46 | Social project garners recognition The Te Kupenga Alexander Crescent development comprises 58 homes across 13 blocks Gemscott Developments T T Bernadette Cooney “Te Kupenga is a perfect example of what we can achieve through careful planning, community consultation, and partnership.” DEVELOPMENT Auckland property development company Gemscott Developments has once again demonstrated its leadership in delivering high-quality social housing, earning national recognition at the 2025 Property Industry Awards. The company’s Te Kupenga Alexander Crescent development in Ōtara for Kāinga Ora, took home an Excellence Award in the Kāinga Ora Homes and Communities Affordable Housing Category, affirming Gemscott’s reputation as a specialist in community housing solutions, both public and private. The award-winning project comprises 58 homes across 13 blocks, offering a mix of two- , three- and four-bedroom homes. The build includes two-level apartment blocks, terraces, duplexes, and a dedicated community room. High-quality timber weatherboards and James Hardie cladding ensure both durability and street appeal, with 30% of the homes being accessibility friendly, says Gemscott director of developments, Jasem Saleh. “Our focus has always been on delivering quality homes and neighbourhoods Kiwis can be proud of. Te Kupenga is a perfect example of what we can achieve through careful planning, community consultation, and partnership.” The build was completed on time and on budget in just 15 months, including civil works. Another standout Kainga Ora development from Gemscott Developments is 161 Guys Road in Huntington Park, also a finalist in the same category of the Property Awards. This 49-unit development overcame early opposition from the community, and even an arson attack that destroyed one of its apartment blocks. Despite this, Gemscott Developments rebuilt the structure and still delivered the project on schedule. This kind of resilience and reliability underscores why Gemscott is trusted by both public and private sector partners. “Our partnerships are central to our mission to deliver quality housing developments, and we are committed to our work with local iwi in delivering housing developments that serve the needs of stakeholders and communities,” says Jasem. Gemscott has partnered with many local iwi across Auckland and Northland, including Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Tamaoho, Ngāi Tai ki Tamaki, Ngāti Rehia, and Ngāpuhi, who they collaborated with to deliver a landmark project on Mangakāhia Road Kaikohe, completing the entire development cycle from demolition to final inspection, in just 110 working days. “The Far North District Council trialled the use of AI assistance for the consent review process, which approved consent in four days, saving months of review time,” says Jasem. “Which stands as one of the fastest-consented builds in New Zealand history.” Over the past seven years since its inception, Gemscott Developments has delivered over 780 housing units, including 680 homes for Kāinga Ora across 37 projects. Gemscott’s portfolio extends beyond public housing. In Swanson, its private client build, Vines Estate is a 252-unit master-planned community tailored to first-home buyers and downsizers. Stages 1 to 4 are complete and available now, offering high-spec two- and three-bedroom homes that are 15% larger than the market standard. “Our two-bedroom units are 88 square metres and our three bedrooms average 117 square metres, all with allocated car parking and within walking distance of public transport, a local school and the Swanson RSA.” The Vines Estate development in Swanson is a 252-unit master-planned community tailored to first-home buyers and downsizers. (09) 421 9067 Innovative electrical designs that will add value to your next project.
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