About Us
About Challenger Contracting
Challenger Contracting is a Steel, Structural & Engineering Company based in Waiuku, South Auckland
The company was established by Po Lowe in July 2019 and consisted of himself, Sally Mandler, his brother Anthony & Welder Contractors
In June 2021, Carla joined forces with Po & Sally by contracting her services to assist in the day to day running of the Business, a month later Padma joined the team as Project Manager. The last two years have seen the business expand & in January 2023 Challenger Contracting opened up a Factory housing both Head Office & Steel Fabrication Plant now boasting a permanent in house team of 9 with the recent addition of Dean Meyers, Project Manager, Olivia Lowe, Admin Assistant & 10 Welder Contractors.
We believe the experience & knowledge of our team will promote growth & client satisfaction.
What we do
Challenger provides a range of services to the Commercial Construction industry which include the following:
With our experienced, qualified welders, fabricators and riggers we specialise in onsite works.
Services include:
- Onsite welding, fitting, alterations, maintenance, surface protection, steel cutting, arc gouging, steel drilling & gas cutting.
- Supply of high quality standardized steel cut into desired sized plates/sections before installing them to structural steel.
- Penetrations on steels plates, install studs & even fill steel penetrations.
- Drilling of different sized holes on square hollow sections(SHS), rectangular hollow sections(RHS), and circular hollow sections(CHS). High quality drill bits are used to alleviate any damage to the steel sections.
Installation of heavy angle bars in different locations/access conditions. - Installation of washers on slab edges & studs on comflor for seismic strengthening.
Concrete work: Core drilling, grouting, concrete cutting, concreting. Concrete grinding & shaving
Structural Steel Fabrication:
- Erection for commercial buildings,
- High rise structures,
- Stadiums, Apartments,
- Shopping malls,
- Warehouses and bridges.

Only the Best
Fully trained staff
High Quality

Completed Projects
Office Staff
Why us
Here at Challenger our Work Ethos is the foundation of our business
Our Values:
- Pride
- Trust
- Quality
- Precision
- Value
Our Mission:
To provide Quality Trusted Engineering Services to all our clients. Focused, dedicated & committed to provide value & excellence exceeding expectations
Our Vision:
To be recognized amongst New Zealand’s Construction Industry for the integrity of our people, the ethics of our business practices and Quality of our services.
Who we are
Po Lowe | Director / Owner
Po is the Director and Project Manager at Challenger Contracting. He has over 40 years of experience in the construction industry. He has worked in the United States, Australia, New Zealand and many sites offshore. He is trained for working at height, setting up static lines for harness, working with harness, supervising site staff, managing crane, using forklift EWP and scissor lifts.
Carla Simmonds | General Manager
Carla joined the team in 2021, contracting her services to Challenger as Business office Manager.
Carla has known Po for over 4 years. Her service to the Team began in providing her Administration skillset moving into Client & Contractor Liaison, Payroll & Invoicing as well as managing the HR role along with the Marketing and Website.
Padma Priyan (Paddy) | Project Manager
Padma is a Project Manager and has completed his Masters in Construction Project Management from Massey University, Albany, New Zealand. He also has a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. He individually handles the quality analvsis and quantity surveying for all projects. He joined Challenger Contracting in June 2021. He believes his character, attitude, calmness and behaviour to fellow humans is his greatest positive
Sally Mandler | Accounts Manager
Sally is the Accountant at Challenger Contracting. She has been working with Po for many years. She is semi-retired and has seen Po grow. Sally and Po both have a lovely relationship and she is quite protective over him and his business. Sally oversees all Po’s business accounts and manages finance for the payments and wages.
Olivia Lowe| Admin Assistant
Olivia joined the company in March 2023 as an Administrative Assistant to the GM & office support to the team. This position is Olivia’s debut into the Business World and is finding her feet as she learns.
Anjana Krishnan| Project Co-ordinator
Anjana Krishnan, known to us at work as Angie, is a Project Co-ordinator working on various projects.
Angie has completed a 4 year bachelor degree in Civil Engineering and also holds an additional Post graduation diploma specialising in Construction
Project management.
Angie started her journey with Challenger in May 2022 as a Quantity Surveyor, estimating on-going works, analyzing variations and does the contractual negotiation throughout the projects.