| 53 T T Kim Newth Fresh opportunties The new RV sales and rentals hub in Mangere marks the start of an exciting phase of growth and opportunity for the business. Tourism Holdings Ltd DEVELOPMENT Five years after losing their branch premises in a fire, Auckland’s Tourism Holdings Limited (thl) team is looking forward to moving shortly into permanent, architecturally designed premises in Mangere, right beside the Manukau Harbour. Due to be fully operational by the start of May 2025, thl’s impressive new RV sales and rentals hub in Mangere marks the start of an exciting phase of growth and opportunity for the business. Chief operating officer Matthew Harvey, who has led this project from the start, says it has been a long journey to find a new site. Since the fire in 2020, thl has been operating out of temporary premises on Manu Tapu Drive, near Auckland Airport, while exploring future options. The hunt has culminated in a perfect location on Oruarangi Road at a site previously occupied by Villa Maria Wines. “We could see past the wine vats and bottling plants and had this vision of what it could be for thl,” says Matt. “The buildings have really good bones – it’s award-winning architecture and we’ve now given it a full refresh inside. We’ve been repurposing and refitting the buildings since last August, working to a budget of just over $20 million.” With plenty of space to play with at the new site, thl is now bringing together operations that used to be spread over four separate locations. “Our head office will move from Auckland city to the new site at the end of March. Our rental operations are going to be based there as well, with a big rentals workshop out the back. The building next to that, which used to be the bottling plant, has been converted into a large indoor sales showroom for thl’s RV Super Centre.” That showroom will display 15-20 RVs, complemented by an upmarket parts and accessories retail store, and with sales yards in front and behind the building. “In total, there will be over 50 vehicles on display for sale. This will be the first time that we’ve had a purpose-built, dedicated sales site. We’ve used RX Group to help us with a retail design that we think is going to be one of the best in New Zealand.” Another separate warehouse building on the site will be used as a repair centre for maintaining and refurbishing rental vehicles, as well as providing a private service centre for thl’s RV owners. “We have a lot of land now too, so we can park and store RVs on-site, and there’s staff parking for all our crew. “As part of the redevelopment, we’ve also created a new front forecourt area for RV pickups and drop-offs.” The site has a fascinating geological and cultural history. Local iwi have been working alongside thl on design elements for the redevelopment that will help tell the history and meaning of the land. Sustainability elements include rainwater harvesting technology that will supply water to the site’s irrigation system, as well as a new automatic truck wash for RVs. At the peak of the summer season, thl expects to have some 300 crew working out of the new site. Partners in this redevelopment include Jasmax (interior design), Colliers NZ (project management), Aspec Construction (lead contractor on interior building works), G Mundy Construction (civil works) and GreensceneNZ Landscapes (all native plants on-site). “Everything has come together well and is looking absolutely outstanding. We’re really proud and excited about how this will transform the way we operate.” PASSIONATE ABOUT PARTS. • Workshop Consumables • Filtration • Clutch • Electrical • Steering & Suspension • Brake Friction • Driveline • Tools & Equipment
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