Things change on site. Ground can be tricky, the weather moves in, access gets tighter and timeframes shift. When that happens, having an experienced team on the job makes a real difference. At Taggart, we’ve spent more than 70 years working across Canterbury’s subdivisions, infrastructure projects, demolition sites and large-scale earthworks.

Taggart has been part of Canterbury for generations. Over the years, the machinery, projects and technology have changed, but the people behind the work have always been what drives the business forward. From operators and drivers through to project teams, mechanics, labourers and office staff, every part of Taggart is built on hardworking locals who take real pride in what they do.

Managing large civil construction projects can quickly become complicated when multiple contractors are involved. Different teams. Different timelines. More site management. More risk. At Taggart, we make that easier by taking care of the civil construction and demolition work ourselves on projects across the South Island.

One of the questions we’ve seen more often recently is what happens to the material that leaves our sites. Do we reuse it? Recycle it? Or does it all end up in landfill? The reality is, civil construction generates a huge amount of material.

We’re proud to be kicking off the demolition of the former Smiths City flagship site on Colombo Street in the heart of Christchurch. A building with over a century of history is now making way for a new chapter in the city’s ongoing regeneration.

At Taggart, we take pride in looking back at past projects that have made a real difference to our communities. One of these is the Blakes Road Stormwater project, completed in 2021, where we were tasked with protecting the Kaputone Stream in Belfast.

Demolition does not have to mean waste. At Taggart, we are always looking for ways to minimise our environmental footprint, and our work on KiwiRail’s Hillside redevelopment in Dunedin is a great example of what is possible when sustainability is built into the plan from the start.

Asbestos isn’t rare in demolition jobs, it’s the norm. At Taggart, we know that most older buildings contain some form of asbestos. Whether it’s hidden in roofing felts, pipe insulation, fuse boxes, ceiling panels, or wall linings, it is something we are well used to managing. And every time, we treat it with the care and caution it demands.

Taggart is proud to be delivering the next phase of the Amberley Retirement Village near Christchurch, following the successful completion of the first two stages over the past three years. This growing development is set to provide high-quality retirement living in North Canterbury, and we’re pleased to be playing a key role in shaping its future.

Back in 2024, our team kicked off an exciting project in Hanmer Springs, one of the South Island’s most iconic locations. We’ve been laying the groundwork for Riverside Springs, a new residential and commercial development set to bring fresh energy to this already vibrant alpine town.

If you grew up in Canterbury, you’ve probably got a memory or two tied to Lancaster Park. So when it was time to say goodbye to the old stadium, we knew it was more than just another job. As a proudly Canterbury-owned company, we were honoured to be trusted with helping transform this iconic site for the community.