Our Team
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.
It is the people, it is the people, it is the people.
At Xcel, attitude is everything. We recruit on values, which ensures high levels of staff retention. Our whānau centric culture is underpinned by our Māori heritage and cultural values:
Tāngata – My Experience Matters
- My workforce is my lived experience, we can support others in their construction journey.
Tikanga – Customs
- The mana whenua of Xcel is recognised and meaningfully involved at a strategic level in service planning and or development
- Concepts that are important to Xcel, such as whakapapa, tikanga and kawa, are woven into our service delivery.
Whānau – In Partnership
- When support systems are well informed and actively involved, operations work better
- Our team are competent in what they do and are helpful, caring and kind
- Our workforce mirrors the community they work within
- We have strong links with local, regional, and national systems, facilitating a seamless building experience
- Your journey is unique to you and we will work hand in hand to support your vision.
Our work enables us to make a meaningful difference for our iwi, hapū and the community. We create apprenticeships and employment opportunities that see individuals and whānau grow and thrive.
Our Team
Our team includes Licensed Building Practitioners (LBP’s) apprentices, labourers and carvers who are supported by an experienced management team with operational, health and safety and leadership experience. Xcel works closely with the Ministry of Social Development to put all our apprentices through on-site training to enable them to work towards becoming LBPs and qualified builders.
Asher Nikora
Founder & Managing Director
Qualifications
Certificate in Company Direction, NZIM Certificate in Project Management
Iwi
Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu
Asher has a background in public sector and economic development. His passion for helping others led him to seek a career that generates tangible benefits for the community. His 30 years’ experience in organisations such as the Department of Labour, WINZ, Community Employment Group, the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) and Pererika Building Construction, helped Asher centre his passion – to develop Māori trades training and opportunities in the building industry.
In 2014, Asher established Xcel – a social enterprise aimed at developing the heart and hub of Māori communities: the marae. His fluency in te reo and tikanga Māori facilitates the competent use of Māori protocols and practices in all Xcel’s projects. Asher is also a trustee at Ngāhina marae and has connections with wider iwi groups including Ngāti Porou, Kahungungu and Tuhoe.
Chaye Nikora
Operations Manager
Qualifications
National Certificate in Carpentry, in training to become a Licensed Building Practitioner, Certified Digger, Plant Operators Licenses, First Aid Certificate
Iwi
Ngāti Awa, Whānau Apanui, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu
Chaye was born in Whakatane and grew up in Te Kōhanga before moving to Rotorua for schooling. He completed his building qualification and is due to become a Licensed Building Practitioner in 2023. He is also an experienced digger and plant operator. Prior to his role at Xcel, Chaye lived in Australia working mainly on scaffolding projects. Since joining us in 2014, he has been responsible for ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget and to specification.
He works across different sites, managing H&S compliance and operations, and weekly catch ups with builders for equipment, logistics, materials. Chaye supervises 20-22 staff and oversees all subcontractors. He has honed his management skills as Provincial Growth Fund Crew Liaison and is driven by his passion to help the communities around him; the hapū, the iwi (people).
Shane Wilson
Licensed Building Practitioner
Qualifications
LBP and Qualified Builder
Iwi
Ngāpuhi
Having started his foray into the building and construction industry in 1999, Shane possesses a wide array of building experience. From factories and fish farms to concrete buildings, residential housing and even the largest sound stage in the Southern Hemisphere (for the filming of Peter Jackson’s King Kong),
Shane has worked on projects throughout the country. He enjoys the diverse challenges that come with building different projects. Meeting ngā hapū at each site makes it more personal for Shane and he looks forward to delivering quality buildings that will be enjoyed for the next 50 years.
Melody Wilson
Office Manager
Qualifications
Diploma in Business, Diploma in Administration, Trades Certificate in Typing
Iwi
Ngāti Awa, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu
Melody has held a variety of administrative roles across numerous sectors for the past four decades. Her experience spans from Post Mistress at the New Zealand Post Office, Executive Officer at the Minginui Forest Primary School and Awhina High School to Contracts Administrator with the Lakes DHB.
She found her calling as an Office Manager at Tumahaurangi Trust (also known as Construction Trade Training Unit (CTTU)), a position she held for 18 years. Melody’s knowledge of the building sector stems from her experience with housing projects at CTTU.
She possesses a solid understanding of training requirements and brings experience in systems, administration, contract work and office management. As Office Manager, Melody organises and coordinates office administration and procedures to ensure organisational effectiveness, efficiency, safety, and job certainty.
Melody is responsible for managing off-site communication, streamlining administrative procedures, inventory control, office staff supervision, and task delegation.
Subcontractors
With many years of delivering building projects in the Bay of Plenty region, Xcel has a wide network of key suppliers and subcontractors to help deliver our projects.
The trusted relationships held with these organisations provide certainty of delivery and performance to our clients – we know the right people to use to get the job done right, first time. Our supplier and subcontracting network includes:
- Concrete Suppliers
- Fire Safety Engineers
- Drain Layers & Plumbers
- Electricians
- Plasterers
- Marae carvers
- Architects
- Gas Fitters
- Painters
- Roofers
Why use Xcel Builders?
Xcel Builders is a Māori owned and operated building company with a strong community focus alongside high quality project delivery.
We attribute our success to the strength of the relationships we have built in the Bay of Plenty region. Our strong relationship focus extends to our project partners from engineers and architects to subcontractors. This enables us to provide a one-stop shop service that is defined by cohesive delivery, open communication, no surprises and value for money.