Whakatipu Tangata, Whakatipu Pakihi – Grow the People, Grow the Business
Born in Hāwera in 1978, Nathan Gray (Ngā Ruahine) carries both the responsibility of legacy and the strength of whakapapa into his leadership of Gray’s Painting.
Leaving school early, Nathan completed an electrical apprenticeship at Greaves Electrical, becoming one of the youngest qualified electricians in New Zealand at the time. He later trained as a builder — a trade he still says he misses — In 2010, he returned home to marry and start a family. Today, he and his wife have three children aged 14, 12 and 10.
Now 46, Nathan has owned Gray’s Painting for 12 years. When he purchased the business, there were 18 staff. At its peak, the company grew to more than 50 employees, and today it employs 40 people across Taranaki. Around 30% of his team whakapapa Māori — something Nathan is proud of, not as a statistic, but as a reflection of the community the business serves and grows alongside.
With that growth came pressure — not just commercially, but personally. The Gray name carries weight in the region, and Nathan felt a strong responsibility to leave the business in a better place for future generations. One of his biggest learning curves was leadership. “You couldn’t treat people the way they used to,” he reflects. Systems were outdated, HR policies were minimal, and much of the operation was manual. Nathan invested heavily in modernising the business — introducing new software systems, improving processes, and seeking professional advice rather than relying solely on informal conversations. “Get good advice — not just advice,” he says. “Spend the money on the right professionals.”
Nathan is a strong advocate for trades as a career pathway. He regularly speaks to high schools, encouraging rangatahi to consider apprenticeships. While some academic institutions continue to push university pathways, he believes trades offer opportunity, stability and real growth — particularly for young people who may not thrive in traditional classroom environments.
Investing in people sits at the heart of Gray’s Painting. The business has recently employed three rangatahi through the Mayor’s Taskforce for Jobs, and Nathan remains committed to upskilling both new and long-standing staff. Even painters with decades of experience are supported to complete formal trade certifications. Monthly team development sessions and regular pay reviews help maintain open communication — something Nathan admits he learned the importance of over time.
“Success to me is simple,” he says. “Happy staff, happy clients, and a sustainable business for future generations.”
He believes if staff feel valued and supported, clients naturally receive better service — and sustainability follows.
Nathan also understands the loneliness that can come with business ownership. Weekly coffee catch-ups with other local business owners have become one of his most valuable leadership tools. These informal conversations provide perspective, shared insight and accountability. “Surround yourself with good people. You never stop learning,” he says, recalling his grandfather’s words: learn something every day.
Family remains non-negotiable. Nathan structures his mornings to drop his children at school and prioritises balance, exercise and wellbeing. For him, business is important — but not at the expense of what matters most.
As Gray’s Painting approaches 70 years, Nathan’s focus is clear: develop people, strengthen culture, stay ahead of change, and ensure the legacy continues — not just in name, but in values.
