measure twice and cut once’. Ian Sanders recalls the challenges that were there right from the get-go. First there was discovering the state of the ground where the pilings needed to be set in place. ‘We struck absolute rubbish ground.’ The decision was whether or not to dig it all out (5–6 metres in depth) and use sheet piling all the way around, or to pour in concrete. They went with the latter option and were able to drill down to the bearing strata and dig where they would need to a pile cap. Spiral drillers did the drilling. Alistair McQueen from Fosters was in charge of pouring the concrete.

Instead of this costing an extra $3 million, as was anticipated, Ian was able to save almost $2 million doing it this way. ‘We had no budget for litigation; we wanted to do this job co-operatively,’ he recalls. Then there was the structural steel spanning 40 metres, supporting the roof, which was also a challenge.

Ian says that the real advantage Fosters had with Claudelands Events Centre was in the use of new 3D modelling technology, which had only just come into use, and Fosters was one of the first construction companies in New Zealand to use the software.

The advantages of 3D modelling include checking for errors which might occur in the drawing process, virtual tours, getting renderings with customised interiors, achieving more with lesser cost, and enhanced collaboration between teams involved in the construction process. For Ian, it allowed him to see where the interior fittings would go in

3D modelling: This refers to the process of creating a computerised mathematical representation of a three-dimensional object or shape. 3D modelling in construction is widely gaining popularity due to the plethora of benefits it offers. With technologies like reality modelling getting intrinsically weaved into the construction lifecycle, the construction process no longer involves rolling out blueprints of building designs.50

Claudelands Events Centre, demolition of the old and construction of the new, 2007–2010.

the design and if there were any functionality problems before actually starting the fit-out. ‘3D modelling really was the secret to getting this project completed’.49

Claudelands Events Centre was completed in 2011 and fitted into the council’s long-term community plan to connect the city centre, by walkways, to the other side of the river with central shopping, accommodation and this venue.51

To this end, Fosters not only contributed to the city’s goal of ‘building great communities’ but also supported local businesses to thrive and be sustainable, too. Colin Wade was in full recognition of Fosters’ ability to be of major influence in this regard. ‘Fosters is part of Hamilton; we like to support local businesses as much as we can.’

The Gallagher Great Race: This takes place on a stretch of the Waikato River through Hamilton and has been an annual event since 2002, giving Waikato University eights an opportunity to compete against university crews from other countries.56

Claudelands Events Centre was opened in 2011.

Hampton Downs Motorsport Park

'When we asked our Hamilton friends who were the best builders in the Waikato, everyone said, “Foster Construction, mate!' – Chris Watson and Tony Roberts, Hampton Downs Motorsport Park

Fosters were contracted to build 80 apartments at Hampton Downs, which is located between Meremere and Te Kauwhata. The apartments would overlook the home straight and a 17-hectare business park. Chris Watson and Tony Roberts gave Fosters high praise for a job well done. ‘Our opinion of them has never wavered and, in fact, it has improved as the apartments have been constructed on time, on budget and to a high standard. No hidden costs or agendas, and an economical approach to solving any challenges.’52

Fosters and PlaceMakers team building day at Hampton Downs.

The completed apartments: (above) overlooking the racetrack and (right) front exterior. Hampton Downs during construction, 2008.

(left to right) Leonard Gardner, Duncan Nichol and Ross Pacey with their racing trophies.

Centre Place redevelopment

Fosters won the tender to redevelop the Centre Place food court and dining lane, then in further negotiations, was also contracted to undertake construction of the Farmers department store, conversion of Downtown Plaza (which Fosters had built in 1994), Ward St West pods, a canopy and siteworks, earthquake strengthening and fit-out of Hoyts Cinemas.

The redevelopment also featured an outdoor contoured play space for children, green walls, and ‘street-scaping’ in a section of Ward Street that had been closed to traffic, with a covered connection bringing the former Downtown Plaza and Centre Place Shopping Centre together under one roof.

The project involved operating in a working CBD mall environment where Centre Place customer safety was paramount. This required extensive planning through all phases of construction. The total project cost came to $36 million. The revamped food court and new dining lane were the first to open, in 2011. The entire redevelopment was completed in 2013.53 At the opening, Chris Gudgeon, Chief Executive of Kiwi Income Property Trust, said: ‘We are encouraged by the support we have received from national and international retailers as we reposition Centre Place as Hamilton’s premier CBD retail destination.’54

Fosters had weathered another economic storm, and once again demonstrated that it can last the distance and in fact share its regained prosperity with the community it serves.

The spirit of generosity

Fosters has always had an invested interest in supporting the growth of healthy communities. Having reflected on its past, it was more aware of its own legacy and having ‘come of age’ as a leading construction company – indeed the largest construction company in Hamilton at the time. There was a growing desire to give back to the community.

The completed centre. (1) Side view of Centre Place from Bryce Street, 2013 and (2) View of the entrance of Centre Place from Ward St.

This is another pivotal moment in the Foster story, as from here on, Fosters developed a philanthropic side to its business.

'Community spirit and a philosophy of putting something back had seen the Fosters Group step up to the plate on many occasions over the past 30 odd years.' – Waikato Business Showcase, April 2008

Fosters first sponsored the Hamilton Gardens Summer Festival in 2007. Fosters’ sponsorship enabled the lakeside village to be run so it was free of charge to the general public during the weekend.55 Then, in 2008, Fosters sponsored the Northern Districts cricket team and the Gallagher Great Race, entering teams into the annual corporate rowing competition.

Another side to the spirit of generosity shown by the directors was towards staff.

Team-building days

The first of these a ‘Treasure Island’ adventure with Outdoor Discoveries, full of ‘mirth and mayhem’. ‘Judging by the amount of stiff and sore bodies at work on the Monday, being a pirate for the day was really hard work.’57

In 2009, the Fosters team went on an off-road adventure just north of Rotorua, which included a 4WD bush safari, a luge run, archery and clay bird shooting and sprint car racing.

An iconic construction company

From 2000–2010, the directors worked hard to ensure that the Foster Construction Group would be recognised as ‘the first-choice commercial construction company in the Waikato’. Looking ahead to 2010, Colin Wade anticipated the biggest year yet, in terms of turnover. ‘All this work has been hard fought in a tight market.’58 Colin also knew from experience, too, that not all tenders were won because they offered the lowest price but because the client has trust that the company could deliver.59

Alongside the accolades received for work done on Claudelands Events Centre, Fosters also finished the year off on a high with great feedback about other builds, including Downer New Zealand, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa (Glenview), Waipa Networks and the Cambridge Mitre 10 MEGA store.

All the achievements highlighted in this chapter pointed toward a bright future for Fosters.

'Foster Construction is positioned to be a strong player in the commercial construction market in the greater Waikato for many years to come.' –Waikato Business Showcase, 2010

Foster Construction Group management (left to right), Leonard Gardner, Ross Pacey, Adam Findlay, Lee Patchett and Nigel Sun, 2018.

Far left: Team building, April 2009.

STRONG FOUNDATIONS

Many things influence the growth of a city or town. This chapter covers the period 2011–2021 when there were several new drivers for transformational change, and Fosters underwent another period of evolution.

There is now a permanent presence in the Bay of Plenty, with a new office established in Tauranga (2018) on the back of the highly successful Bayfair redevelopment project. Fosters had mixed success delivering out-oftown projects and learnt many lessons on delivering the Hobson Hotel in Taranaki. A call was made to focus on the Waikato and Bay of Plenty markets, ‘going deep’ into these communities, rather than spreading around the countryside.

In 2018, Foster Construction Group Ltd went through a process of realignment to its approach to business, which gave more internal cohesion. The leadership team also revisited its core values, providing more clarity and focus about how Fosters engaged with the community. This, in turn, shone a light on the way forward.

To add to this, Fosters also took the courageous move of engaging with like-minded construction companies across New Zealand (north and south), enabling a broader conversation about building great communities and opening up new opportunities to be involved with construction

projects of national significance. The New Zealand Construction Alliance was formed with Maycroft Construction from Wellington and Amalgamated Builders in the South Island.

There have been challenges along the way, not just for Fosters, but shared by the construction industry – the most dramatic of these was the global coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), which began in 2020.

This chapter explores the numerous ways in which Foster Construction Group Ltd has adapted to change, faced up to different challenges and, as a result, diversified into a ‘multidisciplinary, customer-centric, property services business’. In 2019, the company had a record monthly turnover of $19.5 million.

Company and city growing alongside one another

Fosters has grown alongside Hamilton city for over 50 years and contributed to the changing face and liveability of the river city – known for punching above its weight in all it has achieved since the post-war era. The same goes for the interchange between the local supply chains and

workforce in the Waikato. ‘A lot of subcontractors around us have also grown on the back of Fosters’ workload, so there’s a real loyalty there that you can’t just replace tomorrow,’ says Gardner.1

In terms of shaping the urban environment, over the last 21 years in particular, Hamilton City Council, local community, businesses and various industry stakeholders (including Fosters) have collectively addressed issues of community development, environmental integrity, accessibility, pedestrianisation and sustainability, as well as preserving the city’s heritage – all considered key aspects to laying the foundations needed for building great communities. Fosters’ passion for the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions is shown in the team’s local knowledge and expertise to create the best value-for-money solution for clients.

Hamilton’s green spaces

Today, Hamilton city boasts more than 1,000 hectares of open space, 145 parks and gardens and 63 sports areas. Once again, Fosters was engaged in the ongoing development of the city gardens. In November 2018, the

Katherine Mansfield garden was opened to the public. Foster Construction Ltd sponsored the $100,000 cost of building a 20th-century replica house and built it. A façade design was chosen for this period, similar to her parents’ house in Tinakori Road, Wellington.4 The garden itself draws on Katherine Mansfield’s evocative descriptions in her story ‘The Garden Party’, first published in 1922. “They could not have had a more perfect day for a garden party if they had ordered it,” wrote Mansfield.5

Building for the 21st century

Fosters has contributed to a growing conversation among key industry players about what is essential for maintaining a ‘sense of place’, encouraging social cohesion and advancing productivity in the cities, communities and places we call home. Fosters has shown thoughtleadership in this space and the strategic thinking necessary in this age where construction is not only about buildings, but the overall design intent is about meeting the aspirations of communities.

Team-building day, April 2016.

A changing demographic:

The population of Hamilton city reached 178,500 in 2021, with half its residents being under 30 years old. Pākehā make up three-quarters of the people and Māori 19 per cent. The city is also home to more than 80 ethnic groups.2

Tauranga city reached 151,300 in 2021, with 19.7 per cent of the population being 65 years or older, higher than the national average of 15.2 per cent.3

Laying the foundations for building great communities

Fosters reviewed its underlying values and guiding principles, cementing its culture and the principles that have determined ‘the Foster way’ since the 1970s. Likewise, Fosters’ vision for the future focuses on the next 100 years (refer to Chapter 6 for more on this). Foster Construction Group’s philosophy is grounded in the Make it Principles – Make it Safe, Make it Easy, Make it Happen, Make it Right and Make it a Success.6

‘Foundations’ (both tangible and conceptual) have included: consideration of the various working partnerships Fosters has across both the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions, as well as revisiting the company’s values, investment in leadership and further engagement with the local community, both non-profit and business.

The Foster Group operates to create ‘Great communities through strong foundations’. Strong Foundations speaks to our history and work in a strong, secure and sustainable way. Great Communities speaks to what we are looking to create in the projects we deliver and the community we participate in.7

For Hamilton City Council, such new foundations could be seen in the recent debate over a city’s name and identity, preservation of heritage and culture, and recognising the city’s changing population demographic.

In recent times, the city and Fosters have explored the shifting needs of the inner city, including a mix of retail, residential and business shared space, a reimagining of urban design and infrastructure renewal.

The synergies of urban design

As we’ve seen throughout this history and the socio-political context in which Fosters has been working together with the broader construction industry and the growth of our urban environs, there is a distinct cyclical nature to the face of urban design. Every decade seems to focus on another revitalisation of the inner city or town. Today, there are new drivers at play. These have included: significant shifts in environmental design, BIM 3D modelling, programming and methodology, taking a ‘whole-of-life’ and ‘fit-for-purpose’ perspective to building and design, the engagement of corporates with the business

The Victorian villa forms part of the Kathrine Mansfield garden at Hamilton City Gardens. Opening day celebrations, 2018, Facebook.

community and not-for-profit organisations working at the grassroots – all of which have stimulated a period of visionary leadership in the industry. Fosters is a proven example of this.

The focus of this moment is how to maintain such momentum. Fosters has demonstrated that there can be harmony between the outputs of a construction company and its work, in conjunction with other partners/stakeholders, with the outcomes generated for the benefit of the community. This is a visionary time for urban, civic and community development. Fosters has recognised that there can be a synergetic relationship across these sectors.

Opportunity, growth and innovation

Over the past fifty years, we have seen the construction industry go through its difficulties, with times of recession and a lull in employment. Still, there have also been many innovative ideas/concepts evolving.

For Fosters specifically, this has included: working more collaboratively with clients and developers, undertaking joint venture initiatives, making changes to its waste management systems (explored in Chapter 4), engaging with new concepts in environmental design, e.g. Deloitte House, use of 3D modelling, e.g. Claudelands Events Centre, ensuring buildings are fit for purpose, as well as the consideration of a building’s whole-oflife span and the needs of end users. Fosters has led by example in all these areas, continually learning and improving as it goes. ‘From my point of view, it’s quite exciting because I’ve seen us grow from being a small operation to quite a substantial one now. We’ve learnt, we haven’t always got everything right, but we’ve learnt from our mistakes, and we’ve got better,’ says Ross Pacey.8

Property fit for purpose

The production work of Foster Engineering is a prime example of creating something fit for purpose and custom-designed to meet the specific needs of clients and end users. ‘The team at Foster Engineering are proud to go the extra mile and take the time to understand the details

and requirements of each project fully. This allows us to deliver finished products which exceed our clients’ expectations.’9

Whole-of-life perspective

This concept has built on the earlier idea of ‘beginning with the end in mind’, which became a central part of the Foster brand and messaging in the earlier part of this century (as explored in Chapter 4). Today, Fosters provides its clients with a complete 360-degree service, providing a Full Cycle of Property. To ensure this happens, Fosters developed a business model to look after clients’ property requirements from beginning to end (and starting the conversation with ‘the end in mind’).

Building Information Modelling (BIM)

In 2014, the government established the BIM Acceleration Committee – a nationwide alliance of industry and government agencies. The alliance aims to co-ordinate efforts to increase BIM use in New Zealand. The Productivity Partnership and BRANZ sponsor it.10

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is steadily becoming a strength of the construction industry as it evolves and creates opportunities for clients, architects and contractors. Fosters has invested heavily in BIM. In 2018, Marty Pennell rejoined Fosters to focus on BIM and now manages a team of five BIM modellers. This technology is now central to the design work that Fosters does, ensuring better construction outcomes by reducing the possibility of errors on-site.

The co-ordination and visualisation capabilities of 3D modelling with reallife attributes allow all project team members to efficiently understand and uncover the complexities of a building project and explore solutions to optimise the design intent and construction possibilities. To this end, Foster Construction Ltd has developed relationships with key architects and engineers in the Waikato to ensure a smooth flow of information.

Programming and methodology

Things have changed dramatically since the early days when Ian Sanders projected the needs of a building project and made calculations by hand on large sheets of butcher’s paper. Today, there are teams of people working on the programming and methodology of a construction project to provide an ‘outstanding construction experience’ for all stakeholders.

Fosters engage with clients from concept to completion, ensuring that the entire process is ‘open and transparent’. ‘We like to take on complex projects that challenge our people so that their knowledge and skills can be increased. We deliver operational excellence through an ongoing commitment to innovation. The quality of our construction is such that it meets or exceeds the end users’ expectations.’

While complex construction projects are good, the delivery of warehouse and office projects was still Fosters’ bread and butter, and where the team excelled.

Adding to all of this was developing a new entity for the Foster Construction Group in 2011, which would focus on the property’s maintenance need throughout its life expectancy. This saw the beginnings of Foster Maintain Ltd.

Foster Maintain Ltd

Foster Maintain Ltd was established in 2011.11

When Peter Calder became the manager, he already knew a number of the staff and directors through his role in organising the PlaceMakers ‘Big Capers’ trips for loyal members. Peter had begun his career as a draughtsman working for the Ministry of Works in the 1970s. He’d worked in Wellington, Taranaki and Christchurch, with Fletchers, and the Kapuni Gas Treatment Plant before coming to Hamilton to work with PlaceMakers in Te Rapa. He got to know the Fosters team when located at the Tasman Road office. After Peter had left PlaceMakers and was doing a little bit of contract work, Colin Wade approached him and said: ‘I’ve got a role for you, to manage the new entity – Foster Maintain.’ Peter also became a shareholder at this time.

The initial concept was to devise a building maintenance programme for corporate organisations and body corporates. Peter became known as ‘Mr Maintain’. Tony Andrews worked with Peter, as did Ian Sanders in the early days. Peter recalls the first invoice they wrote up was for $169. ‘We weren’t going to make a lot of money out of that!’ Ian was able to assist with the pricing of jobs for Maintain. Once they reached critical mass, Maintain’s turnover was in the vicinity of $800,000 per month.

At first, Peter would discuss the jobs coming their way, and the number of people he needed, with Colin. Staff were seconded from Construction over to Maintain to do the work until Maintain had enough income to employ its crew. Some of the initial maintenance jobs were for the Department of Corrections in Te Awamutu and Tauranga, the Deloitte building, Torpedo 7 and Centre Place. More often than not, the team had to work during opening hours or, if that was not possible, at night in the dark, often with limited lighting – mainly when repairing roofs.

Foster Maintain Ltd specialises in refurbishment, seismic strengthening, long-term maintenance, condition assessment and planning, and additions and alterations for commercial, industrial and special-purpose buildings. The

focus is on collaborating with clients to provide high-quality, innovative and value-added solutions and make the process easy. Peter says he spent a lot of time developing the Maintain brand. ‘I know I might be old-fashioned, but the brand was important to me and protecting the brand is important.’12

Today, Foster Maintain Ltd acts as a single point of contact for delivering maintenance works, including the co-ordination and management of any sub-trades. It also collaborates with clients to take them through the design, pricing and delivery of high-quality and innovative modernisation of commercial, retail and industrial buildings. Overall, these services are for clients keen to preserve their asset values and optimise the ‘whole-of-life’ maintenance spend, or for those who need to establish new budgets for maintenance and renewal work.

Foster Maintain Ltd completed a maintenance overhaul at 60 Victoria Street, Cambridge in recent years. ‘It’s clear that due to experience, Foster Maintain can anticipate problems and provide ready solutions. We were never left wondering,’ says Sarel Venter, mechanical engineer. ‘I’d definitely work with Fosters again.’13

Fosters’ Virtual Facilities Management (VFM) oversees compliance work and scheduled maintenance, dealing with any responsive care that may

arise. Property owners or tenants pay for the service monthly through Foster Maintain. Brock Vuleta manages this service.

Seismic strengthening

A national system for managing earthquake-prone buildings was established on 1 July 2017.16

Lessons learnt from Christchurch

Since the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes in Canterbury, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has monitored ‘current and emerging trends in the building sector by commissioning independent reports and compiling resources for builders based on the lessons learnt following the earthquakes and the rebuild of Christchurch city’.

Since 2012, Foster Maintain Ltd has provided seismic building assessments. Fosters was one of the first construction companies in Hamilton to lead this development. The team collaborated with structural engineers to assist clients in achieving practical and cost-effective seismic strengthening solutions. Peter explains, ‘We look for ways that clients can add value to their buildings in the process while necessary seismic strengthening is being undertaken.’19

Sarel Venter standing outside 60 Victoria Street, Cambridge, 13 November 2018.

Cross bracing beams form part of the internal seismic strengthening of a building.

Foster Develop Ltd

Foster Develop Ltd was established in 2013.20

The company has a significant market share and a strong track record in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. The Develop team are constantly bringing new and exciting opportunities to the market. In their marketing they state: ‘Our objective is to create a community filled with properties we are proud to have been part of, which still look great and are being well used, years after completion of the original construction project.’

Early projects delivered by the Foster Develop team include the Department of Corrections Service Centre in London St, Genesis Energy Offices in partnership with DV Bryant Trust, Tamahere Village on the outskirts of Hamilton and Lakewood Village in Cambridge. Tony McLauchlan was instrumental in getting Foster Develop up and running in the early days.

Rhys Harvey joined Foster Develop in 2018, and the team currently has

five people who provide Foster Construction with 30 per cent of their ongoing turnover. In 2022, Foster Develop has a number of prominent development projects in flight, generally with joint-venture partners, including Union Square, Omokoroa Village, Spring Papamoa, 586 Victoria St redevelopment, Te Awa Lakes, and Te Kowhai airfield.

Foster Engineering Ltd

Foster Engineering was established in 2013 as an offshoot of Foster Transport and became its own company in 2017. The company has built a reputation for providing high-quality fabrication services and specialising in custom-made fit-for-purpose products for a wide range of clients, turning ‘ideas into reality’.

Foster Engineering undertakes a mixture of general fabrication to bespoke handrails and walkways, while in the office, staff focus on planning, forecasting and converting from contracts to workshop engineering jobs. Foster Engineering continues to be a vital part of the Foster Group today.21

The Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Act 2016: This Act introduced significant changes to how earthquake-prone buildings (EPBs) are identified and managed under the Building Act. It categorises New Zealand into three seismic risk areas and sets time frames for identifying and strengthening earthquake-prone buildings.17

Homegrown leadership

Gordon Hassett from RDT Pacific has worked with Fosters since the 1980s and has seen the leadership change over these years. He first worked with Graham Mallett and David Beard, then with Colin Wade and David, Colin and Leonard, and today with Leonard and Ross Pacey. He describes the growth in Fosters’ leadership as 'homegrown.’ ‘It’s had a good continuity which is why I think Fosters’ culture has remained pretty true to what it was in the early days,’ says Hassett. 22

Homegrown ownership – shareholdings

Today, the Foster Construction Group has ten shareholders among the group subsidiaries. The principal Foster Group has five directors (refer to the organisational structure in appendix 1). Each business entity under the Foster Group umbrella forms an integral part of the ‘full-service offering’ which Fosters provides.

Nelson – 2018

When Colin Wade retired in 2018, this provided an opportunity for the remaining shareholders to reimagine Fosters’ leadership moving forward. At a planning meeting in Nelson, there was an in-depth discussion about what the company structure and leadership might look like. The directors looked at how, internally, the various Fosters entities (Construction, Develop, Engineering, Transport and Maintain) might serve one another rather than compete in their silos against one another, to benefit the company as a whole.

This has resulted in the Foster Construction Group companies now interacting with one another and working together to deliver on Fosters’ potential. From this meeting, the slogan ‘We are Fosters’ was adopted.

Promise – delivery – support

Discussions pinpointed the requirement to focus on the need for a new manager and bringing the company together as a whole. What resulted was the idea of restructuring the company and bringing the Foster Group under one umbrella. Whilst there would be separate managers, the business end of things would go through the same channels, i.e. accounting, administration and marketing. While discussing how to do this, the notion of ‘Promise – Delivery - Support’ emerged with a new leadership structure to co-ordinate this.

It was recognised that the work of the Promise team was to take responsibility for the forward workload of the Foster Group, which was to feed the bulk of the team who operated in the Deliver space. The Promise team had to make sure they did not overdeliver, beyond the resources the Delivery team had. Both the Promise and Delivery teams required the necessary level of support to make it happen, i.e. accounting, administration and marketing. So it was decided to instigate three internal reporting teams. Leonard Gardner, CEO, led the Promise team, Nigel Sun, COO, led the Delivery Team, and Lee Patchett, CFO, led the Support team.

Nigel Sun had only recently come on board as the general manager for Foster Construction. He had managed several transport companies and had initially been a truck driver. He had also worked with Turners & Growers.

The Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission: This was established in 2011 to report on the causes of building failure resulting from the earthquakes and advise on the legal and best-practice requirements for buildings in New Zealand. After a year, the government produced and released a report of recommendations (December 2012). This had a significant impact on the building industry.18

Lee Patchett had been with Fosters since 2013, when he was employed as the finance and administration manager and later the Construction Support team leader. Following the restructure, Lee’s responsibilities increased, and he is today the chief financial officer for the Foster Group.

'We’re all here to help one another because when we help one another, we become stronger as a unit.' – Leonard Gardner

Innovation, and people & culture

During the same meeting, it was also recognised that the Foster Group needed to celebrate its strengths and the success it had made to date, all of which had been possible because of the willingness to be innovative, take a few calculated risks and honour the working relationship with clients and stakeholders. So it was recognised that as well as top-down leadership, there was also a need for peer-to-peer leadership and appreciation of one another’s strengths and contributions to the company as a whole. Two further teams were created: Innovation, and People & Culture.

It was hoped that in this way the company could take time to celebrate initiative, innovation and skill, take time to appreciate its people and provide opportunities for doing this, such as team-building days, recreation activities and social gatherings, and finally, that the culture was pivotal to all of this and the company’s success. Therefore, the values would be foremost in the staff’s minds as the work was undertaken and written into the leadership and apprenticeship training provided by the Foster Group, reinforcing ‘the Foster way’.

'First and foremost, we strongly believe that establishing a team environment is integral to the success of any project.' – Nigel Sun23

External recognition

In 2019, Leonard was recognised for his leadership by winning the Outstanding Leadership Award at the Property Council ‘We Are Waikato’ awards. Asked what leadership means to him, Leonard says: ‘It’s taking responsibility in leading others with purpose and direction for the greater good … One’s decisions start and end with people, so it’s about considering the impact of

Gordon Hassett from RDT Pacific, 2021.

Nigel Sun COO, 2021.

Lee Patchett, CFO, 2021.

your decisions and being able to make the right decisions, even when traversing uncertainty. Leaders have the privilege of seeing the whole, not just the part. Therefore a leader’s purpose is to communicate to their team how their part contributes to the whole organisation.’

Leonard said the Foster Group was a team of leaders ‘who lead themselves’. He described his role as CEO and as one of two directors as ‘providing long-term vision, direction and clarity of purpose’.24 In 2017, Fosters were winners at the Westpac Waikato Business Awards dinner, awarded both the Strategy and Planning awards, sponsored by Wintec, and overall Supreme Business of the Year, sponsored by Westpac. Leonard said at the time: ‘Being recognised is a massive accolade and with it comes the responsibility to keep growing as a business. My biggest buzz was seeing the faces of the team when it was announced. We have a team that is so engaged and so excited. It’s going to encourage our team further.’25

‘Foster Construction is the perfect example of just why we are the Mighty Waikato when it comes to overall excellence in business,’ remarked Waikato Chamber of Commerce chief executive William Durning.26

'We are so lucky to be in an industry where you can look back at a completed building and say that you were a part of that process. And when you look around the buildings in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, Fosters has certainly built a few!' – Ross Pacey

'It has been a real privilege to have been a part of the Fosters team, collaborating with some outstanding people, and I can’t see myself going anywhere else for the rest of my career.' – Leonard Gardner

For the 2020 Waikato Business Awards, Fosters sponsored the category ‘Community Contribution’, awarded to Hospice Waikato, and in 2021, took over as the Major Sponsor of the Waikato Business Awards. ‘If we want to make the community great, we need to encourage, support and inspire business,’ says Gardner.

Career pathways within the Foster Group

A central theme to the Foster story is that of succession planning and investing in the career pathways of its employees. ‘A commitment to our people is a key part of the Fosters strategy for a long-term sustainable company, and growing leaders is a fundamental part of this. It’s about investing in our people, making sure we have the right people in the right roles.’27

We’ve already heard from several staff members in this history. Here Ross Pacey gives us his story. ‘I started at Fosters as a junior quantity surveyor, worked my way up to a senior quantity surveyor, then onto being lead estimator and now the tender manager, as well as a director and shareholder. I was on the Waikato Master Builders executive for nine years and have qualified as a registered quantity surveyor.’28

'It’s a challenge that I enjoy, primarily when you work hard on a submission and get it over the line.' – Ross Pacey

Careers for women in the construction industry

Women first entered the industry in 1996; they now make up 13.5 per cent of the construction workforce in New Zealand across many roles. There are currently seven female QS (quantity surveyors) and three carpentry apprentices. Fosters is committed to seeing that number grow throughout the industry, ‘starting at our own offices and worksites’.

Jael Clausen started working with Fosters when she was 16 and has been with the company for eight years. Wendy Barnard joined Fosters as an office temp in 2013 and became the brand and marketing manager.

'Immediately, I felt like part of the team, and because I honestly believed in the Foster brand, this was the perfect role.' – Wendy Barnard, Brand and Marketing Manager, Foster Construction Group

'I always had the ambition to engage with Health and Safety, so in 2016, I took the plunge to work within my family’s asbestos and roofing business. Looking for bigger challenges and growth opportunities, I moved on to Fosters and haven’t looked back.' – Jade Thomas, Foster Environmental, Health, Safety and Regulatory Advisor

'My goal is to become a leader in the construction industry to support positive, more sustainable construction practices. I want to inspire others to join the construction industry by embracing our heritage while shaping and growing New Zealand with iconic buildings.' –Jael Clausen, Foster Sustainability and Compliance Advisor

Release to work programme

After working on the Spring Hill Correctional Facility, Fosters took the initiative and worked with the facility by offering work experience to prisoners. Another initiative was the RAW programme, founded in 2014 by fashion designer Annah Stretton. The programme provides work experience for women in prison who have experienced intergenerational abuse, poverty and crime. ‘Through inclusion, community and opportunity, RAW is building hope, purpose and prosperity, one woman at a time.’29

(left to right) Wendy Barnard, Jael Clausen and Jade Thomas. Waikato Business News, 17 August 2021.

2021 Intermediate Leadership Programme graduates with Nigel Sun.

Environmental, Health, Safety and Regulatory Advisor Jade Thomas, 2021.

Fosters has also supported the Ministry for Social Development (MSD) programme – Mahi Tahi. This programme aims to ‘engage with people, families, whānau and communities to understand their aspirations and what is important to them, including their situation, culture and values. We help connect people with opportunities to realise their goals, reach their potential and grow and participate positively in society.’30

Youth leadership programme

Fosters’ investment in leadership is all about a better future - Website, June 2021.

Growing the next generation

Leadership is recognised, encouraged and celebrated at the Foster Group, strong leaders being key to a sustainable and resilient business for the next generation. Fosters is invested in leadership training and working with Wintec to develop a three-tier training programme.

Founded in 2019, the Fosters Leadership Programme has been modelled on Fosters values and leadership culture – teaching future leaders ‘the Foster way’ and providing them with practical management tools and a pathway to leadership.

‘The theory behind this initiative is to grow and develop future leaders in all levels of our business, forming a positive connection between our senior leaders and those who are on the leadership ladder,’ says Fosters COO, Nigel Sun. ‘In essence, we’re wanting to ensure a total alliance around what leadership means and looks like.’31

In 2021, Fosters celebrated the graduation of nine leaders from its inaugural Intermediate Leadership Programme. Intermediate graduates have been in leadership roles for a minimum of four years and represent

distinct parts of the business, including Foster Construction, Foster Maintain, site managers and quantity surveying. Two of this group were from the Bay of Plenty and the rest from the Waikato.

Jade Thomas, was rapt at being selected for the leadership pathway. ‘Selection means that management holds you in high regard, and that meant a lot to me,’ she said.

Community and Enterprise Leadership Foundation

In 2010, Fosters became sponsors of the Community and Enterprise Leadership Foundation (CELF), alongside Gallaghers, Profile Foods, the University of Waikato, and APL. Since its inception, someone from Fosters and from across the Waikato has gone through the programme. The foundation believes in the ‘positive impact that connected, responsible leaders have on their community’. ‘It’s our mission to grow as many socially responsible leaders through our leadership development programme as possible.’32

The next generation of apprentices

Fosters is committed to growing the construction industry through a solid dedication to its apprenticeship scheme. Fosters has been training the next generation of builders since Les Foster took on Graham Mallett as an apprentice in 1952, and Graham Foster and Graham Mallet joined forces through G E Foster in 1953. Just as the two Grahams were 15 years of age when they went into the trades, so, too, have many been in their teens when they first started their apprenticeship – including Stu Miller and Adam Findlay. Others who had already completed their internships and then came to work for Fosters, including Colin and Paul Wade, found career pathways.

The Community and Enterprise Leadership Foundation (CELF). The foundation was founded by business and community leaders who recognised that healthy communities empower healthy businesses – and vice versa. They saw that by working together to foster socially responsible leaders, there was an opportunity to transform our region for the better.

Over the years, we have had several excellent apprentices, a number who have stayed with Fosters and are now senior site managers, project managers and even shareholders. – Colin Wade

The Fosters website states: ‘One of the most rewarding parts of the job for the senior management team is seeing people grow within Fosters. We are always on the lookout for future leaders, from the day they start their apprenticeships, or as a junior QS, through their journey with us.’33

Some apprentices have gone on to establish their own businesses. As part of this journey for new leadership, Fosters has networked with the charitable trust Smart Waikato and its FutureForce® programme in the Waikato, supporting young people into leadership and securing employment. 'Fosters strives to do more than just enable employees to pay their bills; they create an environment where people actively want to be part of the workplace community.' – Colin Wade

Fosters Bay of Plenty team

On the back of the success of the Bayfair development in 2017, the decision was made to open a permanent Bay of Plenty office in Tauranga the following year. The BOP team employs 35 people, ranging from quantity surveyors and project managers to a team of site-based trade staff with several apprentices.

New headquarters in Te Rapa

The brief for building the new Fosters headquarters in Arthur Porter Drive, Te Rapa called for a facility ‘that would bring together the four business entities that make up the Foster Group more closely’. Another objective was to display a building aesthetic that provided a tangible experience and example of Fosters’ construction philosophy and capability.

The latter was realised using natural timber, exposed structural steel, raw concrete elements and exposed services. The site’s unique geometry drove the design of a white rainscreen, behind which is the office space.

Smart Waikato: Established in 2009, with iwi, business, education providers and government agencies, to deliver a range of practical, effective and innovative initiatives that ‘better support rangatahi transitioning from education to employment’.34

FutureForce® Careers Hub: This is designed to give Waikato youth, their parents and teachers relatable partner impartial and practical information on careers in their region. FutureForce® profiles young staff working in crucial Waikato industries, provides career planning tools and tips, leads and information on great Waikato workplaces, work readiness information, and more.35

An apprentice undertaking work experience with Fosters, 2021.

The BOP Team (left to right) Craig McCullough, Paul Roberts, Allan Bradshaw, Toni Craig, Ryan Tesselaar and Leon Nielsen.

The building creates an impressive presence on Arthur Porter Drive and takes advantage of views overlooking the adjacent landscaped swale. The black-clad form of the warehouse facilities sits compositionally recessed into the background.

‘The new office has been designed to create a modern workplace with an open-plan office environment and as much flexibility as possible,’ explains Leonard Gardner. ‘This includes investment in items like gantry cranes in the engineering workshop, video conferencing facilities in the office and a new cloud IT system that enables the Fosters BIM modelling team to grow.’36

The building was completed in 2018. In 2020, the architect, Edwards White, received an award for “an uncommon concern for quality and design detail”, the jury said.37

Finance Minister Grant Robertson was at the grand opening in 2019. Graham Mallett gave a speech where he acknowledged the history of Fosters, its long association with Te Rapa since the 1950s and with Arthur

Porter, whom the road is named after. He acknowledged the late Arthur Porter for his achievements in building the Porter Group, from starting as a contracting company with a single truck to becoming a world leader in construction equipment sales and rentals.38

‘National coverage through local delivery’; New Zealand Construction Alliance

Fosters had just completed the construction of the Hamilton Kmart store in 2016 and was asked to refurbish a further 17 stores across the country over five years. Whilst Fosters agreed to the contract, it wasn’t sure how it would send a team of workers around the country to do the work, or if it was going to find suitable supply chains from each town and city. Eventually Fosters withdrew from the opportunity.

This sparked an idea, and Leonard approached three like-minded construction companies around New Zealand and talked through the possibility of working together. They brought in a business analyst, and as

Well-lit, airy office space, plus board rooms named after former directors David Beard, Colin Wade and Graham Mallett.

they met and discussed how this might work, the idea began to take shape. They agreed some base principles:

1. That the shareholders must work within the business.

2. That the business must employ their own construction workforce.

3. That the business must employ and train apprentices.

4. That the business must be a member of Master Builders or Certified Builders.

Maycroft Construction and Amalgamate Builders joined Fosters as the founding partners of the New Zealand Construction Alliance. This alliance has now grown to seven, with Trigg Construction, Kalmar Construction, Alexander Construction and Scott Construction coming on board. The underlying purpose of NZCA is to provide national coverage through local delivery.

The first project won was the MSD FSPSE project, refurbishing 126 MSD service centres around the country with a total budget of $45 million.

‘Our partners are based in their region, they contribute to their local communities, support local subcontractors and are there well after the job is complete … local delivery, backup, follow-through, support and commitment.’40

Critical opportunities for NZCA include being a single point of contact to deliver nationwide construction projects, having the ability to tender for government contracts that only national companies can bid for, having the purchasing power from a co-ordinated alliance that will enable significant cost leverage and benefits and supply chain efficiencies.

‘Overall, the alliance can reduce the natural ‘bell curve’ in regional commercial construction by securing consistent workflow through national and government contracts.’ The alliance has the resilience and strength within its network to mitigate risk and bring surety and support for alliance partners and peace of mind for its clients.41

(1) Graham Mallett gives a speech at the opening of the new HQ, 2019. (2) Cutting the ribbon at the grand opening (left to right), Ross Pacey, Grant Robertson MP, Graham Mallett holding the scissors and Leonard Gardner, 2019. (3) (left to right) Brad Wade, Adam Findlay, Alan Wade and Colin Wade at the opening of the new Fosters HQ, 2019.

Health and safety

With the passing of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, all employers had to ensure they had policies and mechanisms to address workplace hazards, plus the health and wellbeing of their staff.42

Health, safety and environmental plans are produced and implemented for Fosters projects. The Fosters Health, Safety and Environment Policy aims to build a sustainable future for everyone.’

'Fosters’ priority is our people; we support work safe practices as part of our culture – not because we have to, but because we want to. We align our business with organisations and other businesses that look at the

New Zealand Construction Alliance (NZCA):

Established in 2018, NZCA is an alliance of like-minded regionally based commercial construction companies providing New Zealand-wide commercial construction solutions. The initiative of NZCA was born out of the challenges faced within the New Zealand construction industry, with the well-documented struggle of construction companies sustainably delivering a national service.

overall wellbeing of the greater community.’43

As part of this care, Fosters also provides for its staff free access to wellness support, an annual Christmas bonus and skin checks at discounted rates. Its motto is: Be part of an organisation where the leaders understand, acknowledge and appreciate that people are their greatest asset.

In April 2021, the Foster Group was recognised as operating an Occupational Health and Safety Management System that complies with the requirements of ISO 45001:18 for construction services. Fosters began this process in 1992 under Graham Mallett’s leadership, having first achieved an ISO quality assurance standard.

New Zealand has successful main contractors in local markets but does not have many successful national main contractors. NZCA provides a solution to this problem by delivering national capability through a partnership of successful local contractors and their local solid supply chain relationships.39

(Left to right) Leonard Gardner (CEO), Jade Thomas (Environmental, Health, Safety and Regulatory Advisor) and Nigel Sun (COO), April 2021.

Health and Safety at Work Act 2015

The main purpose of this Act is to provide for a balanced framework to secure the health and safety of workers and workplaces by – protecting workers and other persons against harm to their health, safety, and welfare by eliminating or minimising risks arising from work.

Sitewise accreditation

To add to its health and safety strategy, particularly in light of COVID-19, Fosters has accreditation with SiteWise. SiteWise is a prequalification system that grades a contractor’s health and safety capability and publishes that grade in a database that can be viewed by the main contractors and principal organisations. This allows for better contractor selection and a more straightforward tendering process for everyone involved. SiteWise also publishes COVID-19 Protection Framework – Construction Protocols.44

Covid-19 – a global pandemic

As part of looking after the team, Fosters communicated with everyone at every point of the change during the pandemic affecting working arrangements, providing training opportunities and ensuring people were paid during Level 3 and 4 restrictions. ‘Fosters utilised company resources to look after people as best it could,’ says Gardner.

‘COVID is having a significant impact on the way we do business at Fosters, and what we have done in the past is unlikely to be what works in the future to ensure Fosters will be sustainable and exist in 100 years. Uncertainty creates a challenge, but it also creates an opportunity to rethink how we do business.’45 The pandemic has been an unforeseen force for change. It has prompted the Foster Group leadership to forecast the future in succession planning, administration and the skill sets needed to take the company forward. ‘COVID did cement for me why we exist,’ reflects Gardner.46

As part of the challenge faced to ensure staff safety on-site, Fosters embarked on gaining national ISO accreditation in light of COVID-19. The leadership team also put its own policies into place based on on-site safety regulations and surveyed its staff about having a vaccination policy or mandate.

The government put together several guidelines for the construction industry about operating under the different alert levels, health and safety and travel within New Zealand.47 During this period, one significant challenge for the industry was the availability of building supplies, due to border closures affecting imports and exemptions given to some suppliers and not others

We are strong poster (feature).

to trade during the higher alert levels. However, in the first quarter of 2021, the building industry struck a boom, particularly in residential building, with Wellington and the Waikato showing the highest growth.48

To round off this chapter, let’s take a look at the actual structures that have added to the landscape of the Waikato and elsewhere.

Major investment projects

By 2017, Fosters’ annual turnover had increased in just three years, from $70 million to around $150 million. Fosters was now managing large investment projects for clients – construction projects which had contributed to the economic growth of Hamilton city and the Waikato at large, and the Bay of Plenty.49

Here are a few highlights from 2015 to 2021. Many of these projects were innovative in their design, recognised the needs of end users, contributed to placemaking and considered their environmental impact. All had an eye to the future regarding the buildings’ forecast longevity and sustainability. These examples are listed in order of completion date.

APL, Kawera

The vision was evident right from the start of this project. APL wanted a stateof-the-art warehouse and office facility with an exceedingly high architectural presence. Foster Construction facilitated the complete process, collaborating with a team of architects, engineers and the building team to ensure that APL’s objectives were achieved. The project incorporated the first installation of earth tubes connected to a twin skin glazed wall in New Zealand and a complex building management system. The building was completed in 2015.

Total cost $12 million. In 2017, Fosters won Gold from the New Zealand Commercial Project Awards in recognition of ‘workmanship, construction practices and innovation’.

Meteor Theatre upgrade

The theatre at 1 Victoria Street, Hamilton underwent extensive work, redecoration and earthquake strengthening in 2017. The refurbishment included complete removal and rebuilding of the theatre workshop area, steel

APL, 2015.

The Meteor Theatre, 2017.

beam reinforcement of the roof, soundproofing insulation and new wall linings, new flooring in the performance space, dedicated toilets, showers and changing rooms for performers. A significant improvement and the most publicly visible aspect of the refurbishment was the disabled ramp access at the front of the building, which reflected the theatre’s art deco design. The total cost of the build was $1.06 million, to which Fosters made a significant contribution.

Genesis Energy Offices

Genesis was looking for premises to bring together staff from different offices around the Waikato and other tenants, including community groups and Waikato Civil Defence. Genesis Energy wanted to use the building to host a new, remote-control room for some of its power stations.

Foster Develop proposed a scheme that converted the old Foodtown supermarket on the corner of Bryce and Tristram streets into an A-grade office space. The 7,000 m2 office building was completed in 2018, with

large floor plates, undercover parking and several green design features. The building has importance as a Level 4 (IL4) safety rating, the city’s first, meaning it is designed to withstand and operate after a major earthquake or disaster. Hamilton City Council senior staffer Blair Bowcott said the new facility would lift Hamilton’s ability to cope with a civil defence emergency to a world-class level. ‘The building will be the real cream on the cake and will be quite incredible.’50

The total cost of the build was $32 million. In 2018, the project was the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Architecture Awards Winner, awarded by the New Zealand Institute of Architects. ‘Excellent connectivity to the city’s urban fabric and handling of materials – including glass, timber, concrete and folded metal – are hallmarks of this renovated and extended supermarket building. The building benefits from the architect’s care in sequencing the approach and circulation throughout the building and controlling natural light. Perforated metal louvres resembling twisted ribbons provide solar control on the expansively glazed façade, and the top-lit atrium and large

Genesis building, 2018.

skylights fill the interior with appropriate levels of natural light.’51

This project was delivered in partnership with the DV Bryant Trust, which owns the building. These improvements have had a flow-on effect on the trust, contributing to an improved balance sheet and annual philanthropic giving by over $250,000.

Visy Board, Rukuhia

This design and build project needed to deliver a 36,000 m2 cardboard manufacturing facility to support Visy’s New Zealand operations. Foster Construction won the project providing a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) on preliminary design with a gain–share -pain–share arrangement with Visy. Foster Construction worked closely with Visy through the design and construction process to achieve the budget and meet the tight time frames.

Value was brought to the project by Foster Construction through innovative structure solutions, project sequencing and fast decision-

making to ensure the project kept moving. Fosters employed the labour force, which completed all the concrete and precast erection and provided time efficiencies for the project. It was completed in 2017 at a total cost of $25 million.

In 2019, Fosters took out the first National Category win, with the Visy Board manufacturing plant winning the Industrial Category and a Gold Award from the annual Commercial Projects Awards. Along with this, the Genesis Energy office achieved a Gold Award, Foster HQ at Arthur Porter Drive, Te Rapa earned a Silver Award, and Lakewood B-Block achieved a Bronze Award – all built by Foster Construction.

Aerial view of the Visy Board manufacturing facility at Rukuhia, 2018

Zealong Tea House

The Vista and the factory are the beating heart of the Zealong Tea Estate, located on the outskirts of Hamilton on Gordonton Road. Foster Construction was tasked with building New Zealand’s only tea processing facility and adjoining visitor centre.

The project was delivered in two stages. The first included the state-ofthe-art tea-processing facility, encompassing a large glasshouse leading into the tea factory at one end. The second stage, built next door, was The Vista visitor centre. This multipurpose building included an eight-metrehigh ceiling at the entrance to the retail shop, creating a luxury space to display Zealong Tea’s products and associated tea accessories. The primary function room, also located on the ground floor, was an area that had the flexibility to be arranged in numerous ways to best suit the group’s requirements and function. Located upstairs were an intimate lounge area and executive boardroom spaces. The project was completed in 2016 at a total cost of $6.5 million. Fosters won the Commercial Project Silver Award in 2017 for this build.

Bayfair Shopping Centre, Tauranga

The Bayfair Redevelopment saw 11,000 m² added to the Mt Maunganui shopping centre, including a supermarket, a more extensive retail precinct, alfresco dining, a new cinema complex and parking.

The three-year project began in 2017 and was undertaken while the existing shopping centre remained fully operational. Time frames for each stage were tight, and public safety and ensuring retailers could continue trading were critical factors in the overall success of this project. The total cost came in over $75 million.

Fosters’ Tauranga office was established in 2018 when it became evident that the team who built the Bayfair development would be the nucleus of a talented team and could form a new branch of Fosters. ‘The Bayfair expansion was an exciting project, requiring our team to focus entirely on the build to make it a success,’ says Allan Bradshaw, Bay of Plenty Manager for Foster Construction Group.52

Zealong Tea Estate won the Silver Award for commercial projects in 2017.

The Bayfair Shopping Centre at Mt Maunganui, Tauranga was completed in 2020.

Ebbett/Te Rapa Gateway Development

The new Ebbett Hamilton dealership was a culmination of three years of construction in the planning stages on and off over the last 30 years. The 25,000 m² site was purchased in 2018 and designed as a one-stop shop to display VW and Holden, along with servicing, sales, parts, paint and panel, and a tyre shop.

‘Fosters’ values and credentials were the right fit … We were confident in their ability to deal with a major build – where things change and don’t always go to plan,’ says Ebbett Group Director, Walter van den Engel.

Both car showrooms provide upmarket customer experiences, featuring large, open, light-filled spaces, high ceilings and full-height glazed façades. External louvres add architectural flair to the exterior and protect the building from thermal gain. The high-quality internal finishes feature striking laminated timber columns and beams, ceramic floor tiles and polished concrete. Modern workshop areas feature polished concrete floors and incorporate the latest vehicle maintenance and repairs technology. The building also offers corporate facilities and amenities. The total build cost was $20.5 million.

Just as Stage 1 of the project was completed, in February 2020, Holden pulled out of New Zealand, and the project had to change to accommodate other brands. Then, in March, the country went into COVID-19 lockdown. ‘This was the real test,’ says Walter. ‘Our development was well under way when all this happened. We asked a lot from Fosters, and this was where they shone. It was never a case of ‘we can’t do that’, rather it was ‘let’s see how we can make this happen’.53

Lakewood Development, Cambridge

The Porter Group, Blair Currie and Foster Develop partnership on this project illustrates how strong relationships can lead to outstanding results. This mixed-use development in Cambridge delivers accommodation (16 apartments), and retail and hospitality options, supporting the growing community’s needs. Lake Te Koutu and a public reserve area sit adjacent to the development, providing a scenic backdrop to the amenities.

Ebbett Gateway was completed in 2021.

Ebbett Group Director, Walter van den Engel, 2021.

The project was governed by strict covenants, such as the design requirements for high-pitched roofs and natural exterior materials and palettes. The project, completed in 2020, was a collaborative success, with a quality finish and mutually satisfied stakeholders.

Tamahere Village, Hamilton

Located in one of the Waikato’s most desirable lifestyle locations on the southern edge of Hamilton, Tamahere Village is a purpose-built retail complex. Phase 1 opened mid-2019 with tenants including a supermarket, doctor, chemist, hairdresser and accountant. The Tamahere Village piazza, skate park and playground, completed in 2021, all now form the heart of the Tamahere community.

APL, Hautapu

APL, a long-standing client, approached Foster Construction Ltd to negotiate

the construction of their 47,000 m² manufacturing facility. The building is almost half a kilometre long and over 100 metres wide. At each end of the structure are huge angled architectural prows cantilevering over the truck loading docks. Attached to the manufacturing building are three office blocks with an overall floor area of 4,500 m², including meeting rooms, conference rooms, commercial kitchens, observation decks and offices.

The facility is state of the art with the latest technologies in construction, hybrid mechanical services, electronic LED lighting and manufacturing plant. The on-site construction team exceeded 500 workers at the peak of the construction period. The total build is estimated to be $50 million.

‘The newly constructed low-carbon manufacturing hub has set a benchmark for industrial design in Aotearoa and achieved a 5 Green Star industrial design rating. Parent company PGL says the New Zealand excellence design accolade reflects its advocacy for the principles of green

(Left to right) Rhys Harvey, Lee Patchett, Rasa Gecaite, Michael Crawford, and Leonard Gardner, 2020. A view of Tamahere Village, 2021. Lakewood Apartments, 2020.

building.’ Jasmax principal Nick Moyes, who led the design team, says the accreditation marks the practice and broader project team’s commitment to sustainable, future-focused design. ‘Foster Construction played an integral part in bringing the most efficient and effective construction methods to the project, centred on a philosophy of design excellence established by PGL,’ Nick says. He says the fantastic 5 Green Star result validates the project’s comprehensive approach to sustainability, combined with a drive for efficiency.

‘We’ve had to rethink the way we construct certain elements to meet the Green Star criteria,’ says Foster Construction Ltd sustainability and compliance advisor, Jael Clausen. ‘Working on a facility of this scale and knowing it has been built sustainably has been a personal highlight for me. I’ve also had the privilege of witnessing the positive change this project has had on our overall construction practices to build sustainably,’ she says.54

The APL glass factory during construction at Hautapu. This photo shows a 130-tonne crane installing the roof at 70-metre reach, and a 350-tonne crane (in the background) installing glass for a skylight at 90-metre reach, December 2019.

APL Glass Factory, Hautapu, completed in 2021.

The Waikato Regional Theatre

The Momentum Waikato Community Foundation board drives the Waikato Regional Theatre project, replacing the former Hamilton Founders Memorial Theatre at Embassy Park. The new theatre will be located at the old Hamilton Hotel, at the far end of Victoria Street in Hamilton’s CBD. The Regional Theatre will use the façade of the former Hamilton Hotel, which is a listed heritage building.

Embassy Park borders the area with the statue of Riff Raff (performed by Richard O’Brien), who wrote the 1973 musical The Rocky Horror Show. The theatre was closed by the council in 2016 for safety reasons.

It is hoped that the new theatre will create transformational change for the region, boosting and accelerating the cultural, social and economic life of the city and region for generations to come.

The role of Momentum Waikato is to ‘connect and convene generous people’ to create “A Better Waikato for Everyone, Forever”. The trust acts as the interface between the use of public money and the tendering process needed to get the work done, i.e. the trust connects and then

convenes. ‘We ensure the vision and generosity of kind donors and ‘everyday’ philanthropists has the maximum positive impact on the community we all love.’55

'The theatre will host a range of creative industries, activating neighbouring properties and sparking development throughout the south end of the CBD, dramatically accelerating the city’s cultural and entertainment hub.' 56

The trust is part of Community Foundations New Zealand, of which there are 17 other community foundations as members.57 Leonard Gardner was one of the founding trustees of Momentum Waikato and the chair of the board for five years.

As part of the original proposal, Leonard removed Fosters from consideration; however, the procurement process did not provide a company to undertake the construction. Leonard offered to resign as Chair of Momentum Waikato and Fosters. Fosters was put forward as another option to undertake the project and be the lead company in its construction.

The official opening of the Hamilton Founders Memorial Theatre, 1962 and Founders Theatre at dusk. People arriving to see Where’s Charley? performed by the Hamilton Operatic Society, 1962.

The theatre is expected to be completed in 2025. ‘I’m excited to see work on the ground begin – the theatre is such an exciting project for our city and the wider region. It will strengthen Hamilton’s position as the cultural heart of the region and will open up our city to a wide variety of incredible performances,’ says council’s Unit Director Parks and Recreation, Maria Barrie.58

The third Hamilton Hotel, built in 1922-23 and photographed in 1947. Hamilton City Libraries Image No. HCL_03892.

Artist impression of the new Waikato Regional Theatre, looking down Victoria Street.

Leonard Gardner and Ross Hargood of the Waikato Regional Property Trust, 2021.

Union Square development, Hamilton CBD

This project came out of a need to create a better office experience in the city’s CBD.

Fosters’ philosophy about adapting to change, meeting market conditions and working with the ‘end in mind’ has come together in this ambitious jointventure project. The Union Square project transforms how community and business can work and live side by side in the inner city.

Situated on the old Ebbett site between Angelsea, Hood and Alexandra streets in the CBD, Union Square offers over 23,000 m2 of office space, spread over five buildings. In addition, there is retail space, community spaces and areas dedicated to the wellness of both residents and the local community. The vision behind this new facility was to create an exceptional place to be, whether for work or pleasure, in the heart of one of New Zealand’s most progressive and growing cities.

Corporate citizenship and social responsibility

As mentioned in the previous chapter, Fosters has recognised the benefits to the community by giving back, having a spirit of generosity; in short, developing a philanthropic side to its business structure.

(Top right and center image) Union Square building under construction, December 2020.

(Top left) Celebrating the milestone of pouring the last of the floor slabs of Building F at Union Square, with a roof shout barbecue, February 2021.

An artist’s impression of the Union Square project expected to be completed in 2022.

Todd Charteris (CEO Rabobank), Rhys Harvey (Fosters) and Chris Curtin (CEO AA Insurance) at the first dig ceremony in May 2020.

Corporate citizenship, also known as corporate social responsibility (CSR), globally, is becoming more important to employees, consumers and society, particularly when the world faces such immense challenges as climate change, population growth and food insecurity – and since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some examples of Fosters’ engagement with the community have included sponsorships of the annual Gallagher Great Race and Northern Districts Cricket matches, America’s Cup, the Chiefs, and the Ride NZ Cycling Festival in Cambridge. Fosters has its public support for the following: Pink Shirt Day and Movember. ‘Fosters strives to be a responsible corporate citizen within the Waikato community,’ Gardner says. ‘And over 25 years, part of the joy of business is seeing other businesses grow as well as our team grow and flourish in our capabilities to support and grow the community.’60

Foster Group Custodians Trust

Fosters had been at the forefront of a conversation about placemaking and building great communities, not only related to construction but through community engagement, for over 50 years.

After a significant shareholding change in 2018, 20 per cent of shares previously held by Colin Wade were used to establish the Foster Group Custodians Trust. ‘As Fosters succeeds, so does the community around us because we invest back into it,’ says Gardner.

In 2021, Fosters was named principal supporter of the Waikato Chamber of Commerce Waikato Business Awards. Other community events sponsored by Fosters are the Gallagher Chiefs, the Boon Street Art Festival, CELF, Tauranga Arts Festival, Balloons over Waikato, Momentum Waikato, Central Property Council and Northern Districts Cricket.

actions from business operations to corporate philanthropy.59

Gallagher Great Race, 2016. Pink Shirt Day. America’s Cup Boat

Northern Districts Cricket team, 2015.

Corporate citizenship: This refers to a company holding itself accountable for the social, financial and environmental impact on the community and society. This broad term encompasses various

Leonard explains why philanthropy resonates with his philosophy and personal beliefs. ‘When we have, we have a responsibility to give, to invest in our community … I respect Ken Williamson, a Waikato man, who often quotes Winston Churchill, who said: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”61

Foster 500

Through the Custodian Trust, since 2019, Fosters has offered its staff the opportunity to donate $500 on behalf of the company to a community organisation or charity of their choice. Groups and charities which have benefited from this initiative include Women’s Refuge, Pink Shirt Day, Relay for Life, staff’s children’s sports clubs (numerous), Givealittle funds for families experiencing hardship or needing financial support, Melville United Football Club, funds paid to cover entry fees and club fees usually for sporting activities.

Through Foster 500, decisions on the distribution of funds are made collectively. Groups of employees can support single causes or the needs of the families of Fosters’ staff.

We are Fosters

With Foster Construction Group Ltd’s realignment came a renewed sense of cohesion across the company and its internal workings. It was a learning curve for all involved but necessary to ensure a prosperous future for the company. Out of that came the need to see all the business entities as one and the unison of all staff as part of the one Foster team. Hence ‘We are Fosters’ became part of the company brand. It’s taken the company on a 360-degree turn about returning to the ‘family’ atmosphere that was heralded as part of its DNA back in the 1980s. Today, the challenge is maintaining this when there are now over 200 staff working for the company.

'It’s the people who make Fosters the success it is today and has been for over 50 years.' – Leonard Gardner

Long service celebrations and awards

Leonard Gardner has been recognised a few times for his work as an accountant, for his leadership and contribution to the community. In 2011, he won the Property Council Young Achiever of the Year. In 2016, he received the Hamilton Civic Award, and in 2017, he became a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) for his contribution to business in the community. ‘I’ve certainly been privileged to have received those awards through the years, none of which I sought. I guess it has contributed to my confidence and my passion and commitment to do things better,’ says Gardner.

In 2018, Colin Wade received the Hawkins Construction Long Service Award. ‘Colin is a legend of the Waikato property industry for a good reason – his passion for his craft, skills as a leader and passion for developing people have been integral to the success of Foster Construction over the past 40+ years. He has tirelessly gifted his time to create a better industry and is highly respected as a legend of the Waikato property industry.’62

Colin and Sue Wade with the Long Service Award, 2018.

That same year, Adam Findlay was announced the winner of the Rider Levett Bucknall Young Achiever of the Year award. The judging panel agreed that Adam had been a significant contributor to the Waikato property industry and the ongoing growth of Foster Construction. ‘His reputation and passion for the property industry are visible in all the projects he has been involved in. He will continue to grow into a great future leader of the Waikato property industry.’63

In March 2021, Fosters celebrated John Sittlington’s 40 years of service, having started work with Fosters in the 1980s. ‘They’re family, you know, everybody knows everybody, they look after one another … Even though we are corporatised a little bit, we’ve still got that worker involvement, you know, which is good,’ says John. He’s contributed a lot to the growth of Fosters since that first job at Hopuhopu Military Camp in Ngāruawāhia.64

25 Years RMB membership

In 2016, Foster Construction Ltd celebrated 25 years of membership in the Registered Master Builders Association of NZ Inc. Fosters was given a certificate of appreciation signed by the RMB president, Simon Barber. ‘Registered Master Builders have been building the foundations of this country, its homes and workplaces for over 100 years. We are the voice of the building and construction industry. We represent quality-built environments where we live, work and play.’65

Remembering the founders

Once Graham Foster left Waikato Crane Services in the 1990s, he bought a farm near Ohinewai and has enjoyed working on it ever since. Graham doesn’t have much to do with Fosters (his namesake) these days but is impressed with how it has grown and lasted the distance.

Things had certainly come a long way from the days when labourers earned five shillings an hour and men queued up for work as they had hungry

Adam Findlay holding his award certificate for Young Achiever of the Year, 2018.

Newspaper advertisement with original RMB logo and the current RMB logo –recognising membership.

John Sittlington cutting his cake, marking 40 years of service, 23 March 2021.

mouths to feed. When the business owners had to do the tendering, employing, training, paying the wages and working on-site. Fosters has come a long way since that first tender contract was won to build a primary school in Huntly. There are hundreds of buildings that Fosters has constructed in the last 50 years.

David Beard (Scotty) died suddenly in January 2013. Carol Green recalls talking to David only days before his death. ‘He rang me a couple of days before he passed to say he got a new mobile phone, the latest iPhone; he liked his toys.’ – heeding the days in the 1980s when David was the first person in the office to get the brick cell phone and was an early adopter of modern technologies.

Michael Crawford paid tribute to David: ‘It was a surprise to us all. David had recently retired and moved to the Mount full-time. David will be remembered as the funny Scot with various one-off comments. David has been sadly missed.’66

Graham Mallett died in February 2021, before this history project commenced. Ross Pacey spoke at his funeral: ‘Graham (or GM as he was known) started the Foster culture within the company from those early days.

‘As a foreman, he led by example with a follow-me approach that became infectious with site and office staff. He gained respect and trust and was always well organised. Graham was always very generous with his time and would often be the calm and the solution-based person during negotiations.

‘Monday morning smoko’s in the office were always a wonderful way to kick off the week. A pot of tea would be made, and a recap of the weekend would begin. Rugby results would be analysed – with a lot of time spent discussing the Hamilton Old Boys game – they pretty much won all the time back then! We would then move on to family and what we all got up to. Graham loved to share what was happening within his circle, and we enjoyed listening.’

'A legacy is a gift that gets passed down from one generation to another. When a loss like this happens, you stop and think about the legacy that Graham Mallett and Graham Foster have created. We have been building this legacy together, and it is an awesome one for those who will follow.' –

Ross Pacey

Graham Foster on his farm, 2021.

David Beard was never afraid of trying out new things. Photo taken in the 1990s.

Acknowledging our industry peers

Over the years, significant businesses continue to be of inspiration to Fosters for their business contribution, leadership and the growth of the Waikato. Fosters aspires to have the same substance as its industry peers – APL, Gallaghers, Porters and the Perry Group – having grown beyond the Waikato boundaries.

It’s all about the people

Through its evolution from a small business in the 1950s to a privately owned company in the 1970s and now an iconic corporate, Fosters shows us that its culture, values and guiding principles are the key to all of its achievements, big and small. This goes for the quality and longevity of its relationships with clients, stakeholders, community. ‘The number of repeat projects completed for clients is a testament to the relationship developed during the construction period,’ says Pacey.

To put this together with the accumulative learning gained over the past 50 years, the result is that Fosters has been able to position itself as a formidable leader, not only in the construction industry, but in the broader community as well.

'At the end of the day, what gives life to the community is people.' –Leonard Gardner

The Fosters team stand outside Fosters HQ, Arthur Porter Drive, 2019.

(Left to right) Ross Pacey, Tim Strawbridge and Leonard Gardner at Fosters HQ, 2019.

(Left to right) Carol Green, Graham Mallett, Ross Pacey and Dean Hope, having fish and chips in the smoko room, the 1990s.

LOOKING AHEAD

The narrative throughout this history has pointed towards a set of underlying values and, more recently, a vision of ‘Great communities through strong foundations’ plus a guiding set of ‘Make it’ principles which currently inform the company’s leadership and decision-making. The Board of Directors agrees that how decisions are made today will affect Fosters’ ability to sustain itself in the future. Having this long-term mindset keeps the company focused on what is sustainable and not making decisions that only have a short-term impact.

Fosters’ vision statement ‘Great communities through strong foundations’ gives the company a clarity of purpose. It has helped the Fosters leadership team make decisions during periods of instability and uncertainty, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘Despite these current challenges, it feels like Fosters is better placed than ever in its people, reputation, structure, and forward workload,’ says Gardner. ‘Through challenges, Fosters’ leadership has always stepped up, and Fosters’ approach to business has helped navigate stormy waters. There has always been a lot of clarity that people are the most important part of our business, and, as an employer, Fosters has a responsibility to make sure it looks after its people as best it can.’

Purpose and values

Throughout Fosters’ history, there has always been a bias towards doing the right thing by clients and the community. This has often come at a short-term cost but inevitably has provided a longer-term gain through strengthened relationships or the ability to focus resources on future productive work rather than litigating past events.

The leadership team anticipates that this strengths-based approach to the company’s role as a responsible corporate citizen means Fosters will continue to play an essential role in the community. The focus on Great Community extends beyond the company - through the shareholders, leaders, and employees - in how they contribute to their communities through involvement in projects, boards, events and organisations. Fosters purpose truly has depth when those who own and lead the organisation

are personally aligned with that purpose and live it out in their day to day lives. Current shareholders and directors are involved in community organisations such as the Hamilton Gardens, Hamilton Christian Night Shelter, Bridge Housing Trust and Teike Golf Club.

For a client of Fosters, there should be an appreciation that working with Fosters is good for the community. While this has always been a part of Fosters, it is now clearly articulated, and incorporated into a number of key Fosters documents, setting this expectation for the future, too.

Foster Group Trusts

Described earlier, the Foster Group Trust is key to helping ensure that future expectation of community contribution continues. As well as supporting the wider community, the Trust recognises that not everyone can benefit from being a shareholder within Fosters, but employees know they will be looked after by the Trust in good times and bad.

In more recent times, and as the Foster Group Trust funds have increased, the Trustees have put in place Trust distribution guidelines to ensure there is a balance between being generous now and being prudent for the future. This looks as follows:

Support the direct Fosters Community 35%-50%

The direct Fosters Community is the Fosters team, and the direct communities they are involved in. This recognises the value of the team, and ensures they are looked after outside of work. This includes:

• An annual Christmas payment, set at a minimum of $1,000 per year, but reflective of the financial performance of Fosters;

• Emergency staff loans to support unexpected events;

• Funding of additional leave;

• Contributions towards major medical expenses;

• Foster500

In time as the Trust fund grows, this could also include first home grants and/or support with first home deposits, and additional kiwisaver contributions.

Support the wider Fosters Community 25%-35%

This will include community sponsorships aligned with Fosters’ purpose of creating Great Community through Strong Foundations. As a principle, Fosters supports great people with good causes over good people with great causes. It is people that make a difference, and Fosters support is as much to provide encouragement to great people to keep contributing, as is it to support worthy causes and community outcomes.

Often the community sponsorship will be focussed alongside Fosters clients sponsorships as a way to help leverage outcomes, and cement relationships.

The wider community sponsorships generally have a minimum sponsorship value of $10,000 per annum.

Income Capitalisation

Setting aside funds each year to grow the fund is an important part of investing in future community. As a major shareholder of the Foster Group, the Trust has a responsibility to continue to support the growth and wellbeing of the Foster Group and play it’s part with regards to equity invested and earnings retained.

How Fosters does business

Looking forward, there are key ways in which Fosters does, and thinks about, business that will help shape the future.

Growth of the Fosters Team

This is not growth of numbers alone, but growth of people to enable them to reach their full potential. For some, this will involve completing an apprenticeship, and becoming an excellent carpenter, for others, as happened with Adam Findlay, Ben Royfee and Ryan Tesselaar, this evolves into a shareholding and senior leadership position within Fosters.

Fosters will always look within for a promotion, before going to market for positions within the company, and this will enable the team to grow. Not all positions can be filled internally, and leadership has spent plenty of time unpacking what it means to be a destination employer; a place people want to work by choice. Over recent years, the employment of regional and general managers from key competitors, who just want to get back into hands on project roles in the Fosters environment, has been testament to Fosters increasing success in this area.

To support the company growth, Fosters also introduced a leadership training programme in partnership with Wintec (Te Pukenga). This provides a Junior, Intermediate and Senior leadership programme that runs with a cross section of staff across the Fosters businesses and disciplines. It’s a good opportunity for people to build relationships across the business, and is supported by a mentoring system.

Since the beginning of Fosters, apprenticeships have played a key role. Fosters apprenticeship programme is closely linked with schools to provide a pathway to the trade, and has internal resources focused on the wellbeing and growth of the apprentices. A number of current competitors are owned and operated by people who completed their apprenticeships with Fosters over the years.

Becoming a shareholder within the Foster Group is the ultimate objective for some. The shareholders agreement in the Foster Group requires shareholders to be employed within Fosters, which means the pool of potential shareholders is limited, and the quality of the future shareholders, and ultimately sustainability of the company, is dependent on the quality of the people coming through.

To make investing in Fosters possible, the Fosters share price has been fixed at a level that is affordable for anyone to purchase a meaningful amount. This provides access to a share of the Foster Group profits for the remaining period of employment. The catch is: when selling the shares on the completion of employment at Fosters, the shareholder must sell them at the same value they purchased them for.

The term “purchasing a golden ticket” was coined and, at the end, you pass the golden ticket to the next person, who will benefit from and ensure Fosters will continue to grow, prosper and contribute to community.

– Leonard Gardner

At a board level, Fosters has investigated good practice and added external directors onto the board who bring diversity of gender, skill, experience and connections.

Growth of the Fosters business

Throughout the history of Fosters, there has continually been innovation to grow the business. This is underpinned by the growth in the construction activity, but over the years has included modular construction, Hebel, BPB and Eterpan distributorships and Waikato Cranes.

The current Fosters business units are Foster Develop, Foster Construction Waikato, Foster Construction Bay of Plenty, Foster Maintain and Foster Engineering. Each has a part to play in delivering Fosters whole of life approach to construction. Underlying this is a desire to provide a holistic approach to project delivery for clients, no matter where they are in the property life cycle.

With the businesses all working together, this helps provide consistency and continuity of work in a market that has peaks and troughs.

Fosters has always had an aversion to investing in vertically integrated businesses, with a preference to support the growth of good local subcontractors. While several opportunities have been presented to consider, not many have been taken up.

One that was recently taken up was the purchase of the Universal Precast yard in Horotiu. This was the only precast yard in Hamilton and was not being operated efficiently in a market where there were long lead times delaying project starts. Fosters approached Wilco Precast in Papakura and proceeded to create a joint venture to purchase and run the operation as Wilco Precast Waikato. This has been extremely successful, with annual turnover of $1.6m prior to purchase, to turnover of $5.7m in the first year

of operation, with the same equipment and two less staff.

Joint Ventures are a common way for Fosters to engage in business. This is particularly true in the Foster Develop business, where the team offersexpertise, creditability and delivery, as well as equity, to projects. Fosters has partnered in joint ventures with many prominent local businesses, which has helped strengthened relationships.

Joint ventures, past and present, include:

• Corrections Service Centre, with Brian Perry Charitable Trust

• Lakewood Village, with Porters and BCD

• WDHB Onelink, with Gallaghers

• Union Square, with Ebbetts

• Genesis Energy, with DV Bryant Trust.

The DV Bryant Trust JV to deliver the Genesis Energy Offices was of special significance to Fosters. As well as an excellent working relationship with DV Bryant Trust past chair Doug Arcus, and the wider trustee team, the project went on to enabling DV Bryant Trust to add $10m equity to their balance sheet, which resulted in the ability to contribute an additional $250k per annum in sponsorship to support their purpose of enhancing human welfare in the Waikato.

These joint ventures contribute to the built environment, community outcomes, the financial position of JV partners and Fosters’ on-going sustainability both through the development project, and often work for the JV partner.

Looking forward, Fosters will continue to work with JV partners who are keen to contribute to the built environment and are aligned with the Fosters purpose of creating “Great Community” in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty.

As part of the NZ Construction Alliance, there is an understanding that Fosters will continue to focus on the Waikato and Bay of Plenty markets, and this sits well with Fosters strategy of having deep roots in community rather than

A ‘whole of life’ approach to construction. FCG Image file.

wider coverage over New Zealand.

These deep roots are the long-term relationships we have with clients, consultants and stakeholders, and the local network of subcontractors and suppliers who ensure we can deliver on our promises. It also means the Fosters team will not be required to travel around New Zealand, but stay close to family. – Leonard Gardner

A future opportunity arising from community need is housing. Fosters leadership team expect that delivering housing at scale will be an area that Fosters will contribute to in the fullness of time. This will include apartment and three level walk-ups as the Hamilton and Tauranga residential markets continue to mature and go up.

Keeping up with change

David Beard set the example of keeping up with change, constantly investing in the newest mobile phone then smartphone. As the years have gone on, the pace of change has increased. A good example is the Foster offices no longer phone lines, nor a phone network. Everyone has a smartphone, so business can be done from anywhere.

And, far from wheeling the IBM between rooms, each person has a laptop that they take with them. This laptop now connects into the Amazon server rather than the server in the office, and all the files are stored on SharePoint.

Although fundamentally in construction, where people are still needed to build, the opportunity to plan and execute better through the use of technology keeps improving.

On the Claudelands Event Centre Project, Fosters utilised 3D modelling for the first time, helping to simplify and manage a complex project. Now they have a Building Information Modelling (BIM) team, who focus on ensuring consultants documentation is co-ordinated, and construction details are thorough. In this planning process, following the “measure twice, cut once principle”, projects have sped up and rework has reduced. There is an increasing need from clients for BIM models that can be used not just for the build process, but also to manage the operations of the building.

Through Foster Maintain, Foster established the Virtual Facilities Management (VFM) service to help clients manage their properties.

Proactive property services are budgeted and converted into a monthly fee to assist businesses with cashflow. On the technology side, on-line system ‘Frankie’ is used to manage reactive and planned maintenance efficiently, with clients having the ability to log projects and visibility of project status. The founder of Frankie was part of the UBER development team, and Foster has taken an equity stake in the business.

With the increased awareness in sustainability, construction methodologies that minimise carbon emissions are becoming increasingly more popular. The Metlifecare Bayswater project has a concrete podium and full timber structure above, including IT walls. Minimising carbon and waste are two pathways of the future in construction.

Through NZ Construction Alliance, and attendance at international construction trade fairs, Fosters will continue to look to take the lead in doing construction better.

The 100-year conversation

Having achieved 50 years in construction, the conversation moves to how to ensure Fosters is still going strong after 100 years. Introducing the question “how will this affect Fosters in 100 years” has helped the Board to figure out what decisions are strategically important, and which are just operational for the here and now.

Some of the decision making around the Foster Group Trust and the shareholders agreement, ensuring the company will be owned by those who work in the business, and setting a retirement age (currently 60) are examples of decisions that will have effects for 100 years.

The same applies to projects that Fosters takes on, which continue to get larger and more complex. The current major project of the Waikato Regional Theatre being a good example. As the communities continue to develop, Fosters needs to be ready to take a leadership position in projects that support this growth.

An example of this is the housing market, and the move towards density of living. Apartment living, once a novelty in Hamilton, is becoming a more accepted, affordable, and convenient lifestyle choice for every age and ethnicity. It is a market that many main contractors struggle in, but the community needs main contractors who can develop and deliver good projects in this market.

In many ways, Fosters shapes the community future through construction, which is a real privilege for the company. It is also a real responsibility for those involved in leading Fosters now and into the future.

‘As we move into the next season of development in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, we can see a people-centric growth occurring – places where people can experience better how they live, work and play’ says Gardner.

This translates into master planned developments such as Union Square in Hamilton’s CBD, Te Awa Lakes on the northern boundary of the city, and Omokoroa village.

'Looking forward, the Fosters vision is a company where the best people in construction can reach their potential, and be looked after well over their career, as they contribute purposefully towards shaping the community around us. Pretty simple really.' – Leonard Gardner

APPENDIX ONE

1990

2004 Foster Development Ltd amalgamates into the Foster Construction Group; Joint venture with Waikato Racing Club

2005 Auckland office is closed; Fosters becomes a member of the New Zealand Green Building Council Lightweight Concrete

APPENDIX TWO

List of Directors

FOSTER CONSTRUCTION LTD

Incorporated 1973–present

Graham Foster 1973–1984

Graham Mallett 1991–1995

Colin Wade 1991–2017

Paul Wade 1991–2007

David Beard 1994–2006

Ross Pacey 2000–present

Leonard Gardner 2006–present

Dean Hope 2012–2017

Tim Strawbridge 2012–present

Rhys Harvey 2020–present

FOSTER DEVELOPMENT LTD

Incorporated 1985 –2004

David Beard 1991–2004

Colin Wade 1991–2004

Graham Mallett 1991–1995

Paul Wade 1991–2004

Ross Pacey 2000–2004

FOSTER CONSTRUCTION GROUP LTD

Incorporated 1993–present

Colin Wade 1993–2017

Paul Wade 1993–2007

David Beard 1993–2006

Graham Mallett 1993–1995

Ross Pacey 1999–present

Leonard Gardner 2006–present

Michael Crawford 2017–present

Rhys Harvey 2020–present

Tim Strawbridge 2020–present

FOSTER CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY LTD

Incorporated 2005 –2013

Ross Pacey 2005–2013

Colin Wade 2005–2013

FOSTER CONSTRUCTION PROPERTY LTD

Incorporated 2005 –2019

Ross Pacey 2005–2019

Colin Wade 2005–2006

Paul Wade 2005–2006

Leonard Gardner 2006–2019

LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE WAIKATO (2005)

LTD

Incorporated 2005–2019

Leonard Gardner 2005–2019

Ross Pacey 2005–2006

Colin Wade 2005–2019

Paul Wade 2005–2006

Alan Steel 2006–2011

BUILDING SYSTEM SUPPLIES LTD

Incorporated 2006–present

Leonard Gardner 2006–present

Paul Wade 2006–2007

David Beard 2006–2009

Michael Crawford 2006–2009

Colin Wade 2009–2017

FOSTER MAINTAIN LTD

Incorporated 2011–present

Leonard Gardner 2011–present

Peter Calder 2011–2017

Colin Wade 2011–2017

Hugh Wakelin 2018–2019

Ross Pacey 2017–present

Rhys Harvey 2020–present

Tim Strawbridge 2020–present

FOSTER TRANSPORT LTD

Incorporated 2013–2022

Leonard Gardner 2013–2022

Colin Wade 2013–2018

Alan Wade 2013–2019

FOSTER DEVELOP LTD

Incorporated 2013–present

Leonard Gardner 2013–present

Ross Pacey 2013–present

Michael Crawford 2014–present

Tim Strawbridge 2020–present

Rhys Harvey 2020–present

FOSTER ENGINEERING LTD

Incorporated 2017–present

Leonard Gardner 2017–present

Alan Wade 2017–2020

Rhys Harvey 2020–present

Ross Pacey 2020–present

Tim Strawbridge 2020–present

FOSTER CONSTRUCTION (BOP) LTD

Incorporated 2021–present

Michael Crawford 2021–present

Leonard Gardner 2021–present

Rhys Harvey 2021–present

Ross Pacey 2021–present

Tim Strawbridge 2021–present

APPENDIX THREE

Building projects 1973–2021 (Date of commencement)

1973 Howser Marine Building

Northway Street, Te Rapa, Hamilton

Fraser High School Nelson

Type Block, Ellicott Road, Hamilton

Ruakura Research Station

(Department of Agriculture)

Laboratory block, Hamilton

1974 Hamilton City Council

Glenview Park Complex, Lewis St, Hamilton

St Mary’s Church – Grey St, Hamilton

Auckland Farmers Freezing Cooperative Ltd (AFFCO) - Beef chiller No. 6, Waikato

Te Rapa Racecourse

Grandstand for Waikato Racing Club Inc.

1975 CP Communications Centre – Ruakura, Waikato

Auckland Education Board

Heath Street Intermediate School, Hamilton

Ruakura Agricultural Research Station Stage 1

Insecticide – Building, Entomology Complex

1976 Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Co-operative Ltd (AFFCO) – Casings Amenities Building, Stage 1, Horotiu, Ngāruawāhia

Entomology Complex – Part 2, Ruakura ARS, Waikato

Findlay’s Bakery Ltd

Factory extensions, Colombo St, Frankton, Hamilton

Hamilton Marist Brothers Old Boys

Rugby Football Club

Clubroom extensions, Beale Street, Hamilton

1977 MWD Depot – RNZAF Base, Te Rapa, Hamilton

Cambridge Public Library

Cambridge (for the borough council)

NF Dixon Trust

Workshop, Sandwich Road, Te Rapa, Hamilton

1977 Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Co-operative Ltd (AFFCO) – Boning Room extension at Southdown, Mt Wellington, Auckland

LEC Building (Industrial) – Grasslands Road, Hamilton

Lucas Industries NZ Ltd – Te Rapa Road, Hamilton

1978

1979

1980

Land Enterprise Construction

Grasslands Place, Hamilton

Bank of New South Wales (became BNZ)

Victoria Street, Cambridge

Workingmen’s Club – Extensions, Huntly

Resthaven Geriatric Hospital (plus villas)

Extensions, Vogel Street, Cambridge

Trevellyn Hospital, Presbyterian, Social Services Association (Auckland) Inc. – Additions and kitchen, Victoria Street, Berescourt, Hamilton

Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Co-operative Ltd

(AFFCO) Continued

Cambridge Borough Council

Alterations and repairs, Cambridge Sewer Bridge

Waikato Valley Authority (now with River Authority)N– Office building, Grey Street, Hamilton

Thames Valley Electric Power Board

New admin and store building, Thames Valley

Hamilton East Primary School

Rukuhia Research Station – Lincoln College, Waikato

Te Awamutu College

Reading Withdrawal Room, stage 4

Cambridge Intermediate School

Administration additions

Hamilton West School – Administration suite

Paeroa Racing Club

1981

Hamilton Girls Home – Swimming pool site

Melville High School – Staff wing upgrade, Hamilton

Matamata Primary School – Remodel

Ministry of Works

Hopuhopu Military Camp – Maintenance Depot,

Ngāruawāhia

Sacred Heart College for Girls – Stage One, Hamilton

Te Kauwhata College – Gymnasium

National Bank – Branch Buildings, Te Rapa, Hamilton

Ministry of Works, GOAB

Huntly Departmental Building

1982

1983

Ministry of Works and Development, NZ Post Office – Raglan

Limestone Downs – Waikāretu

McLarens Dinsdale Autos Ltd

Workshop and Service Station

(Caltex Oil NZ Ltd), Dinsdale, Hamilton

Ministry of Energy – Electricity Division Refurbish, Hamilton District office

Ministry of Works and Development, NZ Post Office

– Additions, Raglan

Melville Primary School – Remodel, Hamilton

Norwich Union Life Insurance Society

Alteration, Garden Place, Hamilton

Waikato Dairy Co-operative Ltd

500,000-gallon reservoir, Hautapu, Waikato

University of Waikato

Shopping boulevard development – stage 2, Hamilton

Cebus development – Fraser High School, Hamilton

Modulock House – Te Awamutu

Fletcher Wood Panels

Office Block, Stage 2, Pukete, Hamilton

Modulock House – Puketutu Road, Matamata

Plunket Centre – Richmond St, Hamilton. For the Hamilton branch of the Royal NZ Plunket Society

Sacred Heart College – Gymnasium, Hamilton

Cassel Hospital – New theatre block, Hamilton

Te Awamutu, Electric Power Board

New store, and amenities building

State Insurance Building

Refurbishment, Alexandra Street, Hamilton

Hamilton City Council – Pukete Industrial Estate

Modulock House – Hamilton

1984

NZ Dairy Company (NZDC) – Dryer Extension, Tīrau

Hamilton City Council – Minogue Park, Hamilton

Hamilton City Council

Library and bank, Chartwell, Hamilton

The Great Outdoors Company Ltd

Building, Hamilton

ANZ Bank Chartwell – fit out, Hamilton

Delta Roofing and Plumbing Ltd

Factory and office fit-out, Waikato

Waikato Diocesan School for Girls School Chapel Additions, Hamilton

The Bryant Trust – Bryant halls of residence, dining hall, additions, Hamilton

Teachers College, Waikato Technical Institute –Tower block and lecture theatre, Hamilton

New State Insurance Office

Victoria Street, Hamilton

Ministry of Works and Development

Insect Control and Pesticide Residue Building, MAF, Ruakura

Various residential housing contracts: at Tuhikaramea, Waimarie St (Hamilton), Totara Drive (Matamata), Grandview Road (Hamilton), Tomlin Road (Hamilton)

Sacred Heart College – Alterations, Hamilton

TASAG Industries Ltd – Hamilton City Council

1985 NZDC – Powder Packing Room, Waharoa, Waikato

Cassell Hospital – New laundry, Hamilton

Waikato Hospital Board

Hockin nurses’ home, relocation, Hamilton

Scott Transport Ltd – Warehouse, Pukete, Hamilton

Morrinsville Veterinary Club Inc. – Building

Modulock show home

1050 Te Rapa Road, Hamilton

1986 Firth Industries factory

Reinstatement work, Norris Ave, Hamilton

Hillsborough Holdings Ltd

Office building, 29 Crescent Street, Hamilton

Whatawhata Hill County Research Station

Offices and laboratories, Waikato

1987 New Zealand Dairy Company Ltd (NZDC)

Energy Centre, building works, Te Awamutu

Property Developments Ltd

Office building, 28 Liverpool Street, Hamilton

Cassell Hospital – Theatre additions, Hamilton

1988 Electricorp – Area Marketing Office, Hamilton

Waikato Hospital Board

Artificial Limb Centre, Hamilton

Ullexco Corporation

Press building, extensions, Hamilton

St John Charitable Trust – Alterations and additions, Fairholm Maternity Hospital, Hamilton

Hamilton Postal Centre – London Street, Hamilton

1989 Hamilton City Council

Hamilton Gardens building complex, Hamilton

McDonald’s Family Restaurant, Hamilton

Allandale Units, River Road, Hamilton

Honda New Zealand Ltd

Additions to premises, Willoughby Street, Hamilton

Midland Telecom – Interior refurbishment, Monckton Building, Hamilton

1990 Mobil Service Station – State Highway 1, Tokoroa

Totalisator Agency Board (TAB)

New branch office, Te Rapa, Hamilton

Mintech NZ Ltd – New lime grinding plant, Rangitīkei

University of Waikato – Campus shops, Hamilton

Pizza Hut Restaurant – Grey Street, Hamilton East

Quattro Developments

Clarence Street, townhouses, Hamilton

Waikato Area Health Board, Waikato Hospital

Central sterile supply department, Hamilton

1991

Waikato Polytechnic – Student service and Māori student centre, Hamilton

Forest Lake Primary School – Remodel, Hamilton

Ministry of Education – Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ruamata (new school), Rotorua

1992 National Bank, Frankton branch – Fit-out, Hamilton

New Zealand Police

West Hamilton Community Policing Centre

Bowling complex – Hinemoa Park, Hamilton

Waikato Masonic Properties Ltd – Fit-out of existing Masonic Centre, Barton Street, Hamilton

1993

Waikato Polytechnic – Administration building

block B, extensions, Hamilton

CHH plywood mill

Expansion, plant building, Waikato

Southwell School – Learning Centre, Hamilton

University of Waikato

Block M, Library Stage 2 twelve bay, Hamilton

Order of St John, Hamilton area, New regional headquarters, 3 Seddon Rd, Hamilton

Worley Place Ltd extension to Downtown Plaza

underground car park and retail shopping mall, CBD, Hamilton

Anchor Products Ltd

Main building work, Waitoa Powder Plant

1994

Foster and Best Construction Ltd (JV)

Construction of dairy product drying plant buildings, Waitoa

Eagle Spares Ltd (now Porter Parts)

New office, Te Rapa, Hamilton

Vantage Aluminium (Holdings) Ltd (APL)

New building, Lot 1, Te Rapa, Hamilton

Reebok NZ Ltd – Distribution Centre, Hamilton

Waikato Food Services Ltd

Distribution Centre, Hamilton

Waikato Polytechnic

Learning Resource Centre, Hamilton

Cochrane Transport Ltd –New building, Hamilton

1995

The Cancer Society of NZ Inc.

Waikato–Bay of Plenty region, New oncology hostel

Hamilton City Council

Additions to Waikato Museum, Hamilton

1996

Waikato Regional Airport – Extensions and upgrade

Ashton Project Services Ltd – New hangar

Ōhaupō Developments Ltd – Windsor Court rest home and retirement village, Ōhaupō

University of Waikato

Lecture theatre project, stage 2, Hamilton

Health Waikato Ltd

Ward 24 at Waikato Hospital, refurbishment, Hamilton

1997

Hutton Kiwi Ltd

Extensions and despatch chiller, Waikato

Tainui Development Ltd – FMD development at the University of Waikato, Hamilton

Hamilton City Council – Melville High School, caretaker house relocation, Hamilton

Hamilton City Council

Melville pool complex, Hamilton

Flagstaff Community Policing Centre, Hamilton

National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)

Stage 3 research laboratory and office development, University of Waikato, Hamilton

Huttons Kiwi Ltd – Packing building, Waikato

Ministry of Education

Te Rapa Primary School, Hamilton

Southern Cross Healthcare

Birthing unit at Southern Cross Hospital, Hamilton

RH Holdings (Auckland) Ltd

Dress for Less retail shop, Ulster Street, Hamilton

F H McMonagle – Northpark Drive, Hamilton

ABB Service

Concrete work subcontract, Te Rapa Hamilton

Tyler Family Trust

Tisdall Street apartments, Hamilton

Alan Hassall – New office building, 214 Collingwood Street, Hamilton

Food Solutions Ltd

Access corridor, Lincoln Street, Hamilton

Hamilton Boys’ High School

Argyle House, Refurbishments

University of Waikato

Block L, refurbishments, Hamilton

RH Holdings (Auckland) Ltd

Dress for Less fit-out, Ulster Street, Hamilton

Ministry of Education – Refurbishments and extensions, Te Kohao Kohungahunga School, Hamilton

Ministry of Education – Te Wharekura o Rākaumangamanga - Stage 2 works, Huntly

1998

Anchor Products Ltd – Powder plant, Waikato

Hillcrest High School – Gymnasium, Hamilton

St John Trust – New laundry facility, Hamilton

South City Health Ltd

New medical centre, Hamilton

Anchor Products Ltd – Te Rapa office, Hamilton

Landcare Research NZ Ltd

New science building, Silverdale Road, Hamilton

Hamilton City Council

Retiling, 25 m pool, Waterworld Te Rapa, Hamilton

Transport and General Ltd

Kaimiro Street, Pukete, Hamilton

Tainui Development Ltd, Pilkington Glass (NZ) Ltd

Northgate business park, Hamilton

Anchor Products Ltd – Dairy factory, alterations to packing building, Te Rapa, Hamilton

1999 Hamilton City Council

Carpenters’ workshop, Duke Street, Hamilton

Inghams Enterprises (NZ) Pty Ltd

Alterations, packing room, Waitoa

Chablis Properties Ltd

Car park building, Alma Street, Hamilton

Seely Properties – Property extension, Vickery Street, Te Rapa, Hamilton

Waikato Polytechnic

Sports studies centre, Avalon Drive, Hamilton

Ministry of Education – New administration block, Titirangi Primary School, Auckland

Drury School – New administration block, Drury

Devon Properties Ltd

Rentokil Initial Healthcare, Hamilton

White Brothers – Clow Place, Hamilton

Highlights from 2000–2021

(Date of completion)

2002 Fairfield Board of Trustees – Fairfield College Library

Waikato Diocesan School for Girls

Administration and classroom conversion

Transport and General Manufacturing extension, Te Rapa

Kiwi Properties Ltd

CentrePlace Alterations, Hamilton

Ebbett Group Waikato – Showroom and Workshop

Redevelopment, Anglesea St

Waikato Rugby Union – Waikato Stadium Upgrade

Onehunga Fire Station, Auckland

Waikato Diocesan School for Girls

Diocesan Specialist Teaching Block

Acacia Properties – Acacia office fit-out

Onehunga Relocatables, Auckland

Waikato Diocesan School for Girls

Cheerington House structural refurbishment

Wintec – Wintec Sports Remedial, Hamilton

Redicare Family Practice – Refurbishment, Hamilton

Waikato Foods – Waikato Foods Dry Store Extension

Anglesea Clinic – Medlab fitout

Fonterra CANPAC

Canpac new café and staff facilities

CCS Disability Action

CCS Disability Action Waikato Office

Integrated Packaging Ltd – Warehouse

Manukau Institute of Technology

MIT Library Extension

Unitec – Unitec Building 76 2001

Waikato Diocesan School for Girls – Kitchen upgrade

Carter Holt Harvey – Side Entry Works

Hamilton Māori Land Court – Office Building

Studio West – Studio Development, Auckland

Repco Building – Retail Development, Te Awamutu

Porter Hire – Head office, Te Rapa

Catholic Diocesan – Cloisters Apartments

Nalco Aluminium

Barmac Place, East Tāmaki, Auckland

Salvation Army – East City Worship Centre, Hamilton

University of Waikato

University of Performing Arts, Hamilton

Hamilton City Council

Waterworld Te Rapa, Stage 3, Hamilton

Ullrich Aluminium Ltd

Ullrich House, Auckland

Waikato Diocesan School for Girls

Boarding House, Hamilton

Gladstone Primary

Gladstone Primary, Mt Albert, Auckland

Waikōwhai Intermediate

Waikōwhai Intermediate, Mount Roskill, Auckland

Ullexco Link Building

Ullexco Link Building, Auckland

Salvation Army – Salvation Army Royal Oak, Auckland

Massey University, Albany

Massey University Chemistry Lab, Albany, Auckland

Onehunga High School

Onehunga High School, Auckland

Transmission House

Warehouse and Office, Te Rapa

Panama Road School

Panama Road School, Mt Wellington, Auckland

2003

Ebbett Group Waikato Ltd

Ebbett Holden Phase 2, Hamilton

Ebbett Group Waikato Ltd

Ebbett Holden Phase 3, Hamilton

Resene Hamilton

Retail redevelopment, Hamilton

Somerville Intermediate School

Somerville Intermediate School, Auckland

Architectural Profiles Ltd – Car park, Hamilton

Rosmini College – Science Block, Auckland

Selwyn Logistics – Warehouse, Auckland

Architectural Profiles Ltd

APL office and factory extension, Hamilton

Wintec – Wintec Hospitality, Hamilton

PVL Proteins – Raw handling Alterations

Huntly Fire Station – Damage

Unitec Vets – Unitec Vet Hospital 2, Auckland

Mayfield Primary – Ōtara, Auckland

The Warehouse – Warehouse Cambridge extension

W H White Wholesale Ltd

Warehouse and office, Te Rapa

Architectural Profiles Ltd – APL, internal alterations

Birkenhead Lodge – Birkenhead Lodge

Salvation Army

Salvation Army, Glen Eden, Auckland

Hamilton City Council

Crematorium Chapel Refurbishment, Hamilton

Dexcel – Dexcel Office Development, Newstead

Ngāruawāhia Primary School – Redevelopment

Hamilton City Council – Hamilton Crematorium Roof

Mainfreight

Mainfreight offices and warehouse, Te Rapa

Mike Stevenson – Stevenson House

Massey University Albany

Massey M E Lab, Albany, Auckland

Campbells Bay Primary School – Campbells Bay Pool

CANPAC – Canpac Gatehouse, Te Rapa

DMW Trailers – Workshop and office, Te Rapa

Architectural Profiles Ltd – APL Amenities

Redicare Dentist – Retail Development, Hamilton

Massey University Albany

Massey T & I D, Albany, Auckland

BK’s Auckland Motor Lodge – Motel

Dick Smith's Pukekohe

Mahon Family Trust – Huntly Service Centre

BK Settlers Motor Lodge – Hamilton

University of Waikato

Sports Pavilion, University of Waikato, Hamilton

Wintec – Wintec DSR Offices, Waikato

Architectural Profiles Ltd – APL, store, Waikato

Ministry of Education

Māngere Refugee Centre, Auckland.

Parton Properties Cambridge – Countdown

St Stephens Apartments, Parnell

CCS Disability Action, Hamilton

Ngāruawāhia Golf Club – Ngāruawāhia Golf Club

Gough Gough & Hamer Ltd

Workshop and office, Te Rapa

NZ Fire Service – Papatoetoe Fire Station

Cambells Bay Primary – Relocatable Classrooms

Kiwi Properties Ltd – Centre Properties fit-out

Ebbett Group Waikato

Ebbetts Sundry Works, Waikato

Massey University, Albany

Massey Foundations, Auckland

General Distributors – Hamilton Countdown Sign

Massey University, Albany

Massey Extras, Auckland

Stockguard Laboratories – Lab extension, Te Rapa

Andrew Foster

Legal Offices, Liverpool Street, Hamilton

Rabobank – Rabobank office fit-out, Hamilton

Ebbett Waikato Group – New Offices, Hamilton

Harte Family Trust

Harte Warehouse, Barnett Place, Hamilton

Wintec – Repairs, Hamilton

Architectural Profiles Ltd

APL, Internal Alterations 2, Hamilton

General Distributors – Countdown Fitout, Hamilton

Matamata Properties

Warehouse Matamata, Waikato

Emmerson Group – Selwyn Roller Door, Hamilton

The Islington Property Trust

Nawton Mall, Stage 1, Part 1A, B & C, Hamilton

Riverside Apartments

Alberon Apartments, Hamilton

The Islington Property Trust

Nawton Mall,- Stage 1, Part 2, Hamilton

Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o

Pumau Ki Nga Reo o Ngāpuhi

Anglesea Medical Properties Ltd

Anglesea Clinic works, Hamilton

Foster Develop

Holcim Office & Masonry Sales Yard, Waikato

Provida Foods Ltd – Coolstore Extension, Waikato

Realty Plus Ltd – Office Redevelopment

Department of Corrections Service Centre, Hamilton

Radioworks University Albany

Radioworks New Zealand Limited

Fuelquip – Mainfreight Diesel Pad

Massey University, Albany

Massey Study Centre alterations, Auckland.

Massey University, Albany

Massey Quad Building alterations, Auckland.

Massey University, Albany

Massey Building 106 refurbishment, Auckland.

Unitec

Unitec Building 008 alterations and refurbishment

Ballance

Ballance Morrinsville, Dispatch #2 Upgrade, Waikato.

Rentokil – Rentokil, New Server Room

Prolife Foods Ltd

Canopy Extensions to Peter Baker Transport, Waikato

Bamford Properties – Cryovac smoko extension

The Warehouse – The Warehouse, Hamilton Central.

General Distributors

Nawton Mall, Foodtown lobby, Hamilton.

Quadcon Properties Ltd – SKF, Waikato

Ebbett Albany

Ebbett Holden Car Wash, Auckland

The Warehouse – The Warehouse, Te Kuiti

Architectural Profiles Ltd – APL, office, Hamilton 2004

74 St Georges Bay Road, Hamilton

Massey University, Albany – Sundry Works

General Distributors, – Countdown, Hamilton

Bella Vista Motel – Hamilton

Progressive Hydraulics – Te Rapa

Techscape – Techscape Henderson, Auckland

Ballance Netherton Ltd – Fertiliser Store Netherton

The Tidd Foundation Incorporated

BOC Gases Premises, Sunshine Ave

Caltex NZ

BOC Gases Premises, Sunshine Ave (Caltex)

2005

Box & Stevenson – Transport & General Extension

Progressive Ventures Ltd

Warehouse and Offices, Te Rapa, Hamilton

Appropriate Holdings Ltd

Site works/fencing/canopy, Hamilton

The Radiology Group

The Radiology Group, Auckland

Massey University, Albany

Massey Building, 30 alterations, Auckland

BJS Developments Ltd

RPS Commercial Building, Hamilton

Fruit World– Fruit World, 5 X rds, Hamilton

Hillcrest Medlab – Hillcrest Medlab, Hamilton

Hillcrest Physiotherapy Clinic Ltd

Hillcrest tenancy gym, Hamilton

Progressive Ventures Ltd – Cambridge Countdown

The Tidd Foundation Incorporated

BOC Gases, Sunshine Ave (Capital)

Quadcrest Holdings Ltd, Cambridge

Hillcrest Health Care (Shell), Hamilton

Hillcrest Dental Centre Ltd

Hillcrest Dental Centre Ltd, Hamilton

Hillcrest Pharmacy Ltd

Hillcrest Pharmacy Ltd, Hamilton

Quadcrest Holdings Ltd, Cambridge

Hillcrest Medical Centre Ltd, Hamilton

Hillcrest Physiotherapy Clinic Ltd

Hillcrest Physiotherapy Clinic Ltd, Hamilton

Landon Properties Ltd

Emco Project, Maui Street, Te Rapa, Hamilton

Gordan McKay – Matamata Postie Plus, Waikato

Anglesea Medical Properties Ltd

Anglesea Medical, conference room, Hamilton

Appropriate Holdings Ltd – Stairs, Cambridge

Coombes Johnston (BMW)

Showroom Alterations, Hamilton

Avenue Self Storage Ltd

Avenue Self Storage extension, Unit G

The Islington Property Trust

Fruit World, Nawton Mall, Stage 2, Hamilton

General Distribution Ltd

Hamilton Countdown Service Station

Aotearoa Park Developments Ltd

Aotearoa Park Development, Cambridge

Hamilton Gardens Summer Festival

Hamilton Gardens

Avalon Engineering

Avalon Engineering, Te Rapa, Hamilton

Eagle Spares Ltd

Eagle Spares Depot Upgrade, Te Rapa, Hamilton

Eldamos Investments Ltd

The Warehouse ,Hamilton Central

Araldon Holdings Limited

Riverhurst Apartments and Offices, Waikato

Ebbett Group Waikato Ltd

Ebbett Showroom Extension, Te Rapa, Hamilton

JD Investments Limited

The Avenue, Albany, Auckland

Ace Insurance Ltd

Papatoetoe Fire Station, insurance job, Auckland

Anglesea Clinic Development, Hamilton

Department of Corrections

Spring Hill Correctional Facility

The Warehouse – The Base, Tenancies S108 & S109, Te Rapa, Hamilton

Mike Stevenson – Pump House, Matangi

General Distribution Ltd

Foodtown Chartwell, Minor Works, Hamilton

Thoroughbred Business Park Ltd

ABERGAS Development, Te Rapa

2006 Aquagem Properties Ltd, Taupō

Rollos Marine workshop, Te Rapa, Hamilton

Fletcher Distribution Ltd

PlaceMakers Te Rapa, Hamilton

Anglesea Clinic – Anglesea Clinic, Appearance

Centre Stage 1B, Hamilton

Architectural Profiles Ltd

APL, Test Bay Relocation, Hamilton

The Islington Property Trust

Nawton Mall Coffee Shop, Hamilton

Architectural Profiles Ltd – APL, Toilet Block /Office

Block & Conference Room, Hamilton

Jadco Holdings Limited – Oceans Resort, Whitianga

Provida Foods Ltd

Provida Foods Landing Dock, Waikato

FOSMAC Ltd – Clinic Gym, Hamilton

AFFCO Holdings Ltd

AFFCO Beef Plant, Horotiu, Waikato

AFFCO Holdings Ltd – AFFCO Beef Processing Plant and Sundries, Waikato

RC Beat Family Trust – Glenfield Shops, Auckland

2007

AFFCO Holdings Ltd

AFFCO Existing Chiller Refurbishment, Waikato

Gera Family Trust – Kiwi Control Systems Ltd, Te Rapa

Adroit Systems Ltd

Wendy’s Supa Sundaes, Chartwell, Hamilton

AFFCO Holdings Ltd

AFFCO Chillers Infill Framing, Waikato

Anglesea Clinic

Anglesea Clinic -Development Stages, Hamilton

Architectural Profiles Ltd

APL, Stairs Stage Two, Hamilton

Dairy Goat Co-operative (NZ) Ltd

Dairy Blenders Factory, Waikato

Unison Developments Ltd – Unison Centre, Albany

Arcadia Investments Ltd

Worley Place Carpark, CBD, Hamilton

Anglesea Clinic – Medlab Walkway, Hamilton

Araldon Holdings Limited

Accountants on London Fitout, Waikato

McCaw Lewis Chapman

McCaw Lewis Chapman Fitout, Waikato

Provida Foods Ltd

Provida Foods, office extension, Waikato

FOSMAC Ltd – Anglesea Clinic 3 storey, Hamilton

Modern Transport Ltd

Panda Booth, Modern Transport Ltd, Foreman

Road, Avalon, Hamilton

Architectural Profiles Ltd

APL, partition wall, Hamilton

FOSMAC Ltd

Anglesea Clinic, Rat Rays Demolition, Hamilton

Tom Andrews – Building Alterations, Waikato

Andrews & Porter Ltd

Steel & Tube Buildings, Waikato

Kiwi Properties Ltd

Downtown Plaza Alterations, CBD, Hamilton

Kiwi Properties Ltd

Centre Place, Tenancy 12A & 12B, CBD, Hamilton

Hopper Developments – Hopper Projects, Whitianga

P & M Devlin

Alterations Fruit World, Nawton Mall, Hamilton

Ebbett Group Waikato Ltd

Ebbett, repair wall, Hamilton

Firth – New Concrete Plant – Whitianga

Ngāruawāhia Golf Club – Ngāruawāhia Golf Club Post

General Distribution Ltd

Woolworths, Horsham Downs, Waikato

Concord Technologies Ltd

Concord Technologies Ltd, Auckland 2008 Coro Holdings – Coromandel Shops

Modern Transport Ltd Modern Construction Offices, Avalon, Hamilton

GP Farms – Hampton Downs, Entry House, Waikato

Fosters Office and Warehouse

Barnett Place, Te Rapa

Thames Coromandel District Council

TCDC, New Mercury Bay Office (Project 2003), Coromandel

Anglesea Clinic

Procedures Stage 2 Interiors, Hamilton

Hamilton City Council

Hamilton Gardens Information Centre, Hamilton

Oceans Resort – Oceans Resort, Whitianga

Ruapehu District Council

Ruapehu District Council Offices, Taumarunui

The Lost Spring – The Lost Spring, Whitianga

Whitianga Commercial Ltd – PlaceMakers, Whitianga

Harte Family Trust – Atlas Building, Te Rapa

Larkin Land Ltd

W White Wholesale, office extension, Te Rapa

Action Motor Bodies

Action Motor Bodies Wall, Te Rapa

Dairy Goat Co-operative (NZ) Ltd

CO2 Slab, Waikato

Downer EDI Works – New Office Building, Te Rapa

Architectural Profiles Ltd

APL, toilet refurbishment, Te Rapa

Tamahere Eventide – Eventide extension, Waikato

Thames Coromandel District Council

Retaining wall, Whangamatā

Millennium Plastics Ltd

Building Alterations, Te Rapa

Foster Develop – Bridgestone, Te Rapa

Architectural Profiles Ltd

APL, car park canopy, Te Rapa

Sloper Investments Ltd

Sloper Avenue development, Frankton, Waikato

Abano Rehab Ltd – Abano Rehab, Auckland

U Leisure Ltd, Waikato

Endless Pool, Hamilton

Hamilton City Council

C I Munro Manufacturing , Te Rapa

Box & Stevenson

Transport & General Extension, Te Rapa

Acacia Apartments Ltd – Acacia Apartments,

London Street, Hamilton Central

Dairy Goat Co-operative (NZ) Ltd

Macro Tipping Room Extension, Waikato

Provida Foods Ltd – Dock Leveller, Waikato

DBJ Investments Ltd – 443 Te Rapa Road, Hamilton

Provida Foods Ltd – Cold Store extension, Waikato

Eagle Spares Ltd – Eagle Spares, Manukau, Auckland

The Tidd Foundation Incorporated

Duke Street Re-Clad, Hamilton

GP Farms – Hampton Downs, Pit Building, Waikato

Anglesea Clinic – Anglesea Rat Ray's, Shell, Hamilton

Greenlea Premier Meats – Greenlea Stage 3, Waikato

Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Redevelopment Marian Catholic School car park redevelopment, Hamilton

Greenlea Premier Meats

Greenlea admin extension, Waikato

Chylie Ltd – Alma Street Stacker, Hamilton

Greenlea Maintenance – Greenlea Premier Meats

cold store development, Waikato

GP Farms – Hampton Downs Motorsport Park 2009 Prolife Foods Ltd – Prolife Foods extension, Waikato

Downer EDI Works

Brooklyn Rd Depot, Claudelands, Hamilton

Architectural Profiles Ltd

APL, storage facility refit, Waikato

Larkin Land Ltd – W White Wholesale, Warehouse extension, Te Rapa, Hamilton

Prolife Foods Ltd

Prolife, Mother Earth Alterations, Waikato

Oyster Properties Ltd

Westpac House, crane work, CBD, Hamilton

Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary redevelopment, Hamilton

University of Waikato

Language Institute Stage II, Hamilton

Porter Hire – Porter Hire, Albany, Auckland

C I Munro – Action Motor Bodies, Hamilton Foster Office – Warehouse Extension, Te Rapa

Greenlea Premier Meats – Blood room, Waikato

Linfox – Ballance Netherton, insurance claim repairs, Waikato

Dairy Goat Co-operative (NZ) Ltd

Dairy Goat factory and store building, Waikato

Crown Relocations Ltd

Crown Relocations, Te Rapa Park, Hamilton

PlaceMakers

PlaceMakers, new display, Whitianga, Coromandel

PlaceMakers

PlaceMakers, alterations, Te Rapa, Hamilton

Hamilton City Council

The Verandah café project, Hamilton

Greenlea Premier Meats – Greenlea Morrinsville workshop and amenities, Waikato

Greenlea Premier Meats – Morrinsville engineers’

workshop and amenities, Stage 2, Waikato

PlaceMakers

PlaceMakers, temporary works, Whitianga

Greenlea Premier Meats

Greenlea Maintenance, Waikato

Ullrich Aluminium Ltd

Ullrich press foundations, Hamilton

Dairy Goat Cooperative

Sampling and control shed, Waikato

Tompkins Wake – Fit-out, Hamilton

Deloitte House – Deloitte Fit-out, Hamilton

Dairy Blenders – Sundry works and repairs, Hamilton

QBE Insurance – Gordonton canopy repair

Wilvis Investment Limited

Trowel Trades, Alteration, Te Rapa

PlaceMakers

PlaceMakers, racking demolition, Whitianga

Waipa District Council

Cambridge Town Hall, toilet upgrade, Cambridge

Provida Foods Ltd

Provida Foods insurance work, Waikato

Greenlea Premiere Meats

Greenlea admin extension, Waikato

IAG – IAG OfficeFit-out, Hamiloton

Quadcon Properties Ltd

Deloitte House, Bridge St, Hamilton 2010

Wel Networks

Hampton Downs substation, Waikato

Smythe Contractors Ltd

New workshop and offices, Tamahere, Waikato

GP Farms

Hampton Downs Industrial Buildings, Waikato

Wallace Development Company

IAG Office Development, Hamilton

PlaceMakers – Reinstatement works, Whitianga

GP Farms

Hampton Downs pavilion foundations, Waikato

NZ Fire Services – Whitianga Fire Station

Prolife Foods Ltd – Prolife Foods sprinklers, Waikato

Quadcon Properties Ltd

NZTA shell alterations, Hamilton

Waipa Networks – New depot, Te Awamutu

Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi

Campus Redevelopment, Whakatāne

2011 Downer, University, Albany

Downer EDI Works Office, Auckland

Mitre 10 New Zealand Ltd

Mitre 10 MEGA, Cambridge

Hamilton City Council

Claudelands Conference Centre, Hamilton

Kiwi Properties Ltd

Centre Place, DSE – fit-out, CBD, Hamilton

GP Farms Ltd

Hampton Downs Waste Water Treatment Plant

Synergy (Cambridge) Trust

Bridges Church ( Stage 1 ), Cambridge

Mitre 10 New Zealand Ltd

Mitre 10 refurbishment, Hamilton

Provida Foods Ltd – Cool store and offices, Waikato

LSA – Legal Service Agency, Hamilton

Provida Foods Ltd – Provida Foods, South Auckland

Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi

Stage 1, SLEV, Whakatāne

Prolife Foods Ltd – Prolife Foods extension, Waikato

Hamilton Racing Club

HRC Clubroom extension, Waikato

Couplands Bakery Ltd

Couplands Bakery, Te Rapa, Hamilton

Hamilton City Council

Claudelands Events Centre, Hamilton

Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi

Camellia Court, Whakatāne

Kiwi Properties Ltd – Centre Place food court and dining lane, CBD, Hamilton

Downer – Downer workshop and existing office upgrade, Waikato

2012

Hamilton City Council

Staples Rodway BNZ fit-out, Hamilton

Prolife Foods Ltd

Mother Earth production extension, Waikato

Kiwi Properties Ltd

Downtown Plaza, old food court, CBD, Hamilton

Mitre 10 New Zealand Ltd

Mitre 10 MEGA, Te Awamutu

Hamilton City Council

Hamilton Gardens Tudor retaining walls, Hamilton

Arcadia Investments Ltd

Worley Place lift, CBD, Hamilton

Wel Networks

Bryce St substation upgrade, Hamilton

Waikato District Health Board

Pembroke St Car park, Hamilton

Lorne Properties Ltd – Lorne St Motel, Hamilton

Larkin Family Trust – Larkin Residence, Rotoiti

Synergy (Cambridge) Trust

Bridges Church Stage 2, Cambridge

Mystery Creek Ltd – Alterations, Waikato

Tristar One – Warehouse and Office, Te Rapa

Kiwi Properties Ltd

Centre Place P&M Plaza reroof, CBD, Hamilton

Southern Cross Hospital

Southern Cross West Wing, Hamilton

Andrews & Porter Ltd

Steel & Tube extension, Te Rapa

Kiwi Properties Ltd

Rebel Sports ,Centre Place, CBD, Hamilton

Greenlea Premier Meats

Greenlea Boning Room, Waikato

Timpack Industries

Timpack Canopies, Te Rapa, Hamilton

Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi

Stage 2 Campus, Whakatāne

Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi

Stage 3 Registry Building, Whakatāne

Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi

Fit out, Whakatāne

2013 Seely Properties Limited

Office recladding, Te Rapa, Hamilton

University of Waikato – College Hall, Block C & Block D refurbishment, Hamilton

Ministry of Education

Hamilton Girls’ High School ,Music Suite, Drama Suite and Hall, Hamilton

University of Waikato – CHA and CHLC earthquake strengthening works, Hamilton

Keewee Group Ltd

Torpedo 7 Warehouse, Hamilton Central

Dairy Goat Co-operative(NZ) Ltd – Dairy Goat Administration building extensions, Waikato

Riverglade – Hill St Apartment conversion, Hamilton

University of Waikato

Gate 3B Silverdale Road, Hamilton

WINTEC – E-Block Alterations, Hamilton

WINTEC – Wintec C-Block Alterations, Hamilton

Tompkins Wake – Level 4 Fit-out, Hamilton

Kiwi Properties Ltd

Centre Place, Farmers Zone B, CBD, Hamilton

SCA Australasia – SCA Project Samson, Hamilton

Kiwi Properties Ltd

Centre Place Signage (PR10135), CBD, Hamilton

Kiwi Properties Ltd – Centre Place, Downtown

Plaza Zone 5A, CBD, Hamilton

Kiwi Properties Ltd – Centre Place speciality

tenancies fit-outs, CBD, Hamilton

2014

Hightae Trust

531 Grey St, Bulk Earthworks, Stage 1, Hamilton

WINTEC – Wintec B Block refurbishment, Hamilton

Design Management Consultants

ANZ House, Grantham StHamilton

Cal Trucks Ltd

Cal Trucks extension, Pukete, Hamilton

Stuart PC Ltd

Hynds Precast Factory, Mt Maunganui, Tauranga

WINTEC – D Block Refurbishment, Hamilton

WINTEC – A Block Refurbishment, Hamilton

Porter Properties Ltd

Porters Central Culvert, Te Rapa, Hamilton

Teka Property Ltd – New factory and office for Resco Ltd, Te Rapa Park, Hamilton

WINTEC – C Block ablutions, Hamilton

Kiwi Properties Ltd – Centre Place food court and Rank Xerox seismic upgrade, CBD, Hamilton

Larkin Land Ltd

Industrial Building 14 Karewa Place, Hamilton

University of Waikato CHA refurbishment & external works, Hamilton

Kiwi Properties Ltd

Centre Place reglazing works, Hamilton CBD

Davron Holdings Ltd – 3 Caro St fit-out, Auckland

Kiwi Properties Ltd

Centre Place Hoyts Cinemas, Hamilton

Hightae Trust

531 Grey St, Office and Retail, Hamilton

Transpower NZ Limited

Transpower Kilo Project, Waikato

Kiwi Properties Ltd

Centre Place, Lido cinema, Hamilton

Modern Transport Ltd

MTE New Factory, Hamilton

Stuart PC Ltd

PlaceMakers Frame & Truss Development, Te Rapa

Gull Holdings Ltd – Kmart Te Rapa, Hamilton

Kiwi Properties Ltd – Centre Place, Ward Street

canopies alterations, CBD, Hamilton

NDA Group

NDA engineers’ office redevelopment, Te Rapa

Hamilton City Council

Seddon Park Cricket, facilities upgrade, Hamilton

Box & Stevenson Buildings Ltd

Transport & General, new workshop, Hamilton East 2015

Kiwi Properties Ltd

Centre Place Ward St West, Zone 4, CBD, Hamilton

Provida Foods Ltd – Provida Foods, Palmerston North

Fairview Developments Ltd – Fairview

Developments storage yard extension, Hamilton

Hamilton City Council

Seddon Park Sky TV Towers, Hamilton

Inghams Enterprises Ltd

Inghams hatchery additions, Waikato

Hightae Trust – NZ Healthcare fit-out, Hamilton

Southern Cross Hospital – CSSD alterations, Hamilton

Suzuki Boyd

Suzuki Boyd, development alteration, Hamilton

DEC Ltd

DCE, Millennium Plastics extension, Hamilton

Hamilton Boys’ High School

HBHS G-Block redevelopment, Hamilton

WINTEC

N-Block Student Accommodation, Hamilton

Zealong Tea Estate Ltd

Zealong Tea, new factory, Waikato

Richmond Mews Property Ltd

Proform Plastics fire damage, Auckland

Transpower NZ Ltd

Mike Group Transpower, Hamilton

NDA Group – NDA Group, office redevelopment, Stage 2, Te Rapa

Livestock Improvement Ltd

LIC, Stage 2, Ruakura Road, Newstead, Waikato

Transpower NZ Ltd – Juliette Group, Ōtāhuhu

seismic upgrade project, Auckland

Transpower NZ Ltd

2TCNCC.22, Transpower NCCN Hall Road, Hamilton

DABS Mainstreet Place LP

AberGas Extension, Te Rapa, Hamilton

Fletcher Distribution Ltd

PlaceMakers Te Rapa office extension, Hamilton

Hightae Trust – Hauraki PHO, Fit-out, Hauraki

Prime Property Group Ltd

Tonkin + Taylor fit-out, Hamilton West

Ministry of Education

Endeavour Primary School, Hamilton

WINTEC

L Block & car park redevelopment, Hamilton

Commercial Buildings (Waikato) Limited – Forlong and Maisey, Animal Health Building, Te Rapa

Box & Stevenson Buildings Ltd

Transport & General, new workshop, Te Rapa

Genesis Energy

Genesis Energy fit-out, ASB Building, Hamilton

WE Elder Enterprises

271 Clyde St Development, Hamilton

Hightae Trust

Grey St – Doctors’ tenancy fit-out, Hamilton

Hamilton Girls’ High School

Hamilton Girls’ High School, HVAC, Hamilton

Stuart PC Ltd

Hynds Neilson St, Onehunga, Auckland

Truck Steering Services Ltd – Truck Steering Services Ltd, Mt Maunganui, Tauranga

HD Land Ltd Hampton Downs hospitality, Waikato

Sealed Air (New Zealand)

Sealed Air, dangerous goods store, Te Rapa 2016 Livestock Improvement Ltd – LIC, Office Redevelopment Stage 1, Ruakura, Waikato

Hamilton City Council

Hamilton Gardens Developments

HD Land Ltd

Hampton Downs workshops & showroom, Waikato

Commercial Buildings (Waikato) Limited

13 Kaimiro Street Establishment, Te Rapa

Brett Marsh Transport Ltd – Brett Marsh cool store, Taurikura Drive, Tauriko, Tauranga

Prolife Foods Ltd

Prolife Foods, 2015 dry store expansion, Te Rapa

Chiefs Rugby Club LP

FMG Stadium Towers, Seddon Road, Hamilton

Deloitte House – Tenancy Alterations, Hamilton

Hospo Developers Ltd

BK Hospo Motor Lodge, Hamilton

Appropriate Holdings Ltd

Powder coating plant, Te Rapa

Hamilton City Council

Mansfield Garden, Hamilton City Gardens

Hobson Hotel – Hobson St Hotel, New Plymouth

Kiwi Properties Ltd – Centre Place, P & M Plaza

Design, Ward St, Hamilton

Horotiu Farms Ltd

Te Rapa Service Centre, Hamilton

Provida Foods Ltd – dry goods extension, Waikato

Foster Develop Ltd

Arawa Street Matamata, retail building

Nawton Ltd

GAS Service Station, Avalon Drive, Hamilton

Fredericksen Trust Partnership

Convex Plastics roof modification, Waikato

Foster Develop – Dept of Corrections Service Hub, 150 London St, Hamilton

Architectural Profiles Ltd

Office and Manufacturing, Te Rapa

Bupa New Zealand – Bupa St Andrews, Hamilton

Zealong Tea Estate Ltd – Zealong Tea House, Waikato

Filtration Technology Ltd

Filtec Lichfield Chemical Compound, Auckland

Hampton Downs Land Ltd

Hampton Downs industrial building, Waikato

Hightae Trust – 527 Grey Street, Hamilton

Hampton Downs Land Ltd

Hampton Downs, container structures, Waikato

Stuart PC Ltd – Hynds Neilson St, Onehunga, B1, B2, B3, siteworks & drainage, Auckland

RJ’s Liquorice – RJ Liquorice, extension, Levin

2017

IB Properties Ltd

Bertolini new premises, Cambridge

Prolife Foods Ltd – Prolife Foods new manufacturing, Pukete, Hamilton

Southern Cross Hospital – Bed lift, Hamilton

Gull Holdings Ltd

Te Rapa Road Development, Hamilton

The Colonial Motor Company Ltd

South Pacific Trucks, Wiri, Auckland

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Trust Board – Latter-day Saints Museum, Hamilton

Kiwi Properties Ltd

Hoyts Cinemas, 6 & 7, Hamilton

Nawton Ltd Avalon Drive Stage 2, Hamilton

Kiwi Properties Ltd

Hoyts Cinemas exterior reclad, Hamilton

Southern Cross Hospital

Hybrid/operating theatre extension, Hamilton

The One Victoria Trust Board Incorporated

Meteor Theatre upgrade, Hamilton

Ministry of Education

Endeavour School Stage 2, Hamilton

Commbuild Property Limited

Viridian Glass Factory, East Tāmaki, Auckland

Mitre 10 New Zealand Ltd

Mitre 10 MEGA, Ruakura, Waikato

Gull Holdings Ltd – Railside Place, Hamilton

Quail Holdings Ltd

Livestock processing facility, Frankton, Hamilton

The Trustees, Gallagher Trust

WDHB/One Link Gallagher Drive, Hamilton

DV Bryant Trust Ltd

Bryce St Development fit-out, Hamilton

Fredericksen Trust Partnership

Convex Plastics extension, Waikato

DV Bryant Trust Ltd

Devon Project, Genesis Development, Hamilton

DV Bryant Trust – Civil Defence fit-out, Hamilton

2018 St Pierre’s – St Pierre’s fit-out, Hamilton

Chalmers Property Ltd Te Rapa Gateway, Hamilton

HD Land Ltd Hampton Downs Unit 9, Waikato

United Sheetmetals Ltd – Alterations, Frankton

Visy Board – Visy Hamilton, Titanium Park, Waikato

Larkin Land Ltd

White Wholesale office extension Te Rapa

Appropriate Holdings Ltd

Head Office car park, Te Rapa

Trean Properties Ltd

Toyota/Lexus development, Te Rapa

WINTEC – Rotokauri Campus Carpark, Hamilton

Foster Develop

Bryce St car park upgrade, Hamilton

HD Land Ltd – Hampton Downs Café, Waikato

Harrods Ltd

560 Te Rapa Road development, Hamilton

Porter Properties Ltd

Hydraulink and Unit Development, Te Rapa

Southern Cross Hospital – East Ward ensuite upgrade, Southern Cross Hospital, Hamilton

Hill Laboratories Ltd

Hill Laboratories, Hamilton

Pukeroa Properties Ltd – Kmart, Rotorua

Porter and Foster (JV) Lakewood Development, Block B, Cambridge

Podium Investments Ltd

Collingwood St refurbishment, Hamilton

Landon Properties Ltd

Landon Properties 18–20 Maui Street, Hamilton

Jupiter Investments Ltd

Retail Building, Broadway, Matamata

Kirkdale Investments Ltd

Hector Drive Childcare, Rototuna North, Hamilton

Harrods Ltd

Go Bananas Childcare, Frankton, Hamilton

Foster Construction Group Ltd

Fosters HQ, Arthur Porter Drive, Te Rapa, Hamilton

Porter and Foster (JV) Lakewood Development

,Block F, Cambridge

Industrial Property Group Ltd – Metalcraft Building, Ti Rakau Drive, East Tāmaki, Auckland

Porter Properties Ltd

Old Porters Yard Works, Te Rapa, Hamilton

Foster Develop Tamahere Village, Hamilton

White Wave Partnership – BODCO Drystore & Warehouse, Pukete, Hamilton

K & K Syndicate

Chow Hill office alteration, Hamilton

Porter and Foster (JV) – Nyriad, fit-out, Hamilton

2019

FDL Tristram Ltd – NZMA Tristram Street, Hamilton

Waikato Regional Council

Waikato Regional Council, Paeroa offices

HD Land Ltd

Unit 4 & Unit 12, Hampton Downs, Waikato

Visy Board – Visy, Warehouse extension, Wiri

Gull Holdings Ltd – SsangYong, Te Rapa

The ToolShed

New store and warehouse, Te Rapa, Hamilton

FVCP NZ – Lot 25 Te Rapa Gateway, Hamilton

Commercial Autos Ltd

CAL trucks entrance, Hamilton

Southern Cross Hospital

South & West Wing, Hamilton

Waikato District Council

Tamahere piazza and recreation reserve, Hamilton

NZ Management Academy

NZMA fit out, Tristram Street, Hamilton Central

IDEXX NZ Ltd

IDEXX Laboratory, Maui Street, Pukete, Hamilton

HD Land Ltd –Hampton Downs, Unit 10, Waikato

Supreme Sheetmetals Ltd – Supreme Sheetmetals workshop, Kahikatea Drive, Frankton, Hamilton

Equity Trust Ltd

Chartwell Shopping Centre, Shop 235, Hamilton

Pyes Pa School Board of Trustees

Pyes Pa School, Tauranga

Equity Trust Ltd

Chartwell column remedials, Hamilton

Tristar One – Mainfreight Warehouse, Waikato

HD Land Ltd – Hampton Downs Unit 11, Waikato

Gallagher Charitable Trust – Volare, Hamilton

Truck Steering Services Ltd – Additional workshop, Whakakake Street, Tauriko, Tauranga

Foodstuffs North Island

New Worldupgrade, Matamata

Empire Corporation

TUI Medical Centre, Rotowaro, Main Street, Huntly

Foodstuffs North Island

New World refurbishment, Stage 1, Whakatāne

Porter and Foster (JV)

Blocks D and C Lakewood Development, Cambridge

Waikato District Health Board

WDHB fit-out, Collingwood Street, Hamilton

Empire Corporation

Rotowaro, Porters 3-bay shed, Huntly

2020

Foster Develop – 99 Broadway retail, Matamata

Ingram Road Investments Limited

Summit scaffolding warehouse, Rukuhia, Waikato

AFI Investments – Union Square Block F, Hamilton

Chalmers Property Ltd

Te Rapa Gateway, Stage 2, Hamilton

Black & Orange – Bristol Place trade units, Hamilton

AMP Capital Bayfair Pty Ltd

Bayfair Redevelopment, Mt Maunganui, Tauranga

Tristram Marine Ltd

Showroom and Manufacturing Te Rapa

Rocket Lab Limited – Rocket Lab launch pads

Braemar Hospital Ltd – Braemar Hospital Stage 2A, Ōhaupō Road, Hamilton Lake, Hamilton

Fire Emergency NZ Ltd

Pukete Fire Station, Hamilton

Redline Holdings Ltd – JA Russell, Tauriko

Ministry of Education

Pillans Point School Stage 1 car park, Maxwells Road, Otūmoetai, Bureta, Tauranga

Porter and Foster(JV)

Block E - Lakewood Development, Cambridge

AMP Capital Bayfair Pty Ltd

Bayfair Farm St car park, Mt Maunganui, Tauranga

Kansal Ventures Limited

Lot 6 Gilbek Place, Hamilton

Norfolk Southern Cross Ltd

Grace Hospital Stage 1 theatre expansion, Tauranga

HD Land Ltd

Hampton Downs, Unit 5 & Unit 6, Waikato

Calev Holdings Ltd

Warehouse and Office, Titanium Park

Pillans Point School

Pillans Point School LSC Room, Maxwells Road, Otūmoetai, Bureta, Tauranga

Ebbett Waikato Group Ebbett car park temporary storage, Te Rapa, Hamilton

Travis Pocock Family Trust

Zero Fire new premises, Titanium Park

Urban Homes

Urban Homes Development, Hamilton

Tristar One

Mainfreight dangerous goods store, Te Rapa

White Heron Holdings Ltd

Gordonton Service Centre Retail A, Hamilton

Cardrona Services Ltd – EXTEC, Te Rapa

2021 Foster Staff – Lot 47 Te Rapa Gateway, Hamilton

Dairy Goat Co-operative (NZ) Ltd

Dairy Goat Store 8, Waikato

Tauranga City Council – Historic Village venue upgrade, Complex One, Tauranga

HD Land Ltd

Hampton Downs, Mad Mike’s, Waikato

Gull Holdings Ltd – Royale Cars, Hamilton

Foster Develop

160 First Ave refurbishment, Tauranga

Tauranga City Council – Mount Holiday Park

Harbour amenity Bbock kitchen, Mt Maunganui

Fire Emergency NZ Ltd

Lake Okereka Fire Station, Rotorua

DBR Investments Ltd – Harkin Roofing, Tauranga

Te Rapa Gateway Properties Ltd

Ebbett Te Rapa Gateway Development, Hamilton

Braemar Hospital Ltd

Braemar Medical Services, Hamilton

Industre Property Rua Ltd

Resource Recovery Park Stage 1, Auckland

QP Holdings Ltd – Selwyn St Student Living, University of Waikato, Tauranga Campus

Foster Develop

183 Collingwood Street ,FDL, Hamilton

Waikato Innovation Park – Innovation Park Office

Block, Melody Lane, Hamilton East

Dairy Goat Co-operative (NZ) Ltd

Dairy Goat, Dryer Medium Care, Waikato

Beach 267 Limited – Baron Units Tauriko, Tauranga

Foster Develop – Waikato District Council fit-out,

Unit C Tamahere Village, Hamilton

Foster Develop – Health Vision fit out, Tamahere

Village Unit C, Hamilton

Appropriate Holdings Ltd

APL/AGP Development, Hautapu

Bidfood Ltd – Bidfresh, Hamilton

Active (2022) Ullrich Aluminium Ltd – Ullrich

Aluminium, façade, and caustic shed, Te Rapa

Salvation Army

Salvation Army, London St, Hamilton

AFI Investments Ltd

Union Square Building F, CBD, Hamilton

Strand Properties Ltd – 820 Victoria Street, Hamilton

FDL First Ave – FDL, 152 First Ave, Tauranga

Ministry of Education – Stage 2 Pillans Point

School redevelopment, Maxwells Road, Otūmoetai, Bureta, Tauranga

Foster Develop – Foster BOP Office, Tauranga

AMP Capital Bayfair Pty Ltd – Bayfair seismic to car park, Mt Maunganui, Tauranga

Central St Property Limited

Splice Titanium Park, Hamilton Airport

Napoleon Properties Ltd – Transdiesel Hautapu

Hamilton Christian School – Classroom Block One

Black & Orange

Vantage Mixed Use Development, Tauranga

University of Waikato

UOW Block R seismic upgrade, Hamilton

Te Rapa Gateway Ltd

IAG Repairhub Project, Hamilton

Body Corporate 88125

Quest Apartments Reroof, CBD, Hamilton

Aotearoa Park Developments Ltd – K & S Freighters extension, Te Awamutu Road, Cambridge

Grass Ventures Ltd

TOMRA Centre of Excellence, Waikato

Te Rapa Swim Properties Ltd

Te Rapa Pool, Hamilton

Altus – Project Everest, Te Rapa

Terraland – Terraland warehouse & office, Hakanoa Street, Huntly

RABO Bank

Rabobank Level 4 & Level 5 fit-out, Hamilton

Drift Tide Holdings Ltd – Gargan Road units, Tauriko

AA Insurance – AA Insurance fit-out, Hamilton

Industre Property Rua Ltd

HRRP Stage 2, waste management, Auckland

NIWA

NIWA Research Centre, Waikato University

Foodstuffs North Island

New World Alterations, Whakatāne

Porter and Foster (JV)

Lakewood Block E, Unit 7, pool shop, Cambridge

FDL Earthmover Ltd – Industrial Units

Porter Foster JV Ltd – WLASS Unit 6 Block E

Lakewood

Inovo Projects Ltd – MOG Oxygen Infrastructure

Improvements

BOPDHB – Tauranga Hospital Ward 4C Refresh & ICU Stage 3

2022 Porter Foster JV Ltd – Unit 4 Block F Lakewood

Intertanancy IT Wall

Evolution Southern Cross Ltd – Grace Hospital

Stage 2 SDAu Refurbishment

Evolution Southern Cross Ltd – Grace Hospital Stage

5 OT 8 & OT 9 Fitouts

Fun DLP – Frank Risk, 630 Victoria Street

Westpac (NZ) Investments Limited – Westpac Tenancy Lakewood

Carlyon Civil Construction Ltd – Challenge Tauriko

Tri Star One – Mainfreight Stage 3

Body Corporate 88125 – Quest Apartments Building Reinstatement Works

White Wave Partnership – Ingram Rd Warehouse Development

2023 Hamilton Christian School Incorporated – Hamilton Christian School - Classroom 2

Tauranga Skin Cancer Specialists Limited – Da Vinci Fitout - Vantage Building

Hampton – Hampton Downs Ablutions Block

FDL Bryce St Limited – 189 Collingwood St

Te Rapa Park – Trade Fair International

AFI Investments Limited – Building A Union Square

Oranga Tamariki - Ministry for Children – MSD Fitout

AFI Investments Limited – Building B Union Square (1st stage)

Strand Properties (2002) Ltd – 820 Victoria St

Black and Orange – Vantage Mixed Use Development

Te Rapa Gateway Ltd – Altus RCD

APPENDIX FOUR APPENDIX FIVE

Bibliography

PUBLISHED SOURCES

Gibbons, P, Connections – A century of commerce and industry in the Waikato, 1906–2006. The Waikato Chamber of Commerce and Industry Incorporated, 2006.

Spotlight on Hamilton, New Zealand, Spotlight Publishing Ltd, 1995.

There are also several online published sources referenced as endnaotes for each chapter.

FOSTER ARCHIVES

> Foster Construction Ltd minute books

> Foster Develop (Development) minute books

> Foster Transport (FMS) minute books

> Foster Engineering minute books

> Foster Maintain minute books

> Media articles

> Newsletters

ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEWS

Adam Findlay – Construction Manager and Director, Foster Construction Group Ltd

Ben van den Engel – Managing Director, Ebbett Group Ltd

Carol Green (née Duncan) – Office Administrator (former)

Colin Wade – Managing Director, Foster

Construction Ltd (retired)

Graham Foster – Founder

Ian Sanders – Foster Lead Estimate (retired)

John Sittlington – Foreman, Foster Construction

Leonard Gardner – CEO/Director, Foster Construction Group Ltd

Lyrae Wood (née Duncan) – Senior QS, Kingston Partners Limited

Michael Crawford – Director and Chairperson, Fosters Board of Directors

Mitchell Plaw – Major shareholder, APL

Paul Wade – Director and Project Manager, Foster Construction (retired)

Peter Calder – Foster Maintain Manager (retired)

Ross Pacey – Director and Tender Manager, Foster Construction

Stu Miller – Site Manager, Foster Construction

Wendy Barnard – Brand and Marketing

Manager, Foster Construction Group Ltd

Development projects (2013 - 2021)

220–226 Victoria Street Hamilton

(Supporting the Regional Theatre project)

586 Victoria Street Hamilton

Genesis Energy Hamilton

Judea Development Tauranga

Lakewood Development Cambridge

London St Corrections Hamilton

Matamata Broadway Matamata

NZMA Tristram Street Hamilton

Papamoa Springs Tauranga

Quentin Drive Hamilton

Tamahere Village Hamilton

Te Awa Lakes Commercial Horotiu

Te Kowhai Airfield Waikato

The Village Ōmokoroa, Tauranga

Titanium Park Hamilton

Union Square Hamilton

WDHB OneLink Hamilton

APPENDIX SIX

Awards

EXTERNAL – INDIVIDUALS

2006 Adam Findlay - Registered Master Builders

Apprentice of the Year – 2nd Place

2007 Graham Mallett & David Beardappointed RMBF Life Members

Leonard Gardner – Property Council –Young Achiever in Property Award

2014 John Kim - Registered Master Builders

Apprentice of the Year – Winner

2016 Ryan Tesselaar - Registered Master Builders

Apprentice of the Year – 3rd Place

2018 Colin Wade - Property Council Hawkins Construction – Long Service Award

2018 Adam Findlay - Property Council Rider Levett

Bucknall Young Achiever of the Year award

2019 Leonard Gardner - Property Council –Outstanding Leadership Award

BUILDING PROJECTS

2008 Property Council NZ Rider Levett Bucknall wards, Award of Merit, Community Service | Spring Hill Corrections Facility

2009 NZ Architecture Award | Waikato/BOP Architecture Award | Public Architecture | The Verandah Café & Function Centre

Presented to Chibnall Swann Team Architecture

Sustainable Business Network - Emerging

Large & Corporate Business Award - Foster Construction

Waikato Commercial Project of the Year -

Gold Award - Tourism & Leisure Project

Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Hamilton East

Waikato Commercial Project of the Year -

Registered Master Builders - Silver Award

- Tourism & Leisure - Hampton Downs Motorsport Park Apartments

2010 RMB Commercial Projects Awards - Gold Reserve Award - Mitre 10 MEGA Cambridge

RMB Commercial Projects Awards - Project of the Year - Excellence in Workmanship, Construction practices and innovationDeloitte House

Waikato Commercial Project of the Year

- Gold Reserve Award - Wintec Retail & Business Project, IAG on Collingwood

Waikato Commercial Project of the Year -

Registered Master Builders Category & Gold Award - Wintec Retail & Business Project, Deloitte House

Waikato Commercial Project of the Year -

Registered Master Builders Category & Gold Award - Tourism & Leisure Project - The Verandah, Hamilton Lake

2011 NZ Architecture Award - Waikato/BOP

Architecture Award - Public Architecture

- Claudelands Event Centre presented to Chow:Hill and Populous

2013 NZ Commercial Project Awards - Gold Award

- Industrial Category - Claudelands Arena

NZ Commercial Project Awards - Gold Award

- Retail Category - Centre Place Food Court & Dining Lane

NZ Commercial Project Awards - Silver Award

Tourism & Leisure Project - Claudelands Conference Centre

2014 Red Awards Retail Design Awards - Leisure Award Winner - Hoyts Metro, Hamilton

2015 NZ Commercial Project Awards - Silver Award

- Retail Category - Centre Place

Redevelopment

2016 NZ Institute of Architects, Waikato/BOPArchitecture Award, Commercial Architecture

- APL Factory – Presented to Jasmax

RMB Apprentice of the Year 2016 - Regional Winner - Waikato - Ryan Tesselaar

2017

NZ Commercial Project Awards - Gold Award

- Industrial - APL, Kawera Place

NZ Commercial Project Awards - Silver Award

- Retail Category - The Vista, Zealong Tea Estate

Westpac Waikato Business Awards

- NZ Chambers of Commerce WaikatoWinner Strategy, Planning & Governance Award (Wintec) Foster Construction Group

2018

Westpac Waikato Business Awards - NZ Chambers of Commerce Waikato - Supreme Winner - Foster Construction Group

NZ Architecture Award - Waikato/BOP Architecture Award - Commercial Architecture - Genesis Energy

NZ Architecture Award - Waikato/BOPArchitecture Award - Interior Architecture

Kenehi on Bryce (Genesis Energy) Presented to Edwards White

NZ Commercial Project Awards - Gold Award Health Project - Hill Laboratories

Property Council NZ - Holmes ConsultingBest Team - Visy presented to Foster Construction Project team

Property Council NZ - Staples Rodway

Waikato - Supreme Excellence AwardVisy presented to Foster Construction Project team

RCP Commercial Awards - Excellence Office Property Category - Genesis Energy

2019

NZ Commercial Project Awards - BronzeResidential - Lakewood

NZ Commercial Project Awards - GoldIndustrial Category - Visy

NZ Commercial Project Awards - GoldCommercial Category - Genesis Energy

NZ Commercial Project Awards - National Category Winner - Industrial Category Visy

NZ Commercial Project Awards - SilverCommercial Category - Foster HQ

2020

NZ Institute of Architects, Waikato/BOP, Commercial Architecture, Foster Group HQPresented to Edwards White

NZ Architecture Award - Resene Colour Award - Claudelands Event Centre presented to Chow:Hill and Populous

2022 NZ Commercial Project AwardsGold - Commercial Category - Ebbett

Te Rapa Gateway

NZ Commercial Project AwardsGold - Selwyn Street Student

Accommodation (BOP)

NZ Commercial Project Awards - SilverCommercial Category - Urban Homes

NZ Commercial Project Awards - SilverMcCaw Lewis fitout at 586 Victoria St

Property Council New Zealand

Rider Levett Bucknall Property Industry

Awards - Excellence and Best in CategoryProfile Group APL Hautapu HQ

REFERENCES

Introduction

1 Trade News, Profile, November 1995, p. 12.

Chapter One

1 Piopio is a small town in the Waitomo District. It is situated on State Highway 3, approximately 23 kilometres from Te Kuiti.

2 Gibbons, P. Connections: A Century of Commerce and Industry in the Waikato, 1906–2006. (Hamilton: Waikato Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 2006), p. 142

3 Ibid, p. 141

4 ‘Cement Still in Short Supply’, The Northland Age, 19 May 1950, p. 1, https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NORAG19500519.2.6

5 The company remained registered until 17/10/1996. https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/ companies/175349/detail

Certificate of incorporation L.G. Foster LTD 175349 NZBN: 9429040149639. Accessed 30 May 2021. https://teara.govt.nz/en/video/36635/building-new-schools-1950s

6 https://teara.govt.nz/en/1966/waikato-hauraki-region/page-8

7 Gibbons, Connections, p. 149

8 Ibid, p. 148

9 Ibid, p. 163

https://www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz/your-district/iwi-in-our-district

10 G Foster, oral history interview. Interviewer Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 28 June 2021. Transcript, pp. 2,3

11 Ibid, p. 3

12 Including F.T. Hawkins Ltd, Brian Perry Ltd, the Cavanagh brothers, Doug Scandrett Ltd, Roy and Sam Osborne Ltd, and Ryff Construction Ltd.

13 The company stayed registered until 16 November 1990. https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/ companies/180585/detail

Certificate of incorporation G.E. Foster Limited 180585 NZBN: 9429040137711 file copy Owned by the Dalgety Group at the time.

14 G Foster, oral history interview. Interviewer Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 28 June 2021. Transcript, p. 5

15 https://teara.govt.nz/en/1966/waikato-hauraki-region/page-8

Four principal tribes comprise the Tainui waka of the Waikato: Hauraki, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Raukawa and Waikato.

16 Gibbons, Connections, pp. 156,164.

17 Ibid, p. 172

18 Early factories and workshops in Te Rapa included Gallagher Engineering and Plastic Products Ltd.

19 Built by F.T. Hawkins Ltd: Gibbons, Connections, p. 151. Ibid. Built by Hawkins Construction Ltd and Street Construction Ltd: Gibbons, Connections, p. 163

20 G Foster, oral history interview. Interviewer Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 28 June 2021. Transcript, p. 13

21 https://www.waikatofarmerstrust.org.nz/history

22 https://www.stresscrete.co.nz/home. Stresscrete became part of the Fletcher Group.

https://www.stilesandhooker.co.nz/ http://www.nzlii.org/nz/other/nz_gazette/1966/66.pdf

23‘C Tizard speaking on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the metric system being introduced into NZ’ https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/30-years-metric-system

24 Fred Dagg (John Clarke character), ‘We Don’t Know How Lucky We Are’ (song), first released 1975 https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/dont-know-how-lucky-we-are-1998

25 https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/the-1970s/overview

26 Ibid, p. 1

27 M Plaw, oral history interview. Interviewer Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 27 July 2021, Transcript, p. 2

28 https://archivescentral.org.nz/ruapehu-dc/record/victory-bridge

29 Certificate of incorporation, Panatella Properties Limited, 183507, NZBN: 9429040129716. Accessed 30 May 2021.

On 12 April 1975 Waikato Crane Services changed its company name to Panatella Properties. Waikato Crane Services is still in existence today along with Auckland Cranes. Together they formed one company. https://aucklandcranes.co.nz/branch/waikato/

30 Certificate of incorporation Foster Construction Limited 193073 NZBN: 9429040085067. Accessed 30 May 2021.

31 Minute book, end-of-year accounts, 5 December 1974. Foster archives.

32 Anthony Gemmel died on 15 August 2013. NOTE: The Quantity Surveyors Institute of NZ merged with the Building Surveyors Institute of New Zealand in 1978 to become the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NZIQS).

33 J Poutsma, email correspondence with the author, July 2021.

34 https://pkf.co.nz/our-people/jack-poutsma/

35 Colin Wade, oral history interview. Interviewer Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries 28 June 2021. Transcript, p. 11

36 Ibid, p. 5

37 The ‘Nelson single-storey is characterised by its single-storey H-shaped classroom blocks, with a large toilet and cloakroom area on oneside. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_standard_ school_buildings; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraser_High_School,_Hamilton C Wade, oral history interview. Interviewer Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries 28 June 2021. Transcript, p. 9

38 ‘Three directors steer regional company down successful and prosperous path’, Waikato Times, November 1995, p. 12

39 Minute book, ‘Resolution 12 December 1975 for the construction of the Entomology complex Stage 1 insecticide building at Ruakura Agricultural Research station’. Foster archives.

40 Minute book, ‘Minutes of a meeting of the directors of Foster Construction Ltd’, 26 August 1980. Foster archives.

Chapter Two

1 https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/the-1980s

2 https://teara.govt.nz/en/city-history-and-people/page-9

3 https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/the-1980s/overview

4 https://www.nawic.org.nz/

5 https://www.visithamilton.co.nz/welcome/hamilton-history

6 25 July 1981, press release, ‘Anti-Springbok protesters block Hamilton match’, https://nzhistory.govt.nz/anti-springbok-tourprotestorsforce-game-to-be-abandoned-in-hamilton https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/the-1980s/1981

7 The first KFC opened in New Zealand in 1971. https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/ audio/2018809034/kfc-celebrates-50-years-in-new-zealand

8 I Sanders oral history interview transcript. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 30 June 2021 p.5

9 Ibid, p. 10

10 Extra material supplied via email from Carol Green.

11 https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/6479728/Historicdairy-building-takes-on-yet-another-new-identity *From 1944, such companies included: Rotorua Town Milk Co-op Ltd, Hamilton Milk Producers Co-op Ltd, Waikato Valley Town Milk Co-op Ltd, Waikato Valley Trading, Waikato Valley Investments, Cococ’s Candy Ltd and

Dairydom Finance.

12 https://www.rdtpacific.co.nz/about/

13 G Hassett oral history interview transcript. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 1 July 2021 pp. 1-5

14 Ibid. p. 4

15 M Plaw oral history interview transcript. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 7 July 2021 p. 3

16 https://ebbett.nz/timeline/

17 B van den Engle oral history interview transcript. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 14 July 2021 p.1

18 I. Sanders oral history interview transcript. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 30 June 2021 pp.9,14

19 Foster Development Minute Book, 1980s. Foster archives.

20 J Sittlington oral history interview transcript. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 29 June 2021 pp.8,9

21 P Wade oral history interview transcript. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 30 June 21 pp.2,5

22 P Wade, p. 6

23 I Sanders oral history interview transcript. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 30 June 21 p.12

24 C Green oral history interview transcript. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 28 June 2021 p.1

25 Ibid, p. 18

26 C Green oral history interview transcript. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 28 June 21 p.9

27 S Miller oral history interview transcript. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 12 July 2021 p.1

28 Ibid, pp. 2,3,5

29 J Sittlington oral history interview transcript. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 29 June 2021 p.13

30 S Miller oral history interview transcript. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 12 July 2021 pp.1,5

31 Email correspondence with Carol Green, June 2021.

32 The land at Tasman Road was sold to Tasman Properties for $520,000 plus GST. Resolution, 9 May 1988, Minute Book, p. 87, Foster archives.

33 I Sanders oral history interview transcript. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 30 June 2021 pp.8,9

35 P Wade oral history interview transcript. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 30 June 2021 p.6

36 Ibid, pp. 12,13

38 C Green oral history interview transcript. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 28 June 2021 p.5

39 https://teara.govt.nz/en/telecommunications

https://downtothewire.co.nz/the-beginning-1989/index.html

40 Fosters construct ‘Flagship’ centre. Waikato Times (month unknown), 1983.

41 P Wade oral history interview transcript. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 30 June 2021 p.8

42 Hall set to host floral fiesta. Waikato Times, 12 April 1989.

43 J Sittlington oral history interview transcript. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 29 June 2021 pp.1,4

44 Email correspondence with Carol Green, June 2021.

45 https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/the-1980s/1982

46 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Monday_(1987)

Chapter Three

1 G Mallett. Company profile document, January 1992, ‘Managing Director’s Statement’, p. 8, Foster archives.

2 ‘Three directors steer regional company down successful and prosperous path’, Trade News, November 1995, p. 12

3 Spotlight on Hamilton, New Zealand, 1995, Spotlight Publishing Ltd, p. 45

4 Ibid, p. 45

5 Trade News, November 1995, p. 13

6 https://www.visithamilton.co.nz/welcome/hamilton-history

7 G Mallett. Company profile document, January 1992, ‘Managing Director’s Statement’, p. 8, Foster archives.

8 Ibid.

9 Trade News, November 1995, p. 13

10 Email correspondence with the author, October 2021.

11 Spotlight on Hamilton, p. 45

12 G Mallett. Company profile document, January 1992, ‘Managing Director’s Statement’, p. 5, Foster archives.

13 https://oversightsolutions.co.nz/profile/QUADCON-PROPERTIESLIMITED

14 G Mallett. Company profile document, January 1992, ‘Managing Director’s Statement’, p. 6, Foster archives

15 Email correspondence between Carol Green and the author, June 2021.

16 Maximising quality results. Waikato Business News, 3 July 1995.

17 https://www.iso.org/

18 Building Today, April 1994, pp. 12–13

19 https://www.wintec.ac.nz/about-wintec/our-history

20 P Wade oral history interview transcript. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 30 June 2021. p. 6

21 https://www.hamilton.govt.nz/our-council/council-publications/ annual report/Documents/annual%20report%2000-01.pdf

22 $3m school gives inspiration. Te Rapa School. Principals Today, October 1997.

23 Trade News, November 1995, p. 12

24 Trade News, November 1995, p. 13

25 Spotlight on Hamilton, p. 45

26 Plaza lifts city shopping standards. Waikato Times, 13 September 1994.

27 Inner city transformations win awards. Waikato Times, 16 December 1996.

28 Albert Smith would go on to be a 100% shareholder of Auckland Cranes Ltd which incorporates the Waikato Cranes business. https://aucklandcranes.co.nz/news/november-changeannouncement/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/albert-smith341101129/?originalSubdomain=au

29 https://buildingtoday.co.nz/2008/05/01/mallett-receives-lifemembership/

30 C Wade oral history interview transcript. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 28 June 2021.

31 M Crawford, oral history interview transcript. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 2 August 2021.

32 R Pacey oral history interview transcript. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 13 July 2021, p. 8

33 https://web.archive.org/web/20070501015030/ and http://www. wlug.org.nz/NewZealandInternetHistory

Chapter Four

1 C Wade, ‘We work for the Waikato’, promotional material from Foster Construction Group, 2003.

2 L Gardner, ‘Get to know your workmate’, Foster Foundation Newsletter #242, 18 October 2021.

3 Congratulations to NZ’s Young Accountant of the Year. The Foster Edition, newsletter, 14 November 2007, Number 15, p. 1

4 The Foster Edition, newsletter, 17 July 2007, number 14, p. 1

5 A Findlay, oral history interview. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 14 July 2021, transcript p. 4

6 https://buildingtoday.co.nz/2007/10/01/rmbf-shows-some-thingscan-happen-by-committee/

7 https://buildingtoday.co.nz/2008/03/01/two-rmb-success-stories/

8 P Wade, oral history interview. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 30 June 2021, transcript, p. 18

9 C Wade, ‘We work for the Waikato’, promotional material from Foster Construction Group, 2003.

10 L Gardner, ‘Get to know your workmate’, Foster Foundation Newsletter #242, October 18, 2021.

11 The Director’s Comment. The Foster Edition, newsletter, 17 July 2007, Number 14, p. 1

12 Foster Goals. The Foster Edition, newsletter, July 2010, number 32, p. 4

13https://teara.govt.nz/en/building-and-construction-industry/page-4 https://figure.nz/chart/tAQeOoJ0aDCZo3ER-StdPL8itQXB08RVo

14 https://www.building.govt.nz/resolving-problems/resolutionoptions/weathertight-services/

15 https://www.building.govt.nz/building-code-compliance/

16 The Foster Edition, newsletter, 5 February 2008, number 17, p. 1

17 https://www.lbp.govt.nz/about-us/about-the-lbp-scheme/

18 Amalgamation proposal (S.220 Companies Act 1993), dated 12 October 2004.

19 http://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/co/1680760

20 https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/outcomedocuments/ agenda21

21 Ibid.

22 https://www.hamilton.govt.nz/our-council/council-publications/ annualreport/Documents/annual%20report%2000-01.pdf

23 https://www.nzgbc.org.nz/about-us-and-membership/our-vision

24 https://www.fosters.co.nz/health-safety-and-environment/

25 ‘It’s clean, green and a first for Hamilton’, Waikato Business Showcase, April 2008, p. 7

26 The Foster Edition, newsletter, August 2010, number 33, p. 1

27 ‘It’s clean, green and a first for Hamilton’, Waikato Business Showcase, April 2008, p. 7

28 https://www.nzgbc.org.nz/greenstar

29 https://sustainable.org.nz/people/

30 https://www.fosters.co.nz/health-safety-and-environment/

31 The Foster Edition, newsletter, 21 December 2009, number 29, p. 1

32 https://www.toitu.co.nz/

33 https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/partner-with-us/toitu-envirocare/

34 https://www.fosters.co.nz/health-safety-and-environment/

35 The Foster Edition, newsletter, 1 April 2009, number 24

36 https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/122813502/economic-crunchheres-what-past-recessions-can-teach-us https://www.canstar.co.nz/home-loans/global-financial-crisis-whatcaused-it-and-how-the-world-responded/

37 https://buildingtoday.co.nz/2008/03/01/two-rmb-success-stories/

38 https://teara.govt.nz/en/waikato-places/page-7

39 https://www.hamilton.govt.nz/our-council/council-publications/ annualreport/Documents/annual%20report%2000-01.pdf

40 ‘Local impact fantastic for foster construction.’ Waikato Business Showcase, 2010, p.17

41 https://www.fosters.co.nz/health-safety-and-environment/

42 ‘Venue’s opening is perfectly pitched’, The New Zealand Herald, Monday, 5 March 2001, p. A12

43 Property Council Awards, 2001.

44 cbmarchitects.co.nz/projects/hospitality-and-tourism/the-verandah/

45 M Crawford, oral history interview. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 2 August 2021, transcript, p.8

46 ‘Flying in concert – achieving elegant outcomes’, Waikato Business Showcase, 200,. p. 13

47 Claudelands Events Centre, Waikato Business Showcase, 2010, p. 16

48 https://www.geospatialworld.net/blogs/3d-modeling-constructionbenefiting/

49 I Sanders oral history interview. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 30 June 2021, transcript p. 32

50 https://www.geospatialworld.net/blogs/3d-modeling-constructionbenefiting/

51 Claudelands Events Centre, Waikato Business Showcase, 2010, p. 17

52 ‘Works for us’, Waikato Business News, 2020.

53 https://www.fosters.co.nz/centre-place-redevelopment/

54 https://www.nzx.com/announcements/242497

55 The Foster Edition, newsletter, 05 2008, number 17, p. 1

56 https://teara.govt.nz/en/video/27176/gallagher-great-race

57 Team building weekend. The Foster Edition, newsletter, 7 October 2006, Number 10, p. 2

58 The Foster Edition, newsletter, 1 April 2009, number 24

59 The Foster Edition, newsletter, 11 May 2010, number 31, p. 1

Chapter Five

1 L Gardner oral history interview. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 29 June 2021, transcript p. 27

2 https://www.hamilton.govt.nz/our-city/about-hamilton/learning%20 about%20hamilton/Pages/default.aspx

3 https://www.tauranga.govt.nz/Portals/0/data/council/reports/ statistical-information-report-2021.pdf

4 https://hamiltongardens.co.nz/collections/fantasy-collection/ mansfield-garden/

5 https://www.penguin.co.nz/books/the-garden-party-9780241341643

6 https://www.fosters.co.nz/careers/

7 Our Values – https://www.fosters.co.nz/careers/

8 R Pacey oral history interview. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 13 July 2021, p. 21

9 https://www.fosters.co.nz/engineering/

10 https://www.building.govt.nz/projects-and-consents/planning-asuccessful-build/scope-and-design/bim-in-nz/

11 http://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/co/3534472

12 P Calder oral history interview. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 2 August 2021, transcript ps. 1-14

13 https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/62203063/waikatobusiness-news-october-november-2018 p. 52

14 https://www.fosters.co.nz/genesis/

15 https://www.fosters.co.nz/the-right-fit-for-hillcrest-physiotherapy/

16 https://www.building.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/managing-buildings/ earthquake-prone-buildings/epb-substantial-alterations.pdf

17 https://www.building.govt.nz/managing-buildings/managingearthquake-prone-buildings/

18 https://canterbury.royalcommission.govt.nz/

19 https://www.fosters.co.nz/maintenance/

20 http://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/co/4564359

21 http://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/co/6529352

22 G Hassett oral history interview. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 1 July 2021, p.3

23 https://bopbusinessnews.co.nz/yearbook-2021/business-profiles/ foster-constructions-commitment-to-the-bay-of-plenty/

24 Outstanding leadership award, media release, 2018.

25 Waikato Business News, Fosters out to create ‘a great community’,

28 November 2017.

26 https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/98533263/iconic-constructioncompany-supreme-winner-at-annual-business-awards

27 https://www.fosters.co.nz/careers/

28 Foster Foundation Newsletter #244, 1 November 2021.

29 https://www.raw.org.nz/

30 https://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/publicationsresources/corporate/annual-report/2019-2020/operatingcontext/ outcomes-framework.html

31 http://wbn.co.nz/2021/06/17/fosters-investment-inleadership-is-all-about-a-betterfuture/?fbclid=IwAR1kdAhf_ Y5VHXgqxOCr0s5JUEcrUzRDbJqD8ppq17FVskMdbE2TFCADPss

32 https://www.celf.org.nz/

33 https://www.fosters.co.nz/careers/

34 https://smartwaikato.co.nz/

35 https://smartwaikato.co.nz/futureforce/

36 Waikato Business News, ‘Foster Group enters an exciting new era’, 8 March 2019.

37 https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/121930266/ architecture-awards-testify-toquality?fbclid=IwAR2hMreYyN9UV_ CCSweQp13iWrl707e4IkyNLoquDNrjiBrK_Mky7gX3Mhc

38 http://wbn.co.nz/2020/12/09/business-titans-inducted-to-hall-offame/ The Porter Group has been involved in the development of many significant Waikato landmarks, from the earliest Hamilton subdivisions and the region’s main bridges to major infrastructure projects such as Chartwell Shopping Centre, Frankton Railway marshalling yards and the Te Awamutu Sports Stadium.

39 https://www.nzca.net.nz/

40 https://www.nzca.net.nz/our-value-proposition

41 Ibid.

42 https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2015/0070/latest/ DLM5976660.html

43 https://www.fosters.co.nz/health-safety-and-environment/

44 https://sitewise.co.nz/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw8p2MBhCiARIsADDUFVFxmoX AbgIcpRiCPfFZ8YOY4l0XkJ 8Xi6Ldn7Cj4DLpa5d0k3Ee4swa AqkQEAL w_wcB

45 Foster Foundation Newsletter #244, 1 November 2021.

46 L Gardner oral history interview part 2, Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 12 July 2021, transcript p. 6

47 https://www.building.govt.nz/covid-19/

48 https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/444060/ building-activity-hitsrecord-levels- but-covid-19-still-causing-delays

49 https://tompkinswake.co.nz/insights/case-studies/foster-group/

50 https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/property/857 66637/high-specbuild-will-enhance-hamiltons- civil-defence-capabilities

51 https://www.nzia.co.nz/awards/local/award-detail/7642

52 https://bopbusinessnews.co.nz/sponsored- content/fosterconstruction-group-continues- to-expand/

53 Foster Foundation Newsletter #244, 1 November 2021.

54 https://www.nzgbc.org.nz/green-star/Story?Action=View&Story_ id=709&fbclid=IwAR3Ry8B7iIlVMpKFRVeZ 4e_eOnRVxd9DjIOjZ dzjMDa9Z8gpL3xSm2HGKc

55 https://momentumwaikato.nz/transformational-projects

56 Ibid.

57 https://communityfoundations.org.nz/

58 https://ourhamilton.co.nz/community-environment /riff-raff-statueon-the-move/

59 https://execed.economist.com/blog/industry-trends/corporatecitizenship-your-companys-role-society

60 Waikato Business News, ‘Fosters Builds Great Communities’, 25th Anniversary Edition, 2021.

61 Outstanding leadership award, media release, 2018.

62 Property Council Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ propertycouncilnz/

63 Ibid.

64 J Sittlington oral history interview. Interviewed by Ruth Greenaway, Tapestries, 29 June 2021, transcript p.8

65 https://www.masterbuilder.org.nz/RMBA/About _Us/RMBA/About_ Us/About_Us.aspx

66 Email correspondence with author, November 2021.

Chapter Six

1 https://www.tellfrankie.com/

2 https://acuite.io/