Whangarei Engineering and Construction Limited (WECO)
DescriptionIn 1962, Whangarei Engineering Limited split into four wholly owned subsidiaries: Whangarei Engineering Motors Ltd, Whangarei Engineering Refrigeration Co. Ltd, Whangarei Diesel and Precision Engineering Ltd and Whangarei Engineering and Construction (WECO).
WECO continued Whangarei Engineering's ship building and marine engineering work.
A 34,000-square-foot building was constructed at Port Road for WECO in 1963.
In the 1960s, WECO constructed and installed plant and equipment at the Pilkington Glassworks in Whangarei.
Portland Cement Works expanded in 1964 and WECO supplied 90 men at the peak of this work. For some time, WECO had been one of the largest employers in Whangarei. Their workforce consisted of specialized boilermakers, marine engineers, structural metal fabricators, shipwrights, electrical technicians, and administrative staff.
In the early 1970s an American consortium, the Dillingham Corporation, bought a 57% controlling interest in the company.
From 1964 to 1975, at least 52 vessels were built by WECO, including 17 tugs for nine harbours, trawlers, barges, dredges, passenger boats, pleasure craft and fishing boats, etc.
In 1978, they won the contract to build two Royal New Zealand Navy survey ships.
Also in 1978, they began to build a replica of the Bounty for use in movie productions, and this was launched in 1979.
In 1982, WECO signed a contract to build 4 naval training ships.
For some time, they had been New Zealand's largest ship builder.
In 1984, a New Zealand consortium bought back the Dillingham Corporation's 57% controlling interest in WECO.
WECO won the contract for a major conversion project of Portland Cement Works in 1987. But in 1989, WECO was in receivership and 150 jobs were lost.
In its 27 years of operation, WECO employed thousands of Whangarei workers. Many of their vessels are still in operation.
The expertise gained by its employees lives on in today's skilled workers in the engineering industry of New Zealand.
WECO continued Whangarei Engineering's ship building and marine engineering work.
A 34,000-square-foot building was constructed at Port Road for WECO in 1963.
In the 1960s, WECO constructed and installed plant and equipment at the Pilkington Glassworks in Whangarei.
Portland Cement Works expanded in 1964 and WECO supplied 90 men at the peak of this work. For some time, WECO had been one of the largest employers in Whangarei. Their workforce consisted of specialized boilermakers, marine engineers, structural metal fabricators, shipwrights, electrical technicians, and administrative staff.
In the early 1970s an American consortium, the Dillingham Corporation, bought a 57% controlling interest in the company.
From 1964 to 1975, at least 52 vessels were built by WECO, including 17 tugs for nine harbours, trawlers, barges, dredges, passenger boats, pleasure craft and fishing boats, etc.
In 1978, they won the contract to build two Royal New Zealand Navy survey ships.
Also in 1978, they began to build a replica of the Bounty for use in movie productions, and this was launched in 1979.
In 1982, WECO signed a contract to build 4 naval training ships.
For some time, they had been New Zealand's largest ship builder.
In 1984, a New Zealand consortium bought back the Dillingham Corporation's 57% controlling interest in WECO.
WECO won the contract for a major conversion project of Portland Cement Works in 1987. But in 1989, WECO was in receivership and 150 jobs were lost.
In its 27 years of operation, WECO employed thousands of Whangarei workers. Many of their vessels are still in operation.
The expertise gained by its employees lives on in today's skilled workers in the engineering industry of New Zealand.
Known Date(s)
Date Established1962Date Ceased1989
Date Ceased1989Further Information
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Whangarei Engineering and Construction Limited (WECO). Northland Room Digital Collections, accessed 13/11/2026, https://wdc.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/5615
