Meet the Team
Shane O'Brien
Colspec Founder
Shane O’Brien founded Colspec on 1 April 1980, leading and growing the company for over three decades, during which time, establishing itself as one of the Manawatū region’s most trusted and respected construction firms. His unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, and reliability laid the foundation for the reputation Colspec continues to uphold today.
Shane dedicated his entire career to extracting the most out of every day, which stems from a generation that worked long hours, burning the candle at both ends (a testament to surviving three global recessions during his ownership). In addition to running Colspec, he served on multiple community and school boards during his time in the industry, ensuring he gave back to the community that gave so much to him.
In 2017, Shane transitioned leadership to his son, Hamish, ensuring continuity of his vision and the preservation of the family values at the heart of the business. The culture Shane created, built on trust, quality, personal responsibility and professionalism, remains deeply embedded in our operations and people.
Sadly, Shane passed away in March 2025 (far too early), leaving behind a lasting legacy that continues to inspire our team and guide our work every day. His influence is woven into the fabric of Colspec, and his values live on in every project we deliver.
Hamish O'Brien
Managing Director
(Dip. Quantity Surveying)
Hamish O’Brien is the Managing Director of Colspec, bringing two decades of experience and leadership to the business. He joined the company early in 2006 as a Cadet Quantity Surveyor, following some hands-on site experience, and progressed through every level of the organisation, from labourer into senior leadership and finally into ownership. His deep understanding of both practical construction and commercial management underpins his approach to leading the company today.
As second-generation leader, Hamish carries forward the legacy established by his father, Colspec founder Shane O’Brien. He continues to uphold the company’s longstanding values of quality, integrity, and innovation, while guiding its strategic direction and growth. His responsibilities span business governance, project procurement, financial oversight, operational performance, team development, and quality assurance.
Under Hamish’s leadership, Colspec continues to strengthen its reputation for reliability, craftsmanship, strong team culture, innovation through efficient systems and collaborative delivery. His focus on strong client relationships, sustainable growth, and excellence in execution ensures the business remains a trusted construction partner across the Manawatū region and beyond.
Email: hamish@colspec.co.nz
Client Testimonials
“Having worked with Colspec on our previous project back in 2020, there was no hesitation in going anywhere else when we decided to expand our operations and build a second larger premises in 2023/24. We decided to use Colspec again because of their professional project management and the high-quality focus of their buildings. Colspec worked with us to ensure the build was completed to meet our deliverables and I confidently recommend Colspec Construction to other companies that are seeking reliable and high-quality construction services from start to finish. Their professionalism and commitment to delivering high quality projects makes them the right choice for any project. ”
“Colspec met the challenge and provided the features and quality finish we desired, met deadlines, and kept us well informed throughout the whole renovation process. Their post-completion support was excellent as well. We’d use these guys again without hesitation.”
“Colspec recently completed a new Early Childcare Centre for us in Palmerston North and we were extremely impressed throughout the project. The team at Colspec listened to what we wanted to achieve and carefully explained how that would be delivered. They kept us up to date throughout the project and delivered a very cost effective and impressive build.
We highly recommend Colspec as an efficient, reliable and astute building company who we will most certainly be using again.”
“We used Colspec Construction to design and build our regional warehouse/retail showroom spaces in Palmerston North and Hamilton. Throughout the process Shane, Hamish, and the team were excellent to deal with. Colspec will be the first construction company we think of when planning our next project.”
Dan Giles
Construction Manager
(L5 Certificate in Main Contract Supervision) (Trade Certificate)
Dan has been an integral part of Colspec for over 20 years. A carpenter by trade, he brings a wealth of experience and a meticulous approach to every project he manages. His leadership and ability to oversee multiple complex projects simultaneously make him an invaluable member of our team.
Working closely with Hamish, Dan plays a key role in managing the day-to-day operations of our site crews and is actively involved in HR, relationship management, and risk mitigation, ensuring projects run smoothly and to the highest standards.
Dan’s responsibilities include site management, health and safety compliance, staff and subcontractor coordination, and project programming and is passionate about maintaining and promoting Colspec’s company culture.
Thorough, dedicated, and committed to excellence, Dan sets the benchmark for quality and professionalism across all our projects.
Email: dan.colspec@gmail.com
Gareth Andrews
Construction Manager
(L5 Certificate in Main Contract Supervision) (Trade Certificate)
Gareth joined Colspec in 2014, bringing exceptional skill as a carpenter and a proven ability to deliver outstanding results on some of our largest and most complex projects. His leadership and talent for getting the best out of his teams make him a key asset to the organisation.
Working alongside Hamish and Dan, Gareth helps manage the day-to-day operations of our site crews and is actively involved in HR, relationship management, and risk mitigation. He also leads our social club, creating opportunities for the team to connect outside of work.
His responsibilities include site management, health and safety compliance, staff and subcontractor coordination, and project programming. Gareth is passionate about wellbeing and maintaining Colspec’s culture and morale, bringing energy and commitment to every project.
Email: gareth.colspec@gmail.com
Steve Hirst
Technical / Health & Safety Manager
(Advanced Trade Certificate)
Affectionately known as “The Oracle” around the office, Steve is the go-to person for any “how-to” advice. With over 40 years in the building industry and more than four decades at Colspec, his knowledge and experience are second to none.
Steve’s role covers a wide range of responsibilities, including project, staff, and office management, health and safety, quantity surveying, programming, and subcontractor coordination. His ability to combine technical expertise with practical solutions ensures that projects run efficiently and meet the highest standards.
Steve’s commitment to excellence and his dedication to Colspec’s values have played a major role in shaping the company’s success and culture over the years.
Email: steve@colspec.co.nz
Andrew West
Quantity Surveyor
(BSc) (Dip. Quantity Surveying)
Andrew joined Colspec in 2017 and has since completed his Diploma in Quantity Surveying. As part of our senior management team, he combines technical expertise with a strong focus on collaboration, building trusted relationships with clients, subcontractors, and colleagues.
His role includes quantity surveying, project and contract management, tender oversight, and subcontractor coordination. Andrew’s attention to detail and commitment to quality ensure every project meets Colspec’s high standards.
Email: andrew@colspec.co.nz
Laurence Hayden
Quantity Surveyor
(Dip. Quantity Surveying)
Laurence joined the Colspec team in 2019 and has completed his Diploma in Quantity Surveying.
A mixture of a people and numbers person, Laurence is as much at home on site working through project items as he is pricing tenders and variations.
Laurence’s role involves pricing of estimates, tenders and variations; as well as all things project management from progress reports to value engineering.
Email: laurence@colspec.co.nz
Michelle Stevenson
Accounts Manager
Michelle joined Colspec in October 2023 and plays a key role in keeping our operations running smoothly. She manages financial accounts, invoicing, and payments in collaboration with our off-site accountant, ensuring accuracy and efficiency across all processes.
Her responsibilities include overseeing the day-to-day running of the office, liaising with clients, staff, and subcontractors, as well as managing accounts and payroll. Michelle’s organisational skills and attention to detail make her an essential part of the team, supporting both our projects and people behind the scenes.
Email: accounts@colspec.co.nz
Laura Martin
Contracts Admin
Laura joined Colspec in 2023, bringing many years of experience in the construction industry. She works closely with every member of the team to ensure projects are delivered to the consistently high standards Colspec is known for.
Her role includes managing tenders and contracts, overseeing office operations, and liaising with clients, subcontractors, and staff. Laura’s organisational skills and collaborative approach make her an integral part of our team.
Email: contractsadmin@colspec.co.nz
