Sisam & Sons Ltd
CASE STUDY
Effluent Storage
Future-proofing effluent storage on a large scale inter-generational New Zealand property
For over 100 years, the Sisam family has farmed their extensive 4,750 hectare property just south of Whakātane, New Zealand.
Located near Taneatua, this large family-owned property runs a diverse operation, now spanning over 800 hectares of dairy, 650 hectares of forestry and over 2,500 hectares of effective sheep and beef area. As environmental regulations and industry requirements evolved, so has the farm’s approach to their effluent management and storage requirements.
Before installing KlipTanks, the farm’s dairy units relied on unlined ponds – an approach that was no longer viable under new resource consent regulations. Seeking a reliable, efficient and compliant solution, the Sisam family business turned to KlipTank to help modernise their effluent storage infrastructure and help combat a number of flood risks.
“Our main driver for finding a new system was compliance-driven,” Matt explains. “With the high flood risk we have here in the valley, we simply needed to get our effluent storage higher off the ground. Rather than putting in a big lined pond, it was far more effective to install a series of above ground KlipTanks.”
Today, the farm operates three KlipTanks, installed in 2019, 2021, and 2023. “Each of our three dairy sheds sit within the same floodplain, so it made sense to have a dedicated tank for each,” Matt says. With a total storage capacity of over 2.4 million litres across the three KlipTanks, they provide a compliant and future-proof effluent management system that further strengthens the farm’s commitment to sustainable and responsible environmental practices.
A key factor in the Sisam’s decision was KlipTank’s ability to handle compliance requirements seamlessly.
“They do all the calculations, they handle the building consent, installation, etc. It really is a complete and seamless service,” he notes. “When you sign up with them, they just deal with it all.”
Beyond compliance and the need to lift the storage higher above ground, the practical benefits of KlipTank’s design were also a major draw card.
“We weren’t that keen on a bladder given some of the solid blocking issues we have heard about and preferred something easier to clean,” Matt says. “KlipTank was the best option for us and our property.”
Installation efficiency was another big advantage. “They’re very quick at getting everything setup and ready,” Matt emphasises. “A few days and they’re done.” To optimise their effluent management system, the Sisam farm also uses KlipTank’s KlipJet stirring technology. “The jets have been great at doing what they are meant to and keep everything moving efficiently inside the tank,” Matt says.
The ongoing support from KlipTank has also impressed him. “If you call them up and need something, they’re always happy to help. Great communication and great process from start to finish.”
Matt highly recommends KlipTank for their efficiency and overall service. “They’re easy to work with and handle all the behind-the-scenes details for you,” he says. With three successful installations and a positive customer experience, KlipTank has proven to be the right choice for the Sisam family farm – delivering a robust, efficient and compliant effluent management solution for generations to come.
Matt Sisam
Sisam & Sons Ltd
Whakatāne, New Zealand
What other customers have to say about their KlipTank
Meet the team
Kim HendersonDirector
Kim co-founded KlipTank in 2009 and become owner in 2021, after returning to New Zealand from the United States.
For 26 years overseas, Kim worked in the oil and gas industry across the Middle East and US.
His forte is starting greenfield units, which he did for his own flexible hydraulic hose business in the Middle East, Turkey, Singapore, the United States, Oman and China. His grown-up children still reside in the United States.
Kim returned to New Zealand to be closer to extended family and is now involved in the day to day running of KlipTank, with big plans for the expansion of the business.
From KlipTank’s home in Tauranga, he is now looking forward to guiding the company’s growth in the area of water security and providing water storage solutions for fire safety, potable water, horticulture and waste-water.
A redesign of KlipTanks products and manufacturing processes since 2021 has also allowed for flat packing of the tanks into containers for export.
He is extremely proud of what the hardworking KlipTank team has achieved and is looking forward to recruiting more great people.
Outside of work he has a passion for motorcycles, boats, and muscle cars and is a firm believer that the correct number of toys you should own, is one more than you have.
Ruan MeyerGeneral Manager
Ruan and his family moved to New Zealand from South Africa 5 years ago, bringing with him extensive experience in mechanical engineering and a proven track record in completing projects on time and within budget.
He is currently the General Manager at KlipTank, recently promoted from being Operations Manager where he still manages the day-to-day operations of KlipTank and leads the team. He is focussed on seeing projects through to completion and working in unison to achieve KlipTank’s short and long-term goals.
Ruan started his career as a Fitter & Turner tradesperson at a power station in South Africa before studying for a national diploma in mechanical engineering.
He then moved to Malvern Engineering Works in Johannesburg as an estimator and project co-ordinator, and later worked as production manager, manufacturing mine process equipment. He then became project and maintenance manager for Mertech Marine in Cape Town, a company which manages ships that retrieve redundant telecommunications cables & equipment from the seabed and mechanically disassemble & recycle the materials.
Since moving to New Zealand, he’s worked for HCD flow conveying, Baytext as Aluminium WS Engineering Supervisor, PFS as PE doing ASME pressure vessel and piping projects and Fabworx engineering PM including leading the Structural project to install 80 tonnes of steel at the new Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa in Rotorua.
Ruan is a family man with two children and enjoys weekends on the beach, in the backyard and biking or walking local trails. He has found a great network of other ‘Saffas’ in the Bay, including close friends who have become like Kiwi family.
Duheine MyburghMarket Manager - Water
Duheine is a qualified hydrogeologist and joined the KlipTank team in 2021, taking on the newly-established role of Market Manager - Water.
He is focussed on the export side of the KlipTank business, particularly in the Pacific Islands, where complex logistics and limited infrastructure make KlipTank products the perfect solution to rainwater harvesting.
He oversees the tender submission process on large offshore water storage projects and is currently managing a 3-year project to deliver 280 water storage KlipTanks to the Marshall Islands.
Duheine also manages the fire water storage market for KlipTank in New Zealand. Some of KlipTank’s end users include the Warehouse Group and NASA, to name a few.
Originally from South Africa, he spent 10 years in the mining industry working in the diamond, coal and coalbed methane gas commodities.
Duheine and his family moved to New Zealand in 2018, where he joined Wellington Water as a Senior Engineer in the drinking water team. Keen to escape the wind, they moved to Tauranga in 2021, where his extensive experience in water management made KlipTank a great fit.
To relax, Duheine enjoys fishing and spending time with his wife and three young children.