1. School Testimonials

Auckland Grammar School is a split level 45-acre site located in central Auckland.  The School has a number of staff houses and a 120 student Hostel onsite.

The School has 3 natural grass football fields, 2 natural grass rugby fields, 3 natural grass cricket blocks, 4 artificial tennis courts, 2 artificial basketball courts, 1 water based hockey turf, an artificial rugby field and extensive gardens, trees and ancillary lawn areas.

Turftech were originally contracted to handle the major renovations of the natural grass fields bi-annually. Other infrastructural turf based project work has been completed by Turftech including new irrigation, sand carpet replacement and new cricket blocks.

When our very experienced Head Groundsman was preparing to retire from his position at Northcote College in late 2013 he knew how difficult it would be to find the right replacement for him and suggested we outsource. He did some research and proposals were received from three companies who worked in schools. Turftech had successfully completed a drainage upgrade project on our lower fields in 2012 and had proven their sports field expertise. We outsourced the management of our four sportsfields and grounds department to Turftech from the start of the 2014 year. The existing grounds assistant was employed by them. It was a seamless transition and their two staff are part of the college team. The property staff help when more hands are required and conversely, they help out when caretaking requires it. It started as a one year trial which we renewed without hesitation and are very happy that they’re still here.

Their proven expertise in sports field management has meant that the school can rely on Turftech to just do what needs to be done and programme it in according to the school and seasonal calendar while we sit back, get on with our own jobs and enjoy the feedback from visiting sports teams on what great condition the fields are in – even after a very wet summer and winter. Their staff get on with the job including keeping all the school grounds clean and maintained, gardens planted, rubbish bins emptied, fences kept in good repair, drains cleared of leaves and blockages etc. The school board can rely on their expertise in planning for future grounds works and Turftech also give input into school funded grounds department budgets. We don’t have to worry about grounds staffing. When their staff moved on to follow their dreams Turftech handled the recruitment and training of the new team and ensured we had temp staff until the permanent guys were able to start.

I am confident that Turftech as a company has the expertise we can tap into for any grounds or sports field projects. They attend site meetings with the school’s project manager and Ministry of Education property team to ensure the school’s long term and best interests are foremost on the agenda. We have regular meetings and updates so we all know what’s going on.

I am very happy to recommend them for their professional service looking after the college grounds.

Friederike Cannan
Executive Officer
04 September 2023

It has been a pleasure to work with Aaron and Turftech for a number of years. They have been providing the spring and autumn refurbishment of the sports fields at King’s College over this time. Their advice and workmanship has always been first class. Their equipment Is always maintained to the highest level which I think assists their work.

Early 2011 King’s College entered dialogue with Turftech regarding a proposal to completely refurbish a significant area of our sports fields, 2 rugby fields and 1 soccer field. These fields had provided very poor playing conditions winter and summer for a number of years.

It was agreed that Turftech would drain the fields using their Topdrain system and equipment, install a thin sand carpet and then plant Kikuyu as the warm season grass species and Rye grass as the cool season. This work was carried out from October through to February. The College took Turftech’s recommendation and did not use these fields until June. Since June these fields have been used most days of the week in some instances a number of games have been played on a field. During the winter there has never been a sign of mud or any deterioration of the grass sward. It has been quite remarkable to see how well the Topdrain system has worked. We are now looking at entering this summer cricket season without any repairs or serious maintenance on these fields.

I have no hesitation in complimenting Turftech on the work that they have carried out at King’s College and look forward to the ongoing relationship.