April 03, 2023
Public builds boost Māori firm
A Far North Māori owned-and-operated construction company, says there are no short cuts to success.
Yakas Construction has just completed a 6-home project in Kaikohe for Kainga Ora, and it’s set to begin a new million-dollar-plus home-build in Kerikeri.
It’s also close to finishing a new marae build in Whangaroa.
Owner Marty Yakas, of Ngāti Rehia and Ngāpuhi, says Te Puni Kokiri staff taught him, step-by-step, the government tender process which has helped him grow his business.
“Hopefully people are noticing, that we’re starting to make a little bit of a move up north – which will bring in more businesses. And then I’ll point them in the direction of where I was, once upon a time. And that’s really important for Tai Tokerau, keeping our businesses upskilled and tender-ready,” he says.
Mr Yakas says he now employs 14 staff who have become whanau.