Emotional night for Mexteds
Steve Mexted almost didn’t make it to the awards and when called on to speak, found himself a few words short.
The 62-year-old’s business Mexted Performance Sports Surfaces achieved a nice double on November 18 - winner of the medium enterprise award and Steve himself being honoured with a community contribution accolade.
‘‘It was very emotional for me, just so unexpected,’’ he said.
‘‘I had a speech prepared in case we won the first one [medium enterprise] but was a bit of a stunned mullet when I got the other one.
‘‘There were so many things I thought of saying afterwards but at least I thanked [wife] Sue straight off, to earn myself some points.’’
There was a chance Mexted wouldn’t make it to the awards after having a procedure in hospital that day. He has end stage renal disease and is in a race against time to find a kidney donor.
‘‘The last year has been hard on the family,’’ Mexted said. ‘‘I’ve pitched in with the business when I can but [son] Cameron has taken over because I’m on dialysis every day.’’
He and Sue are incredibly proud of the thirdgeneration Plimmerton-based business that is nationally recognised as a leader in sports turf design, construction and renovation.
Along with Hagley Oval, the Basin Reserve and Westpac Stadium, the company is responsible for care of the grass under your feet at Porirua Park, Endeavour Park and Ngatitoa Domain, among others.
‘‘Groundsmen and parks staff come and go but we’ve built up years of knowledge and that’s important,’’ Mexted said.
Mexted said it was unlikely there wasn’t a Porirua sportsfield he hadn’t touched and he was satisfied to be involved as Whitby was developed.
Sue said after 40 years they are still looking at ways to improve, but solid relationships and an excellent reputation count for a lot.
‘‘There are still trucks on the road - some things don’t change,’’ she said.
She said Porirua was an ideal place to base a business because of its location and the kinship with, and support from, other Porirua companies.