At the same time, the decade has underscored the critical importance of infrastructure and energy security, as ageing national assets and increasingly frequent extreme weather events exposed vulnerabilities and accelerated the need for investment in more resilient, future-ready systems.

As New Zealand continues its transition toward a low-emissions economy — already generating over 80% of its electricity from renewable sources and targeting 100% by 2030 — McKay has positioned itself at the forefront of this shift. The launch of its Renewables division, focused on utility-scale solar and battery energy storage systems (BESS), marked a significant step into the next era of energy infrastructure. Strategic growth has also been driven through acquisition, including the addition of Marine and Industrial Electrics Limited, and the absorption of the Ward Chandler brand, further strengthening McKay’s capabilities across marine, industrial, and regional markets.

This period of expansion has been matched by internal transformation. In response to sustained growth and increasing project complexity, McKay established an Executive Leadership Team and implemented a new organisational structure designed to support long-term strategic goals. Together, these changes reflect a company adapting not only to immediate challenges, but also to the broader forces shaping the decade— climate resilience, infrastructure renewal, and the evolution of New Zealand’s energy landscape — ensuring McKay remains well positioned for continued growth in a rapidly changing world.

Key PROJECTS OF THE DECADE