Since 2010, Downer has proudly delivered multi-trade maintenance services to Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities, a Crown agency providing rental housing for New Zealanders in need.

Under our current long-term contract, we provide planned, responsive, and routine maintenance services across tens of thousands of homes in three North Island regions:

• Mangere/Manukau
• Otara/Takanini
• Wellington/Porirua/Kapiti.

Our services include a 24-hour Urgent Health & Safety Response, managed through our Auckland-based Service Management Centre, ensuring safe and well-maintained homes for Kāinga Ora tenants.

Operating with a 100% subcontractor delivery model, Downer partners with over 60 Subcontractor Delivery Partners across multiple trade categories. This approach supports local businesses and promotes workforce diversity, creating opportunities for apprentices, trainees, and Māori-owned enterprises.

A dedicated team of 92 direct staff oversees contract performance and stakeholder engagement, ensuring high-quality service delivery and strong community outcomes.

The Kāinga Ora Downer cadetship programme

Downer and Kāinga Ora launched the Cadetship Programme in 2018. What began with just five students has now helped over 200 young people gain hands-on experience and practical skills in maintenance trades.

How it works:

• Students from South Auckland secondary schools join our subcontractor teams during school holidays.
• They work on Kāinga Ora homes, learning trades such as plumbing, carpentry, electrical, and even project management.
• Each intake concludes with a graduation ceremony, celebrating achievements with families and subcontractors.

Highlights:

• 200+ students supported since inception.
• Three intakes annually, averaging 20 students per term.
• BCITO partnership introduced in 2024, offering up to 20 NCEA credits toward formal apprenticeships.
• Strong community engagement driven by our Purpose #EnablingCommunitiestoThrive.

Kevin Barry, Senior Trades Resource Manager at Downer, explains:
“The students tell us the trades they’re interested in, and we pair them with subcontractors. Plumbing and carpentry are popular, but we’ve expanded to include electrical and project management. It’s about giving them a real taste of the working world.”

Nigel Chandra, Kāinga Ora Construction Plus Manager, adds:
“This programme gives students autonomy, capability, and capacity to head into employment. It’s about building connections and creating pathways for our communities.”

With the continued support of Kāinga Ora and our subcontractor partners, we remain committed to growing this initiative and creating even more opportunities in the years ahead.