Meet the Highrise Team

Highrise Construction was formed in 2003 by Steve More and Mike Speck to supply a Climbtrac Jumpform system to Macrennie Construction for the Columbia Apartments project. Later that year they started their first Labour package. The concrete, formwork and precast placing contract for Mainzeal Construction on the new East Stand at Mt Smart Stadium. Since then Highrise have completed many similar projects for various contractors as outline on our projects page.

Years Established

Our Capabilities & Expertise

  • Highrise, Medium Rise Buildings
  • Healthcare Facilities
  • Multi-story Carparks
  • Industrial Facilities
  • Shopping Malls
  • Apartments: 4 – 30+ stories
  • Offices
  • Retirement Villages
  • Stadiums
  • Infrastructure/Civil Works

The Highrise Management Team

Fatu Fuatavai

Fatu Fuatavai

Managing Director

Fatu Fuatavai purchased Highrise Construction in October 2022 to be part of his portfolio of Construction Services businesses. Fatu has extensive experience in both the engineering and building industries, following university degrees in both Mathematics and Engineering. Previous engineering work included positions with Angus Construction, and Wilkins and Davies. He also has extensive experience in the building and property development sector as a self-employed developer. The combination of engineering and building experience provides support for Highrise in projects for multi-story towers as well as for in-ground concrete placement and mid-sized concrete projects. Fatu has formerly held the positions of Chairman New Zealand/Samoa Trade Commission and President of the Hospitality Association (Counties Manukau Branch).

Nigel Smith

Nigel Smith

General Manager

LBP Carpentry / Site 2
Highrise Construction

Nigel has 34 years + experience in both Residential and Commercial construction in NZ. He has been in Project Management and Construction Management type roles for over 22 years. He has worked for prominent well known NZ Main Contractors which has enabled him to successfully start and complete some large-scale greenfield Retirement/Residential and Commercial developments throughout various centers in both the North & South Island. One of Nigel’s key highlights was being involved for 5 years in Christchurch to help with the rebuilding following the devasting 2011 earthquake.

Denton Sander

Denton Sander

Contracts Manager

Denton has 21 years’ experience in the construction industry in New Zealand and South Africa. Starting out on the tools Denton progressed through Foremen, Site Manager & Project Manager roles with substantial experience in management of self-performing teams on the civil and structural elements of projects. Denton is particularly experienced in the Apartment, Hotel & Retirement Village sector and led the operation of the Jump Form system on the 17 level Antipodean Apartments Project.

Steve More

Steve More

Company Founder

Steve has 41 years’ experience in construction of large scale structures in New Zealand, Australia and Asia. Steve started as a Formworker becoming familiar with most insitu, precast and post tensioned construction techniques before promotion to supervision and management roles. Steve is a co-founder of Highrise Construction and career highlights include Hong Kong Airport, Petronas Towers and PB Com Tower, Manila. Steve has an on-site presence across all Highrise Projects.

Mike Speck

Mike Speck

Company Founder

Mike is a qualified Civil Engineer has 45 years’ experience in multiple roles in civil and building construction in New Zealand and the UK. Mike started his career with the Ministry of Works as a Cadet and progressed through Site Engineering and Project Management roles prior to co-founding Highrise Construction with Steve. Mike undertakes all estimating for Highrise and career highlights includes the Marsden Point Refinery expansion and Precinct Apartments.

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We’re serious about Health & Safety

All Highrise Construction workforce and management are Site Safe accredited.

The majority of the Highrise crew are also Construct Safe accredited and Site Foremen up are Site Safe Gold Card accredited.  Full PPE is utilised by all staff and our overriding Health & Safety focus is on high risk activities such as crane loading, precast placement, working at height.