Qualified
BCITO-trained tradespeople
Many of our team trained and qualified through BCITO apprenticeships here at Atlas, under Bryce Clifford's guidance.
Our story · Since 1908
About Atlas
More than a century of fibrous plaster craft, from a one-man Auckland business to the team that rebuilt Hawke's Bay after the 1931 earthquake, and still shapes it today.
Atlas timeline
- 1908
Ernie Boyle founds Atlas Fibrous Plaster in Auckland.
- 1920s
The Depression makes work scarce. Atlas stays afloat on careful management and quality work.
- 1931
After the Hawke's Bay earthquake, Atlas moves to Hastings to help rebuild.
- 1983
Bryce Clifford buys the business after ten years working for David Land.
- Today
Nearly fifty staff, many trained and qualified here, working across Hawke's Bay.
Ernie BoyleFounder, Atlas Fibrous Plaster
1908 · Auckland
A one-man plastering business becomes a citywide name.
Atlas Fibrous Plaster was founded by Ernie Boyle in Auckland during 1908. The company carried out all styles of plaster work in residential and commercial properties around the city. Over the following years, Atlas also played a key role in the development of numerous iconic buildings, including the avant-garde Civic Theatre.
However, the Great Depression of the late 1920s meant that work became scarce. Many businesses struggled, but Atlas stayed afloat with careful management and a reputation for quality work.
3 February 1931
Two magnitude 7.8 earthquakes in two minutes left Napier and Hastings in ruins. From the rebuild came an Art Deco legacy Atlas helped shape by hand.
Rebuilding Hawke's Bay
From tragedy, a region rebuilt by hand.
Hawke's Bay was devastated by two magnitude 7.8 earthquakes in the space of two minutes. Hundreds died in the cities of Napier and Hastings, which now stood in twisted, charred ruins. The surrounding districts fared little better. Despite this tragedy, the region had a reasonably high rate of insurance cover, and this money meant that clean-up and reconstruction began almost immediately, powered by a readily available nationwide workforce.
Atlas answered the call for help. In the months that followed, Ernie Boyle moved his company to Hastings. Atlas once again played an important role in redeveloping the residential, commercial and public sector buildings of the area.
An Art Deco legacy
Napier's Art Deco. Hastings' Spanish Mission. Both built for plasterwork.
This was the famous era of Art Deco construction, a style for which Napier is now recognised as the world capital. Hastings was refashioned in the Spanish Mission style. Both were ideal for the extensive use of fibrous plaster mouldings, something Atlas excels at.
A fantastic example is the recently redeveloped Hastings Opera House, Toitoi. Atlas created many of the original mouldings for this building, and some of those moulds still exist today. Others were recently recreated using traditional techniques to make replacement sections for earthquake-strengthening work, a close finish where the original heritage is indistinguishable from new. It's something the Atlas team take great pride in.
Toitoi, detail work
Original mouldings, restored and re-gilded by hand.
A century of moulds
Ceiling centres, cast by hand.
David LandLed Atlas until 1983
Family hands to Bryce Clifford
Nearly fifty tradespeople, carrying the craft forward.
Atlas remained in family hands under the guidance of David Land until his death in 1983. It was then purchased by Bryce Clifford, who had worked for David for the previous ten years. Bryce continues to own and run the business to this day with a team of nearly fifty workers, many of whom are fully qualified tradespeople who gained their qualifications and experience under his guidance.
Atlas today
Plastering, GIB installation and custom fibrous plaster for Hawke's Bay.
Get in touch
Call the office06 878 3693The quickest way to reach us
Email usoffice@atlasfp.co.nzSend plans, photos or any question
FacebookAtlas Fibrous Plaster Co LtdMessage us or see recent work
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Workshop & office309 Eastbourne Street West, Hastings 4122Get directions
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Get in touch with us.
Questions about a job, a design, pricing or timing, big or small, we're happy to help. Give the office a ring, send an email, message us on Facebook, or come and see us in Hastings.
Send us any and every question. No job is too small to ask about.