Whanganui tree removal business not stumped by growing workload

Mitchell Metekingi, with Leeanne and Kerry Davies, clearing stumps from a Whanganui East front garden. Photo / Bevan Conley

There is no tree or stump too big or small for a Whanganui business to remove, including a tall Norfolk Pine tree.

Stumpies Services is a family business owned by Kerry and Leeanne Davies, and this week they have removed the lofty pine along with a grove of smaller trees from a Whanganui East front yard.

"The Norfolk Pine was about 20m high," Kerry said.

"We had to hire a cherry picker for that one."

Once all the trees had been felled the couple were busy removing the stumps with the help of their new employee Mitchell Metekingi, who was taken on through Workbridge Whanganui three months ago.

"I know Workbridge refers good people who always turn up, so they were my first port of call when we wanted to take on another employee," Kerry said.

"I'm an amputee myself so I know disabilities are no barrier to working hard."

Metekingi said he enjoyed the variety of his work with Stumpies and knowing that each day brought new challenges and triumphs.

"I worked as a shearer until I broke my shoulder," he said.

The Davies started the business when they moved to Whanganui from Auckland seven years ago and thought they could put their stump grinder to good use.

'We started from zero," Kerry said.

"I knew people in Whanganui probably needed a service. I'm not an arborist but I come from a farming background and I wasn't scared of stumps. But we had no idea what the demand would be."

Leeanne helps out her husband on the job as well as doing all the administration work for the company.

"I really enjoy the variety and enjoy using the equipment as well but we did need an extra pair of hands," she said.

"The weather causes delays of course so jobs can back up."

The Davies have purchased more equipment, which all has to be maintained, and the team is using a specially adapted ride-on mower with a blade attachment.

"Steve, at Riverside Mowers & Machinery, put that together for us," Kerry said.

"We always use local businesses and it's great to be able to support each other."

The business has been built up by word-of-mouth as customers make recommendations and Leeanne said the business took pride in leaving no mess behind when the work was completed.

"A lot of our customers are retired," Kerry said.

"They might be asset-rich but they are often income-poor, so we make sure our services are affordable for anyone who needs them."

Workbridge employment consultant Jan Lawton said it had been great to find Stumpies a good match in Metekingi.

"We had a couple of other people interested but Mitch was the best fit for this job," she said.