McKay marks 60-year partnership with Channel Infrastructure

McKay said its partnership with Channel Infrastructure at Marsden Point has now spanned more than 60 years, beginning with the initial construction of the refinery in the early 1960s.

The relationship began when the refinery's head contractor faced a shortage of qualified electricians and approached Joe Faithfull for support. McKay, then a small electrical contracting and retail business with about 20 staff, sent 12 electricians to the project.

That commitment assigned most of McKay's electrical workforce to what was then one of New Zealand's biggest industrial developments. McKay said the move helped deliver the refinery and grow its own workforce from 20 to 50 people.

Marsden Point has since shifted from an oil refinery to a fuel import, storage and distribution site. In 2022, the facility stopped refining crude oil and Channel Infrastructure adopted its current operating model as what it describes as New Zealand's largest fuels import terminal.

McKay has remained active at the site as both the facility and the wider petrochemical sector have changed. Its work has included upgrades and maintenance tied to the transition from refining to import and storage operations.

Site changes

The Marsden Point site continues to be repurposed, with projects linked to existing tank infrastructure and former refinery areas. Current and emerging work includes converting former crude oil tanks for jet fuel storage and exploring redevelopment options in decommissioned parts of the site, including potential biofuel-related projects.

McKay continues to maintain an on-site presence at Marsden Point, supporting operations, maintenance and project work. Staffing levels vary according to the needs of ongoing work and individual projects.

Among the projects under way is work connected to a new bitumen import terminal being built at the site for Higgins Contractors. Bitumen was previously produced as a by-product of crude oil refining but is now imported directly following the closure of refining operations.

Training focus

McKay said the shift in industrial operations has been accompanied by tighter compliance and safety requirements for electrical work. In response, electricians working at Channel Infrastructure's Marsden Point site complete a one-week hazardous-area installation course followed by up to six months of theory and practical training.

The company described that investment as necessary for work in an industrial environment that has become more specialised over time. The site's operating model may have changed, but the technical demands of maintaining fuel infrastructure remain significant.

Channel Infrastructure's operations team said the long relationship has provided continuity on a complex industrial site. Familiarity with the site and retained knowledge of its systems have remained important as infrastructure has been adapted for new uses.

"McKay's are a core partner for us, and we couldn't have built the strong business we have today without their support and involvement. They are world-class at what they do, and their long-term association and familiarity with our site makes them a key strategic partner for us," said Jack Stewart, General Manager - Operations, Channel Infrastructure.

The history of the relationship also reflects a broader industrial shift in New Zealand. What began as support for a domestic oil refining project has become ongoing electrical and engineering work at a fuel import terminal that plays a central role in the country's supply chain.

For McKay, Marsden Point has been one of the longest-running client relationships in its business. The work has spanned the refinery's original build, later expansion, operational changes and the transition to a commercial model centred on fuel imports and storage.

The site remains one of the country's most prominent industrial locations, and McKay said its role there continues through daily maintenance work as well as capital projects tied to Channel Infrastructure's redevelopment of former refining assets.