Supporting Hawke’s Bay Athletes and Local Communities
At Conroy Removals, supporting the communities we operate in is at the heart of everything we do. As a trusted New Zealand moving company, we believe in giving back to the people who have supported us – from local families and businesses to the wider Hawke’s Bay community.
Our commitment goes beyond furniture removals and relocation services. We actively invest in local initiatives, including sports clubs, schools, charities, and community groups, helping people pursue their goals and build stronger communities.
Supporting Local Talent in Hawke’s Bay
One inspiring example of this commitment is our long-standing support of Hawke’s Bay athlete Casey Hales.
Casey, based in Napier, is preparing to represent New Zealand at the Canoe Polo World Championships in Germany, marking another milestone in an already outstanding sporting career.
She enters the competition as a current world champion, following New Zealand’s gold medal win at the 2024 Canoe Polo World Championships in China – only the second time the New Zealand women’s team has achieved this feat. The team continued their success in 2025, securing a silver medal at the World Games, reinforcing New Zealand’s growing strength in international canoe polo.
With a strong squad returning, Casey and her teammates are focused on one goal:
“The focus now is, can we go back-to-back?”
Balancing Elite Sport and Everyday Life
Like many athletes competing at an elite level in New Zealand, Casey balances intense training with full-time work and study. Based in Napier, she works in frontline policing while also completing university studies.
Her training schedule includes:
- Multiple on-water sessions each week
- Strength and conditioning programmes
- Tactical performance analysis
“You have to work to afford the sport, but if you’re working all the time, you’re not training. It’s a constant balance.”
This reality highlights the challenges faced by athletes in amateur sports, where competing internationally can cost upwards of $16,000 per player.
The Importance of Community Sponsorship
This is where businesses like Conroy Removals play an important role.
We’ve proudly supported Casey since her early international career, from canoe slalom through to her success in canoe polo.
“Conroy has always been my main sponsor. They’ve been there year after year.”
Our support helps ease financial pressure, allowing talented athletes like Casey to focus on performance and representing New Zealand on the world stage.
“Conroy’s support takes away a huge financial stress and allows me to focus on performing.”
“I quite possibly wouldn’t have become a world champion without Conroy.”
A True Hawke’s Bay Success Story
Casey’s journey began right here in Hawke’s Bay, where she grew up surrounded by paddling. With both parents involved in the Hawke’s Bay Canoe Club, and siblings already competing, sport quickly became a central part of her life.
She attended Taradale High School, where she balanced canoe slalom and canoe polo before ultimately focusing on the team-based, fast-paced nature of canoe polo.
“I like having my team around me. There’s more going on in polo, and I enjoy the tactical side.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
For Casey, representing New Zealand is about more than medals.
“Wearing the fern is about pushing beyond what I think I can achieve – but it’s also about representing something bigger than yourself.”
She hopes her journey inspires young athletes across Hawke’s Bay and New Zealand.
“If they could do it, I could do it – and now I want to be that for the next generation.”
Conroy Removals: Moving People, Supporting Communities
At Conroy Removals, we’re proud to support not just moves across Napier, Hawke’s Bay, and New Zealand, but also the people who make our communities stronger.
Casey’s journey is a powerful example of what can happen when local support, dedication, and opportunity come together.
As she heads to Germany to represent New Zealand again, we wish her every success.
Good luck, Casey – we’re behind you all the way.