Welcoming PAE New Zealand to the Switched On Group Whānau

Kā te Rama Switched On Group has signed a Sales and Purchase Agreement with PAE New Zealand.

As a respected leader in commercial facilities and asset management, PAE NZ will bring valuable expertise that will strengthen and expand our Group's capabilities. This strategic acquisition will build on our established strengths in construction and social housing facilities management, supporting Switched On Group’s aspiration to be national leaders in comprehensive, end-to-end facilities management solutions. At this stage, the timing for welcoming PAE NZ to the Group is forecasted to be the end of June.


Stronger Together: A Shared Vision for Aotearoa

“Bringing PAE NZ’s legacy, capability and solid track record alongside our Group’s 40-plus years in construction and social infrastructure will help us build partnerships with a range of property owners who need a total facilities management solution. This acquisition aligns with our Group’s vision of enhancing people’s environments across Aotearoa,” says Board Chair Paul Rogers, Ngāti Porou ki Hauraki.

The purchase will enable Switched On Group to extend its reach and have a larger impact on whānau, businesses, and communities with the ability to service a wider client base across the residential, commercial and government property sectors.

“Our Group has operated in community housing facilities management for more than 40 years, complemented by construction services such as fit-outs, refurbishments, and new builds. Coming together with PAE NZ will mean we can offer full facilities management, asset management, and maintenance across sectors, while maintaining the local service focus that both our organisations value," says Group Chief Executive Chris Hughes.


A New Chapter for PAE NZ
Becoming part of Kā te Rama Switched On Group will represent an exciting new chapter for PAE NZ. Previously owned by global corporations, the acquisition will represent a change to 100% New Zealand shareholding for PAE NZ, which has been New Zealand led and operated for more than 30 years.

Local whānau and iwi ownership, which is forecasted to take effect in late June, is a strategic move to grow the business further nationally, while maintaining delivery of longstanding mahi for kiwi clients such as the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), Fonterra, University of Auckland, Contact Energy, PGG Wrightson, and DB Breweries.

“Our commitment to our clients and service delivery remains unchanged, but we can now collaborate nationally with a Group that shares our local focus on excellence in facilities and asset management, and maintenance. We are stronger together, and combining creates a one-of-a-kind, kiwi-owned, comprehensive facilities management provider for New Zealand,” says PAE NZ Chief Executive Chris Pile.

About Kā te Rama Switched On Group
Kā te Rama Switched On Group is a whānau and iwi-owned construction and facilities management business, founded by the Hughes family in Christchurch in the 1980s. The Group has deep roots in social housing and has grown to deliver construction, fit-outs, refurbishments, new builds, and maintenance services across Aotearoa. In 2021, Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira became shareholders, making the Group majority Māori-owned and Amotai registered.

About PAE New Zealand
PAE NZ is a commercial facilities and asset management specialist, established in 1991. With a legacy of long-term partnerships, including with the New Zealand Defence Force, the company manages over 4,000 buildings and completes more than 230,000 maintenance jobs annually.

More: www.pae.co.nz