Ruahine Property Works (RPWL) began in Dannevirke in 2020 as a simple one-man property maintenance service — but quickly grew into one of the region’s most trusted teams for home maintenance, renovations, concreting, roofing, plumbing, fencing, and outdoor living solutions.
Today, the company has a team of more than 25 multi-skilled tradespeople and a fleet of 30 service vehicles, providing reliable property services across Manawatū, Tararua and Central Hawke’s Bay.
How Ruahine Property Works Started
Founder Torrin Day originally employed a handyman to maintain his rental properties. The plan was to split the workload — half internal work, half hired out. After branding the first van with the distinctive orange RPWL logo, demand grew instantly.
“From day one, the phone started ringing,” Torrin says. “We decided to support the demand and grow the business — and now we have a full team servicing the region.”
Expanding From Maintenance Into Full Service Renovations
RPWL quickly evolved from general repairs into a complete renovation and property services company, "offering":
- Bathroom and kitchen renovations
- Concrete driveways, footpaths & pads
- Fencing and decks
- Roofing repairs & full reroofs
- GIB fixing, plastering & painting
- Landscaping & outdoor structures
- Tree removal & section clean-ups
The only service not delivered in-house is electrical work, which is covered by a trusted contractor. Many team members are multi-skilled, allowing RPWL to handle a wide range of jobs efficiently, even in changing weather conditions.
Growth, Services, Leadership & Operations
After six months, Anna Rhodes joined in a part-time administration role, later moving into full-time management. Anna has been instrumental in scaling the business, supporting rapid growth in staffing, vehicles, and service capacity.
RPWL also supports clients by identifying additional improvements while already onsite — offering a convenient one-stop shop for property maintenance, repairs, upgrades, and renovations.
Garador & Stratco Dealerships
In 2021, the company expanded further by purchasing the Garador dealership for Palmerston North, Tararua and Central Hawke’s Bay — supplying and installing custom-made Garador garage doors and providing ongoing servicing and repairs.
RPWL later secured the Stratco dealership, offering premium patio, pergola, and outdoor living products across the region.
A dedicated team now operates full-time in Palmerston North, managing Garador, Stratco, and general building services throughout the Manawatū.
A Trusted Choice for Homeowners, Businesses & Government Agencies
While many local tradespeople focus on large construction projects, RPWL found success by specialising in small to medium-sized jobs, where demand was high following COVID-19.
Today, the company delivers work for:
- Te Whatu Ora
- Local councils
- Property managers & rental companies
- Private landlords
- Local Iwi
- Police-owned housing
- Homeowners and businesses
- Health & Safety, Compliance & Quality Standards
RPWL maintains a strong focus on compliance, safety, and professional standards,
including:
- In-house Health & Safety committee
- Regular staff training
- SiteWise GOLD certification
- Police-vetted staff
- Documented job costing and quality systems
These processes ensure consistent, high-quality workmanship and peace of mind for customers.
Committed to Quality, Excellence, & Continuous Improvement
Torrin credits the company’s success to its passionate team and strong supplier relationships.
“We try to be the solution for people. If a job is new for us, we work through it and learn. Our team is dedicated, adaptable, and always looking to do better. We’re excited about the future.”
ABOUT RUAHINE PROPERTY WORKS
Home Maintenance Across Manawatu, Tararua
and Central Hawkes Bay
