Tom McKay was born on the 2nd of July 1907 in Lower Hutt, New Zealand. His father, David Alexander McKay, worked as a ganger for New Zealand Railways, and in 1911, the family moved to Napier. Not long after, Tom’s parents separated, leaving his mother, Elizabeth (Betsy), to raise four young boys alone. Betsy supported the family through part-time work at the local maternity hospital, while Tom learned early the value of hard work and self-reliance.

During his school years, Tom helped support the household by delivering milk before classes and working at Ringland Bros tailors after school, sweeping floors and making deliveries. These early experiences shaped the strong work ethic that would define his life. After leaving school, Tom began an apprenticeship as an electrician and, in 1925, at just 18 years old, gained his wiring licence. Napier’s electricity at the time was generated by a coal-fired gas plant, and Tom was soon involved in installing some of the city’s first refrigerators and washing machines. By 19, he was leading a team of eight men.

On 3 February 1931, the Hawke’s Bay earthquake struck, devastating the region. Tom narrowly escaped serious injury while working on a wiring job and made his way home through collapsed streets and bridges to find his mother safe. In the years that followed, Tom worked long hours rebuilding the city, often 80-hour weeks with no overtime. Frustrated by the lack of recognition for the effort being put in, he made a bold decision: to start his own electrical business.

With just £15 and a second-hand Model T Ford, Tom set out on his own. Despite having no formal business experience, he quickly secured contracts for 15 buildings and hired his first apprentice, Frank Pidd. The business grew steadily, and in 1933 Tom met Mona Chapman, a young woman from Gisborne working in Napier. They married in December 1934.

A turning point came in 1936 when Tom and Mona travelled north to Dargaville and met local plumber Jim Robertson. With electricity about to arrive in the Far North, Robertson proposed a partnership – he would handle plumbing, and Tom would take on all electrical work. Sensing an opportunity, Tom returned to Napier, sold half of his existing business to Mr Quigley, and relocated to Dargaville.

The plan had been to trial the move for six months, but tragedy struck when Mona became unwell and passed away on 26 August 1936. Tom sold the remaining half of his Hawke’s Bay business, severing ties with Napier and committing fully to building McKay Electrical in Dargaville.

Tom established McKay’s first premises on the corner of Victoria and Poto Streets, operating a workshop and later a retail shopfront. As electricity spread across Northland, Tom expanded into retail, selling radios, irons, stoves and household appliances. In 1938, McKay’s Electrical was formally registered, and Tom became a contractor for the local power board, with household wiring forming the backbone of the growing business.

World War II slowed progress, with Tom deployed into the Air Force to wire military camps across the North Island. During this time, he married Jean Gordon, whose organisational and administrative skills became an essential part of the company. After the war, Tom rebuilt operations and led a period of strong expansion across Northland.

In 1943, McKay Electrical Whangārei was formally registered as a separate company. This structure was created to support the rapid growth of the business beyond Dargaville and to enable clearer management of the expanding contracting and retail operations in Whangārei. The new company was managed by former apprentice Peter Walker, allowing Tom to focus on strategic growth across the wider region.

Over the following decades, McKay expanded further into Kaikohe and Kaitaia, becoming one of Northland’s most recognised electrical brands.

A significant transition came in 1982, when Tom decided to exit the Whangārei operation. Long-time apprentice and business partner Joe Faithfull became sole owner of McKay Electrical Whangārei, continuing to grow it as an independent business focused on contracting and industrial services. At the same time, Tom and his family regained full ownership of the original Dargaville business, which remained under the McKay name.

Tom remained deeply connected to the Dargaville community, serving for 27 years on the Borough Council, acting as Deputy Mayor, and contributing more than seven decades to Rotary. In 2008, at the age of 100, he became the first inductee into the Far North Business Hall of Fame.

When Tom McKay passed away in 2010, he left behind far more than a company. He left a legacy of resilience, entrepreneurship and community leadership – and the Dargaville business that continues today, reflecting the values of its founder.