Dempsey Wood donate 20+ tonnes of pipes to Hawkes Bay rebuild
March 7, 2025
In a powerful display of resourcefulness and generosity, 29 brand-new concrete pipes and risers as part of a construction material donation, weighing over 20 tonnes and valued at more than $16,000, was donated from Dempsey Wood Civil to support farmers in Hawke’s Bay as they continue rebuilding after the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023.
The donation, facilitated through Mutu, highlights the impact that surplus construction materials made available for infrastructure rebuild efforts can have when repurposed for community benefit. The pipes, originally left over from a project Dempsey Wood is currently completing, were picked up in Cambridge and transported to Hawke’s Bay with support from a local catchment group, which secured funding for the transport. Dempsey Wood also played a key role in loading and preparing the materials for transport, ensuring they could be put to use where they were needed most.
Mutu CEO Ben Redwood was thrilled they could continue to support the Hawkes Bay rebuild ““This is the second time Mutu has helped support the Hawke’s Bay community with critical materials following Cyclone Gabrielle. When businesses can’t repurpose materials internally using our app, having other avenues like this ensures those resources still find value elsewhere. Donations from awesome companies like Dempsey Wood’s show how construction waste can be transformed into an opportunity for real impact.”
This initiative is another example of how Mutu is helping businesses maximise the value of surplus materials while reducing waste. Instead of these high-quality pipes going unused, they are now playing a crucial role in restoring essential farm infrastructure, supporting flood resilience, and strengthening the community’s recovery efforts.
For farmers in Hawke’s Bay, the donation means access to critical materials without the financial burden of purchasing new supplies. Infrastructure such as culverts, drainage systems, and water management structures are essential for productivity and resilience in the face of extreme weather events as well as rebuilding damaged bridges and stream-crossings that were destroyed in the floods.
Porangahau Catchment Group team member John Kilmister emphasised the importance of these type of donations “The Porangahau Catchment group received our 2nd load of concrete pipes from the great team at Mutu. These pipes are going to be distributed to local farmers in the Porangahau area who have lost major access infrastructure during Cyclone Gabrielle. Our community is so grateful to Mutu for their continued support and facilitation of these donations”.
Dempsey Wood Environmental Manager, Lachlan Ward, who helped facilitate the donation with his team in Cambridge understands why this is important “Sustainability isn’t just about minimising waste, it’s about maximising impact. By working with Mutu, we’re able to ensure that materials like these concrete pipes find a second life where they’re truly needed. It’s a win-win: we reduce our environmental footprint while helping to rebuild critical infrastructure for those who need it most.”
Interested in seeing how much your company could save? Visit mutu.co.nz and start sharing today.