Three generations, one promise: a first-class job every time. Here’s who we are, where we’ve come from and what we stand for.
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In 1972 Peter and Joan Robinson bought a small asphalt operation in Whangārei and built a business on one idea: do the job once and do it right. That idea hasn’t changed but a lot else has.
Under Alan and Annie Johnston, Robinsons grew from an asphalt company into one of Northland’s most versatile civil and landscape contractors, with more than 10,000 projects completed across the region. Today a new generation of leaders, including the third generation of the family, is buying into the business, alongside a crew who all live in the communities they build for.
The name says asphalt, but most people just call us Robinsons, and these days that covers earthworks, drainage, surfacing, landscaping and timber work: a true one-stop shop.
The Robinsons crew in the early days.
From a bulldozer and a small asphalt crew to the largest projects in Northland, across three generations of the family.
Before 1972
Peter and Joan Robinson go from sharemilking to contracting after Peter buys a bulldozer. He loads fertiliser inside bulk ships and becomes founding chairman of United Earthworks.
1972
Peter and Joan buy Tom Hollows’ small operation and start Robinson Asphalts in Ewing Road, Whangārei, with a small crew.
1983
Alan (AJ) Johnston is hired by Peter as a labourer and operator.
1987
AJ and Annie return from Perth, where AJ had been working as an on-site project manager in demolition, mainly on multi-storey buildings. They marry, and AJ rejoins Robinsons and starts taking on more responsibility.
1992
Annie and AJ take over with a staff of about 15, and the company becomes Robinson Asphalts 1992 Ltd.
1994
We demolish the old wharf sheds and waterfront buildings, realign the road, and build timber wharves, boardwalks, stone walls and the “hole in the wall”. Many steps and walls are built from bricks salvaged from the old Whangārei Glassworks. The project earns a Merit Award in the NZCF Caltex Construction Awards.
1998
After moves through Port Road, Hewlett Street and the Kamo Brickworks, we move into purpose-built premises in Winger Crescent, Kamo, where the company is still based today.
1999 & 2009
Category wins at Northland’s business awards: the Enterprise Award (Large Business) at the 1999 Northland Chamber of Commerce WestpacTrust Business Awards, and the Golden Bay Cement Excellence in Building/Construction Award at the 2009 Westpac Northland Business Excellence Awards.
c. 2004
We build a courthouse, housing and school buildings on one of the world’s most remote islands. Every material is shipped from New Zealand as a kitset and landed by longboat, because the island has no wharf.
2014
The first of 15 Northland construction awards. Annie and AJ join Peter as CCNZ Northland life members, the first father–daughter pair, and Annie becomes the branch’s first female life member.
2018
We earn SiteWise’s top grade in its first year and have held it every year since.
2021
We deliver the civil and landscape works for the world’s last Hundertwasser design to be built, including one of the southern hemisphere’s largest living roofs, with mature trees craned in one at a time. Town Basin Playground is also a national awards finalist.
2022
We complete Pūtahi Park, the largest contract in our history: a new waterfront park with an amphitheatre, play space, shade structures, a complete toilet block, water feature and boardwalks, right beside our original 1994 Town Basin work and delivered alongside the neighbouring Hundertwasser Art Centre.
2023
2024
We complete three stages of civil and landscape works around the new civic centre, including paving, tree and nīkau transplants, decking, gardens and cultural screens.
2024
Cole Johnston, Tom Taylor and Sam Johnston start buying into the company, with Sam Cowan joining them in 2025, securing Robinsons’ future for the next generation.
2025
2026
One of our most technically challenging projects to date: a multi-level site covering civil, landscape and playground works for Northland’s new child health centre, on the live Whangārei Hospital campus.
See what we build See our special projects
Building the original Town Basin in 1994, the project that started our long connection with Whangārei’s waterfront.
Lifting a boulder into place at the Town Basin, 1994.
The boulders set in place, with brick edging laid by our crew.
Pouring the Town Basin steps, with walls of bricks salvaged from the old Whangārei Glassworks.
A first-class job every time – no shortcuts, no hassles. We go the extra mile, we make it easy for you and we stand by our work.
Integrity
We always do the right thing
Commitment
To our clients and our team
Attitude
We show up and give 100% every day
Relationships
We build relationships based on trust
Excellence
We strive for excellence in everything we do
“…honoured for its commitment to succession and contribution to the region.”
Northern Advocate Business Hall of Fame, 2025. The first family recognised for its generational contribution to Northland since the awards began.
A family-led business, with an experienced team of project managers, estimators and crews behind every job.
Alan (AJ) Johnston
Director
Annette (Annie) Johnston
Executive Director / Finance
Cole Johnston
General Manager
Tom Taylor
Operations Manager
Sam Johnston
Business Development / Project Manager
Sam Cowan
Pricing Manager
Zaid Khatib
Commercial Manager
10,000+ projects
Across Northland since 1972
Award winning
15 CCNZ Northland awards since 2014
ISO certified
Quality, environment & safety
ISO 9001, 14001 & 45001
One-stop shop
Earthworks to planting
Tell us about your project and we’ll call to talk it through and book a free site visit.