Barker Contractors Ltd

General information

We have been in business for over 36 years and based in Waipawa for the last 20. We work principally in Hawkes Bay, but have undertaken earthmoving projects from the Manawatu to Gisborne.
Many years ago we were one of the first companies to introduce the ‘mini excavators’ into Hawkes Bay. Later we saw the potential for Directional Drilling so set about importing one of the first Directional Drills into New Zealand and for a long time we specialized in cabling and service work. One major contract we held was with our local power company where we undergrounded all the central business area of Waipukurau. Centralines is till our client today. In fact, they have doing business here in one way other since the company was started.
Another major project undertaken was working with Parklands to provide the installation of an irrigation system for the now world famous Cape Kidnappers Golf Course – some 80km of pipe work!
This type of work is still carried out, and now includes fibre ducting. We are the preferred contractor to SAE Electrical who specializes in fibre work with in schools. All our staff have to be police vetted to do this sort of work. We have completed many schools from Wanganui, Wairoa, Masterton, Gisborne and even taken on the Auckland market on the odd occasion.
We also comply to be able to work with in the Power Industry Regulations working closely with our local power company – Centralines, but not excluding North Power and Transfeild. This has been completing numerous cabling jobs in both the commercial and residential markets providing machinery to assist in placing of poles and pole structure on the various networks. Added to this we are Chorus approved contractors.
Other work we have undertaken in the past has been working with Department of Conservation in maintaining walking and vehicle access in the Ruahine State Park network. This work involved using a 1ton excavator and small tracked dumpers and working within a metre corridor. This is work that our skilled staff enjoyed, as they were working remote areas and within the tree canopy. We helped HEB Contractors and Lake View Helicopters completing work in both Masterton and Taihape DOC parks.
Other smaller project work that our ‘mini’s’ carry out include not only the power trenches, but also we include farm water, vine yards, and sometimes we supply and install on these projects.
7 years ago, working with Waterforce Irrigation we completed the full installation of the new Nobilo’s vineyard water system, both frost protection and irrigation. Also to our credit, we have been working with Craggy Range Winery from the beginning of their vineyards in Hawkes Bay.
We provide house sites, the access in using either one of our bulldozers or large excavators. Once the platform is complete we will often work with the builder preparing the foundations, supply and placement of the aggregate, and compact to an engineer’s - builders/council test regime.
We are also approved Contractors to the CHBDC for providing entrance ways to these properties.
Landscaping of the gardens we often also enjoy once the house is complete. From supplying and placing of topsoil, levelling the lawn areas and providing other services as needed.
In more recent years our shift has been towards more of the heavy earthmoving, but we have not forgotten our past. Chain-diggers, Bobcats and these Minis still consume a lot of our time. Gary, (and now his son Phillip), one of my long term team members has been with our company for over 15 years and still enjoys the challenges that these machines give us.

As our company has grown to the size it is now we undertake some very large projects utilizing large earthmoving equipment.
Just prior to Christmas 2012 we undertook the earthworks section of a contract which was awarded to Russell Roads. This was for a passing lane on SH 2 just south of Hastings. 9000 cu.m of spoil removed within 3 weeks cutting to levels and batters graded.
Other projects completed 2013 and 2014 periods have seen us working for the CHB District Council with many Kilometres of road side drainage and shoulder work. Challenging in itself with tight contract periods, but rewarding knowing that the public will be traveling over safer roads.
In the last 5 years we ‘branched’ out into Road Lining for 2 major Forestry Companies. We purchased a Komatsu D65/15 and a D61/15 Bulldozer along with a new 27ton Hyundai and a Volvo 220 Excavator. Even though the work was enjoyable, the unpredictability of the work was not helping with our cash flows, and so in February 2016 we elected to shut that part of our business down. During time we have constructed some huge roads, and with great workmanship demonstrated by out skilled operators. We sold the bull dozers to another locally based company, moved the Hyundai into another loader for our quarries, and now enjoy in providing the aggregate needed for cover these roads.
Our Quarries operate from Waipawa, both a “Red Metal” Quarry and more recently have opened up a River Quarry. We operate a crusher there at present producing a graded Transit spec’d 40mm and 65mm stone, graded drainage and fines. Crushed concrete is sometimes available We provide a graded and tested maintenance metal for CHB District Council and for private sales. This quarry is run by our “A” grade quarry manager John, who has spent many years working in quarries.
2014 saw our Kenworth Aerodyne replaced with a newer Western Star tractor unit and is used for pulling our Widening transporter.
Our ‘widening’ transporter, operating with overweight permits for some loads we are asked to move. We collect excavators, bulldozers and loaders from around the NI for dealers and hire companies. We move local logging operator’s machines along with our own machines.
We enjoy a great team of staff who are very skilled in their work from the large Excavators, to our mini excavator operators and our truck drivers.
Our company is now headed up with a General Manager – John Masters and brings a level of confidence and planning enabling us to move with the times.
Carole joined in early 2015 and heads up our office as manager. Coming from a large company is enjoying our team environment.
Caitlin is responsible for Health and Safety and also as a Sales Rep

In all, we all enjoy our work, operate safely and fore mostly, enjoy good relationships with our many clients built on honesty and great workmanship within a safe work environment.