About

Recreation Construction was first established in 2004 by Clint O’Brien, whose background with the Department of Conservation laid the foundation for the company’s early focus on remote, off-grid backcountry construction.

In 2021, the business was taken over by long-time team members Josh Soper and Fergus Watt, who had both been with the company since 2016. With Josh bringing strong expertise in project management and general construction, including farm infrastructure, and Fergus specialising in engineering and structural delivery, the company has continued to expand its capabilities. Today, Recreation Construction offers a comprehensive range of services across farm buildings, civil and general construction, bridge works, and complex remote infrastructure, with a growing focus on North Otago and the surrounding regions.

Our strength lies in trusted partnerships — with clients, consultants, and co-contractors alike. We’re committed to delivering reliable, high-quality infrastructure that supports local communities and contributes positively to the development of New Zealand as a whole.

We’re proud to call this region home and take seriously our role in protecting it. Through smart design and responsible construction practices, we aim to minimise our environmental footprint while delivering projects that create lasting value for future generations.

Core Services

  • Farm Buildings
    Pole sheds, dairy shed upgrades, and custom rural infrastructure.

  • Civil Construction
    Foundations, retaining walls, drainage, culverts, and concrete works.

  • Bridge Construction
    Pedestrian, vehicle, and trail bridges — including design coordination, fabrication, and installation.

  • Remote & Backcountry Projects
    Proven experience with helicopter access, off-grid builds, and environmental sensitivity.

  • General Construction
    Timber and steel framing, structural repairs, concrete pads, and more.

Our Strengths

  • Practical, on-the-ground experience

  • Reliable and adaptable team with wide-ranging trade skills

  • Well-equipped for rural and hard-to-reach locations

  • Strong relationships with local councils, DOC, and private clients

  • Prefabrication capacity to streamline remote or logistically challenging builds

Health & Safety
We take safety seriously — for our team, the public, and the environment. All works are planned with robust safety procedures, and we hold current qualifications including WTR,  working at heights, traffic control, chainsaw operation, and IRATA certification.

Past Clients Include

  • Department of Conservation (DOC)

  • Otago Regional Council

  • Queenstown Lakes District Council

  • Various local farmers, landowners, and community groups