Awarua Synergy marked its 15th anniversary this month (November) by celebrating its growth into a significant employer with a 27-strong workforce.

The Invercargill-based hapu/marae-owned enterprise is part of a growing insulation industry offering young Southlanders a new trade-based career path.

General manager Sumaria Beaton said the team has been reflecting on changes to their industry and the ever increasing demand for insulation and heating services.

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Awarua Synergy was created in 2005 out of the Bluff Healthy Homes project, run by Awarua Research and Development, a subsidiary of the Te Runaka o Awarua Charitable Trust. 

The marae-driven initiative to make Bluff homes warmer, drier and healthier has blossomed into an insulation and heating company that has transformed more than 9000 Southland homes during the past 15 years.

Beaton said she was extremely proud of the workers, many of whom had come from casual employment and were now established in the insulation industry, which was now considered a trade in its own right.

“The insulation industry has built up its own skilled workforce, with qualifications and certification available for people,” she said.

Builders often now contracted in insulators as another specialist trade provider on work sites, she said.

Beaton said the past two years had been particularly busy as the enterprise took on the job of offering two new government-funded schemes - the Warmer Kiwi Homes programme, and the Healthy Homes Standards for Landlords.

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The past winter had been Awarua Synergy’s busiest and most challenging season on record, she said.

“We’re still under the pump with strong demand because of Covid-19 but also issues with overseas suppliers because of the pandemic.”

They were making a concerted effort to source more supplies from New Zealand companies to buy local where possible, she said.

While the team had faced challenges during the 15 years, it had shown resilience and developed a strong reputation for friendly and professional service, Beaton said.

“When the team gets feedback about houses being immediately warmer, reductions in condensation, and houses being drier, it’s incredible satisfying as they know what a difference it makes to whanau.”

Beaton has also been involved in the Southland Housing Action Forum, which has been leading a concerted approach to tackling wide-ranging housing concerns in the region.