McKenzie Centre Transformation

A Community Call Answered

In early July 2025, the stores reached out to the local community, asking for nominations for deserving organisations in need of a Helping Hand.

That’s when Lillian Martin, Business Support Coordinator at McKenzie Centre, put forward a project close to her heart. Having worked at the early intervention centre for 17 years, she knows firsthand how life-changing the right support can be.

“We support the children and the families to be as good as they can be, to reach their potential in whatever way, shape or form that might be. Giving children that good start really puts them on a strong trajectory for the future. Early intervention can change life outcomes - not just for them, but for their whole whānau and community,” says Lillian.

When her nomination arrived, it immediately struck a chord.

“This project was really important to us when we saw the submission come through” says Abby Camp, Owner & Marketing/Community Manager at Mitre 10 MEGA Te Rapa & Ruakura.

Seeing the Need Firsthand

To better understand the scope of the work, Corban and Abby visited McKenzie Centre. It was clear how integral the space was to the staff, children, & families, plus how transformative a dedicated makeover could be.

The project was no small feat. The team needed to:

• Remove a 24m fence overgrown with 18 cubic metres of thick ivy intertwined with the fence
• Demolish a second fence and replace palings onto another existing fence behind it for child safety
• Remove and rebuild an outdated wheelchair ramp to create more play space and ensure it was up to standard
• Install new metal fencing with a double safety gate for child safety
• Construct a concrete footpath in reclaimed demolition space, to provide safer, clearer access

Because of the scale of work, and the hazards, everything had to be completed within a tight two week window in January while the centre was closed.

Eight Days, Hundreds of Hours, One Massive Effort

The project took eight full days, with hundreds of human hours poured in through hot sun and relentless rain. The work was tough - including uncovering more than 4 tonnes of hidden concrete beneath the old ramp and fence line that slowed the project.
But with teamwork, determination, and sheer grit, the transformation came to life!

On the very last working day before the centre reopened, final touches were added, the site was cleaned top to bottom, and safety checks completed. The team stepped back to admire a space they could be truly proud of - completed just in time.

“It was so exciting watching the transformation. We would have needed 4,000 working bees to achieve the same result, but these guys smashed it out. They did such a professional job and it was just wonderful to be included in their whānau,” says Lillian.

Support From Our Building Community

Supplier and community support was crucial to bringing the project to life.

“Community involvement was amazing. There were heaps of suppliers that supported us. But I want to especially single out SMT Building NZ Ltd — one of our long-time builders. Without their help, we wouldn’t have been able to do this project. Rain or shine, their team was here. It was great to have them as part of the project,” says Hayden Camp, Owner & CEO of Mitre 10 MEGA Te Rapa & Ruakura.

A Warm Welcome Back

When the upgrades were complete, McKenzie Centre staff welcomed children and families back with open arms to their refreshed space. The improvements have given them:

• a much safer, tidier entranceway
• a compliant, accessible new ramp in an ideal space
• secure fencing
• more play space
• and a more welcoming environment for every family walking through the doors

Lillian couldn’t hide her excitement!

“My message for the Mitre 10 team is the biggest thank you ever. There is no way we could have done it without them. Their enthusiasm, professionalism, the standard of their work, the eagerness with which they did it — it’s phenomenal. We’re just so grateful, and it’s the biggest thanks possible from everybody at McKenzie Centre.”

Mitre 10 MEGA Te Rapa & Ruakura – Proudly locally owned, supporting our local community.