Kaikohe Plunket’s Shaded Transformation

When the team at the Kaikohe Plunket Centre reached out, their outdoor deck had one major problem — it was simply too hot to use. In summer, the surface became dangerously scorching under the Northland sun, limiting how and when the space could be enjoyed.

The brief wasn’t just about adding shade. The Centre’s manager had a vision — an ‘Arabian Nights’ inspired feature that would feel vibrant, layered and visually exciting, while still being practical and safe for tamariki and whānau.

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For Overlapping Sails, One Cohesive Design

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To bring that vision to life, we designed and installed four overlapping shade sails, each approximately 32sqm, carefully positioned to create layered height and movement across the deck.

By keeping each sail under 50sqm while overlapping them strategically, we achieved generous coverage across the 125sqm area without compromising structural integrity or visual appeal. The varying sail heights create a dynamic, floating effect — giving the space personality while delivering serious sun protection.

Finished in Plunket’s brand colours using durable Monotec 370 fabric, the result is bold, bright and unmistakably theirs.

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Tricky Access? No Problem

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This project came with its fair share of challenges. Site access was extremely tight — just 1200mm wide — leaving no room for a standard digger. To make things even tighter, the stand-behind dingo we used measured 1150mm wide. That gave us a slim 50mm clearance to work with.

Add in root-filled ground conditions and strict 1m boundary clearances for post placement, and precision became critical.

With careful planning and the right equipment, we excavated safely and positioned six 139mm galvanised steel posts exactly where they needed to be. Tight access didn’t slow us down — it simply required smart problem-solving and an experienced crew.

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Engineered for Strength and Longevity

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The sails are tensioned from the building out to the steel posts, using multiple eyelet attachment points to create the layered effect. On the apex side of the building, we installed rope track under the soffit, mounted securely to 145x40mm timber beams.

Lower sail edges were secured using custom roof brackets fixed into the corrugated iron roofing — ensuring long-term durability in Northland’s coastal conditions.

Every connection point, post footing and fixing detail was engineered to meet commercial standards while maintaining the clean, flowing aesthetic the client was after.

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Full Service - From Concept to Completion

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One of the advantages of working with Shadeland is our true end-to-end approach.

For the Kaikohe Plunket Centre, we managed everything:

• Concept design and visual planning
• Engineering and post layout
• Steel post supply and installation
• Sail manufacturing
• Full commercial installation

From first sketch to final tensioning, our team handled it all — ensuring consistency, accountability and a seamless process for the client.

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A Cooler, Safer Space for Kaikohe Whānau

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The transformation speaks for itself. What was once an unusable, overheated deck is now a shaded oasis — safe for children, welcoming for families, and a genuine feature of the Centre.

The overlapping four-sail design not only maximises coverage, it elevates the entire look of the building. Practical, playful and built to last.

The Plunket team were ecstatic with the result — and we have to admit, projects like this are why we love what we do.

If you’re looking to transform a challenging outdoor space — even one with tight access — we’re always up for the challenge.

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