Te Kete Project Update - April 2026
- May 1
- 10 min read
In this April MCLStead Project News Update we will cover off:
Construction Activity Update
Did you know? – Interesting Construction Fact #5
Further Mass Timber Design Feature Spotlight
Further Office Tower Facade Design Feature Spotlight
MCLStead’s commitment to using local subcontractors as much as possible:
Spotlight on Eastek
Spotlight on T&K Passive Safety
Spotlight on Kinetic Data & Communications
Drone Footage
Broader Outcomes - 3rd quarter update
Archeological Finds - photos
Construction Activity Update
This April construction activity update includes:
Area | Photo |
Te Aka:
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Office Tower:
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Chambers:
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Civils:
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Further Design Feature Spotlight on Mass Timber
In our first mass timber design feature spotlight in February, we shared with you:
What mass timber is.
How mass timber is manufactured.
Where mass timber will feature in the new library.
Key considerations in the use of mass timber.
Key metrics for the mass timber to be used across the Te Kete project.
In this second spotlight we will share with you some key aspects of the treatment processes required for mass timber and a fly through video of Construction Workshop's mass timber model.
Mass timber treatments - some key aspects:
It’s important that when mass timber arrives on site it is protected from sun, weather and moisture. If the mass timber is not well protected it can result in structural deficiencies, water staining, cracks or splits, mould growth/decay and or ‘sun tanning’.
Panels showing effects of sun tanning.
Diagram showing expansion/shrinkage that can result from poor weather & moisture protection (delamination).
Once the mass timber arrives on site MCLStead will:
moisture-test all panels and record the reading.
visually inspect for dirt, dust, condensation, wrap tears and physical damage.
store on a flat, even laydown area, off the ground to allow airflow beneath/around, preventing any rising moisture & trapped humidity.
cover with tarpaulins only, anchoring covers when rain is forecast/site is unattended.
Before installing any mass timber MCLStead will:
confirm moisture is no more than 18% for CLT / GLT and 16% for LVL.
apply Fortifier Ultra sealant.
screw in fixings ensuring accurate torque control and screw alignment. The length of screws ranges from 140mm to 850mm. If not strictly followed, failing of the fixing can occur.
On installing MCLStead will:
ensure a gap between the concrete slab and bottom of the panel, so there is no contact between the panel and surface water.
apply loose fitted protection covers (e.g. core flute or ply) to all column surfaces to avoid damage from sun and moisture.
apply temporary covers are installed over GLT beams, temporary tape sealed to column junctions.
apply building wrap/polythene protection to the exposed top edge of GLT full height columns until the roof structure can be installed (see sample photo below).
New Library Mass Timber BIM Model - fly through video
Further Design Feature Spotlight on the Office Tower Facade
In March in our first façade design feature spotlight, we shared with you:
Façade design for the office tower.
How the façade is manufactured.
Key metrics of the office tower façade.
In this second spotlight we will share with you how the façade is being installed and some key facts.
How the façade is being installed:
Due to the refurbishment nature of the office tower, a detailed survey was completed to ensure each panel fit within the existing skeleton of the building while maintaining a weathertight fit and cohesive aesthetics.
Thermosash Commercial Limited owns all its own specialty installation equipment that is being utilised on site to ensure a quick and seamless closing of the building facade. This is primarily being done using their magni crane working from the ground.
Key steps of panel installation are:
Seismic frames are installed to the columns of the office tower via a combination of the magni crane and scissor lifts from within the building.
Using strops the magni crane lifts a panel from the horizontal storage rack on site, manoeuvres it vertically and then guides it into place with assistance from workers positioned on each floor.
Once a panel is in position it is locked onto a hook and bracket which is mounted to the SHS edge beam and some silicon work is completed for watertightness.
Parapets flashings and other associated aesthetic detailing is the final installation step.
The installation of façade panels started on the south side of the office tower and will move around the office tower to the east, then west and north sides. The installation is scheduled to be fully completed in a few months.
Snapshot video of the first panel being installed:
Façade panels – a few key facts:
each pane of glass weights approx. 90kgs.
a finished panel weighs approx. 300kgs.
The aluminium in each panel is extruded locally in New Zealand and has a high recycled content providing a very low-carbon footprint.
MCLStead’s Commitment to using Local Subcontractors as much as Possible
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 spotlights on Eastek, T & K Passive Safety and Kinetic Data below:
Eastek’s work on Te Kete
Eastek are delivering the security work across the office tower, new library and council chambers. This includes both access control and CCTV systems.
The Eastek team are on site this month and are due to complete their works in January 2028.
Who is Eastek?
Eastek is a local Hastings based company that was established in 1992 by Diarmuid & Belinda Ruddle.
Eastek Technologies grew from the single vision of an electrician with a passion for security and technology. Today, they are a leading Hawke’s Bay security company and technology provider with over 30 years of industry experience and a team of security and technology specialists. Eastek installs smart, safe and secure systems in homes and businesses to keep people and property safe.
Eastek Technologies takes a problem-solving approach to home and business security, looking at how they can minimise risk, keep people safe, deter problems before they occur, and respond decisively if they do.
What sets Eastek apart is not just technical expertise, but the way they apply it. They don’t sell cookie-cutter systems. They listen, understand, and design solutions that genuinely fit — solutions that are both honest and effective. From complex commercial projects to residential security, their team is trusted because they combine skill with determination, passion with care, and professionalism with a personal touch.
Eastek’s services include:
Home & business security
Security cameras/CCTV
Artificial intelligence in CCTV
Home automation
Electric gates
Networking & wifi
Commercial audio
Monitoring & rapid response
Digital signage.
Eastek researches new products and stays at the cutting edge of technology to deliver solutions for homes, huge industrial parks and every property in between. Eastek develops fully integrated, customised solutions that are fit-for-purpose and specific to each site. Their systems are smart, safe and secure to protect people and property and give total peace of mind.
Eastek Local Experience
Mclean Park – Fibre Networking Upgrade:
Installing new fibre optic network backbone for security, CCTV & broadcast systems.
WoolWorks Awatoto – Rebuild after Cyclone Gabrielle:
Design & installation of:
Intruder Security
Access Control
CCTV
Data & SCADA networking including fibre optic backbone
Electric gates
Large format video walls & distributed audio.
T&G – New $100M Packhouse in Hastings:
Design & installation of:
Intruder Security
Access Control
CCTV
Large format video wall
Distributed IP audio.
T&K Passive Safety's work on Te Kete:
T&K Passive Safety is spearheading the passive fire protection services for the new library, council chambers and office tower development.
The scope of work includes the precision design, supply and installation of a suite of passive fire protection (PFP) solutions.
Who is T&K Passive Safety?
Established in 2023 and based in Napier, T&K Passive Safety was founded on a deep-seated passion for life safety and technical excellence. After several decades in compliance and high-stakes environments, Kerran & Tere Deihl, discovered their true calling in the passive fire protection sector.
Their transition into the industry was driven by a commitment to professional growth and provided the catalyst for us to establish their business. Kerran's qualification as an Independent Qualified Person (IQP#497) and maintaining NZ Certificates in Passive Fire Protection (Level 3 & 4), ensures work is independently verified and fully compliant with the NZ Building Code. For their clients and Council, this provides a transparent and robust audit trail, ensuring that the critical life-safety systems installed in their community’s buildings are fit for purpose and built to last.
T&K Passive Safety moves beyond simple sealants and provide a cutting-edge approach with industry leading solutions to passive fire safety components and installation. Their team are proficient in the application of the entire PFP product lifecycle—including penetration seals, cavity barriers, and structural fireproofing—to deliver a robust, integrated defence against fire spread.
T&K Passive Safety partner and work alongside all trades, engineers, consultants and project stakeholders across this large-scale project to ensure that every service penetration, structural element, and fire separation is built to the highest safety standards for the community and is fully compliant with the latest NZ Building Code standards.
Today, T&K Passive Safety leverage their diverse backgrounds to provide a unique blend of operational precision, regulatory compliance, and dedicated service. For Kerran and Tere, T&K Passive Safety is more than a business—it is a niche where their professional expertise meets a personal mission to keep their buildings and communities safe.
T&K Passive Safety Services include:
T&K Passive Safety has worked on various projects across Hawke's Bay and Gisborne:
While Te Kete is a significant milestone, T&K Passive Safety's expertise is already woven into the fabric of Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne. From remediating earthquake-strengthened blocks at Iona College to new builds like the Cape Kidnappers Staff House, remediating several Napier City Council owned buildings and multi-storey developments in Gisborne, they bring a proven track record of operational precision to every site they step onto.
What’s Next:
T&K Passive Safety's team is due to commence works on site in August this year and are scheduled to complete in January 2028.
Kinetic Data & Communications work on Te Kete:
Kinetic Data & Communications are delivering the telecommunications and computer cabling across the office tower and the new library and council chambers. Their team are scheduled to commence works in June 2026.
The project will be led by Director/Project Manager Ruud van Dam and Senior Data Technician Dan Lauder, who head an accomplished local installation crew of 10. Together, this team brings a wealth of hands-on experience and a shared commitment to delivering local infrastructure.
Who is Kinetic Data & Communications?
Kinetic Data and Communications was established in 2009 and is based in Hastings, Hawke’s Bay. Kinetic Data & Communications have years of experience in the information and communications industry and offer a variety of professional and customised services – see below.
Kinetic Data and Communications Local Experience:
Kinetic Data and Communications takes great pride in delivering high-quality infrastructure for projects right here in our Hawke’s Bay community. Working on local sites allows their team to apply expertise to developments that directly impact their region, fostering a stronger sense of connection and accountability.
There is a unique satisfaction in knowing that the robust network foundations they build today will support the growth and connectivity of local partners for years to come. Kinetic Data and Communications are proud to have recently contributed to these local developments:
Quest Apartments Havelock North and Hastings – New Build: Data, CCTV & Telephony Systems.
Hawke’s Bay District Health Board – Lora WAN Relocations, Surgical Services. Expansion Project, Radiology CT1 Replacement, Major hub and cabling upgrades across the hospitals/medical centers in Hastings, Napier and Wairoa.
Te Whatu Ora Tairawhiti (Gisborne Hospital) - New Mental Health Unit: ICT cabling infrastructure and fibre optic backbones.
Kiwi Lumber – ICT Cabling, CCTV and Wi-Fi Installations across multiple sites.
Tumu Timbers, Maraekakaho - Structured Cabling System, CCTV Installation.
Mr Apple – ICT Cabinet Relocations, ICT Cabling, CCTV Installation.
Ngatamariki Power Station, Taupo – Fibre Optic Terminations.
Bostock Brothers, Bridge Pa – CCTV, Data & Wi-Fi Installation.
Ministry of Education Redevelopments – Irongate School, Onekawa School, Flaxmere Primary School, Te Whai Hiringa, Iona College, Te Hapara School, Hastings Girls High School, St Josephs Maori Girls College.
Lineage Logistics – Timeclock Installations, AP and Switch Upgrade, ICT Backbone Infrastructure.
Cape Kidnappers Golf Course and Lodge - VoIP phone system upgrade across three sites, ICT cabling adds/moves/changes.
Photos of some of Kinetic Data & Communications work are below:
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What’s next?
With Kinetic Data and Communications site presence scheduled to commence in June 2026, the next immediate step in their programme is the mobilisation and launch of Stage One for this multi-stage project at Te Kete. Their team will hit the ground running by establishing the site's digital backbone, beginning with the installation of two 45u heavy-duty comms cabinets and the deployment of auxiliary pathways, including catenary wires to bridge gaps in the primary containment.
Following this initial setup, Kinetic Data and Communications will move directly into the first major technical milestone: the horizontal cabling phase. This involves core drilling and the installation of 287 Category 6a outlets, alongside the integration of wireless access points and a sophisticated Eaton 9PX power redundancy system. These primary services guarantee seamless operational continuity and set the essential groundwork required to support all subsequent phases of the development.
Latest Drone Photos – birds eye view of works behind the site hoardings:
The weather was perfect this month, there was no wind, so we have great drone photos AND a video to share!
New library foundations
New library foundations
New Council Chambers preparation - left of photo
Office tower facade
Broader Outcomes - 3rd Quarter Update
See the table below for updates across each of MCLStead's Broader Outcomes:
 | Cultural Induction Slides have been finalised for incorporating into MCLStead’s site induction pack for all visitors and subcontractors. The cultural induction will support all contractors and visitors in understanding their cultural responsibilities and the tikanga frameworks that apply to work on the Te Kete site. |
 Social Wellbeing | The first Napier school students visit will occur within the next couple of months. The visit will focus on the office tower façade and related construction jobs. MCLStead’s work experience programme with EIT commenced on 30 March, two trades training students are on site Thursdays & Fridays for a few months. MCLStead has employed two EIT trades training graduates, one has recently commenced her apprenticeship. |
 Economic Wellbeing | MCLStead has engaged 29 local subcontractors to date. MCLStead’s local subcontractors equate to 73% of current subcontractors engaged. MCLStead also has active trade accounts with 40 local suppliers. MCLStead’s Broader Outcomes subcontractor survey (from those completed to date) shows:
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 Environmental Wellbeing | MCLStead continues to recycle and divert 70% of our builders' waste from landfill. The materials take back scheme in operation with Mitre10 now includes XPS alongside cardboard, plastic, wood and polystyrene. In Quarter 3 the following volumes were recycled:
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Archeological Finds
Below are photos of some of the bottles we have found on site during excavations.
The bottles are a mix of alcohol bottles, milk / cream, pharmaceutical, soda & an inkwell.
All bottles are typical pre and early 1900 styles.
