Included in your FBA membership. This event is for Family Business Members and Advisor Members.
Get an inside look inside two family businesses who are masters in their sectors: Parks Towing, New Zealand's largest towing specialist who turned 100 years old in 2025 and Kennards Hire, 3rd Generation family business who is know as New Zealand's largest family-owned equipment hire company.
Go behind the scenes of both businesses and hear their family business stories first-hand.
Parks Towing was founded in 1925 by Matthew Park, who sold his funeral undertaking business to pursue his lifelong passion for trucks. The business has grown substantially over the years and expanded across the South Island and into the lower North Island. Offering services in heavy recovery, engineering, linehaul transport, fleet servicing, Hiab and machinery transport, secure vehicle storage, and complete automotive repairs. Stuart Gerring, General Manager, who will discuss leadership, the business's growth through acquisitions and its 100-year legacy.
Kennards Hire began in Bathurst, Australia in 1948 as a small family-run machinery business founded by Walter Kennard and has grown into one of Australasia’s largest privately owned equipment hire companies, expanding across Australia and into New Zealand while remaining family-owned through multiple generations. Hear from Richard White, General Manager, Kennards Hire in New Zealand who will speak to the leadership within a multigenerational family business and the importance of long-term customer and community relationships across the trans-Tasman market.
What to expect:
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Facility Tour: Go behind the scenes on a tour of Parks Towing yard and Kennards Hire faciltities, to see their operations.
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Expansion: Learn how both businesses have expanded over the last 70-100 years and handled new acquisitions and growth.
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Legacy: Hear the story of how each family have continued the legacy started generations prior.
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Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow family business owners and industry peers, share experiences, and build valuable relationships that can support your business's future growth.
Meet Parks Towing & Kennards Hire
Parks Towing is a family-owned towing and transport specialist passionate about delivering reliable heavy recovery and transport solutions across New Zealand. They are New Zealand's largest towing specialist, celebrating 100 years of operation in 2025. Their team is dedicated to providing comprehensive services including heavy recovery, engineering, linehaul transport, fleet servicing, machinery transport, secure vehicle storage, and complete automotive repairs.
Kennards Hire provides equipment hire solutions for construction, trade, industrial, infrastructure and DIY projects, offering everything from earthmoving machinery and access equipment to generators, pumps, tools and specialised site solutions across Australia and New Zealand. Since expanding into New Zealand in 2012, Kennards Hire has grown its trans-Tasman presence from its Australian family business roots established in 1948, building a strong reputation across both countries for quality equipment hire, customer service, safety, and long-term investment in people and communities.
Why Come Along?
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Gain exclusive insights into the operations of successful family businesses.
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Learn first-hand from the people behind the business about their opportunities and challenges.
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Expand your network within the FBA community and enjoy a relaxed environment for learning, sharing, and connecting.
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Find inspiration and practical ideas for your own business.
Event Details
This event is being held at Park Towing & then networking at Kennards Hire, Lower Hutt, Wellington facilities
Please arrive promptly at 4:30pm at Park Towing for a yard tour and enjoy networking, a panel discussion accross the road at Kennards Hire.
If you have any questions, need assistance with registration, or require support on the day, please contact Nicole Pluck at Npluck@familybusiness.org.nz. Alternatively, you can reach FBA's Office by calling 0800 249 357.
