Projects completed during 2025

The Shed's biggest order so far!

The Environmental Team has recently completed a big order of pest traps from Auckland Council. It was for 3 special extended versions of the DOC200 for use on the Hauraki Gulf islands of Ponui and Motuihe.

News has spread of our prowess with quality, combined with adaptability, with special designs. As usual, we accepted the challenge and rose to the occasion!

Council staff are trying to avoid having the native flightless Kiwis and Wekas enter the traps, so have produced customised keyhole-type entry and ramp configurations. A recent addition is the provision of electronic monitors indicating when traps have been sprung.

There were 3 versions of this trap:
• Version 1. Rectangular singles (24 units)
• Version 2. Rectangular doubles (20 units)
• Version 3. Experimental singles (5 units).

Park Bench Build

The ends were donated and we made the middle.
Sandblasting and painting took care of the ends, then we cut, finished and fixed the middle.
A nice result including a laser cut customer logo applied to finish it off.
A real team effort using some of our many different skills at the Shed.
Sold to Aroha Funerals.

Portable Ukulele Stand

Following on from the excellent relationship and work that Roger Van K has developed with Stonefields School, the school approached the Shed to build a high quality Portable Ukulele Stand.
Nigel High came up with the design concept, and produced a portable stand for 44 ukuleles.
Our marketing guru, Grant Sewell, produced a flyer for the ukelele stand project and this has been circulated among the Remuera Principals Association.

Drop side tables

Made from kauri and designed for a small flat or a small balcony or deck.
They were made by David Blackmore, Ian Hollister and Barry Eagland.
For sale - contact the Mens Shed for details.

The "Trees For Survival" Project is on again

Dene Hoskins and his mates have the first 2 of this seasons run ready for shipping to a school in Oratia.
Together with New Zealand schools, landowners and sponsorship partners, the Trees for Survival Charitable Trust, action based environmental education programme, supports school communities to nurture, grow and plant native plants, in areas they’re needed the most. Protecting and restoring waterways and vulnerable land.

A Wreath for the St Heliers Anzac Day Celebrations

A huge success with locals, the Orakei Local Board and Soldiers attending the remembrance ceremony in St Heliers. 
We Did Remember Them
Made from pool noodles so poppies can be stuck in it.
Thanks to Don Morrison and our marketing man Grant Sewell for adding our brand badge to represent quality and innovation.
The photo shows Scott Milne from the Orakei Local Board with his wife Jennie. 

Big Blue Back in Action

Members may remember the big blue box restored by Bill Lehman and Grant Sewell recently.
Here's a picture of it back in its "Home Territory" at the Highland Park Creche, providing heaps of fun for the littlies.
Another worthwhile shed project in action.

New Bench for our Canopy Work Space

Ian Hollister knocked up a cool workbench for the new canopy work space.
Just another day's work for a skilled artisan like Ian.

Carved Panels given a New Life

Steven Petterson is working his magic on these carved panels.
Framed and enhanced with some decorative handles, giving them a new life.

Cat Screen

Otto Cheng took a pile of pieces and restored it into this elegant cat screen.

Caskets for Babies who are Still Born or Die in Early Life

Every year in New Zealand, over 600 babies die between 20 weeks gestation and 12 months of age. People who lose babies at birth, or soon after, are often young with limited financial resources. The bereaved parents often have other children to care for and finding the money of a funeral can add stress to an already difficult time.

We were approached by Aroha Funerals to ask if we could make baby caskets and structure the project so that they could be gifted to the parents. The Shed would make and paint the caskets and Aroha would supply the hardware and lining.

Shed member Peter Buchanan is also on the Board of the Rotary Club of St Johns/Ellerslie, and he agreed to take a grant request proposal to his Board. The application was approved so the material costs and overheads will be covered, and the caskets can be gifted. Ten caskets in three sizes are currently under construction. Douglas Ormrod is leading the project.

Canopy Completed

The canopy structure was finished this week thanks to the efforts of our construction team, Alan Minson, Phil O'Flaherty, Mark Nobilo, Denis Sullivan and all those who pitched in and helped. We celebrated with a wonderful spread of treats to complement our midday barbecue. Thanks again to all those involved.

Folding Picnic Table

David Blackmore just completed this great outdoor folding table made of Rimu.
The idea is for it to become a money spinner for the shed  if successfully sold

The Rebar Roost

Malcolm Hardie and his mates in the shed built this everlasting bird feeder out of steel reinforcing bar.
Even built 2 model birds to encourage others to visit.
Will look more cool as the rust develops!
Sits in anticipation in Malcolm's garden.

Pet Graveyard Markers

Another interesting project was these crosses for our little mates that have passed, engraved with pets names and dates. A great remembrance of those who have been so close.
Next on the list is a giant mesh wreath, designed to accept flowers on Anzac Day.

Abodo DOC200s Shipped!!

This has been our biggest environmental order and has proven fairly challenging. The customer wanted these 100 mustelid traps specifically made using their product and installed in their supplier’s forest in Hawkes Bay.
We had to take extra care laminating the boards together and avoiding splitting the timber especially on the lids where we traditionally use plywood. The treatment used by Abodo Wood Ltd is commercially sensitive so we’re hoping the long-term performance in the forest will be OK.
A test of our adaptability!

Busy board for Middlemore Hospital