For almost 150 years the Mackersey family has played a prominent role in the history of Hawke’s Bay, originally as farmers and nowadays as builders and property developers.
The family’s involvement with the Bay dates back to 1871 when Charles Lindsay Mackersey arrived from Australia. He initially bought almost 6000ha near Waipukurau, which he farmed until 1904 before buying the 2800ha Hawkston Station near Puketitiri, northwest of Napier.
Six generations later, David Mackersey controls the building and development business, which has evolved from JC Mackersey Ltd, the construction business founded in 1948 by his late father John. He established a reputation as an excellent businessman whose word was his bond and concluded negotiations with a handshake.
Rebranded as MCL Construction, and with Mackersey reducing his shareholding to just over a third, the company has left an indelible mark on the district, with landmark buildings for the Hastings District Council, the BNZ and Westpac banks, the Takapau Freezing Works and Mangaroa Prison. Current major projects include the $16 million Hastings Police Station and a $25m community health and sports centre.
Having taken over the management of MCL when his father retired in 1989, David Mackersey chose a different path in 2003 when he formed Mackersey Development as a standalone property development and management company, with the aim of providing a ‘one-stop shop’ for clients. Based in Havelock North, the company owns an extensive portfolio of industrial and commercial properties valued at more than $70m including Napier’s $6m Navigate Seaside Hotel complex.
The most significant recent development has been the $25m Porters Hotel and Village Exchange built on the old Happy Tav site. Having identified a gap in the accommodation market for upmarket visitors, the 42-room, five-star hotel was a joint venture with fellow Rich Lister Andy Lowe and leases commercial office space in addition to managing a shopping precinct.
Passionate and positive about the future, Mackersey told a local publication that most of his properties were fully leased and there were significant opportunities going forward. “We tend to lag behind some of the other areas such as Auckland and Tauranga, so there are still growth opportunities as we catch up.”
A staunch Bay supporter, he has been quoted as saying: “I don’t invest outside Hawke’s Bay.” However, he has strayed into the Waikato with a 25% interest in Waharoa Park, near Matamata. Collectively valued at around $10m, 11 vacant commercial and industrial sections covering around 15ha are being sold by a joint venture, which includes Neil Craig of Craigs Investment Partners.
While daughters Annah and Caroline serve on the Mackersey Development board, his second wife Jane has her own business in Ribbonwood Cottages, which offers accommodation including The Loveshack on a 3ha property in the foothills of Te Mata Peak. On a mission to rebuild Havelock North’s reputation after the 2016 campylobacter water crisis, she drove to Wellington with fellow members of the Havelock North Business Association proclaiming that “no one can underestimate how hard our village has worked, with so much commitment and positivity, to rebuild our brand and promote Havelock North as a fantastic place for people to visit.”
MCL Construction has supported many community groups over the years including the Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter and the Waimarama Surf Club. And in 2015 the Mackersey Family Trust pledged $250,000 over five years to the Hawke’s Bay Foundation. The new cricket pavilion at the revamped Havelock North Village Green has also been named the Mackersey Family Pavilion following the family’s $150,000 contribution to the project.
Photo: Otago Daily Times