Kate and whānau hit the ground running

AFTER 20 years away from Wairoa, Kate Maddock and whānau have hit the ground running.  

 “My kids love this lifestyle”, says Kate, who is Quality Roading and Services’s new workshop administrator.   

 “We wanted our kids to have the same upbringing we did, with whānau, marae, and a sense of belonging.” 

 Kate and her partner Warren Puha returned to Wairoa in 2021 after a decade spent working and living in Australia. Kate worked for international company Lift Shop across many of its divisions, and Warren was a construction company project manager.  

Kate’s two sons aged seven and five have slipped easily into Wairoa community life and love the hunting and diving opportunities on offer. “Wairoa from Sydney was a drastic change, but they are very outdoorsy. That’s why we wanted to bring them home.” 

Kate grew up in Wairoa and went to Wairoa College. Later, while attending Waikato University, Kate played netball for Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic under the guidance of current New Zealand Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua. Kate still runs and works out, and this year was selected to take part in the Wairoa Boxing Club Fight for Life fundraiser. 

“I’m super fit but that was the longest six minutes of my life!” laughs Kate. As well as testing her endurance, the experience also offered a way to meet new people.  

 “What’s amazing is the environment they create at the boxing gym. It doesn’t matter what walk of life you come from or what game you come from there is a big sense of unity. Everyone was supportive and encouraging, and you had some good laughs.” 

 QRS welcomes Kate Maddock to the team.  

15 May 2023

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