About Us

Our Story

Pioneering Audiovisual Technologies and Service in New Zealand since 1926

Shipleys is a New Zealand owned and operated business, providing the most comprehensive and complete audiovisual and technology service to the South Island, and beyond. Established in 1926, We have remained a leading name in audiovisual and technology services through development and innovation for over 95 years. 

We began providing sound systems under the name of Shipleys Sound Systems, installing speaker systems and providing what was then high-end commercial technology such as; speakers, amplifiers, microphones and lighting to clients for a range of events and projects. 

We were early adopters of television technology, re-branding to Shipleys Radio and Television we created a video wall of the largest screen available in the market and in 1952 Shipleys were the first in New Zealand to demonstrate a television broadcast at the Christchurch Industries Fair, eight years before the first television transmission in New Zealand. 

In 1960 our team were providing closed circuit television cover and videography services for businesses and sporting bodies alike. We were one of the first to provide video coverage of sporting events such as horse racing and filmed and archived video tapes that were viewed and sold around the world to international buyers.

The company was again re-branded to Shipleys Video Services and our video services grew to include an extensive library of training and management videos we filmed and distributed in partnership with the Success Motivation Institute (SMI) and Training Media Services (TMS).

We provided a range of videography services; including filming, broadcasting and content production for local communities, businesses and international agencies such as Saatchi & Saatchi and TMP Reynell.

Despite our success in the production space we were forced to sell our broadcasting division to the TAB after a fire caused by a faulty AC unit destroyed our production studio and equipment

We continued to provide limited videography services and worked to expand our system integration and audiovisual departments. It was then that we became known as Shipleys Audiovisual. 

To help our Systems Department provide better support in the education sector we set up a branch in Dunedin to service the University of Otago. We worked closely with the university to establish and integrate connected audiovisual systems to enhance the university’s teaching capabilities ensuring all opportunities were taken to improve the usefulness of each teaching space. 

We have a deep-running legacy of being at the forefront of technological change and integration. We pioneered the integration of digital AV solutions into the education sector; and having worked with every university in New Zealand, we have helped introduce integrated systems that modernise teaching technology. 

In the late 90s we established a base in Queenstown to provide audiovisual services and technologies to the community. Our aim was to deliver the most professional and innovative technology services anywhere in the South Island of New Zealand. Currently, our team in Queenstown are the largest and most relied on technology suppliers in the region and they work closely with our team in Christchurch. 

Our Systems Department has worked with the latest technologies for applications in a number of different environments; connecting hardware, sensors, software and control systems. Our software engineers work with our technicians to integrate audiovisual and IT products in the education, corporate, industrial and hospitality sectors for both private and public companies, as well as working with local and national government.

We work closely with the New Zealand Government through departments such as the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Defence.

Our Audiovisual Departments across the South Island have serviced a number of prominent events over the years, and integrated technology in novel and diverse applications to enhance experience and help people connect. Shipleys has worked on events where trust and reliability are paramount; such as a public address by President Clinton, an APEC conference and a Gala dinner for the president of China. We have worked with many international delegates, politicians, business leaders and companies such as Samsung, Emirates, Apple, Mercedes, and many more.

In 2020 the company was renamed from Shipleys Audiovisual to Shipleys, retaining the Shipleys name from 1926 and creating a unified brand that reflects our full service offering in a modern technology environment. 

We continue to lead the industry in introducing, adopting and implementing new technology. Staying ahead means helping our clients lead their industries too. And while plenty has changed since those early days of audio and broadcasting, the values that drive our approach have remained the same. 

Our Values

Seamless Delivery - Always on time, professional, and invisible – our technology assimilates effortlessly with your environment with minimal disruption. 

Expand Experience - Through proficiency and refinement we integrate the latest technologies to deliver value and newness to help you experience and deliver more.

Creative Connections - We help create more effective and deeper connections with your clients and your team through collaborative and informative technology systems.

Continual Improvement - We’re passionate about the latest technologies, and we strive to integrate and develop hardware and solutions to ensure our communities lead the world through innovation

Our people

We’re a community of enthusiastic individuals with a passion for technology and innovation. Each and every one of us provides diverse skills and knowledge to help Shipleys provide the best technology services to our clients.

We are committed to the wellbeing and continual development of everyone in our team. We constantly work to develop our technical competencies and we understand the importance of managing the interconnect between the professional life and personal life.

We strive to build a team who seek fulfilment through development and refinement of both technical expertise and their own character. We ensure that our team are supported with appropriate training and effective company communication to develop both their technical competences, and subjective competences and abilities. 

When recruiting we search for people who share our principles and values as well as our passion for technology. We endeavour to welcome the most enthusiastic and ingenious minds together to work to create and share new technologies to our clients and the world.

We all bring diverse experiences to the table and our team have worked across the globe in places like Dubai, The United Kingdom, Brazil, Australia, Qatar, Ireland, Netherlands, France, Germany, and the United States.

Proudly New Zealand owned and operated

Since 1926 Shipleys has been wholly New Zealand owned and operated. We believe in supporting and working with local businesses to ensure our communities grow through innovation in the technology sector in New Zealand. 

We’re proud to support New Zealand businesses to create more effective, and meaningful connections with their clients and team and to help improve experience and operations through leading-edge service and technology. 

Our experience gives us a comprehensive understanding of the audiovisual market, available technologies and the best way to integrate hardware and software to help you achieve your goals. Our team provides professional solutions and products and gives you confidence that you will always be supported in their use. 

With our trusted and experienced team taking care of your business’ technology, you can concentrate on delivering your message, key services, and the best experience to your customers.

Community

Shipleys works with and supports a number of local community groups, trusts and charities. As a New Zealand owned and operated company we believe in sharing our expertise to help organisations operate more effectively and deliver meaningful projects and events to our communities.

We collaborate with other New Zealand business’s in cooperative R&D and work together with our partners to expand our service delivery when required for projects or events. We believe in supporting local business across all industries to interdependently leverage our capabilities and support the growth of the New Zealand economy, local business’ and community organisations.

We work to understand the vision of our clients and what their project represents as well as their technical requirements. We provide solutions and integrate technology permanently or temporarily in a diverse range of applications to support your mission. Our team are proud to support and work alongside any organisation or individual who aspires to create something positive selflessly.

Our mission is to support the growth and innovation in the technology sector in New Zealand, to reinvest in both technologies and our communities and to help people connect and to deliver projects and incentives.

Our profits stay in New Zealand and a percentage of them is donated to charities every year. With no external shareholders, we’re totally independent and the remainder of our profits are always reinvested back into the company to grow and develop our service delivery and capabilities for our clients.

Below is a list of some of the organisations we have supported you may be familiar with:

• Cancer Society

• Motor Neuron Disease Association 

• Breast Cancer Cure 

• Ronald McDonald House

• Christchurch City Mission 

• Victim Support

• Canterbury Muslim Community Trust

• Will to Live Community Trust

• Rata Foundation

• Oxfam NZ 

• Zonta Club Christchurch 

• Blind Low Vision NZ

• Court Theatre

Sustainability

Vehicles:
Our modern diesel vans emit lower carbon emissions and our company vehicles are modern low-emission petrol vehicles. We are currently testing an electric van too.

Paper & Cardboard:
Our office is mostly paperless, and all printing is double-sided. All our paper is put in separate bins around the building and emptied separately with cardboard on a weekly basis for recycling.

Toner Cartridges:  
Empty toner cartridges and drums from our printers are collected by Comworth Systems and sent to Auckland for recycling. 

Mixed Recycling:    
Mixed recycling is placed into Method bins around the building which are emptied into Council bins.

Metal/Cabling:        
Scrap metal - this includes steel, iron, aluminium etc. and cabling i.e. lead/copper core cables - are sent to either Resource Recycling or Bristol Metals for recycling. 

Lamps or bulbs:
Small data projector lamps, fluorescent tubes or any other items which may contain mercury are taken to local recycling stations.

Polystyrene:
All our polystyrene is collected in a large bin and recycled by the Loyal Group.

Remote Video Services:
We use the latest technology to connect people together to collaborate and share without having to increase your carbon footprint travelling.

Our Network & Partnerships

Shipleys has been in business for almost 95 years. Over this time we have built an extensive of network of relationships with industry professionals, suppliers, technicians and engineers. 

Our relationships with local and international suppliers enable us to access an extensive range of technology and deliver the most applicable and advanced solutions for your project or event.

We work with national suppliers to ensure local support and partner with leading international suppliers to access new technology sooner. We are able to leverage our strong industry relations and extensive experience to pioneer the latest technologies in different applications to integrate a solution that best solves your objectives.