28/07/2026
28 years.
When people look at Epro, they often see ute’s, traps, bait stations, forests and predator control programmes.
What they don’t always see are the people.
The people walking countless kilometres through some of New Zealand’s toughest terrain. The ones carrying heavy packs up steep hills. The teams setting traplines, checking bait stations, surveying wildlife, planning operations, maintaining equipment, managing logistics, supporting the office, and doing whatever it takes to get the job done safely and to the highest standard.
For 28 years, those people have been the heart of Epro.
As we celebrate our 28th year in business, we’re reminded that none of this would have been possible without the incredible people who have been part of our Epro whānau—both past and present. Every person who has worn an Epro shirt has helped shape who we are today, and every one of them has left their mark on our story.
One thing we’re especially proud of is that Epro has never just been a workplace—it’s a whānau. Over the years, some of our team members have headed off to travel, raise families or pursue new opportunities. While not everyone returns, we’ve been fortunate to welcome back several familiar faces over the years. We think there are few better compliments than someone choosing to come back. It speaks to the culture we’ve built, the friendships formed, and the sense of belonging that makes Epro more than just a place to work.
Each year we hold our Annual Dinner, not just to celebrate another year in business, but to celebrate the people behind it. It’s our chance to say thank you to our team and to the partners and families who support them through the early starts, late finishes, weekends away, and time spent working in some of New Zealand’s most remote places. Your support is a huge part of our success, and we never take it for granted.
As a small token of our appreciation, we also give each of our team members’ partners a gift every year to acknowledge the sacrifices they make alongside us. This year, we were proud to present them with a beautiful handcrafted plate from Quirky Pottery Taupō—a small way of saying thank you for the unwavering support they give our team throughout the year.
The evening is filled with stories, laughter and recognition. We celebrate the people who live our values every day through our annual Values Awards, our Driving Excellence Award and our Health & Safety Award. These awards aren’t just about performance—they recognise character, teamwork, integrity and the way our people look after each other.
One of the most special parts of the night is recognising long service. In a world where people often change jobs every few years, we’re incredibly proud to have a number of staff who continue to reach significant milestones with Epro. This year we’re honoured to celebrate two team members reaching 10 years of service and one remarkable team member achieving an outstanding 25 years of service. These milestones represent years of hard work, loyalty, resilience, friendships and an unwavering commitment to our team, our clients and New Zealand’s environment.
To everyone who has been part of the Epro journey over the past 28 years—whether you were with us for a season or for decades—thank you. You have helped build more than a business. You’ve built a culture, lifelong friendships, a reputation we’re proud of, and a legacy of protecting New Zealand’s native wildlife and forests for generations to come.
Here’s to 28 years of doing the hard work, looking after one another, and making a real difference.
Happy 28th Birthday, Epro. Here’s to the people who made it possible, and to those who will help write the next chapter. 💚💙
