After more than 30 years as Nelmac, the company has officially rebranded to Kūmānu, focusing on environmental services.
In March, Nelmac lost the long-held Nelson City Council parks, reserves and open spaces contract. The contract, which it had managed for nearly three decades, was awarded to out-of-town provider Green by Nature.
While the company said at the time it did not expect a long-term detrimental financial impact, the loss of the city’s largest open spaces contract prompted what leaders describe as a sharpened strategic focus. The rebrand to Kūmānu reflects that new direction and the intention to consolidate, modernise and strengthen its integrated environmental services model.
Kūmānu chief executive Lindsay Coll says the company brings together landscape architects, ecologists, biodiversity specialists, water technicians, field personnel and project managers under a single vision – Big Nature Thinking.
“It’s a statement that reflects who we are today – designers and doers working together with purpose,” Lindsay says. “Our communities rely on resilient water services, thriving biodiversity and well-designed spaces, and this refreshed direction strengthens our ability to deliver that.”
Several parts of the organisation previously operated under both the Nelmac and Kūmānu Environmental names. Lindsay says unifying under one brand will add value for customers and clarify the company’s repositioning as it adapts to a changing market.
Kūmānu employs more than 200 staff across the region and delivers services spanning mountains to coastline, including built environments, three waters, commercial landscapes, ecological restoration and biosecurity. It is wholly owned by Nelson City Council and was originally established as a council-controlled trading organisation. The name Kūmānu – gifted in 2018 – means “to care for and nurture”, reflecting its commitment to people, communities and the environment.
Despite the loss of the Nelson open spaces contract, Kūmānu continues to hold major agreements across the Top of the South, including open spaces contracts with Tasman District Council and Marlborough District Council, and operation of Nelson City Council’s three waters network. The organisation has also grown its presence in Marlborough through several new landscaping contracts.
The announcement of the new single name was made at a function in Stoke last Thursday night.
