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Charlie Wallace – rocking to success

The hard work has paid off for musician and online entrepreneur Charlie Wallace, who now has the financial freedom to realise his dream of becoming an international rock star. It’s a ‘high school dropout becomes a success’ story for the former Taradale High School student, who has created a multimillion-dollar online business before the age of 30. His teachers may...

Doug Ducker – an industry icon retires

Doug Ducker has seen more than two consecutive forestry plantations grow to full harvest, having worked for Pan Pac for nearly 46 years. Doug started as a process engineer and in 2004 became the businesses Managing Director. Pan Pac began as a Joint Venture involving Carter Holt (60%) and two Japanese companies, Oji Paper and Sanyo Kokusaku Pulp in 1973...

Hawke’s Bay Airport achieves first step towards carbon neutral status

Hawke’s Bay Airport has succeeded in its first step towards carbon neutrality, gaining Level 1 of the internationally recognised Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. Hawke’s Bay Airport chief executive Stuart Ainslie said the airport has completed the mapping stage of the Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Carbon Accreditation programme and is well underway to becoming New Zealand’s first carbon neutral airport....

Municipal Building – what will it become?

The redevelopment of the Municipal Building got underway in January 2019 and is expected to be completed in early 2022. At this stage the final make-up of what will operate in the building hasn’t been finalised, but it is certain that the Assembly Dining Hall and the Shakespeare Room will remain and it will be promoted as a commercial, community...

Engineering feats steal the show

Such a crucial role was taken up by two engineering consulting firms Holmes Consulting and local experts Strata Group with Red Steel providing 163 tonne of structural steel across the Opera House, Functions on Hastings and the Municipal Building. Holmes Consulting completed the structural designs for the Opera House and the Municipal Building, while Strata Group was the on-the-ground consulting...

What is Toitoi?

Toitoi – Hawke’s Bay Arts and Events Centre is the new name for the centre that includes the Opera House, the Municipal Building, the Cushing Foyer and the former Plaza space is “Toitoi”. The name Toitoi, with its Māori and English components, gives an identity to the complex that conveys a sense of people, place and purpose to audiences and...

Blockbuster project delivered on time and budget

Herman Wismeyer of Focus Project Management has the huge task of ensuring the biggest and most complex project ever carried out in the Hastings CBD is delivered on time and to budget. To complicate the challenge, two of the three buildings are classed Heritage Place Category 1, having been built during World War One. “You’re dealing with heritage buildings that...

Community support drives investment into doors reopening

The redevelopment of the Opera House precinct, now called Toitoi – Hawke’s Bay Arts & Events Centre, is one of the largest construction projects council has been involved in for many years. The Opera House has played an important role in the community since 1915. It brings our people together to celebrate, to be entertained and to enjoy each other’s...

Encore for build team

Gemco Construction manager Eddie Holmes will know how good a job the team of over 100 tradespeople has done when he sits down to enjoy one of the 30-plus shows scheduled for the Hawke’s Bay Opera House stage in 2020. Eddie has been on-site in a porta-office since 2017 and when the project is fully completed with the handover of...

Strong foundations – The efficient and eco-friendly building solution

A construction boom has been sweeping across Hawke’s Bay over the last few years and it’s not predicted to decline any time soon. As hundreds of new houses are needed due to population growth, there’s greater pressure on builders to complete projects more efficiently as well as adopting greater sustainable building products and practices. This all starts with the foundations,...