Last night’s BA5 was proudly hosted by Rangitīkei Hire Centre, and what a fantastic insight it was into a growing local business that has well and truly filled a gap in our district.
What began as hiring equipment out to mates quickly turned into something more. Seeing a need in the community, they made the call to open a dedicated hire centre in Marton. Starting small with trailers and compact equipment, they steadily built their range – including a significant investment at Stihl in Palmerston North (and a memorable introduction to “big city” retail security!).
Today, they offer an impressive 640 different individual hire items. The smallest? A battery-powered secateur. The largest? A 30-tonne excavator. From little diggers to portaloos, they’ve worked hard to cater for everyone. In fact, 150 people used their portable shower setup recently at a horse trek near Taihape – proof that you never quite know where hire gear might end up.
While they initially thought commercial clients would be their main income stream, it’s actually the general public that has driven much of their success. Their subscription-based model reflects a practical mindset – if you only need something occasionally, why buy it when you can hire it? It’s a smart solution for both households and trades.
Like any hire operation, there are plenty of outgoings and constant reinvestment required. Policy cover with insurance has been interesting, and upgrading gear is the next step. As they put it, you can’t have everything – but they’re proud to offer items that even some hire centres in Palmerston North and Whanganui don’t stock.
They’ve delivered as far as Taihape and, thanks to social media and word of mouth, regularly serve customers from Feilding and beyond. A key part of their success has been balancing commercial opportunity with community care – being mindful not to compete with commercial customers when their customers may not have the skills to operate certain equipment, and always taking a practical, honest approach to hiring.
The Mayor acknowledged the incredible benefit the business has brought to the district, highlighting the strong support shown from both town and country. From helping with the Christmas parade to responding to community needs, they’ve embedded themselves as more than just a business – they’re part of the fabric of Rangitīkei.
It’s a great example of seeing a need, backing yourself, and building something that truly serves the community.
A big thank you to Rangitīkei Hire Centre for hosting and for sharing their journey with us.
Thank you to everyone who attended, including Mayor Andy Watson and RDC Councillors, and the Rangitīkei District Council for sponsoring this event.
