The partnership between BY Group, a Supply Nation certified Australian Indigenous construction company, and Hatanga Ltd, the leading construction contractor within the Solomon Islands, formally commenced in October 2022. The key objective of this joint venture is to bring Indigenous people from Australia and Solomon Islands together and give our clients the certainty of ISO & FSC Certified Management Systems whilst providing local Solomon Islands knowledge and labour force to deliver complex and remote projects across the Pacific region.
BY Group's Managing Director Malcom Devin and Hatanga management team meeting the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands (October 2024)
Throughout this ongoing partnership with Hatanga Ltd, BY Group has assisted in the delivery of critical Australian and New Zealand-funded infrastructure projects throughout the Pacific Islands. This collaboration has bridged Indigenous communities in Australia and the Pacific Islands whilst developing sustainable employment across the communities where both companies operate. With the support of our respective government representatives, the partnership is now expanding this model beyond the Solomon Islands into Vanuatu and Tuvalu. This growth reinforces our combined capabilities, provides genuine opportunities for Australian and Solomon Island people to work on diverse projects and strengthens local communities across both regions.
Since breaking ground in December 2024, the Saints of Melanesia Building (SOMB) in the heart of Honiara has seen remarkable transformation. As the second major international project delivered through the BY Group and Hatanga partnership, this three-storey provincial headquarters is rapidly taking shape as a modern administrative and community hub for members of the Anglican Church of Melanesia. With the concrete structure approaching completion, our focus now shifts to the structural steel roof and building lock up.
BY Group and Hatanga were glad to deliver the refurbishment of the facilities at the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Station and the National Disaster Management Office in Lata, Temotu Province, Solomon Islands. Delivered under the Solomon Islands-Australia Defence Cooperation Program, this project employed over 75% local Temotu people, which when coupled with ex-ADF personnel and the benefits of prefabricated construction was able to achieve the original contract completion date.
The Port Vila Central Police Station project in Vanuatu represents an opportunity to enhance the service ability of the Vanuatu Police Force to support the Vanuatu community through a well-developed design under the Pacific Police Infrastructure Program (PPIP). BY Group and Hatanga have commenced this project and are currently completing the extensive civil package.
This project involves the upgrading of the Police Maritime Workshop and adjacent wharf in Funafuti, Tuvalu as part of the Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP) including 100A shore power to supply the Guardian Class Patrol Boats (GPB). BY Group and Hatanga have commenced this project, and we are currently focusing on the demolition and structural rebuilding of the workshop with the wharf upgrade works to commence mid-2026.
This project involved the external and internal refurbishment of the Australian High Commission Residence in Port Vila, Vanuatu. The project allowed BY Group and Hatanga to work closely with local subcontractors and provide two of our Indigenous Apprentices to travel to Vanuatu and work on the project.
Our partnership with Hatanga has delivered certified construction safety training to over 100 local Hatanga employees, which includes Australian equivalent white card and scaffolding training. BY Group has also assisted Hatanga in the upgrade of their IT management systems and processes to ensure they can deliver projects to Australian, New Zealand and other international standards.
This training program is ongoing between BY Group and Hatanga and it is our commitment to continue to assist in the skill development of the local Pacific Islander people through the successful delivery of our projects.
Hatanga and BY Group were pleased to sponsor the 14th Australia-Solomon Islands Business Forum in 2025. Angeline Hatimoana, Contract & Procurement Coordinator, and Rachel Ramoifuila, Finance Manager, represented Hatanga alongside BY Group’s Robert De Brincat, Head of Special Projects. They had the opportunity to speak about the capabilities of the Solomon Islands industry to support civilian & defence infrastructure.
Together, both organisations also had the opportunity to be gold sponsors for the Solomon Islands Australia Alumni Association (SIAAA) Gala Dinner. In attendance were key personnel representing the Solomon Islands Government and the Australian High Commission. The evening featured entertainment by the Kirio Dancers and Pacific Award-Winning Artist Jaro Local, with over 100 alumni and private sector stakeholders participating in the event.
BY Group-Hatanga Sponsorship Tinakula Festival 2025
Video Credit: Hatanga Media
BY Group and Hatanga were proud to be platinum sponsors for the Tinakula Festival in 2024 and 2025. The theme of the 2025 festival was "Roots to Horizon: Celebrating Temotu's Legacy" to celebrate and preserve the rich traditions of the people of the Temotu Province.
Working across the Pacific Islands has its perks! Both BY Group and Hatanga Ltd staff have enjoyed the opportunities to go fishing and explore the outer islands.
Working with Hatanga over the past three years has created many opportunities for BY Group to help the skills development of Indigenous communities across both Australia and the Pacific Islands. We are so grateful for the opportunities that this partnership with Hatanga has provided the people inside and outside of our businesses, and we value the changes we have been able to make from successful project delivery to upskilling local construction workers.
BY Group thank Hatanga and other partners in the Solomon Islands for their continued support, and we look forward to future developments.
If you are interested in learning about how BY Group can help build infrastructure that supports your community, get in contact with us here.