32 | Wallace Development Company / Carrus Corporation: Mission Hills T T Karen Phelps New suburb for Napier taking shape Mike Haden: “From planning with consultants through to tendering contracts and getting boots on the ground, each stage requires the same level of detail and coordination.” Carrus is the creator of more than 50 residential communities and the developer of more than 10,000 sections throughout the North Island. Our strengths lie within our team’s experience and expertise in planning and design, construction, sales and marketing, together with all aspects of financial management. Established 1990, here for the long haul! www.carrus.co.nz | 0800 Y CARRUS | info@carrus.co.nz Contact us today to find out more information on our latest projects www.missionhills.co.nz www.ngarotoestate.co.nz REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT “It’s a high-quality, resilient development in an elevated location just minutes from town. That’s what makes it such an important addition to the region.” Behind the sweeping views and emerging homes at Mission Hills in Napier lies a complex and carefully orchestrated development effort where years of planning and millions of cubic metres of earth have been moved long before residents arrive. Mike Haden, project manager for the development, says beneath the surface, the scale and technical challenges have required a coordinated approach across engineering, planning, construction, marketing and finance teams. “It’s a large-scale development set within very challenging topography, with significant valleys rising to high peaks,” says Mike. “For example, we’re dealing with fill batters of more than 25 metres and cutting up to 15 metres off hilltops to create urban platforms.” Set on 205 hectares of land, to date contractors have shifted around 1.5 million cubic metres of earth during Stage 1 alone. While that phase of earthworks is now complete, subdivision, services and landscaping are underway, with further stages expected to mirror the same scale. “It’s the work you have to do before you even start the development bringing services like power, fibre, wastewater, stormwater and potable water to the site, especially when they originate more than a kilometre away from Taradale,” says Mike citing another key challenge. That early investment in infrastructure highlights a key reality of large-scale developments: much of the complexity is invisible to the public. Long before construction crews arrive, extensive consultation, consenting and design work must be completed. Mike says that before Stage 1 began, the team worked through subdivision consent, followed by detailed engineering approvals with Napier City Council. This ensures that roads, footpaths, services and landscaping meet standards before being handed over to the council for long-term management. “The process is rigorous and it repeats itself as we move into future stages. From planning with consultants through to tendering contracts and getting boots on the ground, each stage requires the same level of detail and coordination,” says Mike. Forward planning is another critical element, with multiple stages being designed well in advance of construction. “From what people see on the ground there is significant forward planning. We are looking three to four stages ahead, and what is being planned today may not be built for one to two years. With a project of this scale, that level of planning alongside council is essential,” says Mike. Timing has also influenced the development’s trajectory. Work began shortly after Cyclone Gabrielle, a factor that could have posed significant risks had earthworks already been underway. “The site held up very well to that severe weather event, which gave us additional confidence.” The project has also focused on supporting the local economy by engaging nearby expertise wherever possible. “We’ve tried to employ locally where we can. Utilising local companies is good for the local economy and it’s great to keep locals working. It’s also more cost-effective for the development.” Today the transformation is unmistakable. Stages 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A and 1E are either complete or underway, with homes already built and residents beginning to move in. “You wouldn’t recognise the site from what we started with,” says Mike. “It’s gone from hilly farmland to an urban platform with housing appearing across the landscape.” As a new suburb for Napier, Mission Hills is also designed with resilience in mind, from stable ground conditions with no liquefaction risk to stormwater systems built for extreme weather. “It’s a high-quality, resilient development in an elevated location just minutes from town. That’s what makes it such an important addition to the region,” says Mike.
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