Kā te Rama Switched On Group

05/06/2026

Tuesday marked a significant milestone for Kā te Rama Switched On Group as we welcomed our new Group CEO, Peter Lord, with a mihi whakatau at our Ōtautahi Christchurch office.

Guided by a mihi from Joseph Tyro (Ngāi Tahu, Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Rangi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa), waiata, and shared kai, our kaimahi and Peter’s rōpu came together to mark this moment in the way it deserved - to hear from Peter and our Board, to share food, and to lay a foundation of manaakitanga from the very beginning. In accordance with the tikanga during the ceremony, Peter was formally handed over from his previous organisation, Citycare Property, by Lee Gardiner.

The ceremony was a meaningful reflection of the values that underpin our Group and a special way to mark the beginning of this next chapter.

Nau mai, haere mai, Peter, we’re proud to have you with us.

Read more here: https://www.switchedongroup.co.nz/news/welcoming-peter-lord-a-new-chapter-for-ka-te-rama-switched-on-group/

28/05/2026

We’re Hiring: Performance Manager – Havelock North

Havelock North | Full-time | Construction & Maintenance

Kā te Rama Switched On Group is looking for a skilled and motivated Performance Manager to join our Hawke’s Bay team.

This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key leadership role driving quality, compliance, and performance across our North Island operations making a real impact for our clients and communities.

We’re looking for someone who:

🔵 Has strong leadership experience, ideally in construction, trades, or a performance/compliance-focused role

🔵 Can build and maintain effective relationships with trade partners, clients, and teams

🔵 Is confident managing performance, KPIs, and driving continuous improvement

🔵 Brings a practical, solutions-focused approach with excellent communication skills

At Kā te Rama Switched On Group, we’re proud of our whānau-first culture, our commitment to safety, and our role in enhancing environments across Aotearoa.

Apply now here: https://apply.workable.com/switched-on-group/j/6F82B6E4CA

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15/05/2026

Huge congratulations to Janine Branje General Manager of Hush Interiors Ltd who has been named a finalist for Outstanding Leader of the Year - Office Award at the annual National Association of Women in Construction (NZ) awards! A well-deserved recognition of everything she contributes to Hush.

Congratulations to the finalists in the Outstanding Leader of the Year – Office Award category at the 2026 NAWIC Excellence Awards.
These finalists are recognised for leadership that goes beyond results — lifting others as they climb and helping shape the future of the construction sector.
A special thank you to category sponsor Fletcher for supporting and celebrating exceptional leadership in construction.
And thank you to our Awards Partner, Naylor Love, for helping us recognise excellence across the sector.
Join us in Wellington on 24 July as we celebrate these incredible women at the 2026 NAWIC Excellence Awards.
Tickets go on sale 28 May — follow NAWIC on Humanitix to be notified https://events.humanitix.com/host/nawic-new-zealand

12/05/2026

In partnership with Te Āhuru Mōwai - Homes for Whānau, our Wellington Switched On Building Solutions team is proud to be delivering 10 new homes in Porirua, supporting connection, wellbeing, and long‑term housing independence for whānau in Tītahi Bay. With completion on track for June, the vision is coming together.

This kaupapa reflects our shared commitment to creating warm, safe places where families can thrive, and to making a lasting positive impact for future generations in the communities where we live and work.

Construction continues to move ahead through carefully planned stages, and the mahi completed so far is a real credit to everyone involved and the strong collaboration across the project. We're also proud to be working alongside Ngāti Toa subcontractors, including Ka Pai Plumbing (pictured), whose skills and contribution are helping bring this development to life.

We look forward to sharing more updates as this important project continues to take shape for the Tītahi Bay community.

From left to right: Tiki (Ka Pai Plumbing), Evelyne (SOBS), Bronson (Ka Pai Plumbing), Nic (SOBS), Whatarangi (Te Āhuru Mōwai), Takeshi (Te Āhuru Mōwai) and Paul (Te Āhuru Mōwai).

06/05/2026

Last Friday, members of our Switched On Housing team joined Kāinga Ora - Homes and Communities for a community clean-up in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

The team rolled up their sleeves to help clear an overgrown garden area, creating space for a shared community hub the neighbourhood can enjoy. With blue skies overhead and Beard Brothers sausages on the grill, it was a great day to see our people come together, get stuck in, and make a difference.

Ngā mihi to all our kaimahi who helped fill some puku and lent a hand to support stronger, more connected communities.

28/04/2026

Yesterday was World Health and Safety Day and we want to take the opportunity to recognise the people behind the mahi. Our Health & Safety team at Kā te Rama Switched On Group work tirelessly to support and protect our people, and we asked them to share what they most enjoy about their job. Here’s what they had to say:

“What I enjoy about my role is helping people, whether it’s supporting them through something work‑related or simply being someone they can talk to or confide in. Knowing I am trusted to provide guidance, support, and reassurance on a daily basis is incredibly fulfilling.” – Christina

“For me, safety is about people first (taha tāngata). What I like most is creating environments where everyone can bring their whole selves to work knowing they will be cared for, respected and protected. ” – Viv

“I love my work because it allows me to make a difference where it actually matters. I get to listen to people, understand how they really work, and help create environments where they feel safe, supported, and valued. – Grace

“In my role, every action we take, every risk we manage, and every conversation we have is an opportunity to ensure that everyone goes home safe at the end of the day. That’s what drives me: knowing that the work we do truly makes a difference.”– Bernice

“I love learning how others do their jobs and incorporating safety into this. I love having conversations with workers and helping them to understand what health and safety really means. And overall I love the connections that we build.” - Steph

Our team's mahi goes beyond compliance, focusing on genuine connection, practical support, and the wellbeing of our kaimahi and their whānau. Ngā mihi nui to our H&S team today and every day.

20/04/2026

The Switched On Building Solutions Wellington team is making strong progress on a retrofit programme in Kilbirnie, revitalising 20 homes so they’re warm, healthy and ready for whānau to live in. The work is being delivered in carefully planned phases, ensuring steady momentum across the site.

There’s a great sense of purpose among the crew, with everyone leaning in and taking pride in contributing to meaningful mahi for our hapori.

We’re looking forward to seeing the transformation continue as the team advances through this important work.

Ka rawe Switched On Building Solutions Wellington!

15/04/2026

Our history: family beginnings from a wardrobe

As we prepare to welcome our new Group CEO Peter Lord, we're looking back at the history of Kā te Rama Switched On Group – ka mua, ka muri.

Every organisation has an origin story and ours begins in the early 1980s with Sue and Geoff Hughes, a young Ōtautahi Christchurch couple with three kids, a makeshift office tucked inside a wardrobe, and a belief that they could build something meaningful for their whānau and community.

From this tiny space, ‘Geoff Hughes Electrical’ was born: a small venture that would one day grow into the nationwide group of businesses we are today.

14/04/2026

We’re proud to share that PAE New Zealand, part of Kā te Rama Switched On Group, has been selected to continue its long standing partnership with the NZ Defence Force

PAE NZ will deliver facilities maintenance services across the Defence estate for the next decade, extending a trusted relationship that spans more than 30 years.

From mid 2026, PAE NZ will be supporting operational readiness at key Defence locations, including Devonport Naval Base, RNZAF Base Ohakea, and Waiouru and Papakura Military Camps building on an unbroken service history that will stretch into its fifth decade.

This milestone is a testament to PAE NZ's commitment to long term partnerships, local delivery capability, and continued investment in people, systems and expertise across Aotearoa.

Congratulations to the PAE NZ team on this significant achievement.

Read more https://www.switchedongroup.co.nz/news/pae-nz-to-continue-longstanding-partnership-with-nzdf/
Photo credit to NZ Defence Force

09/04/2026

This is a powerful kōrero on leadership, capital with purpose, and long-term thinking. With Te Rūnanga o Toa RangatiraTe Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira Incorporated as Kā te Rama Switched On Group’s majority shareholder, and Boyd Scirkovich contributing at board level, this article speaks directly to the intent behind how we grow with community impact at the centre.

Sitting in NBR’s Auckland studio at the end of a long year, Helmut Modlik sounds equal parts exhausted and energised. In 2025, Ngāti Toa continued to expand across housing, health, social services, and environmental work.