What Apollo Projects does

Apollo Projects is a privately held New Zealand commercial construction company founded in 2001 by Craig Waghorn and Paul Lloyd, headquartered in Hamilton with a South Island headquarters in Christchurch (Addington) and regional offices across Auckland, Marlborough, Hawke's Bay, and other South Island locations. The firm operates an integrated design-and-build model, engaging clients from initial concept through completion via early contractor involvement and a "5C approach" covering clients, colleagues, community, consultants, and contractors. It employs more than 80 project and support staff and has operated for over 20 years.

The company's core offering is segmented across eight service lines: food processing, dairy, winery and beverage, cold storage, retail/commercial/industrial, sports/aquatics/education, extensions and refurbishments, and an overarching design-and-build service. Technical specialisations include Safety in Design workshops embedded at project kickoff, Transcritical CO2 refrigeration systems for cold storage (noted as among the largest globally), integrated Building Management Systems, and Green Star-rated sustainable design (the Maersk Ruakura cold store achieved NZ's first 6 Star Green Star for a cold storage facility). Apollo Projects operates exclusively in the New Zealand domestic market, with no disclosed international projects.

The business model is professional-services, project-based construction revenue. Apollo generates revenue through construction project fees, professional project management, and design services, priced per project based on scope and complexity. Customer segments are split between enterprise clients (Fonterra, Maersk, Foodstuffs South Island, Lion, Synlait, Goodman Fielder) and local government / councils (Christchurch, Selwyn, Gisborne, Stratford, Tauranga, Hutt, Waitaki). Distribution is direct via business development managers; no intermediaries, resellers, or digital channels are used. Marketing combines industry trade-show presence, portfolio content on the company website, sporting sponsorships (notably Swimming New Zealand), and community programmes such as school sport donations and water safety lessons.

Name

Apollo Projects

Legal name

Apollo Projects

Website

https://apolloprojects.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Apollo Projects is a New Zealand design-and-build commercial construction firm specializing in food processing, dairy, wineries, cold storage, and sports/aquatics facilities, serving enterprise clients and local councils across both islands with 80+ staff.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Construction Services

NAICS

Industrial Building Construction (23621), Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (23622)

akta.pro primary industry

Food & Beverage Processing Plant Construction (IMAFADAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

New School Construction (Greenfield Builds) (EDAEABAA)

Keywords

• Commercial construction services
• Design and build
• Cold storage construction
• Food processing facilities
• Aquatic center construction

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamilton

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Design and Build Construction Services: Full-service commercial construction services delivered from concept to completion, taking projects from initial brief through to handover. Revenue is generated through construction project fees, professional project management services, and design services. Projects range from food processing facilities and cold storage to sports complexes and commercial buildings.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Apollo Projects is a full-service commercial construction company delivering integrated design and build services across New Zealand. The company manages projects from initial concept through completion under a single point of contact, specializing in food processing, dairy, wineries and breweries, cold storage, retail/commercial/industrial facilities, and sports and aquatic centres. Services include professional project management, design, sustainable building design, and specialist refrigeration systems for temperature-controlled environments.

Product overview

Apollo Projects is a full-service commercial construction company offering integrated design and build services across multiple sectors in New Zealand. The company operates as a single unified service model, managing projects from initial concept through to completion. Their core portfolio comprises specialized construction services across eight key sectors: Food Processing, Dairy, Winery & Beverage, Cold Storage, Retail/Commercial/Industrial, Sports/Aquatics/Education, Extensions & Refurbishments, and a overarching Design & Build service that integrates all project phases under one contractor. With over 20 years of experience and more than 80 project and support staff, the company delivers outcomes for clients ranging from national companies to local councils and government agencies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Food Processing Construction

Quantifiable outcome

• Project delivered on time and under budget for Te Pou Toetoe Linwood Pool - 2 months ahead of schedule
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FonterracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor national client with multiple dairy processing facility projects including Edendale, Mosgiel, and Whareroa. Project Manuka was recognized as a Beacon Project by the Construction Sector Accord representing excellence in partnership approach.
• Ngai TahucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrong relationship with multiple projects including seafood processing facility in Bluff and various commercial construction projects throughout Ngāi Tahu territory.
• Foodstuffs South IslandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership delivering multiple cold storage and distribution projects. Project AutoFreeze increased cold storage capacity by 200%. Also completed Trents Wholesale refurbishment with fund manager Mainland Capital.
• MaerskcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign and build of 18,000m2 cold store facility at Ruakura Superhub near Hamilton. First cold storage facility in New Zealand to achieve 6 Star Green Star rating. Largest cold store project in New Zealand to date for Apollo.
• Lion Co.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompleted Panhead Brewery expansion increasing capacity from 1.8 million to 4 million litres annually while operations continued.
• Waddell+AssociatesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for School Sport Donations programme where students from supported schools can apply for grants to pay sports competition fees, buy equipment, or cover travel costs.
• Swimming New ZealandcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPrincipal sponsor of Swimming New Zealand, supporting SWIMSAFER Week and learn to swim initiatives. Partnership aligns with commitment to water safety and community wellbeing.
• Full Bellies Charitable TrustminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChristchurch office team members contribute to Full Bellies every fortnight by preparing food items for lunches provided to children at over 10 schools throughout Christchurch.
• Sorted LogisticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-project relationship including award-winning 24,093m2 warehouse in Christchurch and 9,532m2 warehouse in Auckland. Joint venture formed to purchase land and construct buildings.
• Synlait Milk LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly Contractor Involvement on world's best infant formula blending and canning facility, influencing design and hygiene detailing that set new industry benchmarks.
• GVI LogisticsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerModern cold storage facility in Christchurch tailored to GVI's expanding operational needs with early engagement and collaborative design approach.
• Tauranga City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign and build of Haumaru Sport & Recreation Centre - 4,500m2 multi-purpose venue transforming former retail site into major sports hub.
• Hutt City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTe Ngaengae Pool + Fitness Centre - 5,800m2 landmark project revitalizing Naenae area with cultural significance and sustainability features targeting Green Star 5.
• Christchurch City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple projects including Taiora QEII Recreation Centre, Te Pou Toetoe Linwood Pool, and Scarborough Park Splash Pad. Strong collaborative relationship delivering community facilities.
• Selwyn District CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelwyn Sports Centre - 8,000m2 indoor sports facility with eight courts, NZ's first Lu Uno interactive playground wall, delivered on time and within budget.
• Stratford District CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWai o Rua Stratford Aquatic Centre delivered on time and on budget with partnership with Ngāruahine, Ngāti Ruanui and Ngāti Maru.
• Gisborne District CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKiwa Pools - $42m aquatic facility completed September 2023 under Crown Infrastructure Partners 'Shovel Ready' programme with deep cultural design integration.
• Hāpai Commercial Property LPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMataukareao Great King Street - $35m construction project (>$50m total development) targeting Green Star 5 standards, Apollo's first multi-storey vertical build in Dunedin.
• Mainland CapitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFund manager partner on Trents Wholesale refurbishment project with Foodstuffs South Island.
• Perry DevelopmentsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner with Apollo on Sorted Logistics Christchurch development for land purchase and construction.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Calder Stewart: New Zealand-owned design & build construction firm with a strong focus on industrial, food processing, warehousing and commercial builds. Highly comparable to Apollo on sector mix (industrial / F&B / warehousing), mid-market scale, and integrated design & build delivery model.
• Naylor Love: One of New Zealand's largest privately held commercial construction companies, delivering design & build projects across commercial, industrial, healthcare, education and sports sectors. Direct comparable on integrated design & build model, broad commercial sector coverage, and NZ-wide private ownership structure.
• Hawkins Group: Major New Zealand commercial construction contractor delivering large-scale commercial, residential, infrastructure and industrial projects nationwide. Direct peer on commercial building construction scale, sector breadth, and design & build delivery, though with significantly larger headcount and balance sheet.
• LT McGuinness: Wellington-based New Zealand commercial construction firm with a strong track record in design & build across commercial, institutional, sports and community facilities. Closely comparable to Apollo on integrated design & build, council and community vertical exposure, and mid-sized private NZ contractor profile.
• Leighs Construction: South Island-based New Zealand commercial construction company delivering design & build projects across commercial, industrial, healthcare, education and community sectors. Comparable to Apollo on private NZ ownership, design & build model, and community/council client base, with similar South Island presence.
• Southbase Construction: Christchurch-headquartered New Zealand commercial construction company delivering design & build across commercial, industrial, healthcare, hospitality and community sectors. Direct comparable to Apollo on private NZ ownership, design & build delivery, sector mix, and South Island / Christchurch presence.
• Dominion Constructors: Christchurch-based New Zealand commercial construction contractor with strong South Island presence across commercial, industrial, community and heritage projects. Comparable to Apollo on regional private commercial construction profile, design & build delivery, and Canterbury / South Island client base.

Broad incumbents

• Fletcher Construction: New Zealand's largest general construction contractor, part of Fletcher Building, delivering commercial, infrastructure, civil and industrial projects at significant scale. Broad incumbent that competes with Apollo on large commercial builds but with much greater capital, bonding capacity, and sector breadth.

Regional players

• BESIX Watpac: Australian commercial construction contractor (formerly Watpac) delivering design & build across commercial, industrial, sports, health and education sectors. Regional peer with comparable integrated design & build model and sector mix, though operating primarily in Australia rather than competing directly in NZ.
• Roberts Pizzarotti: Australian commercial construction company with a strong design & build track record in commercial, industrial, food processing and warehouse projects. Regional peer comparable to Apollo on private mid-sized design & build model and food/industrial sector exposure, though operating across Australia rather than NZ.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/apolloprojectsnz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/apollo-projects

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Apollo Projects