McKay was appointed principal electrical contractor by CPB Contractors in 2020, marking the beginning of a five-year involvement that concluded with the completion of Stage 1. Given the scale, security requirements, and remote nature of the site, McKay established a permanent on-site presence early in the project, deploying mobile offices and an initial team of 14 electrical specialists to support delivery.
As construction progressed, McKay scaled its workforce to meet the increasing demands of the project, with on-site personnel peaking at nearly 80 during key construction phases. This ability to flex resources efficiently was critical to delivering a project of this size and complexity while maintaining programme certainty.
Stage 1 of the development includes the construction of 28 new buildings, supported by extensive infrastructure such as secure perimeter walls and fencing, covered walkways, and recreational facilities. A central component of the project is the Hikitia facility—the first of its kind in Aotearoa New Zealand—which provides culturally appropriate and clinically effective mental health and addiction services specifically for men in the Waikato region, reinforcing the project’s rehabilitative focus.
The wider development required an estimated 8.5 million hours of work across all contributing parties. Within its scope, McKay installed 11,882 light fittings and laid approximately 383 kilometres of cable, reflecting the significant scale and technical complexity of the electrical works. In addition, 330 switchboards, ranging from main switchboards to smaller distribution boards and panels—were designed and manufactured by McKay-owned company, MGE New Zealand.
Throughout the project, McKay’s commitment to health, safety, and wellbeing was consistently recognised by CPB Contractors. The team received multiple subcontractor-of-the-month awards, alongside individual acknowledgements for excellence in safety, quality, and on-site performance.
McKay is proud to have contributed to a project of national importance, delivering infrastructure that supports positive rehabilitation outcomes while demonstrating the company’s capability to successfully deliver large-scale, complex projects across New Zealand.
