Southland
Awarua Synergy has grown into a significant employer — as part of a growing insulation industry offering young Southlanders a new trade-based career path.
As they mark their 15th anniversary this month (November), the team at the Invercargill- based hapu/marae-owned enterprise are reflecting on the changes to their industry — and the ever increasing demand for insulation and heating services.
Awarua Synergy was created in 2005 out of the Bluff Healthy Homes project, run by Awarua Research and Development, which is 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.
General manager Sumaria Beaton said she was extremely proud of the 27-strong workforce – many who had come from backgrounds of casual employment and established themselves in the insulation industry, which was now becoming a trade in its own right.
“The insulation industry has built up its own skilled workforce, with qualifications and certification available for people.”
Builders were often now contracting in insulators as another specialist trade provider on work sites, she said.
Beaton said the past two years had been particularly busy as they took on the job of offering two new government-funded schemes – the Warmer Kiwi Homes programme, and the Healthy Homes Standards for Landlords.
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.
The team are holding a get-together in November to mark the anniversary.
While they have had their challenges during the 15 years, the team has 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.”
Peoples’ perceptions around insulation had come a long way in 15 years and most people now knew it was the first, crucial step, in keeping homes warm, she said.
Awarua Synergy has been integral in helping to drive this increase in knowledge with Beaton regularly speaking to community groups around the region about the importance of warm and dry homes.
“Low-income families, young children and the elderly are especially vulnerable to the impacts of living in cold, damp housing,” she said.
Research has shown well insulated houses are drier and warmer, use significantly less energy, and create much healthier environments meaning fewer doctors’ visits.
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.
The company are Southland experts in helping families, businesses and farms find energy efficiency solutions, and offer free home energy assessments.