Celebrating a Legacy: John & Ann Maree Cochrane

After more than five decades in the furniture and fit-out industry, John and Ann Maree Cochrane have hung up their hats and stepped into a well-deserved retirement. Since 1974, they’ve been a driving force in shaping commercial interiors across New Zealand, building strong relationships, and supporting local makers along the way.

We at Kovacs are especially grateful for their unwavering support, collaboration, and contribution to the wider design community. To mark this milestone, we sat down for a Q&A to reflect on their journey, highlights, and insights from a career that has left a lasting impact.

1.How did your journey in the commercial and interior fit-out industry begin?

My first foray into the furniture industry was in manufacturing from 1974 for seven years, three of those as Factory Manager, during this time I learned the skills of machining, cabinet making, polishing and upholstery. After this I worked for five years in freight forwarding, a real asset when combining products from numerous suppliers into one project, then moved back into manufacturing in a sales and marketing role which progressed to a Commission Agent, selling on behalf of numerous manufacturers. From there was the inception of John Cochrane Commercial Furniture, launched in 1990.

2. What drew you to this field, and what kept you passionate about it?

The attraction to interior Fit-outs was the challenge of sourcing products to suit project briefs, which involved working closely with Architects predominantly and some Interior Designers, and also their clients. My passion is furniture, and to work with so many types, styles and brands, and also with my knowledge of manufacturing allowed me to create bespoke items that were not available off the shelf, but were required on specific projects, this all created challenges and certainly kept the interest there.

3. Looking back on your career, are there any standout projects that you’re particularly proud of? 

There have been many standout projects over the years. A few that come to mind and would be familiar to most are as follows:

• Christchurch Town Hall, we refitted the auditorium (2220 seats) and the James Hay theatre ( 1004 seats) in 1998 and 2000 respectively.
• The Christchurch Convention Centre, we refurbished 2100 conference chairs and supplied 300 new, in the early 2000s.
• Lancaster Park/AMI Stadium, filled out the then new Deans Stand and refurbished the existing Hadlee Stand.
• The Hadlee Pavilion at the Hagley oval, we fitted out the Function and Events Centre and offices.
• The George Hotel, we fitted out the first floor restaurant with bespoke chairs and tables, and 50Bistro restaurant on the ground floor with locally made high back chairs and tables.
• 5th Street Restaurant, replaced all Booth seating and some bespoke tables.
• Christchurch Libraries, supplied new furniture and refurbished existing, this business was constant for 13 years. 
• Rangi Ruru Girls School, we fitted out the new library and the collaborative areas throughout the school.
• Forte Health, we supplied the seating for Forte Orthopaedics, Forte Urology and Pacific Radiology, for their reception areas, offices and consultants rooms. We also fitted out the Board room, conference room and main office area, all of the former was supplied for the Hospital opening in 2014. Since then we have supplied numerous items, bespoke and standard, to Oxford Women’s Health and just recently new chairs to Forte Orthopaedics reception area, for a re-fresh. 

4. What changes have you seen in the industry over the last 35 years?

There have been numerous changes in the industry in our time. When we first started the majority of raw materials, components and manufactured furniture were NZ made or sourced, sadly gradually over the years timber and fabric mills have closed , component manufacturers have struggled to compete therefore needing to close too, and the same has happened with numerous manufacturers particularly those focusing on the lower end of the market. The major reason for this has been the removal of the import tariffs which were in place to protect local businesses. I personally believe we have gone from being almost self-sufficient to being extremely reliant on imports.

Another big change in the furniture market in general is that in our early years there was almost a defined line between commercial & residential furniture, style wise, whereas today there is almost no separation. The commercial interior-fit out styling has become more of a welcoming and comfortable feel, showing a strong influence of Mid Century modern and California  Modernist stylings, which has also become very strong in the Residential market, aligned with Modern Architecture leading with the same influences.

5. Have there been any major challenges that helped shape your approach to design and fit-outs?  

There have been 2 massive challenges in the market, the first being the Christchurch Earthquakes, which turned a lot of lives upside down, including ours. Once the dust settled  (so to speak), there was huge demand for instant office furniture in particular, to get bums on seats so as businesses could get back up and running,  but this was short lived as once the initial demand was filled the market slowed down until buildings were repaired or rebuilt, this brought quit a change in the commercial market as the majority of the new buildings were built with large open spaces and hard surfaces and therefore the fit-outs had to deal with the acoustic issues. 

The Second challenge was Covid, people couldn’t travel so spent their money in other directions and furniture was high on the list as they sat in their homes looking at their existing furniture, which wasn’t a high priority but soon became one, and demand increased massively, unfortunately Covid also created an issue of supply world wide, where materials and components became difficult to source and freight went through the roof, and the market is still suffering from these issues today. 

6. Do you remember your first project working with Kovacs?

I am struggling to remember the first project as there have been so many, but one that sticks in my mind from the early days is Calvary Hospital and Rest Home in Invercargill, we fitted out the lounges, reception area and rooms, the satisfying part in this job was that Hildy developed a new chair specifically for the project, which led to the introduction of the Butt chair, and was followed shortly after by the Leg Butt, not terribly interesting names but were supplied into numerous projects by us and others in the Market. 

7. What drew you to our furniture?

It was in the late 80’s when I was invited to a product launch at the Kovacs factory, and along with some very well finished pieces on display there was also an upholstery frame to show the internal structure, I remember to this day thinking WOW this is built to last. and this is the case through the whole range and topped off with a quality finish.

8. What has kept you coming back to Kovacs over the years?

The quality and variety of their furniture, their communication on progress of your orders and clarity of your requirements, their follow up service if ever required. We also have a very close and respectful relationship which allows us to work closely together, and this I value very much. 

9. Are there any pieces or projects with Kovacs that you feel especially connected to?

The Butt and Leg Butt chairs, and also the Nero and Ground Nero chairs as I had some personal input into the development of them, and both styles were very successful in their time. 

The Club and Jed, chairs and settees have also been favourites of mine, especially in communal spaces such as Libraries, but my absolute favourite would have to be the Marley, we have 2 in our own home and they are certainly our go-to pieces.

Personal Reflections

10. What values have guided your work throughout your career?

To prioritise the customers requirements, good communication with supplier/manufacturer and customer, supplying the right products for each situation. I have also always made sure we are on site for deliveries, to check over the product, unwrap and remove packaging, place furniture and assemble and install when required.

11. What advice would you offer to someone just entering the interior fit-out world?    

Listen to your customer, make sure you understand their requirements and don’t assume, when presenting products, be sure the customer understands exactly what they would be receiving, this is best achieved by either supplying a sample, photographs or 3D drawings, and don’t leave anything for them to assume either

 

Above: Some brand photography we took in John and Annmaree’s gorgeous home

 

Retirement and beyond

12. How are you planning to spend your retirement? Any exciting plans or projects ahead?

We are very fortunate to have a wonderful home and a large garden which is lacking a little TLC at present, but we are keen gardeners so are looking forward to getting into that, as far as any other plans or projects are concerned, we are very much home body’s and love our own space but we do have a list, and it is rather long, but it does have a bit of travel desire in there, mostly around NZ

13. Do you think you’ll ever dabble in the industry again, even just for fun.

I already am! After spending a total of 50 years in the furniture industry in general and 36 under my own name, living it 24/7, it’s in my blood and impossible to just stop completely. Over the years I have met many amazing wonderful people, both clients and suppliers alike, many of whom are now good friends, and the Kovacs family would be the best example of this.