A steel installation company for the Te Kaha stadium has entered liquidation just weeks after appointing a notorious fraudster as a director.
Triangle Steel Construction Ltd. was subcontracted by Hong Kong-based steel supplier Jinggong Steel to work on the major arena project. Triangle Steel’s primary responsibility was to install 40 curved radial trusses around the perimeter of the stadium.
Triangle Steel was officially placed into liquidation on September 5. Inland Revenue had sought to liquidate the steel fabricator last December, but it remains unclear whether they initiated the current action.
Weeks prior to the company’s liquidation, its director and shareholder Jiao Guan resigned from both positions and was replaced by Les Orchard. The other newly appointed director of Triangle, Baohong Zhang, resides in Henan province, China.
Orchard has an astonishingly extensive criminal record. According to reports, he has at least 1,160 convictions, including over 1,000 jail sentences, amounting to more than 5,000 years of maximum jail time.
Orchard mentioned that he had known Guan for 15 years, during which Guan invited him to serve as a director and consultant to address the issues facing Triangle.
“The next minute, it’s been liquidated,” Orchard said.
Orchard also stated that Guan resigned from Triangle Steel due to “personal reasons,” and he was in Dubai to set up more work.
“I don’t think he’s running away from anyone,” he added.
Orchard said he would meet with the liquidators, although he was uncertain about what information he could provide them. He thought that the Inland Revenue was the sole creditor involved.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for BESIX Watpac, the lead contractor for the stadium project, confirmed that all construction activities are proceeding according to schedule.
“We can confirm that all works are progressing according to the project programme, involving all BESIX Watpac subcontractors and suppliers. Our focus remains on delivering a high-quality multi-use arena for the Canterbury region. The progress on this complex project is a testament to our team’s dedication, planning, collaboration, and the strong safety culture fostered by the project team.”
