Wayne Bishop announced as Mayoral Hall of Fame - Horowhenua laureate
Wayne Bishop was announced as the 2024 Mayoral Hall of Fame recipient at the Electra Business and Innovation Awards held on Thursday 10th October which was held at the Horowhenua Events Centre.
Wayne Bishop stands as one of Horowhenua’s most prodigious developers, embodying the spirit of a local boy who made good.
His roots run deep in Ōhau, where he grew up on a dairy farm, attended Ōhau School, built his own home, and developed one of his crowning achievements, the Speldhurst Country Estate lifestyle village. Wayne’s remarkable vision for the district has been instrumental in transforming it, fulfilling much of its potential.
Building is in Wayne’s blood, with his grandfather being a plasterer and great uncles being bricklayers. He left school in 1988 to apprentice with Ross Crowe Builders. After qualifying, Wayne established his own business and has only ever since worked for himself.
Though a builder by trade, Wayne possesses a keen eye for design. Travelling to Wellington, he designed and constructed over a hundred apartments in the capital city. His first retirement village development, Rosewood Park on Queenwood Road, Levin, showcased his appetite to multi-unit lifestyle housing.
A dedicated member of the Salvation Army, Wayne serves on its corps council as part of the leadership team. He attributes his moral compass to the organisation. Alongside his wife, Bridget, they contributed to numerous initiatives. They partnered with the Salvation Army Social Housing (SASH) to build its social housing development in Levin that will shortly provide 52 families homes, a community hall, an outdoor community area including a children's playground, basketball court and orchard.
Wayne’s public service extends to his tenure as a four-term district councillor, starting from a by-election win in 2011 on a growth-oriented platform. He was a vocal advocate for the district’s economic development and growth. He was known for his vigorous advocacy, respect for process, meticulous preparation, and global perspective, Wayne also served one term as deputy mayor.
The Wayne Bishop Group has achieved significant nationally recognised milestones, including being a Deloitte Fast 50 company and in 2024 was ranked the 10th busiest building company in the entire country. The company and its subsidiaries employ over 200 staff, making it Levin’s third-largest employer. Speldhurst Country Estate is the company’s largest development to date, with 450 houses and more in the pipeline, including a new three-story, 144-serviced apartment block and a 100 hospital beds, slated for completion by 2027.
Wayne’s unpretentious demeanour, combined with his great vision and personable nature, has earned him widespread respect. His incredible generosity is often understated, reflecting his focus on community and development rather than personal accolades. Wayne’s bold decision to transform the derelict Kimberly Hospital site into Speldhurst Country Estate exemplifies his courage and long-term vision, achieving a 25-year plan in under 10 years.
Beyond Speldhurst, Wayne is upgrading Tatum Park into an events and wedding centre, featuring luxury accommodations and facilities to host 200 plus people. He currently has land and plans for 1000 more homes to go into the Horowhenua - it’s likely that number will grow!
The Wayne Bishop Group continues to expand, with divisions in landscaping, cleaning, plumbing, joinery, flooring, scaffolding, painting, design/architecture, transportable homes, frame and truss, structural steel, civils and more.
His commitment to the building industry is evident in his support for other builders and the numerous apprentices he mentors. Wayne Bishop is the personification of self-confidence, vision, and belief in oneself. His journey from a local boy to a major developer underscores his significant contributions to Horowhenua, making him a true asset to the business and community members of the district.
Ruth Pretty was the Kapiti Hall of Fame recipient presented by Janet Holborow.
Photo : Mayor Bernie Wanden with Wayne Bishop Photo credit : Captured by Friday
Photo : Vicki Timpson THCL
Beyond Speldhurst, Wayne is upgrading Tatum Park into an events and wedding centre, featuring luxury accommodations and facilities to host 200 plus people. The centre opens on 25th October 2024 to the public. The restaurant also caters for Devonshire's teas and high teas in the homestead and there is a menu for the Jamboree Pavilion.
