Dunedin, New Zealand · Est. 2006

New Zealand's Leading Heritage Masonry & Plastering Specialists

From the Dunedin Railway Station to the Hokitika Government Building
we restore, strengthen, and preserve the buildings that define our region's history.

NZCPA Gold Award 2025
NZCPA Gold Award 2024
National Category Winner
SiteWise Gold 2025/26 PIA 2026 Finalist
Who We Are

Old School Craftspeople. Modern Expertise.

Wainwright & Hickey are industry leaders in heritage restoration across Otago and Southland. Founded in 2006 and operated by Marcus Wainwright and Donal Hickey — based in Dunedin since 2003 — we combine centuries-old European techniques with a deep understanding of New Zealand's built heritage.

We work closely with your architects and engineers, and our portfolio spans some of the South Island's most iconic buildings. When it matters, clients call us.

19+
Years in Business
100+
Years Combined Experience
50+
Landmark Projects
Olveston House restoration — Wainwright & Hickey
Heritage Restoration
Olveston House, Dunedin
What We Do

A Complete Heritage Masonry Service

From structural seismic strengthening to fine hand-carving — we offer the full range of specialist masonry and plastering services required to care for heritage buildings properly.

01

Heritage Restoration & Maintenance

Meticulous restoration of historic stonework, brickwork and plasterwork — sympathetic to the original character and built to last.

02

Seismic Strengthening

Specialist masonry seismic upgrades that protect heritage buildings and bring them into compliance — without compromising their appearance.

03

Lime Plastering

Traditional lime plastering and pointing using authentic materials and methods — the only correct approach for historic masonry buildings.

04

Stone Carving & Replication

Hand-carved replacement of damaged or missing stone elements — crafted to match the original so seamlessly they weather identically over time.

05

Anchor Bolt & Pull Testing

On-site anchor testing up to 145kN. Destructive and non-destructive pull-out and proof-load testing with full written reports on completion.

06

Custom Core Drilling

Precision core drilling through masonry and concrete — carried out with care to protect the fabric of the building.

07

Building Surveys

Condition reports and heritage building surveys prepared by a trained heritage mason — practical, experienced insight you won't get from a desk assessment.

08

Cleaning & Water Repellents

Professional cleaning and conservation-appropriate water repellent treatments for masonry buildings — not sealants, which damage historic fabric.

09

Hydraulic Lime Supply & Training

We supply hydraulic lime and can provide training for contractors and building owners working with heritage materials for the first time.

Our Work

Landmark Projects Across Otago & Southland

Every project we take on becomes part of the region's story. Here are some of the buildings we've had the privilege of caring for.

Ayrburn, Arrowtown
New Build · Heritage Masonry
Ayrburn, Arrowtown
Applied Science Building, University of Otago
Seismic Strengthening · Restoration
Applied Science Building, University of Otago
Lindis Pass Hotel
Stone Restoration · Conservation
Lindis Pass Hotel
Hokitika Government Building
Heritage Restoration
Hokitika Government Building
Cooks Landing Monument, Gisborne
Seismic Strengthening
Cooks Landing Monument, Gisborne
Cromwell Visitors Centre
Light Weight Chimney
Cromwell Visitors Centre
Auckland War Memorial Museum
Installation of New Memorial Plaques
Auckland War Memorial Museum
Iona Church, Port Chalmers
Heritage Restoration
Iona Church, Port Chalmers
All Saints Church, Dunedin
Heritage Restoration
All Saints Church, Dunedin
"

The Dunedin Railway Station is a stellar example of a well-executed seismic upgrade, and the exterior restoration showcases exemplary craftsmanship.

— NZCPA Commercial Projects Award Judges
Southland Times building restoration — Invercargill
Heritage Restoration
Southland Times Building, Invercargill
Our Story

Craft, Passion, and a Deep Respect for the Past

Wainwright & Hickey is led by two directors who between them bring a rare depth of expertise. Marcus Wainwright founded the business in 2006, trained as a headstone mason in Germany and working in Dunedin since 2003 — driven by a passion for reviving the techniques of the old masters. Donal Hickey joined as director in 2022, bringing extensive experience in lime plastering, heritage stonework, and the operational leadership that keeps complex projects running smoothly.

  • Marcus — Master stonemason, trained in Germany, based in Dunedin since 2003
  • Donal — Specialist lime plasterer & heritage mason, from County Waterford, Ireland
  • 100+ years combined experience across the full team
  • Trusted by heritage architects and engineers across Otago & Southland
  • Award-winning projects from Dunedin to Central Otago
The People Behind the Work

Meet the Team

Wainwright & Hickey is built on people who genuinely care about what they do. From our directors to our tradespeople, every member of the team shares the same commitment to quality and craftsmanship.

Marcus Wainwright
Heritage Brickwork
Blackball Chimney, Blackball
Director

Marcus Wainwright

Born in Lincolnshire, trained as a headstone mason in Germany, and based in Dunedin since 2003. Marcus founded the business with a passion for reviving the techniques of the old masters — and has spent two decades doing exactly that across some of the South Island's most significant heritage buildings.

021 876 572  ·  marcus@wainwrightandhickey.co.nz

Donal Hickey
Traditional Plasterwork
Ireland
Director

Donal Hickey

Originally from County Waterford, Ireland, Donal comes from a long line of skilled tradesmen. A specialist lime plasterer and heritage mason by trade, he joined the business in 2016 and became a director in 2022. Donal leads operations across Otago and Central Otago, with a reputation for getting complex projects delivered on time and on budget.

021 060 5019  ·  donal@wainwrightandhickey.co.nz

Our Skilled Team

Reuben
Senior Mason
Graham
Senior Mason
Julian
Mason
Joe
Apprentice Mason
Start a Project

Tell Us About Your Project

We work on a select number of projects at any one time to ensure the quality our clients expect. Please share a few details below and we'll be in touch if we're a good fit.

Marcus Wainwright
021 876 572
marcus@wainwrightandhickey.co.nz
Donal Hickey
021 060 5019
donal@wainwrightandhickey.co.nz
Based In
South Dunedin, New Zealand