12 Jun Joe Pope: From Site to GM
From Apprentice to GM: Joe Pope’s Leadership Journey at Passive Fire NZ
What excites you about the new role?
To be honest, not much changes for me, it’s really just the email signature. The focus stays the same: keep doing great things as a team, keep delivering for our clients, and keep building on the strong foundations we’ve already laid. We’ve worked hard to position ourselves as the industry leader and this role is just another step continuing momentum.
Any challenges or goals you have on the radar?
As we continue to grow, one of the key challenges is maintaining quality, culture and consistency across everything we do. A big focus for me is refining our systems so they scale with us, developing our next layer of leaders, and making sure we’re always ahead of the curve, whether it’s through innovation, training or client experience. The goal is simple: keep raising the bar while staying true to who we are.
What have you learned from working with Awen and what do you hope to carry through into your role?
Working with Awen has reinforced the importance of team, culture and shared determination. We’ve got a similar mindset when it comes to how a business should operate and where it should be heading. In challenging times, that alignment has been key; it’s created a strong working relationship built on trust, drive and mutual respect. What I hope to carry forward is that same focus on clarity, our culture and pushing forward with purpose.
Tell us about your career path? What roles lead you to Passive Fire NZ?
My journey started at Takapuna Grammar School, my father was heavily involved in building and the leaky home crisis. This led me into a building apprenticeship straight out of school, and from there I worked my way through the ranks – from the tools to Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP), then into site and project management roles. Over time, I found myself drawn to the operations side of construction, where I could focus on finding efficiencies, building better systems, and coaching teams to deliver stronger outcomes. That pursuit of operational excellence has been a common thread throughout my career and is what ultimately led me to Passive Fire NZ.
How did you get into this industry?
I got into the industry through a leadership role, with a focus on driving better business outcomes and building high-performing teams. I was drawn to the technicality of the work, but also to the client-facing aspect – being able to engage directly with clients, understand their challenges and deliver solutions that genuinely add value. There’s a real sense of purpose in what we do, and I’ve always been driven by my ambition to challenge the status quo and help lift the standard across the industry.
Any highlights or people who have been instrumental in your career to date?
My father, without a doubt, his influence has been a driving force throughout my career. A true highlight for me is this new role of General Manager – it’s a reflection of the hard work, growth and support I’ve had along the way. I’ve been fortunate to work on some incredible projects and alongside amazing people. Every leader, mentor, apprentice and team member I’ve crossed paths with has played a part in getting me here. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, but I know this is just the beginning.