Adapted from an article published in Nourish Magazine, Issue 56, Spring2024. Words by Liz French | Images by Brydie Thompson.
Nearly two decades on, Thorne Group determinedly upholds the values Bob Thorne lived by when he started developing and building homes in Tauranga in the late 1990s. Formally established in 2006, Thorne Group Homes is run by Bob’s children and close friends.
Bob and Judy Thorne moved to Tauranga from New Plymouth when their two children, Lisa and Aaron, were small. Bob conducted business on the belief that what goes around comes around and that it is always good business to leaves something in it for the next person. Sadly, Bob died in early 2020 before completion of his flagship development, Urban Ridge, a project very close to his heart.
It has been over 25 years since Bob turned the first turf at Urban Ridge - a development which spans an area between Brookfield and Bethlehem, bordering the 60-hectare Carmichael Reserve.
In creating Urban Ridge Bob overturned the “Kiwi quarter acre”mentality by proving that compact sites could shine with well designed homes, each one uniquely different. Since 2006 Thorne Group Homes have been integral to the construction of the majority of homes in the development.
Bob Thorne (deceased), Aaron Thorne, Peter Buck, Gavin Morrow (circa 2009)
By working alongside his father on this and other projects, Aaron Thorne learned the intricacies of land development; resource consents, complicated geotechnical engineering and the many fundamentals that must be dealt with before any titles are issued, building consents granted or foundations laid. This provided excellent grounding for his future role as Managing Director at Thorne Group.
Aaron’s sister Lisa, and her husband, Peter Buck, bring a wealth of experience to Thorne Group Homes. After graduating university Lisa travelled overseas and worked in marketing for multi-national companies, while Peter gained valuable insights into world-class processes working for one of the world’s largest finance companies in London. During stints in both Sydney and London Lisa also studied interior design. She has enjoyed working alongside a range of interior specialists, continually pushing the boundaries and creating style differentiation.
In 2006 when brothers-in-law Aaron and Peter saw an opportunity to combine their skills with those of good friend Gavin Morrow, a builder with an interest in environmental sustainability, Thorne Group Homes was officially established.
Peter Buck, Lisa Buck (nee Thorne), Judy Thorne, Aaron Thorne, Gavin Morrow
Just a few months in business, in 2007-2008 the Global Financial Crisis hit, and the subsequent years have brought both high and lows. Through it all, Thorne Group have continued to build relationships across the industry and community and are grateful to all the people they have worked with and for who have helped them weather their business and personal storms. Many clients have become friends, and colleagues in the industry have supported and cheered them on to achieve multiple industry awards and accolades.
Bob would be proud to see proof of his legacy living on in the values instilled in the company which has been recognised as Most Trusted Builder in the Bay of Plenty for three consecutive years.
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