Mission

Deliver solutions to government, iwi and private clients who face challenges in the heritage, art and science sectors in the identification, documentation and preservation of heritage based on our extensive and unique experience.

‘We care for special things.’

Vision

Enact change and make innovative progress in cultural materials conservation.

Company Core Values

1. Respect: A respectful workplace is one that has open communication where everyone contributes, their opinion is valued, and they are listened to genuinely. We want the best for our employees and value family time. Our schedule tries to ensure we get the best out of ourselves and our employees, while still recognising the unique needs of each person.

2. Healthy Work Ethic: Being a small business, we work hard to ensure that we can support having employees and that means being successful and efficient. We use quality equipment and a positive environment. We are prepared to do what needs to be done for the job and expect the same from our employees. We don’t have a 'too hard basket' and seek to offer options and solutions to clients.

3. Continual Improvement: We always want to keep learning and we want our employees to have the same opportunities. Every day is an opportunity to learn and improve.

Kaupapa & Philosophies

1. Share knowledge. We believe that everyone can contribute to an understanding of heritage and conservation processes and each person has a unique interpretation of the world that lends value to our work.

2. Meeting in the middle approach. Rather than being seen as experts in conservation processes, we believe in raising the voices of communities in conservation processes.

3. Community space. Our space is where communities can feel welcome to engage with their heritage. In te ao Māori, we want to practice manaakitanga and be a safe place for taonga.

4. Authentic and transparent. Being true to who we are and open in our positionality within the community.

Our approach is informed by kaupapa Māori research principles, including the importance of acknowledging Māori cultural values and systems, challenging dominant non-Māori interpretations, and following Māori protocols. This is deeply informed by Walker, Eketone & Gibbs (2006), “An exploration of kaupapa Māori research, its principles, processes and applications.”

We are committed to working in ways that respect te ao Māori, tikanga, mātauranga Māori, and the authority of kaitiaki. This includes strengthening how we care for both taonga and the information connected to them, supporting Māori data sovereignty through respectful documentation, careful access, and transparent decision-making.

We abide by Aotearoa New Zealand heritage legislation:

● Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014

● Resource Management Act 1991

● Protected Objects Act 1975

We belong to professional and heritage societies:

● New Zealand Conservators of Cultural Materials

● New Zealand Archaeological Association

● American Institute for Conservation

Being in private practice, we are motivated to engage with the communities we work with. For us, it is not just a ‘tick box’ exercise. We aim to authentically and meaningfully engage with Māori communities. This means:

● Using te reo where possible and encouraging its use.

● Honouring the principles in the Treaty of Waitangi Te Tiriti o Waitangi in our approaches and actions.

● Being true to who we are and how we can assist while still respecting alternative views and questioning common approaches.

● Dedicated Whare Tiaki Taonga Māori

● Dedicated reception and meeting area for meetings or receiving clients

● Toilet and kitchen facilities

● Photography studio

● Exterior wash down area with hose and tap water

● Deionised water

● Roller door unloading and loading

● Unlimited street parking

● Secure unmarked facilities with door entry notifications

● Convenient in town location

● Analytical and research equipment

● Dedicated carpentry shop