Mako Commercial

What Mako Commercial does

MAKO Commercial Construction Specialists is a specialist commercial, residential, and industrial main contractor founded in 2003 by Matt Ellingham and headquartered in Albany, Auckland, New Zealand. Operating as the construction arm of the Matvin Group under a 'One Team' model alongside TDCG (design consultancy), MAKO delivers integrated design-build services spanning master-planning, architectural coordination, structural and civil construction, and project handover across commercial, residential, industrial, retail, education, and medical sectors. The company's flagship engagement is The Botanic Hibiscus Coast, a multi-stage premium retirement village with 164 villas, 239 apartments, a 73-suite aged care home, and award-winning amenities including an 800m² clubhouse and poolhouse.

MAKO's core technical capabilities combine an in-house design team with on-site precast concrete panel manufacturing (over 300 panels produced internally to date) and post-tensioned concrete slab construction techniques that enable longer spans, reduced structural support, and improved acoustic performance for multi-unit developments. The company maintains a 50-strong team covering quantity surveying, project management, civil and structural site management, and a certified health, safety, and environmental function (SiteWise Gold, 100% assessment). Named project work spans Z Energy service stations, BestStart childcare, Anytime Fitness and Burger King-anchored retail at Kumeu Central, and the Rodney Specialist Centre.

MAKO's business model is project-based main contracting with fixed-price or cost-plus construction contracts negotiated per engagement, ranging from ~$3m service station builds to multi-stage developments exceeding $600m in total project value, with revenue recognized over multi-year contract cadences. Client acquisition is driven by direct enterprise business development, the embedded Matvin Group partnership, and repeat engagement from developers and property owners in the Auckland region.

Name

Mako Commercial

Legal name

MAKO Commercial Construction Specialists

Website

https://makocommercial.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mako Commercial is an Auckland-based specialist commercial, residential, and industrial main contractor operating as the construction arm of Matvin Group, delivering integrated design-build projects across retirement villages, commercial, retail, medical, and industrial sectors in New Zealand.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Construction Contract Revenue: MAKO operates as a commercial, residential, and industrial main contractor delivering projects from concept to completion. Revenue is generated through fixed-price or cost-plus construction contracts for developers and owner-operators. Projects range from small retail fit-outs to multi-stage, multi-year retirement village developments exceeding $600m in total project value.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

MAKO Commercial is a specialist commercial, residential, and industrial main contractor providing integrated design-build-construction services from concept to delivery. The company delivers projects spanning retirement villages, apartments, commercial buildings, retail centers, mixed-use developments, industrial facilities, and medical/educational assets, primarily through a long-standing partnership with Matvin Group. Its flagship project is The Botanic Hibiscus Coast, a $600m premium retirement village development.

Product overview

Mako Commercial is a specialist commercial, residential, and industrial main contractor providing construction services from concept to delivery. Their primary offerings include commercial construction (retail centers, offices, mixed-use), residential construction (apartments, terraced homes, retirement villages), and industrial construction. Their flagship project is The Botanic Hibiscus Coast, a $600m premium retirement village development featuring villas (The Botanic Villas), apartments (Nikau Apartments, Rimu Apartments), and resort amenities (The Clubhouse and Poolhouse). The company operates through partnerships with Matvin Group for development and TDCG for design consultancy, delivering projects across Auckland including Kumeu Central, Z Energy stations, and various commercial developments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Achieved 100% SiteWise Gold status across hazard identification, training, incident reporting, and subcontractor engagement
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Massey University — School of Built EnvironmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022MAKO partners with Massey University's School of Built Environment for the MAKO Future Leaders Scholarship, providing financial support, 600 hours of work experience, and permanent cadet positions for construction students. Winners also receive a permanent Cadet Quantity Surveyor role at MAKO upon graduation.
• Matvin GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003MAKO has partnered with Matvin Group for almost 20 years, consistently delivering high-end, award-winning projects from concept to delivery. Matvin Group acts as development manager for major projects including The Botanic Hibiscus Coast ($600m), Kumeu Central, and 1 Alberto Lane. The relationship is central to MAKO's project pipeline and integrated design-build model.
• Site SafeminorOthersSite Safe is listed as a MAKO partner in creating a safe environment where learning and up-skilling are encouraged.
• WorkSafe New ZealandminorOthersWorkSafe New Zealand is listed as a MAKO partner supporting workplace safety culture and upskilling.
• BCITOminorOthersBCITO (Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation) is listed as a MAKO partner supporting apprenticeship and trade training.
• MATES in Construction NZcoreOthersMAKO partners with MATES in Construction NZ to support suicide prevention in the construction industry. MAKO participates in Fly the Flag Week and conducts General Awareness Training workshops on site to raise awareness of suicide prevention.
• Mates in Construction NZminorOthersMates in Construction NZ is listed as a MAKO partner supporting safe environments and wellbeing upskilling.
• The Design & Consultancy Group (TDCG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTDCG is part of the 'One Team' group alongside MAKO and Matvin Group. TDCG provides architectural and design consultancy services on major projects including The Botanic Hibiscus Coast. The three entities share retreats, team building events, and award programmes.
• Cassidy ConstructionminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCassidy Construction was sub-contracted by MAKO Commercial for Z Energy station works at 1 Hibiscus Coast Highway, Silverdale. The overall site development was handled by MAKO with the service station sub-contracted to Cassidy Construction.
• Universal Cranes NZminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerUniversal Cranes NZ provides crane services for major lifts at The Botanic projects, including precast panel installation for Stage 8 villas and the 24-tonne Hub building relocation.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Fletcher Construction: New Zealand's largest general contractor delivering commercial, residential, civil and infrastructure projects nationwide. Directly comparable to MAKO on the commercial and apartment build side, but operates at a far larger scale and with much broader service lines.
• Hawkins Group: Major NZ commercial main contractor delivering large-scale commercial, residential and healthcare builds. Peter Blick (MAKO QS) previously worked at Hawkins, indicating direct labour-market overlap. Competes with MAKO for mid-to-large commercial and retirement village contracts in Auckland.
• Arrow International (formerly Mainzeal): NZ-wide commercial construction group delivering commercial, retail and apartment projects. Comparable on the commercial mixed-use and apartment delivery side, though typically operating at a larger project scale than MAKO.

Direct peers

• Kalmar Construction: Auckland-focused construction firm named in MAKO's team bios (Grigory Plekhotkin spent four years there). Active in retirement villages and apartments — a direct competitor for the same Auckland retirement/medium-density residential mandates MAKO pursues.
• Maycroft Construction: Wellington-based commercial contractor with Auckland reach, referenced in MAKO's team data (Peter Blick worked at Maycroft). Comparable in commercial construction, fit-out and residential multi-unit delivery.
• Naylor Love: NZ-headquartered commercial construction firm with a strong Auckland presence across commercial, retirement, healthcare and education sectors. Closely comparable to MAKO in scale, project type mix (including retirement villages), and design-build delivery model.
• Watts & Hughes Construction: NZ commercial contractor referenced in MAKO's team data (Jason Webb previously at Watts & Hughes). Operates in commercial, industrial and residential construction in the Auckland region, directly comparable in scope and scale to MAKO.
• NZ Strong Construction: Auckland-based commercial main contractor named explicitly in MAKO's team bios (Leon Sandford spent six years there). Operates across commercial, infrastructure and healthcare — directly overlapping MAKO's project mix and Auckland catchment.
• Leighs Construction: Christchurch-headquartered NZ commercial contractor with growing Auckland footprint, active in commercial, healthcare, retirement and education builds. Comparable project type and contract size profile to MAKO's commercial and retirement village work.

Regional players

• ACCIONA New Zealand: Global infrastructure and construction group with NZ operations in civil and commercial builds. Overlaps with MAKO on large-scale project delivery capability but skews more to civil/infrastructure than MAKO's commercial/residential mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mako-commercial
• Instagraminstagram.com/makocommercial

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Mako Commercial