Recognising 2024 Supplier of the Year

When Stronghold Group was announced as the Amotai Supplier of the Year, it marked a milestone not just for the business, but for the communities they represent and uplift every day. 

Founded in 2020 by husband-and-wife team Quincy and Karalee Tangiau, Stronghold is a Māori and Pasifika-owned construction company that has grown rapidly, and purposefully, with a deep commitment to supplier diversity, whānau empowerment, and excellence in the building industry. 

This case study reflects the standout achievements and values that earned Stronghold their award last year, celebrating their journey, growth, and the legacy they’re continuing to build. 

Built on purpose 

Stronghold Group began as a vision grounded in lived experience. Quincy left school at sixteen to pursue carpentry through the Māori Pasifika Trades Training scholarship programme.  He went on to become trade qualified and thriving in the building industry. Karalee brought strong business acumen from 20 years in the education sector and a passion for creating opportunities for others. Together, they merged their strengths to establish Stronghold Group, a company as focused on community as it is on construction. 

At the time of their award submission, their business had grown from 12 to over 60 staff, 80% of whom were Māori or Pasifika, and including 8 rangatahi apprentices. From major commercial builds to marae upgrades, Stronghold has made its mark across Aotearoa. But what sets them apart is their vision: to leave every worker, client, and collaborator better off: with more skills, more confidence, and stronger cultural pride. 

Strategic growth, cultural integrity 

Their 2024 application highlighted extraordinary growth. During the award period they had achieved placements on four key government and institutional construction panels, secured contracts with eight Amotai buyers, and increased revenue by more than 300% in one financial year. Their sights weren’t just set on business growth, but also on reshaping procurement systems to open doors for other Māori and Pasifika businesses. 

Stronghold actively mentors and prequalifies Amotai suppliers to join their supply chain, and even proposed a co-designed procurement approach to bring more diverse suppliers into tier-one opportunities. Their influence is already rippling out: in one year alone, they worked with 26 Amotai suppliers and subcontracted more than 50 Māori and Pasifika sole traders. 

Leading with Amotai values 

What impressed the awards judges, was the way Stronghold embodied the spirit of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, mana motuhake, and kairangatira. Their office became a community hub post-COVID, welcoming small Māori and Pasifika businesses. They supported subcontractors through the industry downturn, ensuring teams could stay working with minimal margin. And when awarded a marae rebuild project despite not being the lowest tenderer, their deep understanding of tikanga and cultural respect stood out. 

From sponsoring local league teams to providing budgeting and pastoral care for staff, Stronghold centres its operations around community and cultural wellbeing. Their Matariki celebrations, where the entire whānau is acknowledged and appreciated, reflect a holistic and inclusive approach to leadership. 

A ripple effect in action 

Stronghold’s impact is perhaps best captured through the story of the triplet brothers, taken in when their employer folded, housed and trained by the Tangiaus, and now qualified builders and business owners in their own right. Or through the Paetawhiti project, a partnership with Ama Civil and Ama Training, where Stronghold helped NEET rangatahi gain work experience, life skills, and a pathway to home ownership. 

What the win has meant for Stronghold Group 

While this story reflects their success last year, the impact of winning Amotai Supplier of the Year continues to be felt across Stronghold Group. As Karalee explains, the award became both a recognition of their kaupapa and a powerful accelerator for growth. 

“It validated our commitment to excellence, tikanga Māori, and supplier diversity, giving assurance to procurement leads and Tier 1 contractors that we are a trusted, capable, and values-driven main contractor,” says Karalee. Since winning, Stronghold has seen an increase in procurement enquiries, secured new government and kaupapa Māori contracts, and been invited into further capability programmes, including Air New Zealand’s Ka Rere accelerator. 

The award helped cement Stronghold’s reputation as a leader among Māori and Pasifika suppliers in construction. It has amplified their voice in supplier diversity conversations and encouraged them to strengthen their internal systems, training pathways, and sustainability practices. 

Stronghold team celebrating at the Awards

As Stronghold continues to grow, Quincy is quick to acknowledge those who helped him along the way.  

“We wouldn’t be where we are today without the people who believed in us early on.  I want to acknowledge my mentors: Bernard Te Paa from BCITO, Bob Hawke from Ōrākei Marae, and Mike Atkins from Tauran Construction.  Their guidance gave me the confidence to back myself, and now we try to pass that same support on to others.”  

Karalee also honours the wāhine toa who shaped her leadership journey: Evie O’Brien, Tui Ah Loo, Rangimarie Hunia, and Jilly Tyler.“These women exemplified servant leadership—lifting others through education, care, and unwavering belief in our potential. Their influence taught me that true leadership is about service, not status.” 

ENDS.