Height is an Auckland consultancy which helps businesses in buying and selling major projects.
Founded and led by Warner who is of Ngāti Porou descent, the company provides tendering and procurement advice on complex contracts – as well as business strategy, risk management and innovation.
Height is very aligned to the vision Poutama has for Māori businesses. It is a market leader in its field, with a strategic function in one of NZ’s powerhouse sectors – construction and infrastructure – where there are few Māori-led players.
Warner is an entrepreneur who gave up his job as a senior manager at Downer to pursue an opportunity he spotted in the market in 2013. At the time his wife was expecting their second child, so the leap into business ownership was not without its personal risks.
But, helped by Warner’s professional reputation, the company soon built up a loyal client base who value the unique insights and commitment from Height’s consultants.
Essentially Warner understood that there was a need to create better quality contracts between Government and other agencies – who were buying road, rail, water, power infrastructure, and other major projects and services – and the contractors bidding for the work.
“By clearly costing and identifying the risks and opportunities on both sides, you end up with sustainable contracts that deliver works that people need when they need them. Through our client work we found we were offering practical advice on overall business strategy and direction. So we have branched out into other areas such as innovation strategy, and we now offer a suite of training and workshop products.”
Height is a business with a strong values base.
“With my Māori ancestry and values, I try to bring a holistic perspective of balancing the hard with the soft, and a keen set of ears to understand and appreciate others’ views. Our company values are built around integrity, delivery, agility, and a ‘one team’ culture.’”
This year Warner presented on the new Te Wānanga O Aotearoa-led business accelerator programme Kōkiri, speaking to emerging Māori entrepeneurs.
Other Māori economy projects Height has contributed to are the Parihaka Marae Master Plan and the development of the Māori Responsiveness Plan for NZTA and Auckland Transport, as well as supporting key Māori sectors such as honey.
Height is also experienced in uniquely Māori engineering solutions.
“For example, with the Auckland Council stormwater function, we applied the Mauri model of decision-making. So with issues like clearing weeds near waterways, increased weighting was applied to the harm spray pollutants would cause to fish and eels, which have social, cultural and environmental significance – rather than simply applying economic cost-benefit analysis.”
