Every now and then, there’s a project that’s a little different from our day-to-day work — and this one was a biggie. On 13 April 2025, the Lift N Shift team came together for a major in-house project: capturing an epic photo of our fleet, along with individual shots of each truck. It might sound simple, but with 16 trucks and 3 cranes all needing to be moved, cleaned, positioned, and photographed — it was a logistical operation in its own right. And that’s not even including our trailers or a few other key pieces of equipment! A Big Team Effort This was a real team-driven effort. Liv took the lead on organising the shoot, while Chris (our Operations Manager) pulled some strings and helped coordinate the details. A huge thanks to Craig McCauley, our independent truck photographer, who managed the line-up and vehicle arrangement like a pro. We’re also incredibly grateful to the talented photographers who got behind the lens: Craig McCauley, Dave McCoid, and of course, our very own Chris Webby who stepped in with camera in hand. And we can’t forget our dedicated drivers, who gave up their Sunday to make sure everything got to and from the A&P Showgrounds safely and on time. Clean, Ready, and Camera-Ready With a workload that’s always full throttle, finding time to wash, polish, and prep that many trucks — plus cranes and gear — wasn’t easy. Space on the wash pad was tight, and the pressure was on. But with everyone pitching in, we pulled it off. As Liv put it: "Sleepless nights were a small price to pay for such a rewarding outcome. Thanks to the unwavering support of Steve, Reuben, and the entire team, this stands as one of the most impactful projects I've led to date." Chris summed it up perfectly: “It was great to see the fleet all cleaned up and come together in one place—it was an impressive sight to see. A great effort from the whole team to make the day come together.” Keep an Eye Out We’ll be sharing the final photos across our website and social media soon — so keep your eyes peeled for some serious truck envy. This project reminded us what teamwork, pride, and a bit of weekend hustle can achieve.
As we step into 2025, the Lift N Shift team is embracing new beginnings — with the arrival of fresh faces in the office and a heartfelt moment of remembrance for someone very special to us all. We’re proud to welcome Shelby ( shelby@liftnshift.co.nz ) as our new HR & Finance Manager, and Chris operations@liftnshift.co.nz ) as our new Operations Manager. They joined the team at the beginning of the year and are already bringing a huge amount of value, experience, and energy to the table. Shelby’s calm and organised approach, paired with Chris’s operational know-how, means we’re well-equipped for whatever this year brings. It’s an exciting step forward for the business — and it means that no matter your needs, there’s always someone experienced and ready to help at Lift N Shift. As Steve shared, “ Shelby and Chris both bring a lot of knowledge, experience and fresh perspective to Lift N Shift and we’re looking forward to working with them .” But alongside these new beginnings, we also want to take a moment to acknowledge a great loss in our team. Kate, beloved wife of Steve and mum to Reuben, passed away late last year. Kate was an irreplaceable part of Lift N Shift — her warmth, humour, and unwavering support for the team were felt every day. Her absence is deeply noticed, and she leaves behind a space that simply can’t be filled. While the team continues to grow and evolve, Kate’s memory and influence remain a constant. She helped shape the heart of this business, and her legacy lives on through the people and values she helped nurture. This year, the Lift N Shift office may look a little different — but our purpose stays the same: to work hard, look after each other, and keep moving forward with strength, humility, and heart.
On 10 March 2025, the Lift N Shift team accomplished something remarkable – relocating three houses in a single day from Bird Lane to the main road in Wakefield. A Collaborative Project This project involved working alongside Habitat for Humanity to relocate structures that will serve as housing in the community. The partnership allowed us to apply our technical expertise to support their work. The housing situation in New Zealand continues to present challenges, and this project represented a practical solution to a specific need. By combining our house moving capabilities with their housing initiative, we were able to deliver an efficient logistical solution. Gear That Gets the Job Done To pull off a move of this scale, we relied on both our expert team and some serious machinery. Our house trailer played a key role in transporting the homes safely, but one standout piece of kit was absolutely essential: our Liebherr LTM 1100-5.1 mobile crane — the 110-tonne workhorse of the Lift N Shift fleet. The crane was used to lift each house into place on the new site with precision. With its impressive lifting capacity and mobility, the Liebherr allowed us to work efficiently despite the tight timeframes and tricky access points. It was, quite literally, the heavy lifter of the day. Planning Makes Perfect When you’re shifting entire houses, there’s no room for guesswork. Every move we make is backed by careful planning and risk assessment. Ahead of this project, we created detailed Lift Plan books and conducted full Job Safety Analyses (JSAs) to ensure every stage of the move was accounted for. From load weights and lift angles to site access and environmental considerations, these plans are what allow us to execute high-risk jobs with full confidence and compliance. Our commitment to Health & Safety is something we take seriously — and it's embedded into everything we do, from toolbox meetings to on-site coordination. Teamwork Makes the Difference Projects of this scale demonstrate the importance of collaboration. Our crew worked seamlessly together, each person bringing their unique skills to the table. The support from Habitat for Humanity and understanding from the local community were equally crucial to our success. The coordination required to move multiple structures in such a short timeframe tests even the most experienced teams. Our crew rose to the occasion, maintaining communication and adapting to circumstances as they evolved throughout the day. Looking Forward We'll soon release a testimonial video showcasing the behind-the-scenes work and featuring comments from those involved. This will provide insight into the effort that goes into such complex relocations. This project demonstrates what we do best at Lift N Shift – using our specialised equipment and expertise to solve complex logistical challenges efficiently. Whether it's working with organisations like Habitat for Humanity, relocating commercial buildings, or handling residential moves across the South Island, we approach each project with the same commitment to excellence and safety. The successful completion of this three-house move in a single day showcases our capabilities and technical expertise in building transportation. For more information about our transportation services or to discuss your next project, visit our transportation page or contact the Lift N Shift team today.