Founded in 2021 with environmental and social guardianship at its core, Kenai stands out in civil construction. They don't just talk about sustainability - they measure carbon impacts on every project, partner meaningfully with mana whenua, and consistently leave the environment better than they found it. "We just want to do better," their team told us, a refreshingly simple philosophy that drives everything from their science-based emissions targets to their community partnerships. In an industry where green claims often run shallow, Kenai's commitment runs deep. We are  proud to spotlight a business that's redefining what success looks like in construction.

Every company has a story worth telling. At Kenai, yours seems to be built on foundations deeper than concrete. Could you share what sparked Kenai’s journey and the values that have become your cornerstone? Kenai was founded in 2021 with a belief that civil construction can be more than pipes and pavement - it can actively restore the environment and strengthen people and place. Our cornerstone values have stayed consistent from day one:

• Guardianship of land and waters – every project must leave the whenua and waterways in better health than when we arrived.
• Partnership with community and mana whenua – we succeed when we work alongside local people, respect cultural heritage, and create opportunities for rangatahi.
• Integrity and transparency – we build trust the same way we build infrastructure: one solid layer at a time.
• Innovation for a zero-carbon future – we measure our footprint, set science-based targets, and keep trialling new ways to cut emissions and waste.
• It really boils down to we just want to do better. When we put this lens over our decisions of what we want to build and invest in, it becomes no brainer for us.

When you look at the environmental initiatives you’ve implemented, which has created the most meaningful impact, and how do you measure that success? Our biggest impact so far comes from embedding carbon measurement and reduction into every project. Through our Toitū carbon certification and a science-based targets, we track emissions and design work methods that measurably reduce our footprint. This drive better outcomes for projects through simple things like, less waste to landfill leading to less traffic movements in the community and reduced costs for the client.

How has working with Chris from Little Brown Duck enhanced your environmental initiatives and business practices? Chris brings deep expertise in the water–energy–climate space and challenges us to lift our game. He’s helped us sharpen our ESG strategy, integrate green-finance thinking, and adopt more robust monitoring. His guidance means our initiatives are not just good intentions - they’re backed by credible science and transparent reporting that helps lead the industry. 

Want to contact Chris from Little Brown Duck? Reach out to him via LinkedIn.

If one of your clients were sitting here instead of you, how do you think they’d describe the experience of working with Kenai? What moments would they highlight? They’d probably say we’re refreshingly easy to work with - professional without the red tape. Clients often highlight our collaborative style: we turn up early to understand the brief, stay responsive when conditions change, and own the outcome and stay transparent from start to finish.

As one of your suppliers, we are always seeking to align with our partners’ values. How does Kenai evaluate potential suppliers against your ESG criteria? What qualities make a supplier stand out? We look for partners who align with our values. It’s really non-negotiable. That means transparent health & safety practices, a commitment to work with us for low-impact operations, and a commitment to fair employment. Suppliers stand out when they bring innovative ideas and of course simple and proactive communication that helps us reduce waste and rework.

If resources were unlimited and constraints disappeared tomorrow, what transformative sustainability initiative would you implement across the civil construction sector in Aotearoa? We’d roll out a national programme to transition to renewable energy for heavy construction plant and trucks, backed by renewable-energy hubs on every major infrastructure corridor. Decarbonising the industrial machinery is the toughest challenge from a productivity and cost point of view. However, cracking this would slash the sector’s emissions almost overnight - while creating a stronger, cleaner industry for the next generation.

Want to reach out to Kenai? Contact Caleb Male here.