Napier Civic Precinct Project Update – August 2025

In this second MCLStead project update we will cover off:

• Introduction to Mana Ahuriri’s Cultural Monitor and the cultural monitoring process

• Introduction to MCLStead’s Broader Outcomes

• MCLStead’s commitment to using local subcontractors as much as possible:

  • Spotlight on SCL Civil Works: our local excavation subcontractor

  • Spotlight on Kahu Scaffolding: our local scaffolding subcontractor

• Wheel Washers installed on site

• Did you know? Interesting Construction Fact

• What construction activity is coming up on site

  
  

Introduction to Mana Ahuriri's Cultural Monitor and the cultural monitoring process

MCLStead is pleased to be working in partnership with Mana Ahuriri and Ngāti Pārau Hapu Trust on the Napier Precinct Project. One of the first activities we have been working in partnership on is the cultural monitoring process. This process ensures:

• cultural heritage and environmental values are respected during all earthworks and excavation

• prevents the destruction of culturally and spiritually significant sites

• aligns with legal obligations under the Resource Management Act, Pouhere Taonga Act, and others.

Mana Ahuriri’s Cultural Monitor is Darren Tareha, Darren has extensive experience in cultural monitoring across a number of Hawke’s Bay projects and in working closely with Heritage New Zealand.

MCLStead, their construction staff, subcontractors currently on site, Napier City Council and The Building Intelligence Group attended cultural site inductions on 7 and 8 August delivered by Chad Tareha from Ngāti Pārau Hapu Trust, Gareth Boyt from Mana Ahuriri and Neala Rosandich from HTK Group.

These were an excellent opportunity to learn about the whakapapa of Ahuriri and the cultural monitoring process. MCLStead staff and subcontractors are now better informed on the history of the site and what to look out for during all excavation phases:

Introduction to MCLStead’s Broader Outcomes

As part of MCLStead’s construction contract we have committed to delivering broader outcomes for the Napier Civic Precinct Project. These broader outcomes are focused on four categories:

Cultural Wellbeing	Social Wellbeing	Economic Wellbeing	Environmental Wellbeing
Genuine partnering with Mana Whenua	Providing equal opportunities so prosperity is shared across our community	Building a prosperous diverse and sustainable economy	Preventing and reversing environmental degradation and embedding kaitiakitanga in our project delivery

As construction progresses, we’ll share some of our broader outcomes achievements and stories.

MCLStead’s commitment to using local subcontractors

MCLStead is a joint venture of two local construction companies with over 100 years construction experience MCL Construction and Stead Construction. MCLStead is committed to delivering the Napier Civic Precinct project by local, for local and with local as much as possible. We’re in the process of engaging local subcontractors across various trades. You can find a couple of the first local companies spotlighted below:

SCL Civil Works is a local, Hawkes Bay business run by people with decades of experience in the civil construction industry, delivering contracts from residential driveways to industrial construction projects up to $8M in value.

SCL Civil Works offers a fully integrated complement of civil construction services and infrastructure product from civil works to earth works to drainage to ground improvements, project management and more!

On the Napier Civic Precinct Project SCL have a team of 4 on site to complete excavation and ground improvement works for the new library. Of the onsite team:

• Tony McEwan is the Project Manager. Tony has been a project manager at SCL Civil for a couple of years after starting his career in Central Otago working predominantly on highways around the region. He then moved to Hawkes Bay and spent some years in hospitality and now has moved back into civil construction. This is the third project he has project managed for SCL as part of a Stead project and is enjoying continuing the connection between the businesses. Tony lives in Napier and after working all over the region it’s nice for him to have a project that’s in his community and close to home.

• Jerry Carter is the Site Supervisor. Jerry is a talented site preparation and earthworks operator and our go-to guy for all things concrete. Jerry has recently been doing erosion protection work for local councils as well as helping with the civil construction work on a large commercial depot in Hastings. As a local Napier man, he’s also pleased to be working close to home and being a part of building something that will benefit his local community.

SCL Civil are pleased to be a part of this project. As a local Hawkes Bay SME, we employ people from across the district and it’s great to be able to carry out work in our local areas. SCL has completed many projects with Stead Construction and are pleased to be a part of the MCLStead joint venture.

We have highly skilled people in our team and when we join that with other great local businesses to deliver such an exciting, high profile project, it makes us all very proud of what we can achieve and gives a real sense of satisfaction that the project as a whole is being built by, and also contributing back, to our community.

“Te haaro o te kahu o te kahu ki tuwhakararere – View the future with the insight of a hawk”

At Kahu Scaffolding, our name and values are deeply connected to the whakatauakī “Te haaro o te kahu ki tuawhakararere” – to view the future with the insight of a hawk. Just as the kahu soars high, able to see far ahead and understand the landscape, we aim to look beyond the present moment to build safe, sustainable future for our people and our industry.

We are a proudly Māori-owned business with a vision to create opportunities for rangatahi Māori to gain skills, confidence, and career pathways in scaffolding. Our kaimahi with decades of experience pass on their knowledge, ensuring the next generation stand on strong foundations – both in their trade and in life.

Our services include scaffolding, edge protection, shrink wrap, propping, safety netting, and stair access, all delivered with a deep commitment to health and safety. For us, every structure we build is more than a temporary work platform – it is a step toward a future where our people thrive and return safely home to their whānau each day.

We are especially proud to be working alongside MCLStead Ltd on the creation of the Napier City Council Civic Precinct – a project that will provide our community with a dedicated space for gathering, learning, and celebrating. Our team of 21 skilled workers will each play an important role in bringing this project to life, whether it’s edge protection, constructing working platforms, sealing shrink wrap, or tackling one of the most complex and exciting aspects – the cantilevered scaffolding.

Like the hawk in flight, we keep our eyes on the horizon, ensuring every decision we make today supports the growth, wellbeing, and resilience of tomorrow.

Employee Spotlight

Zachariah Taylor and Ceizar Fasso

Name: Zachariah Taylor

What’s your role at Kahu Scaffolding and how long have you been with the company?

I’m a Leading Hand Scaffolder and have been with Kahu Scaffolding for just over three years.

What made you want to work here?

My mates started Kahu Scaffolding, and I loved their kaupapa (cause) – their “can-do” attitude and drive to succeed. It’s been inspiring to watch them grow into business owners and have the chance to learn from them along the way.

What’s something you’ve learned or achieved since starting?

Through Kahu Scaffolding, I’ve earned my Intermediate Ticket – NZQA Scaffolding Level 4 Certificate. I’ve also learned that “can’t” isn’t in our vocabulary. The job has pushed me to be my best, not only at work but in life.

What’s one memorable or proud moment you’ve had on the job?

Teaching rangatahi and seeing them progress over the years into confident Leading Hands has been a real highlight. Watching them succeed is just as rewarding as personal achievements.

What’s your favorite part about working with the team?

It’s the whānau atmosphere. Working here feels like working with my own family. We’ve got a strong “can-do/will-do” attitude, and every person in the team brings something special – the personalities of our team are next level!

NCC Civic Precinct Project inclusion – What’s your role on this project?

I’ll be right in the thick of it – helping bring the working platforms, shrink wrap, and cantilever-designed scaffolding to life.

How does it feel to see your work as part of this project?

It’s a real buzz. This project is on a whole new level compared to our usual jobs, with complex designs that really push your skills. It’s the kind of challenge that keeps you on your toes and reminds you why you love the trade – seeing it all come together is hugely rewarding.

Looking Ahead - What are your hopes or goals for Kahu Scaffolding in the future?

I pour my heart into the mahi I do here and plan to stay for the long haul. My hope is that we all get on the same page and grow Kahu Scaffolding into a nationwide company.

Any advice or encouragement you’d give to young locals considering a career in scaffolding?

Scaffolding takes guts – both physical and mental strength – and many Kiwis already have those qualities. Whether you’re big or small, this trade will teach you a lot and reward you in ways similar to rugby as you work together for a bigger goal. Be a sponge – take in everything, grab every opportunity, and don’t be afraid to fail, because that’s where the best lessons come from. In time, you’ll become a scaffolder who can take on anything. The sky’s the limit in scaffolding – and if we had enough gear, we could probably reach the moon.

Name: Ceizar Fasso

What’s your role at Kahu Scaffolding and how long have you been with the company?

I’m a Leading Hand and have been with Kahu Scaffolding for two years – two years of hard graft, good laughs, and working on some pretty epic builds.

What made you want to work here?

I wanted to try something new, and I’ve always loved working at heights. There’s just something about being up there, looking down at the world, that makes you feel alive.

What’s something you’ve learned or achieved since starting?

I’ve ticked off a few milestones – learned to drive a manual and got my Class 2 license. Both have opened doors for bigger responsibilities (and bigger trucks!).

What’s one memorable or proud moment you’ve had on the job?

Dismantling a 25-metre tower in Thames has to be up there. There’s nothing quite like taking down something that tall and knowing you did it safely and efficiently.

What’s your favorite part about working with the team?

The culture. We’re not just workmates – we’re like family. We’ve got each other’s backs, we have a laugh, and we get the job done no matter what’s thrown at us.

NCC Civic Precinct Project inclusion – What’s your role on this project?

I’m the Leading Hand for erecting the edge protection and also be part of the crew installing the working platforms, shrink wrap, and cantilevered scaffold. It’s a mix of technical work, teamwork, and a bit of creative problem-solving.

How does it feel to see your work as part of this project?

It feels great – there’s real pride in walking past and thinking, “I helped make that happen”.

Looking Ahead - What are your hopes or goals for Kahu Scaffolding in the future?

I’d like to run more sites like this one. The bigger the challenge, the better.

Any advice or encouragement you’d give to young locals considering a career in scaffolding? If you love working outdoors and travelling all over, this is the job for you. No two days are the same, and you’ll always have a good story to tell at the end of the day.

Wheel Washers are installed on site!

As excavation work has commenced, we have installed wheel washers on site. The purpose of the wheel washers is to ensure trucks leaving site do not track dirt and mud onto the streets of Napier.

Wheel washer specs:

• Wheel washer weight is 6.6 tonnes

• All tyres and entire chassis are intensively cleaned in once wheel rotation

• The wastewater runs to the side recycling tank and is reused for further washes

• Maximum axle load is 16.5 tonnes

• Splash guard wall height is 54 inches

• Drive through length is 158 inches

Refurbishment of the office tower continues..

This week removal of façade panels on the office tower block commenced. The Panels will all be broken up by Hastings Demolition and taken to their yard for crushing and reuse. Common uses for the chip aggregate are farm and forestry roads.

Construction Activity coming up on site:

Over the next few weeks, the following works will get underway:

• excavation and ground improvement works for the Te Aka library building

• delivery and tying of reinforcing steel cages to concrete foundations

• preparation of timber plywood formwork for the Te Aka library foundations

  
  

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