At Sunshade, we take pride in delivering exceptional shade solutions, and our recent collaboration at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu in Hastings is no exception. This large-scale project, undertaken in partnership with Stead Construction and their architect, has transformed the new school and kōhanga’s outdoor spaces into vibrant, functional, and visually stunning areas.
The project was a testament to teamwork and local expertise. The architect designed the outdoor shades to complement the outdoor spaces, while our Hastings-based team, led by licensee Mark Hannan, brought the vision to life.
Every step, from fabrication to installation, was carried out locally, ensuring precision and quality.
This project featured an impressive 83 poles and 26 individual outdoor shade sails. Among these, one standout was a 5-point shade sail, a striking addition that showcases the creativity and flexibility of the products used in this design.
The shades are made using Extreme32 shade cloth and the use of the “Rainforest” colour—a choice not often seen in our projects looks epic. The combination of the green and “Navy Blue” sails provides a strong visual feature. Depending on the angle and perspective, the shades offer a dynamic, multidimensional experience, that transform the outdoor spaces into an inspiring and enjoyable environment for tamariki.
Local licensee Mark Hannan led this project for Sunshade, marking his largest and most ambitious undertaking in over 20 years in the business.
Mark is no stranger to large-scale installations, having worked on notable projects such as Wairoa College, the Marine Parade Pump Track, Napier Boys Hostel Courtyard, and countless kōhanga, kindergartens, and school playgrounds. His expertise and commitment to excellence have made him a trusted partner for many school and community projects.
We are grateful to have been entrusted with this project and are delighted with the outcome. This installation not only enhances the functionality of the outdoor spaces but also provides long-term protection and comfort for the community.
When it comes to school and community projects, Sunshade takes pride in offering solutions that stand the test of time. The shade sails at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu will undoubtedly become a valued community asset, offering both practicality and beauty for years to come.
If you’re inspired by this project and have a vision for your space, we’d love to help bring it to life.
Education Projects - Mar 18, 2025
At Sunshade, we take pride in delivering exceptional shade solutions, and our recent collaboration at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu in Hastings is no exception.
Read More
Projects - Jan 22, 2025
Here, we highlight several stunning outdoor shade solutions we have installed that protect and add style and value to our client’s homes.
Read More
Advice Education - Aug 21, 2024
Providing safe and durable shade solutions for schools and playgrounds is crucial for protecting tamariki and rangatahi from harmful UV rays. Here are our top five shade solutions specifically designed for schools and early childhood centres.
Read More
During summer many of us look forward to enjoying our outdoor spaces – but we also want to be protected from the sun’s intense heat and UV rays when it gets hot – check out our shade inspiration.
Here, we highlight several stunning outdoor shade solutions we have installed that protect and add style and value to our client’s homes.
These installations showcase the dedication to quality and innovation of our local Sunshade experts, possibly inspiring you to create your own ideal shaded retreat.
At this modern townhouse in Auckland, a 4×4 metre Z16 shade sail in Charcoal complements the home’s exterior and provides incredible UV protection.
The Z16 shade cloth can block up to 99% of harmful UV rays, significantly reducing heat and glare.
Backed by a 10-year warranty, this durable shade option ensures a cool and comfortable outdoor space, ideal for those long summer days. We think it’s a perfect example of how shade can be both effective and stylish.
At this Northland retreat, our client opted for Ziptrak® blinds with black mesh. The aluminium frame and componentry was powder-coated for contrast in Appliance White.
This combination provides shade, UV protection, and reduces glare while allowing airflow and preserving the stunning ocean view.
These blinds can block up to 99% of UV rays and withstand strong winds, making them ideal for year-round protection. Whether you’re lounging during summer or seeking shelter from winter winds, Ziptrak® outdoor blinds are a versatile choice for any home.
Design tip: If you are looking for a custom blind solution, we can help design it! Choose your material—mesh for privacy or clear PVC for seamless views— learn the nuance in mesh shade colours, and select the right pelmets, brackets, and bottom bars to match your outdoor space. Custom powder-coating options are also available to perfectly match your décor to the Dulux range.
In this timeless villa in Auckland, white shade sails were custom-made to fit perfectly beneath a glass pergola. The effect created a shaded, airy look that we think blends beautifully with the villa’s classic architecture.
With six sails strategically installed, the space offers ample shade, allowing the homeowners to enjoy their patio in style and comfort.
Our client was delighted with the effect.
For this outdoor deck in Auckland, our client selected the Extreme32 shade sail in “Hazel,” a warm, natural shade.
The generous 5×8 metre shade sail is supported with white poles, covers a spacious deck and combines beautifully with the natural deck below.
This shade fabric doesn’t just look good—it’s highly functional, providing UV protection and heat reduction for relaxing summer days. Extreme32 is heavy duty, meaning it doesn’t need to be taken down during the winter, and it comes with a 15 year fabric warranty.
The attention to detail in the seams and heavy-duty ratchet roof fixings adds durability and visual appeal, showcasing how our solutions at Sunshade are built to withstand New Zealand’s weather conditions.
It’s about enhancing outdoor living spaces, and making sure that what you install will last the test of time.
If you have an outdoor space calling out for shade, let our team at Sunshade custom design a high-quality, protective solution just for you. From shade sails to versatile outdoor blinds, we have extensive expertise in this specific area of shade solutions.
With over 20 years of expertise, and a network of seasoned local licensees, we’ll guide you through every step—from selecting the perfect fabric and frame colours to choosing manual or motorized operation for ease of use.
Make the most of your summer outdoors with a shade solution designed to last.
Contact us to start planning your perfect outdoor retreat!
Education Projects - Mar 18, 2025
At Sunshade, we take pride in delivering exceptional shade solutions, and our recent collaboration at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu in Hastings is no exception.
Read More
Projects - Jan 22, 2025
Here, we highlight several stunning outdoor shade solutions we have installed that protect and add style and value to our client’s homes.
Read More
Advice Education - Aug 21, 2024
Providing safe and durable shade solutions for schools and playgrounds is crucial for protecting tamariki and rangatahi from harmful UV rays. Here are our top five shade solutions specifically designed for schools and early childhood centres.
Read More
At Sunshade we love anything that does what it says on the packet. When it comes to the Shade7 Tempest umbrella, this thing sure can withstand a storm – up to 100kph in fact!
In this article we look at a few of our more recent installations of these stylish beasts, to show you what can be achieved with some solid know-how.
Our East Coast licensee, Mark Hannan, was asked to help provide shade for this customer’s patio in Hawke’s Bay’s Havelock North. A shade sail wasn’t going to work for the space, so Mark suggested a 4x4m Tempest umbrella.
Choosing a PVC fabric (with 10 colour options) gives this customer an additional 20kph wind rating (up to 100 kph) compared to the Acrylic Canvas option (which has 24 choices, and a still-impressive 80kph rating).
We think their grey colour choice works in great, and the extra strength is worth it for this location!
Attention to detail is everything. Check out these two Shade7 Tempests by our customer’s beautiful cobalt blue pool in Havelock North.
Our customer was a builder type so he was able to work with us on reinforcing the deck from underneath, helped to set up the base, and co-installed together with our experienced licensee Mark.
Before / during installation – Careful attention was paid to reinforcing and levelling of the umbrella posts.
After installation – notice the details that come from experience. The shade line is bang on, with the umbrellas sitting snugly under the soffit when open, and covering the area right to the pool.
Pro tip: Take a look at the structural integrity when shopping for umbrellas. For example, the arms of the Tempest’s canopy are made from reinforced aluminium. These are connected to an impressive 94mm mast with internal reinforcing channels for extra strength – fwooar!
For commercial client Mr Apple‘s staff area we were stoked to specify and install two 5x5m Shade7 Tempest umbrellas in Pistachio. That’s 50 square metres of shade cover!
When furniture is installed, the canopy will open and close neatly above it. The water repellent canopy offers rain protection, and being a non-permanent structure the client has flexibility for their space.
We love the colour choice!
The durability and sheer block of shade is evident from this Sunshade installation.
Stylish in a contemporary setting, the Tempests also offer an impressive UVR block – the premium marine-grade acrylic fabric having the highest possible rating of UPF 80.
The acrylic fabric also comes with a 5 year warranty and has the best available colour fastness rating of 7-8 out of 8.
To get a feel for the Shade7 umbrella options that Sunshade can offer, seek out advice from our local expert in your area. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have.
Education Projects - Mar 18, 2025
At Sunshade, we take pride in delivering exceptional shade solutions, and our recent collaboration at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu in Hastings is no exception.
Read More
Projects - Jan 22, 2025
Here, we highlight several stunning outdoor shade solutions we have installed that protect and add style and value to our client’s homes.
Read More
Advice Education - Aug 21, 2024
Providing safe and durable shade solutions for schools and playgrounds is crucial for protecting tamariki and rangatahi from harmful UV rays. Here are our top five shade solutions specifically designed for schools and early childhood centres.
Read More
Recently, we were thrilled to receive an invitation to work on a shade sail project at Napier Boys’ High School in Hawke’s Bay. The school’s hostel courtyard required an upgrade to replace the 12 umbrellas that were previously provided at each table. The 12 octagonal tables accommodate almost 100 students during mealtimes.
Shade sails were chosen to enable a wider coverage for a longer portion of the day, and because of their high wind and weather strength.
Our local expert, Mark Hannan, designed and installed the shades to create a shade path for the outdoor courtyard and lunch area of the school.
We selected Extreme32 as our high strength textile of preference. It is a performance architectural shade cloth that comes with a 15-year UV warranty and an impressive 99% high UVR block. It was an ideal choice to provide remarkable shade for the congregation space.
Our industrial upholstery experts at the Sunshade head office in Hastings set to work on the marking, cutting, and sewing.
Mark ordered the manufacture of steel poles that were powder-coated to match the colour palette of the high school building. This helps to provide the integrated look that complements the building and supplies a robust and stylish shade space for students.
With the shade sails measuring a huge 6x7m each, this was a serious amount of shade coverage for the expansive courtyard.
Given how long we know these shade sails last, this is an investment that will continue to protect students at the school for a long time.
Pro tip: Using shade sails saves a lot of time when compared with putting up umbrellas and taking them in each day. They also tend to be a lot more durable and hold a higher strength. In fact, in choosing our Extreme32 fabric, the shade sails won’t need to be taken down over winter. Cleverly, this school has now saved a lot of time and hassle.
To comprehend the substantial distinction that Sunshade shade sails can offer, seek advice from our local expert in your area. We’re here to help.
Education Projects - Mar 18, 2025
At Sunshade, we take pride in delivering exceptional shade solutions, and our recent collaboration at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu in Hastings is no exception.
Read More
Projects - Jan 22, 2025
Here, we highlight several stunning outdoor shade solutions we have installed that protect and add style and value to our client’s homes.
Read More
Advice Education - Aug 21, 2024
Providing safe and durable shade solutions for schools and playgrounds is crucial for protecting tamariki and rangatahi from harmful UV rays. Here are our top five shade solutions specifically designed for schools and early childhood centres.
Read More
Shade sails have been around since the age of the Ancient Egyptians, and they’ve proven themselves to be one of the most cost-effective ways to protect your outdoor areas from the sun. Over the years we’ve been involved in many awesome shade projects, so we thought we’d share some of our favourites.
We’ve done a lot of shade sail installations for ECEs, including the one pictured above at Cumberland Kindergarten in Hamilton. This is the ideal location for a shade sail: close to the building, but offering a sun shade spanning over two different popular play areas. In keeping with the centre’s branding, the colours are bright and bold.
Shade sails create a safe and shady space for play, providing extremely high UV protection and shelter from the sun. Shade sails create a functional space that not only looks good but offers protection from the weather.
We also have continued to supply sun shelters to a number of schools to protect students from the sun.
The first above is a large, sheltered outdoor space at Taradale High School in Hawke’s Bay where students can relax while they study or eat lunch.
The second is at Tui Glen School in Stokes Valley in Wellington where the shade sails shelter the junior student’s play equipment, picnic areas, and more! A vibrant and practical cost-effective solution, both of which have great aesthetic appeal and add a contemporary feel to school buildings.
Shade sails are an ideal solution for many types of businesses and organisations. You can find us working on shade sails for restaurants, and we also install shading systems for parks and recreational facilities such as community swimming pools, parks and playgrounds, marae, churches and picnic areas.
A shade sail is an easy-to-install alternative to a traditional pergola roof or solid structure because it requires no heavy machinery or complicated construction methods. The shades are made from lightweight materials that can be installed onto virtually any surface with little more than straps and ratchets. Some types of shade sails may require some additional support or bracketry, but they save time and come with minimal disruption to erect them.
At Sunshade, we understand that your shade sails are more than just a place to chill out and enjoy the sun. They’re an investment in your home and lifestyle, and therefore deserve to be built to last.
Above are some examples of how we’ve installed shade sails for private residential customers in New Zealand, including an award-winning Auckland installation (shown centre).
Because Sunshade Shade Sails are custom-made to fit the specific needs of each customer, they are extremely popular for private residences. No off-the-shelf here!
Shade sails also add a certain architectural design element to the home, and they come in a variety of colours to match your style.
At Sunshade our shade sails are designed using 3D software, ensuring that they meet your precise specifications. In addition, our system allows for a straightforward process as well as access to our local expert installers from the get-go.
We hope you enjoyed reading about some of the shading projects that we’ve been involved with. If you’re interested in installing shade sails on your property whether it’s for public or private use, please give us a call or message today!
We’d love to work with you.
Education Projects - Mar 18, 2025
At Sunshade, we take pride in delivering exceptional shade solutions, and our recent collaboration at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu in Hastings is no exception.
Read More
Projects - Jan 22, 2025
Here, we highlight several stunning outdoor shade solutions we have installed that protect and add style and value to our client’s homes.
Read More
Advice Education - Aug 21, 2024
Providing safe and durable shade solutions for schools and playgrounds is crucial for protecting tamariki and rangatahi from harmful UV rays. Here are our top five shade solutions specifically designed for schools and early childhood centres.
Read More
Sunshade were stoked to be recognised at this year’s national OFPANZ Awards for Excellence in Nelson, for two separate pieces of work.
Two of our regional licensees were awarded – Mike Atwood in the Waikato took out the top prize in the Residential Shade Sails category, and Mark Hannan in Hawke’s Bay received a Highly Commended in the Commercial Shade Sail section.
The OFPANZ Awards are designed to celebrate design and workmanship, and winners have to show the challenges they had to overcome and that they have created an overall positive and lasting impression.
From the landscaper’s concept to reality this was a true test of our skills. Experienced Waikato installer Mike Atwood was brought in to finesse a cool-looking shade sail concept, and make it work to adhere to the core principles of shade sail design, detail and robustness.
The installation features 3 triangle and 2 rectangle sails, fabricated in our Hastings workshop using Z16 architectural shade cloth in Charcoal. Set in Hamilton’s Highbrook subdivision, the sails needed to provide shade and shelter for not just the north-facing deck but also the home’s interior, in an extreme high wind zone.
A stuck concrete truck and a digger that couldn’t reach above the retaining wall all added to the challenge! And all through Covid lockdowns which added layers to the communications and our ability to make things happen on site.
But Mike and the customer came through and we now have a landscape client who has asked for more quotes since, so well done Mike and the team on this impressive effort and show of skill.
Wairoa College asked our local Hawke’s Bay licensee Mark to create a large range of shaded spaces across the school grounds, to provide much-needed UV protection for rangatahi. The shades needed to tie in with the existing environment and established trees, be resistant to graffiti, meet the budget and stand up to the high wind zone.
The main complexity of this job was the scale and sheer number of sails and posts involved (10 sails, 29 posts!).
Another challenge was the location, in a small rural town about 120kms from our business.
You can learn more about the project here.
The result is a serious set of shade sails and sun protection for the students, and we’re proud to have created a stylish set of architectural shades that invite rangatahi to hang out in a variety of spaces.
We also wish to acknowledge our Auckland Licensee, Seaton Meredith, who entered the blinds and screens category for this awesome custom PVC screen installation at a rustic rural barn-style property.
While the project didn’t receive a gong, it is still an impressive piece of work!
Sunshade Group Ltd co-Director Suzanne Hoyt was delighted with the wins.
“I feel all of our licencees are very deserving because we know how hard they have been working. Mike is 10 years + experienced in the shade sail world but continues to rise to new challenges and expand his expertise with examples like this award-winning Highbrook job,” says Suzanne.
“Mark on the other hand has a 20 year legacy working with shade sails and screen systems and has kind of become our ‘Yoda’ – his attention to detail and ability to carry out these large scale jobs with precision is a testament to an owner/operator who has really honed his craft.”
“In addition to our Sunshade licensees taking out two categories this year, we are also delighted to have two of our workshop apprentices receive accolades in the Apprentice of the Year. One team member was named Tier 1 Apprentice of the Year, and the other received the Highly Commended.”
“Overall this year’s awards offered some great recognition of the hard work our teams put in.”
Browse our shade sails here, or check out our solutions with premium high-grade umbrellas and outdoor blinds here, or simply contact us now and we’ll guide you through.
Education Projects - Mar 18, 2025
At Sunshade, we take pride in delivering exceptional shade solutions, and our recent collaboration at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu in Hastings is no exception.
Read More
Projects - Jan 22, 2025
Here, we highlight several stunning outdoor shade solutions we have installed that protect and add style and value to our client’s homes.
Read More
Advice Education - Aug 21, 2024
Providing safe and durable shade solutions for schools and playgrounds is crucial for protecting tamariki and rangatahi from harmful UV rays. Here are our top five shade solutions specifically designed for schools and early childhood centres.
Read More
Creating a functional and fun space for your school with smart weather protection
Sunshade has been featured in Term 2’s School News magazine. We were delighted to share our experience and advice for anyone looking to improve the quality of shade cover for tamariki in New Zealand schools. Here’s an excerpt from the article if you missed it:
Outdoor play is the pinnacle of joy for kids at school, however even sunny days can have a dark side!
Looking at a recent JAMA Dermatology Study, Melanoma cases are set to skyrocket, increasing by 50% over the next 18 years. This does not bode well for New Zealand, which already has one of the highest mortality rates for Melanoma in the world.
And it is not just our skin we need to look after from our harsh New Zealand sun, but also sunlight. Did you know strong sunlight can also affect our focus, stamina and our longer-term wellbeing? This becomes very apparent to teachers in schools; students can become fatigued and lethargic in the heat and the glare can impair their vision.
This places shade as a critical part of any school’s health and safety mitigation strategy.
UV Protection and Safety
Shade sails are a highly effective solution to create a safe and shady space for play, as they provide high UV protection and shelter from the sun and heat. At Sunshade, we use textiles with at least 50 UPF and a UVR block of no less than 90 percent. Our fabrics are also strength-tested, fire-tested and certified by structural engineers.
Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne Owner/Operator Mark Hannan describes some of the worst shade structures that he has seen in some schools.
“Aside from inadequately durable fabrics, probably the worst thing I see in schools is loose shade sails. These can be an accident waiting to happen or at least degrade shades more quickly; another problem arises where the shade sails have not been fixed correctly and could cause damage to property in an extreme weather event. If it is not attached to something seriously strong or it is sagging or visibly damaged in places, it’s time for a repair or refit.”
Sunshade sails also create a striking effect and come in a wide selection of colours and styles, turning a sunny space into a functional and fun space. It also enables opportunities to escape the classroom and participate in outdoor learning which not only improves the well-being and resilience of students, but also contributes to their mental and physical well-being. Not to mention reducing the spread of viruses within our schools.
Mark has the current trends for Sunshade at schools.
“Awesome shade sail fit-out requests lately have been for playground space designs without centre poles, allowing for uninterrupted play in the space underneath. Others use rectangles to cast strong blocks of shade when the sun is at its highest which also ends up looking cool. It really depends on the space and the needs of the school, so custom designs are a strong trend. Shades can be an opportunity to bring the school colours to life too; Primary schools tend to choose some fun colours. In areas where graffiti or damage might be a concern, some schools are also opting for more forgiving colours like black and charcoal and pole pads continue to be a standard requirement for knock prevention too.”
Talk to your local expert, or fire us a quote request today.
Education Projects - Mar 18, 2025
At Sunshade, we take pride in delivering exceptional shade solutions, and our recent collaboration at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu in Hastings is no exception.
Read More
Projects - Jan 22, 2025
Here, we highlight several stunning outdoor shade solutions we have installed that protect and add style and value to our client’s homes.
Read More
Advice Education - Aug 21, 2024
Providing safe and durable shade solutions for schools and playgrounds is crucial for protecting tamariki and rangatahi from harmful UV rays. Here are our top five shade solutions specifically designed for schools and early childhood centres.
Read More
What a fantastic outdoor screen project this was to work on for our customers. Singing with rustic charm, this expansive semi-rural property in Auckland was in a perfect position to harness the sun.
The job was to add clear PVC Ziptrak® blinds to the huge, covered deck area, side veranda and spa pool area. Naturally this would create a swag of spaces to enjoy as the sun moved over the property throughout the day.
Quality, weather-tightness, and an integrated aesthetic were the order of the day. Ziptrak® blinds were chosen for the product’s quality reputation, durable features, and effortless operation.
The silver track and frame colour was chosen to compliment the rustic feel of the space, with the attractive bottom bars and pelmets adding a style of their own whether the screens are up or down.
A total of 14 PVC Ziptrak® blinds were custom fabricated and installed, each requiring time and consideration. Our Auckland Sunshade licensee Seaton and his team spent a generous number of hours on this job, getting the installation just right and paying attention to those little but important details.
The result is a host of enjoyable spaces that the owners of this beautiful space can make the most of at any time of day. The area can be kept free of debris and bird life from the outside with the screens down, and opened up to the sun and stars by simply lifting the PVC outdoor curtains.
Pro tip #1: Always adapt on site. To secure a seamless seal against the wall of the house and stop any draughts, part of the skirting and step had to be carefully cut out to allow for the screen track to be attached.
Pro tip #2: Find ways to make life easy for your customers. By designing the Ziptrak® screen thoughtfully, the reverse handles were offset in an easy-to-operate spot. See how they have been perfectly aligned with the placement of the steps as the user would walk up to it, and in the case of the spa, nicely available instead of having to reach behind the spa to find the handle.
We’d love to talk to you about your ideas and help guide you on your choice. Whether your space is big or small, rustic or modern, we have the expertise and fabrication know-how to create something amazing for you. We’ve been installing Ziptrak® for years and know this product intimately – feel free to bring your ideas and ask us anything.
You can learn more here about Ziptrak® outdoor blinds or shoot us a quote request below.
Education Projects - Mar 18, 2025
At Sunshade, we take pride in delivering exceptional shade solutions, and our recent collaboration at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu in Hastings is no exception.
Read More
Projects - Jan 22, 2025
Here, we highlight several stunning outdoor shade solutions we have installed that protect and add style and value to our client’s homes.
Read More
Advice Education - Aug 21, 2024
Providing safe and durable shade solutions for schools and playgrounds is crucial for protecting tamariki and rangatahi from harmful UV rays. Here are our top five shade solutions specifically designed for schools and early childhood centres.
Read More
In Hawke’s Bay our local expert Mark has built a reputation for the quality of his large-scale school shade sail installations over the years. He was stoked to get the call from Wairoa College about a comprehensive shade sail project for their outdoor areas – our largest Hawke’s Bay shade sail project this year.
The project involved creating a multitude of shaded spaces within the school campus, offering a variety of choices for rangatahi (young people) to enjoy the green space.
With established trees offering dappled natural shade, the school’s shade sail project needed to tie in with the existing environment and build on the shade spaces available.
Part of the challenge for our Hastings-based team installing in Wairoa is the somewhat remote location, particularly for getting specialist services to site such as hydro-excavation for efficiently digging the posts.
This was a massive job with 10 custom-designed and fabricated shade sails requiring a total of 29 posts to be freighted to site, so manual pole digging was not an option! Hydro excavation services were called up from Napier for digging day, which turned out to be the perfect call.
Pro tip: always expect the unexpected and be prepared to adapt. Despite having access to the plans for the underground services and being given the all clear, we still managed to find a heap of services including stormwater pipes present under the ground! Thanks to having the hydro-excavator on site, adapting was not a major problem – we were able to quickly dig more holes and shift the set of shade sail poles over slightly to accommodate.
Our heaviest duty shade cloth was employed for the job – Extreme32 (E32) by Rainbow Shade. Thanks to its monofilament and tape construction E32 not only performs excellently in exposed weather areas but also when required to span large spaces. E32 also provides impressive UVR protection (up to 95.8%).
The black shade cloth chosen for the college offered a UVR Block of 95.7% and a cooling 95.3% shade. An incredibly strong choice for the protection of the students underneath.
It was fantastic to be called up for another large-scale shade sail project like this one. The result is a serious set of shade sails and sun protection for the students at Wairoa College, and we’re proud to have created a stylish set of architectural sails that invite rangatahi to hang out in a variety of spaces.
We’d love to talk to you about your project and scope a quote to put forward. We have the expertise and fabrication know-how to create something amazing for your space – feel free to bring your ideas and ask us anything.
You can learn more here about our work in education, community or commercial environments, or fire us a quote request below.
Education Projects - Mar 18, 2025
At Sunshade, we take pride in delivering exceptional shade solutions, and our recent collaboration at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu in Hastings is no exception.
Read More
Projects - Jan 22, 2025
Here, we highlight several stunning outdoor shade solutions we have installed that protect and add style and value to our client’s homes.
Read More
Advice Education - Aug 21, 2024
Providing safe and durable shade solutions for schools and playgrounds is crucial for protecting tamariki and rangatahi from harmful UV rays. Here are our top five shade solutions specifically designed for schools and early childhood centres.
Read More
This outdoor umbrella installation tells the story of when one just isn’t enough. After having one umbrella installed and enjoying it so much, our customer just had to have another!
Set in the leafy suburb of Greenmeadows, the Western sun would beat down into this contemporary backyard. Our customer needed to protect their black outdoor furniture (and those sitting on it) from the harsh Hawke’s Bay sun. They were also looking to cast a shade over the pool for respite during the heat of the day.
Like many people we talk to they had an old umbrella that needed replacing, so we started there. A 3×4 metre Shade7 Riviera cantilever umbrella was selected – one of the first installations we have done with this new rectangle model.
This incredible umbrella has the ability to cover the pool and also be switched over to shade the furniture, thanks to the infinite tilt and 360° rotation.
Plus, with the 10 year fabric warranty against fading and rot, our customer has the peace of mind that this is one umbrella that will last and the colour will remain looking great.
The first cantilever umbrella was such a hit for our customer that they called us up for another one. This time it was an umbrella to shade the spa pool at the rear of the section. Bliss!
To keep with the aesthetics of the space, a matching Riviera cantilever umbrella was selected in the same colour and size as the first.
Pro tip: Onsite we discovered the tiles were different levels, so we paid special attention to the packing on the base of the umbrellas. This ensured both umbrellas match in height to be in line with the fascia line of the house, for both a practical head-height and uniformity.
The durability and ease of use of Shade7 umbrellas is world class. If you are looking at one, we do recommend you save the hassle and get it installed by the experts.
We have a direct line in with Shade7, can advise you on the best model for your needs and can carry out the installation to exacting standards.
Education Projects - Mar 18, 2025
At Sunshade, we take pride in delivering exceptional shade solutions, and our recent collaboration at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu in Hastings is no exception.
Read More
Projects - Jan 22, 2025
Here, we highlight several stunning outdoor shade solutions we have installed that protect and add style and value to our client’s homes.
Read More
Advice Education - Aug 21, 2024
Providing safe and durable shade solutions for schools and playgrounds is crucial for protecting tamariki and rangatahi from harmful UV rays. Here are our top five shade solutions specifically designed for schools and early childhood centres.
Read More
