Smith Crane & Construction Ltd

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Smith Crane & Construction Ltd SCC is NZ's leading Crane Hire company providing innovative lifting & construction services. 24hr Phone 0800 622 545

The Heavy Lifter Has Arrived!The mighty Liebherr LTM1500 (500t) has arrived at our Christchurch yard! We believe it’s th...
15/10/2026

The Heavy Lifter Has Arrived!

The mighty Liebherr LTM1500 (500t) has arrived at our Christchurch yard! We believe it’s the largest mobile crane ever to set foot in the South Island.

Since being imported in March 2026, this powerhouse has proven to be an exceptional addition to our fleet, delivering across a range of major projects nationwide.

From Northland to Southland, Smith Crane & Construction has played a key role in recent windfarm construction across New Zealand and remains a trusted partner for all windfarm construction and maintenance. We’re also a preferred supplier for maintenance lifting for New Zealand’s renewable energy generators and OEM turbine suppliers.

Recent projects include:
• Kaiwaikawe Windfarm construction in Northland
• Data centre lifting in Auckland
• Tower crane er****on and removals at Auckland Airport and Hawke’s Bay Prison
• Bridge beam placement on the Ōtaki to Levin Expressway

With experience across wind energy, data centres, bridges and major crane projects, this versatile machine is proving its worth across a wide range of lifting operations.

Our fleet is the largest in New Zealand by a significant margin and features many of the country’s biggest cranes, including top-tier All-Terrain, Lattice Crawler, Tele Crawler, Pick & Carry, Luffing tower, Flat top tower, and Hammerhead tower cranes.

What’s next for the giant?

Over the coming days, it’ll be handling heavy locomotive lifts for KiwiRail at Lyttelton Port before heading further south for critical maintenance work at Kaiwera Windfarm in Southland.

Proudly keeping New Zealand moving, lifting and building.

The Liebherr 200 EC-B Tower Crane is now installed and operational at the Mistry Centre, Hamilton’s tallest building, wh...
09/10/2026

The Liebherr 200 EC-B Tower Crane is now installed and operational at the Mistry Centre, Hamilton’s tallest building, which is undergoing a $100 million retrofit to transform the 18-level building into a luxury hotel.

Getting the tower crane into position took some serious lifting power of its own.

Our Grove GMK6400 with fixed fly jib provided the supporting lift, working alongside our team to safely assemble, install and commission the tower crane.

A big shoutout to our temporary works engineers, fabricators and rigging crew for designing, fabricating and installing the specialist grillage and support system.

The grillage carries the tower crane load from podium level down through the ground floor, basement 1 and basement 2, transferring the load safely into the subgrade. The tower ties connect directly into the building structure, further supporting the crane while reducing the need for additional temporary foundations.

It’s a complex temporary works solution that required careful engineering, planning and ex*****on.

Mistry Centre Ltd chose Smith Cranes based on our proven track record of delivering complex lifting projects safely and reliably. Over the past 10 years, we’ve delivered more than 300 tower crane projects across New Zealand, with more than 100 installations and dismantles in some years.

With 70 plus tower cranes and more than 200 cranes overall, including some of the largest flattop, luffing jib and hammerhead tower cranes in the country, we have the scale and experience to take on some of New Zealand’s most demanding lifts.

We operate some of the largest cranes in almost every major category and class in New Zealand, including 1,000-tonne crawler cranes and 500-tonne mobile cranes, putting us at the forefront of the heavy lifting industry.

Thank you to Mistry Centre Ltd for trusting Smith Crane & Construction with this project.

Good engineering. Good planning. Good people.

That’s what it takes to get tricky installations safely over the line.

Great work Silver Team.

Five modules, up to 23T on the hook, and plenty of planning behind the scenes.We’re proud to be working alongside Southb...
01/10/2026

Five modules, up to 23T on the hook, and plenty of planning behind the scenes.

We’re proud to be working alongside Southbase Construction at Hanley’s Farm Primary School, with our Queenstown and Christchurch Smith Cranes teams joining forces to deliver the lifts.

The Queenstown crew supplied the cranage for the ground-floor prefabricated wall panels, some up to 15m long and weighing 3.5T, followed by the precast flat slabs weighing up to 12.9T, using our Liebherr LTM1130.

The five modules and prefabricated panels were manufactured by VIP Frames & Trusses at their Christchurch yard, where our Christchurch team completed a test lift using the LTM1160. This allowed the team to confirm the accurate weights of the modules and rigging gear and fine-tune the rigging plan before heading to site.

The modules were then transported by VIP to a laydown yard in Queenstown, ready for the final stage of the job. Smith Cranes House Haulage also stepped in to transport one of the modules.

The LTM1130 was then back on site over the school holidays to install all five modules. Each module weighed around 19 - 20T, with the total lifting weight coming in at approximately 22 - 23T including rigging and hooks.

A great example of Smith Cranes working together from planning and test lifts through to transport and the final installation.

That’s a wrap on the 2026 NZ Wind Energy Summit! Held at the Pullman Hotel in Auckland from 14 - 16 September, the Summi...
22/09/2026

That’s a wrap on the 2026 NZ Wind Energy Summit!

Held at the Pullman Hotel in Auckland from 14 - 16 September, the Summit brought together 270 attendees, 36 speakers and 89 companies, all focused on one big question: how do we accelerate wind farm growth to meet New Zealand’s future energy needs?

For us, it was a great opportunity to connect with others across the industry and hear what’s ahead for wind in New Zealand - from consenting and grid connections through to supply chains, investment and most importantly, getting projects delivered on the ground.

With more wind projects coming into the pipeline, there’s a huge amount of work that goes into making them happen - skilled people, specialist equipment, cranes, heavy haulage and experienced contractors all playing their part.

We also had a bit of fun at our stand with a competition to win a Liebherr model crane.

Congratulations to Samuel Ng from Meridian Energy, who was the lucky winner!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our stand, entered the competition and had a chat with the Smith Crane and Construction team. Great to be part of the conversation and to see the momentum building across New Zealand’s wind energy sector.

The steel is climbing fast in Dunedin!Watch our epic video of one of our tower cranes being set up on the Dunedin Inpati...
15/09/2026

The steel is climbing fast in Dunedin!

Watch our epic video of one of our tower cranes being set up on the Dunedin Inpatient Hospital site below.

All three tower cranes are working hard, installing structural steel with columns already reaching three levels high. The team is now gearing up for the first concrete floor pour in early October.

For the next 9 to 12 months, it’s all about steel as the building continues to rise and the new hospital really starts to take shape.

And what about that slightly rusty-looking steel on site? Nothing to worry about. The steel will later receive a sprayed fireproof protective coating, so the surface rust you see now is all part of the process.

With a crew of seven on site, our team is keeping the steel moving and the structure climbing.

And there’s plenty more height to come. When complete, the new hospital will reach up to 12 levels in some areas.

Big steel, serious scale and plenty more progress still to come.

A big thanks to our client, CPB Contractors, for their continued support.

Thanks to Reframed Media for the awesome video.

Heroes with Heart.On or around 6 August, our Tower Crane team was dismantling a large Terex Tower Crane at a project in ...
08/09/2026

Heroes with Heart.

On or around 6 August, our Tower Crane team was dismantling a large Terex Tower Crane at a project in Ellerslie, Auckland.

Led by Tower Crane Operations Manager Gilbert Fraser, the team included Kayden Bourke, Scott Carlaw, Jury Pahau, Edmond Navarro, Mason Laurenson-Peters, Albert Durham and Tipene Pukeroa.

As the team prepared to lift a boom section using our 400-tonne mobile crane, Gilbert, working at the top of the tower, suddenly experienced severe back pain.

The team soon discovered Gilbert was suffering a major heart attack and dissected aorta.

The crew immediately recognised something was seriously wrong and called for medical assistance. While emergency services were contacted, they safely managed the crane operation, reconnected the boom section to the tower crane and released the mobile crane so a personnel cage could be prepared to recover Gilbert.

Despite the challenging operation, the crew remained calm, focused and worked together to safely secure Gilbert in the cage and lower him to the ground.

He was transported to a medical centre in the back of a ute, where he was assessed and treated while an ambulance was on its way. He was then transferred by ambulance for further emergency treatment.

Gilbert has since undergone major surgery and remains in hospital recovering.

We are incredibly proud of our team. Their quick thinking, training, procedures and emergency plans played a critical role in getting Gilbert the help he needed when every second counted.

Gilbert still has a long road to recovery and is likely to remain in hospital for some time.

Throughout this difficult time, the generosity of our staff and others who wanted to help has been incredible. Together, our staff have raised more than $10,000, which Smith Crane and Construction has matched dollar-for-dollar, bringing the total to more than $20,000 to support Gilbert and his whānau.

We also thank our client, Simplicity Living, for their understanding, compassion and support, which allowed our team to focus on Gilbert and our people.

To everyone who has donated, supported Gilbert or helped in any way - thank you.

This is what it means to be part of the Silver Family.

Smith Crane and Construction is proud to have worked alongside HEB Construction on the Bledisloe North Wharf project - a...
04/09/2026

Smith Crane and Construction is proud to have worked alongside HEB Construction on the Bledisloe North Wharf project - a major Port of Auckland waterfront development delivering a new cruise terminal capable of accommodating vessels up to 350 metres long and improving access for larger cruise ships and Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) vessels.

Delivered under the Government’s fast-track process, the project will be completed in just two years and involved a significant marine construction programme, including 242 heavy-duty piles, 313 precast concrete deck panels and thousands of cubic metres of concrete.

Smith Crane and Construction played a key role in the project’s heavy lifting operations, successfully completing numerous lifts, including a 76-tonne lift using our Liebherr LR1300 SX crawler crane, to position temporary works that enabled piling and rock revetment construction.

The project also showcased the scale of Smith Crane and Construction’s specialist fleet, including:

• Demag CC2800 - 600T crawler crane with superlift and 90m main boom
• SCC4000 - 400T crawler crane with 60m main boom
• Liebherr LR1300 - 300T crawler crane with superlift and 68m boom
• Liebherr LR1280 - 280T crawler crane with 58m boom
• 150T SPMT for specialist heavy transport (Self-Propelled Modular Trailer)
• Mobile steel-decked precast manufacturing beds for panels up to 55T

Another complex project successfully supported by our team, showcasing the equipment, expertise and heavy-lifting capability that puts Smith Crane and Construction at the forefront of New Zealand’s heavy lifting industry.

A huge congratulations to Latham Bruce, Crane Operator with Smith Crane and Construction, on being nominated “Subbie of ...
26/08/2026

A huge congratulations to Latham Bruce, Crane Operator with Smith Crane and Construction, on being nominated “Subbie of the Month” at the Waipapa Site with Naylor Love.

Latham is a great example of the professionalism and attitude we value. He’s approachable, flexible, works well with everyone on site and is always willing to help wherever he can.

And clearly, he’s made an impression! When the feedback is simply, “That crane guy is so nice,” you know you’re doing something right!

It’s fantastic to see Latham recognised for the positive contribution he makes on site and the relationships he has built with the wider project team.

Well done, Latham - a very well-deserved recognition!

Latham is one half of the two-person lifting team working on the Waipapa Hospital project, alongside a Smith Cranes Rigger. Naylor Love is the main contractor delivering the third ward tower (Tower 3) at the east end of the Waipapa building.

With construction taking place within the active Christchurch Hospital campus, careful planning, coordination and communication are essential to keep the project moving while minimising disruption to hospital operations.

The team is operating a Liebherr LTM1090-4.1, currently configured in full fly, with Latham at the controls and his Rigger working alongside him to safely and efficiently manage the lifting operations in this challenging and highly controlled environment.

A fantastic achievement for Latham and a great reflection of the professionalism and teamwork of our crew on site.

Following a locomotive breakdown at the historic Arthur's Pass Rail Siding, Smith Crane and Construction was proud to as...
05/08/2026

Following a locomotive breakdown at the historic Arthur's Pass Rail Siding, Smith Crane and Construction was proud to assist with the replacement of an 18-tonne bogie, helping return the 105-tonne locomotive to service on New Zealand's legendary Midland Line.

Completed in 1923, the Midland Line is one of New Zealand's greatest engineering achievements, stretching 223 km through the Southern Alps and home to the world-famous TranzAlpine.

With road access restrictions ruling out larger cranes, our team utilised the M1200 Crawler, LTM 1090-4.2 and LTM 1090-4.1, along with an inverted lifting beam, to safely support the locomotive while the bogie was replaced. Through careful planning, technical expertise and a strong commitment to safety, the lift was completed with precision and efficiency.

Working on such an iconic piece of New Zealand's rail history was a privilege.

For more than 50 years, Smith Crane and Construction and our predecessor, J.C. Smith Contractors, established by Tim Smith's father, John C. Smith, have proudly supported KiwiRail and its legacy organisations with specialist lifting, bridge replacements, emergency bridge repairs and civil works across New Zealand.

We're incredibly proud of this long-standing partnership and thank KiwiRail for their continued trust.

We look forward to helping keep New Zealand's rail network moving for generations to come.

Smith Crane & Construction Supporting Stage One of Waihao North Bridge.Another 8 pre-cast hollowcore beams have departed...
31/05/2026

Smith Crane & Construction Supporting Stage One of Waihao North Bridge.

Another 8 pre-cast hollowcore beams have departed the yard for Stage One of the Waihao North Bridge replacement project for HEB Construction.

Each beam measures over 24 metres long and weighs approximately 34 tonnes, with a total of 32 beams required for the bridge - adding up to more than 1,088 tonnes, transported by the Heavy Haulage Division.

Projects of this scale rely on strong coordination across manufacturing, logistics, transport, and site operations, and it’s great to see the continued progress being made onsite.

A huge thank you to the entire team for their hard work and dedication in keeping this project moving, and to HEB Construction for the strong working relationship and ongoing collaboration throughout the project.

Address

484 Johns Road
Christchurch
8051

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 7am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 7am - 5:30pm
Thursday 7am - 5:30pm
Friday 7am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+6433597759

Website

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