Trigger Project 1
Eden Park turf replacement
Trigger Project 2
NZ Campus of Innovation and Sport (NZCIS) - New sand-carpet fields
Trigger Project 3
Ngā Puna Wai, Community Fields, laser levelling, primary and secondary drainage
Trigger Project 4
Maidstone Park sand-carpet redevelopment
Trigger Project 5
​Hagley Oval, construction of new wicket and outfield
Trigger Project 6
Fraser Park #1, Taita, Lower Hutt – survey, design, irrigation, drainage and sand carpet
Auckland
2021
$600,000
The Eden Park Trust
Content Project 1

Eden Park turf replacement

After 17 years of history, the decision was made to replace the hallowed turf of  Eden Park’s Number One field.
Mexteds’ Operations team removed the old turf and prepared the surface ready for the rollout of the new HG Hero Eden Park Edition turf.
Mexteds was also involved in the initial survey, design work, and using our automated machine control on the project.
Throughout the process industry best practice was followed, with excavators removing the old surface to minimise the amount of waste material.
Cameron Mexted says, “We removed the old Motz turf while minimising the removal  of clean sand beneath it – this was a big consideration throughout our planning and execution of the works.”
We then 3D levelled the subgrade to mimic the final design levels, before importing around 800 tonnes of new sand.  The new sand was then 3D-levelled, combined into the underlying sand and consolidated.
“Everyone worked together very well to overcome a number of challenges that come with a project of this significance”, says Cameron.
Farewelling our previous turf and welcoming HG Hero Eden Park Edition has been a project years in the making. With many logistics, equipment and contractors required, it has been a collaborative effort to ensure we deliver the best possible outcome for New Zealand’s national stadium.”  Blair Christiansen, Turf Manager, Eden Park.
Upper Hutt​
2021/2022​
$4.5 million
NZCIS
Content Project 2

NZ Campus of Innovation and Sport (NZCIS) - New sand-carpet field

The stunning NZ Campus of Innovation and Sport in Trentham is home to the Hurricanes, Phoenix and Lions.

This $100 million, world-class complex includes four new sand carpet fields built by Mexted Sports Turf, who began work on the site in November 2021, following subgrade preparations by Multi Civil Contractors.

Mexteds spent months raising the level of the surface by spreading 11,750 cubic metres of imported topsoil, giving a 270mm soil layer into which the drainage and irrigation pipes were laid, avoiding rocky subgrade material.  Mexteds’ construction team then laid an 80mm layer of drainage metal, followed by 130mm of turf sand mixed with biochar. The final layer was 100mm of sand to form a seed bed for the sports turf ryegrass.

The irrigation system is controlled by the latest in Rain Bird technology, an LX IVM Pro Irrigation controller with 40 watering programs, and the water is stored in two 25,000 litre buried concrete tanks, filled by a Lowara submersible pump.
​
On completion of the first three fields, Mexteds began stitching the high-use areas with our SISGrass™ Universal machine, while the #1 field will be fully-stitched. 
“Mexteds have been really easy to deal with – good communication and delivering a world-class solution and something that is pretty unique, being a privately-owned facility.”  Jamie Tout, NZCIS Director
Christchurch​
2018
$300,000​
HEB Construction​
Content Project 3

​Ngā Puna Wai, Community Fields, laser levelling, primary and secondary drainage

​The Ngā Puna Wai sports hub is a major Christchurch development to replace athletics, hockey, tennis and rugby facilities lost in the Canterbury earthquakes.
Mexteds won the contract to build two community fields and two rugby league fields for head contractor, HEB Construction.
In March 2018 we began work on the two community fields. We laser levelled the sub-grade before installing 4,000 metres of primary drains, followed by 20,000 metres of secondary sand-slit drainage, using our twin-wheeled trencher. We then spread and laser-levelled 100mm of turf sand before grassing, fertilising and managing the grow-in.
The community fields were successfully handed over to the Christchurch City Council in October.
“To provide an advantage with our tender we desired a sub-contractor that was at the leading edge of sports turf innovation and one that would provide a product for the client that was completed to a higher standard and quicker than our competitors. From the tender submissions received, the decision to partner with Mexteds on Ngā Puna Wai was a no brainer.

From day one they challenged the specifications, they put proposals forward to change specified installation methods, which has resulted in saving the client time and money. These turfs were successfully handed over to the client on time, which was challenging with a winter grow-in period.  The client was extremely impressed with the quality of the completed product handed to them.”
​- Bryce Moir, Senior Project Manager, HEB Construction Limited
Upper Hutt
2019
$2.1 million
Upper Hutt City Council
Content Project 4

Maidstone Park sand-carpet redevelopmen

Mexted Sports Turf undertook the construction of new playing fields at Maidstone Park in Upper Hutt for the Upper Hutt City Council in 2019. This was a large, 4-hectare site, which was upgraded to a full sand-carpet, premier venue.

Maidstone Park was a large challenging site with a seam of river boulders running through it, which meant excavating areas to install drainage, in place of trenching.

Our work included surveying, cut-to-fill, laser levelling, the installation of primary drainage and secondary sand-slits, a full irrigation system, sand-carpeting, seeding and fertilizing.

Mexteds also managed the grow-in phase and continues to maintain this facility through our comprehensive maintenance contract with Upper Hutt City Council for all its sports parks.
​
Maidstone Park is now a major asset for Upper Hutt City Council. During the ‘Game of Three Halves’ between the Hurricanes, Blues and Chiefs, Upper Hutt Mayor, Wayne Guppy, commented:
"I know the Hurricanes personnel were impressed with the quality of the pitch and enjoyed working with the team on co-ordination of the event. I was super proud."
Christchurch​
2014
$960,000​
Christchurch City Council​
Content Project 5

​Hagley Oval, construction of new wicket and outfield

​Mexteds successfully tendered to construct a new international wicket block and outfield at Hagley Oval ahead of the International Cricket World Cup in 2015.
The first stage involved installing 350 metres of collector drains and 2,250 metres of lateral drains to receive the water from secondary sandslits in the outfield. 
At the same time we removed five existing first class wicket blocks and built a new 11 strip wicket. 
Andrew Rutledge, the technical expert project manager, designed the innovative inverted oval saucer profile, with gradual falls in all directions from the cricket block to the outfield. 
Using 3D modelling and our TotalStation system, the required heights were programmed into our Fendt tractors to achieve the perfect grades.
Mexteds also installed the irrigation system, before grassing the new wicket and outfield and managing the grow-in.
These images tell the story of how Mexteds carried out the project
This redevelopment continues to deliver top results, with Hagley Park being named 'International Pitch of the Year' four times in the last five years by New Zealand Cricket.
​“Huge credit has to go to Steve [Mexted], Andrew [Rutledge] and Rupert [Bool] who have led this project professionally, passionately and expertly.”  Lee Germon, former chief executive, Canterbury Cricket.
“Mexteds managed the challenges well and modified their methodology to suit the local environs, without a compromise to quality.”  
- Andrew Rutledge
Lower Hutt​
2021
$400k
Hutt City Council
Content Project 6

Fraser Park #1, Taita, Lower Hutt – survey, design, irrigation, drainage and sand carpet

Mexteds was engaged by Hutt City Council to convert Fraser Park’s #1 soil-based field, with no drainage or irrigation, into a top grade, sand carpet field with primary and secondary drainage and a fully-automated irrigation system.

Mexteds surveyed the area to come up with the best design to fit in with existing grass wicket heights, outfields and hard surfaces.

Looking for sustainable solutions, Mexteds power-harrowed 100mm to cultivate the surface and win soil on site. We also recycled 550 cubic metres of sand from the resurfacing of the Basin Reserve in Wellington, blending it into the existing material.

We installed 180m of collector drains and 960m of primary lateral drains, with trenches dug by an excavator due to underlying river boulders.

Our Irrigation Manager designed and installed a fully-automated Rain Bird decoder irrigation system, sharing trenches with the primary drains.
​
9,600m of secondary sandslit drains were then installed, before spreading a 50mm sand carpet layer, laser levelling to the finished grade, sowing and fertilising.
​“The drainage Mexteds have put in is pretty incredible. Immediately we have seen the effects of the primary drainage, but we also know we can make it better with the secondary drainage. We’re getting very good feedback from users of the park.” 
– Mark Hammond, Parks Officer, Kāpiti Coast District Council