CORPORATE HISTORY
South Taranaki Quarries throughout the years
South Taranaki Quarries have been investing in the extractives industry for almost two decades. A family run operation that started from humble beginnings back in 2006 on a livestock farm in the outskirts of Whanganui. Established by a father and son having a crack, South Taranaki Quarries now have nine crew and supply over 150,000t of aggregate each year throughout South Taranaki and the Lower North Island.
2004
The Beginning
Horizon Trust acquires 577 hectares of land at 525 Rangitatau West Road, Maxwell, Whanganui with the intention of expanding the land portfolio for the purpose of forestry and farming. A small pit from an old shellrock quarry lay dormant near the entrance of the land.
2005
Investigation
Horizon Trust investigate the viability of entering the extractives sector and re-commissioning the shellrock quarry.
2006
Jarrod Nicholson
Horizon Trust commenced preparing a resource consent application for the quarry, whilst Bruce’s oldest Son, Jarrod worked on the quarry establishment and commenced his studies for the B Grade Quarry Managers certificate.
2007
Maxwell site
Resource consent was granted by Taranaki Regional Council and South Taranaki District Council and Maxwell Quarry was born.
The quarry began with an old jaw crusher and hired earthmoving equipment to open up resource and begin producing aggregates.
2008
Land Sold
Sold off 500 hectares of land to free up capital which helped resource the quarry operation and service the already growing demand.
2009 – 2015
Business grows to 5 Staff
2009 – 2015 Saw the quarry business grow to a team of five, producing 80,000 tonnes per annum.
2016
Expansion
Horizon Trust expanded by acquiring two small-scale consented sites in Whenuku Road Quarry, Hawera and Waiteika Road Quarry, Opunake.
2017
Todd Nicholson
South Taranaki Quarries Ltd was born.
Todd Nicholson, Bruce Nicholson’s youngest child became involved.
2018
Bruce Nicholson
In February, The founder, Bruce Nicholson passed away suddenly.
An application was prepared to expand the quarry at Whenuku Road and accept imported cleanfill.
Maxwell Quarry closed.
2019
Maxwell Quarry
The Maxwell Quarry land rehabilitated and consent surrendered.
Potential shellrock site investigated for a quarry operation.
2020
Nukumaru application
Consent application filed for shellrock quarry in Nukumaru
2021
Consents granted
Consents granted for Nukumaru Quarry and STDC consent granted for Whenuku Road quarry expansion
2022 – 2024
Waiteika Road Quarry
Waiteika Road Quarry Renewal consent granted with TRC for a further 15 years quarrying.
Over $1,500,000 invested in quarry infrastructure, plant and equipment.
Today
How is it going today?
The operation has three fully consented quarries operated by a passionate team of nine employees. The business is supplying around 150,000t of aggregate per year to the Lower North Island and handles 18,000 tonnes of imported cleanfill from earthworks sites. With the three sites holding consents through to the mid 2040’s the business is poised for further growth.
