Turning heads One year on from completion, the striking Greenhouse apartments building in Ponsonby is continuing to draw attention with its eye-catching facade.... T T Page 24 Volume 24 | Issue 1 | March 2025 www.waterfordpress.co.nz businessnorth
2 | Contents businessnorth 38|Making gains The Piako River flood-protection scheme has led to major environmental gains in the Waikato. 58| Worthy winner A 20-year career at Rosvall Sawmill has culminated in well-deserved recognition for Graham Waru. 140| Inspiring design MOTAT’s exciting new Science & Technology Centre has received plenty of industry accolades. 58 140 38 These conditions are prescribed for the sake of understanding between the Company and its clients. Advertising is charged for on the basis of space taken up using a standard tabloid page. Actual space may be reduced during the printing process but this will effect all advertisers equally so no credit will be given for any reduction in size due to processing. The Company reserves the right to alter, change or omit entirely any advertisement or article that it considers to be objectionable or which may contravene any law. 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Business South accepts no responsibility for loss of photos or manuscripts. #businessnorth #yourstory www.waterfordpress.co.nz The Lost Spring ������������������������������������ 03 Westmere Butchery ����������������������������� 04 MAKO Commercial ������������������������������ 05 Z Energy ������������������������������������������������ 06 Living Energy ���������������������������������������� 08 Lodestone Energy �������������������������������� 08 CMP Construction �������������������������������� 10 Abron Group ����������������������������������������� 16 Aedifice �������������������������������������������������� 17 McCore Group �������������������������������������� 18 Hopper Developments ������������������������ 21 Lobell Construction ����������������������������� 22 Spedding Industrial ������������������������������ 23 Ockham Residential ����������������������������� 24 Smales Farm ����������������������������������������� 26 Soho Group ������������������������������������������ 29 Mike Greer Developments ������������������ 30 Ngati Whakaue Tribal Lands ��������������� 32 Property For Industry �������������������������� 34 Parkwood Estate ���������������������������������� 37 Waikato Regional Council ������������������� 38 Protech Stainless ���������������������������������� 40 Stafford Engineering ���������������������������� 42 CST Group ��������������������������������������������� 43 Lugtons Real Estate ����������������������������� 44 Design Builders ������������������������������������ 45 Waikato Build ��������������������������������������� 46 Cambridge Homes South Waikato ���� 47 Urban Homes NZ ��������������������������������� 48 Northland Waste ���������������������������������� 50 Limitless Plumbing & Gas ������������������� 52 Barfoot & Thompson Whangarei ������� 53 Cabtec ���������������������������������������������������� 54 ShedEx Northland �������������������������������� 55 Gulf Harbour Marina ��������������������������� 56 Habitat for Humanity Northland �������� 57 Rosvall Sawmill ������������������������������������� 58 EPL Construction ��������������������������������������60 Ecocycle �����������������������������������������������������61 Awanui Veterinary Labs ��������������������������62 Whakatane Kiwi Trust ������������������������������63 Stresscrete Formstress ���������������������������64 Waipa District Council �����������������������������65 Parkinson & Holland ��������������������������������66 Initia �����������������������������������������������������������67 Danone Nutricia ���������������������������������������68 Dairy Goat Co-operative �������������������������70 Bakels Edible Oils �������������������������������������72 Lynwood Avocado Nursery ���������������������73 Spectrum Architectural Metal ����������������74 Allflex Packaging ��������������������������������������76 Warren Auger Bins �����������������������������������77 Global Engineering ����������������������������������78 DFI Engineering ����������������������������������������80 PFS Engineering ���������������������������������������81 Automate-X �����������������������������������������������82 5R Solutions ����������������������������������������������84 Applied Conveyor & Polymers ����������������85 Backhouse Jones Group ��������������������������86 DrySite �������������������������������������������������������87 Kerry Drainage & Civil �����������������������������88 Easy Moves �����������������������������������������������88 Mitchell Earthmoving ������������������������������90 PPCS - Pro Service ������������������������������������91 Planet Electrical ����������������������������������������92 Riggall Roofing ������������������������������������������93 SG Equipment �������������������������������������������94 Altruck and Machinery Services �������������95 Niche Design Co ���������������������������������������96 Wonder Group �����������������������������������������97 Apex Interiors �������������������������������������������98 Architecture F+D=A ��������������������������������100 Modal Architecture ��������������������������������101 Cullen Keiser Architecture ��������������������102 Respond Architects ��������������������������������102 Studio Fox Architects �����������������������������104 Nala Studio Architects ���������������������������105 Lloyd Hartley Architects ������������������������106 Strata Architects �������������������������������������108 WEL Architecture ������������������������������������109 Kiwi Carpentry ����������������������������������������110 CETA Homes �������������������������������������������112 Dekker Construction ������������������������������113 Breckon Builders ������������������������������������114 Becker Construction ������������������������������115 Topline Carpenters ��������������������������������116 J Hamblin Carpentry ������������������������������117 Novature �������������������������������������������������118 Landmark Homes North Shor ��������������118 Passive Aggressive ���������������������������������120 Forestview Homes ���������������������������������121 SmartSteel Buildings �����������������������������122 Renovation Masters �������������������������������124 Seventh View Residential ����������������������125 Pinnacle Builds & Renovations �������������125 Platinum Homes Rodney ����������������������126 Ridgeline Homes ������������������������������������126 T K Developments ����������������������������������128 Site Scope ������������������������������������������������129 BJOLI Builders �����������������������������������������130 RB Thomas ����������������������������������������������130 DRS Developments ��������������������������������131 BUILTsmart ���������������������������������������������132 Western Springs College �����������������������134 St Paul’s Collegiate School ��������������������135 Mangawhai Education Trust �����������������136 Auckland Council �����������������������������������138 Mount Maunganui Golf �������������������������139 Museum of Transport & Technology ���140 OUR PARTNERS: Christchurch Office 112 Wrights Road, Addington, Christchurch Phone 03-983 5500 PO Box 37 346 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Queenstown Office 70 Glenda Drive, Queenstown 9300 MANAGING DIRECTOR James Lynch james@waterfordpress.co.nz CO-MANAGING PARTNER Chris Pearce chris.pearce@waterfordpress.co.nz EDITORIAL Editor Nick Gormack nick@waterfordpress.co.nz Sub-editors Christine Defelice, Randall Johnston Journalists Lindy Andrews, Anne Boswell, Bernadette Cooney, Kelly Deeks, Hugh de Lacy, Russell Fredric, Richard Loader, Kim Newth, Sue Russell, Karen Phelps, Rosa Watson, Virginia Wright RESEARCH & MARKETING James Anderson, Sam Dart, Chris Graves, Megan Hawkins, Annie Patrick, Chris Pearce, Danielle Percival, Adam Shirra, Leo Smith, Alasdair Thomson sales@waterfordpress.co.nz PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT General Manager Luke Lynch luke@waterfordpress.co.nz Graphic Artists Connor Gosnell, Anton Gray, Francesca Hildawa, Sophie McCleary, Liki Udam art@waterfordpress.co.nz CONTENT COORDINATORS Alissa Crosby, Ann-Marie Frentz, Michelle Phelan, Josie Villa OFFICE AND ACCOUNTS Helen Bourne accounts@waterfordpress.co.nz Jill Holland reception@waterfordpress.co.nz Lyn Barlow lyn@waterfordpress.co.nz
| 3 The Lost Spring: Ohlson & Whitelaw T TKim Newth A place of magic and relaxation The Lost Spring offers a Pacific Island-style resort right here in New Zealand. “Parents can come here and forget their responsibilities in the real world for a time. People come as a group to relax and unwind. It’s a great place for an escape.” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT A thermal paradise in the Coromandel, The Lost Spring brings together beautifully relaxing geothermal pools and spa treatments with Pasifika hospitality in a lush bush setting. In the years since Covid, this unique getaway has been progressively refurbished to create the ultimate resort-style destination. “In the 16 years since we first opened, we have learned a lot about what works and what doesn’t,” explains founder Alan Hopping, whose vision is all about returning magic to people’s lives. “We were the first in the country to open with an adults-only policy and, as a result, our day spa has really taken off. We were also the first to sell alcohol at the pools. “Parents can come here and forget their responsibilities in the real world for a time. People come as a group to relax and unwind. It’s a great place for an escape.” The historic building that houses The Lost Spring’s reception, changing rooms and restaurant has been elegantly refurbished. Up the stairs is the private day spa, set amongst the treetops and including a guest lounge, treatment rooms and private massage bures. “We have invested significantly in further development. It’s about reinforcing what’s already here. The day spa now has 28 treatment stations. As you have your treatment, you can look out across streams and waterfalls with no-one in sight. It’s a lovely natural tree top environment.” The Lost Spring’s therapeutic geothermal pools can be savoured before or after treatments, with food and cocktails available. Bure seating areas by the pools and the gorgeous bush setting underline the overarching Pasifika theme. As Alan observes, an escape to the Pacific Islands is increasingly out of reach for many because costs have escalated so much in recent years. He says the Lost Spring offers a Pacific Island-style resort right here in New Zealand. “We’re an alternative option and, from Auckland, you can be here in just two and a half to three hours.” Complementing the physical amenities is a commitment to delivering excellent service and an experience ‘beyond expectation’. That includes all day dining in an historic school house restaurant, or while lounging on the deck or poolside. “We’re totally proud of our kitchen. A lot of people are coming here now to celebrate special occasions and we have our own functions centre as well.” Leading Coromandel building firm Ohlson & Whitelaw has played a key role at The Lost Spring over the past two years, building bures in the treetops, crafting staircase links and translating complex plans into built reality. “Craig Ohlson has been fantastic and he has a great team. I can’t speak highly enough of them.” Currently in the design phase at The Lost Spring are plans for a new international art gallery focussing on Pacific Islands’ art. It will include dining and conference facilities and will feature an exciting large-scale artwork using innovative 3D effects to transform a 1970s Corvette into a spaceship to the stars. Since Covid, The Lost Spring has been operating from Thursday to Sunday only but this is now under review. “We’re intending to open seven days again when the time is right and that could be later this year.” Local AwardWinning Master Builder Proudly Supporting The Lost Spring Design & Build | Project Management | New Homes | Alterations | Extensions PO Box 42,Whitianga • Mob: 027 222 2286 info@ohlsonandwhitelaw.co.nz • ohlsonandwhitelaw.co.nz
4 | Each edition priority delivered to your door. ach ed . www.waterfordpress.co.nz/subscriptions . . . i i 03 983 5500 Stay informed; we work with business owners and decision-makers across all economic sectors, profiling their success. i ; i i i i - ll i , ili i . Your Business, Your Industry, Your News. r i , r I tr , r . businessnorth Despite the challenges of the job, East Coast farmer Toby Williams says rewards are easily found - page 6 Animal welfare at the heart of operation Spring 2020 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Business North Rural Sales surge for winning sausage Westmere Butchery is renowned as a traditional-style butcher in the Auckland retail market. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Westmere Butchery : Dunninghams Sausage Awards T T Kim Newth “Once people see that it’s the supreme winner, they want to go and try it – now they’re realising how great it is.” Delicious pork and leek sausages made by Auckland’s Westmere Butchery have been in sizzling hot demand since taking out the supreme award at the 2024 Dunninghams Great NZ Sausage Competition. In the lead-up to the competition, the butchery was producing up to 50kg a week of the flavoursome sausage. After being selected as the best sausage in the land, sales took off dramatically. “At peak, we were making around 960kg a week to keep up with demand for that sausage,” says Westmere Butchery owner David Rossiter, who has been in the butchery trade for more than 45 years. “Even now, we’re still making around 500kg a week.” Out of more than 800 entries, Westmere Butchery’s pork and leek sausage impressed the judges the most. They gave it top marks for exceptional balance of flavour, texture and quality ingredients. David described the win as “very satisfying” for him and his team. “In a competition like this, it’s what myself and other butchers all aspire to and it encourages us to keep on making better product year in and year out.” Westmere Butchery is renowned as a traditional-style butcher in the Auckland retail market. Their pork and leek sausage has been a favourite for some years now. It was first entered in the Great NZ Sausage Competition in 2015, winning a bronze that year. Back then, the flavour was perhaps a little ahead of its time. Almost a decade later, the classic combination is now top snag and riding a wave of popularity. “Once people see that it’s the supreme winner, they want to go and try it – now they’re realising how great it is.” More than 30 other sausages are available at Westmere Butchery. Flavours and textures continue to be trialled, tweaked and tested in the ongoing quest to achieve the absolute best for the customer. The tasty line-up includes other champion snags, reflecting competition success over many years. In 2019, Westmere Butchery also won the supreme award with their chicken, leek and bacon sausage and, in 2018 the team shared the top prize with their beef and mushroom sausage entry. Their gourmet Wagyu beef sausage won the 2022 People’s Choice award. Last year, the butchery picked up eight awards at the NZ Bacon and Ham Awards, including three Golds, and has previously won best ham. Westmere Butchery’s customers certainly have plenty of choice in-store including not only award-winning sausages, bacon and ham, but also tasty meat cuts, free-range chicken and pork, and various specialty international items like haggis, pork pies, droëwors, biltong and boerewors sausage. “I work pretty closely with our team of 22, including eight to 10 butchers, along with our sausage maker, sausage linker, a couple of bakers, meat packers and counter hands. We all get involved and bounce ideas around between us,” says David. Quality fresh beef is sourced from a farm in South Auckland with premium pork sourced from Wilson Hellaby and Cabernet Foods. Meanwhile, David soon hopes to display all the plaques won through the years as plans get underway to extend the shop premises in coming months. Proud to be associated with Westmere Butchery. sausageingredients.co.nz 0800 17 18 17 | 09 415 3348 Lewis Gray Limited Sausage Ingredients 72 years of making quality sausage seasonings, pink curing salts and ingredients for the professional sausage maker and homemade sausage enthusiast.
| 5 T TKaren Phelps New chapter inspired by nature The buildings offer extensive sight lines across the bowling green and through to a natural stream beyond. Photo: Barry Tobin. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT MAKO Commercial: Pacific Environments Architects Pacific Environment Architects secured an Excellence Award at the 2024 New Zealand Chinese Building Industry Association (NZCBIA) Awards for its innovative approach to retirement living in Silverdale. The award-winning project developed by The Matvin Group and dubbed ‘The Botanic’, showcases a design philosophy that challenges traditional retirement village aesthetics. The village features two distinct buildings, crafted to embrace nature and promote wellbeing amongst residents. “When we met the clients for the first time and they asked for something less ordinary for this brand-new village, we knew we were off to a great start,” says Erxin Shang, associate at Pacific Environment Architects. The development, built by MAKO Commercial, comprises a clubhouse supporting socialisation and relaxation, complete with café, bar and entertainment lounges, alongside a recreation centre housing swimming pools, spa facilities, steam rooms and a gym. Rather than adopting conventional solid building masses, the architects opted for an open-plan design articulated by tree-like structures, drawing inspiration from forest environments. “The experience of being amongst giant trees, rather than looking from outside in, evokes a feeling of tranquillity. Light is filtered through the canopies and the space around you becomes ethereal,” explains Erxin, who drew from personal experiences in New Zealand forests to inform the design. Erxin says the development represents a significant departure from traditional retirement village design. Instead of enclosed spaces, the buildings offer extensive sight lines across the bowling green and through to a natural stream beyond, creating a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. “With this village, we also wanted to celebrate retirement living as the beginning of a new chapter, one that is very vibrant and full of energy,” says Erxin. “It’s about staying connected with people, connected with the community and an often overlooked aspect, which is connected with nature.” He says the project’s success stems from its strong foundation in biophilic design principles, which promote wellness through connection with nature. This approach particularly benefits the village’s demographic, with most residents aged between 70 and 80 years old, who may be less inclined to spend time outdoors. The buildings form an L-shape to cradle the bowling green, creating a plaza space that serves as a central hub for the 8.2-hectare village. Pacific Environment Architects collaborated closely with manufacturers and engineers to achieve clean and precise junctions throughout the structure. The firm’s commitment to detail extended to innovative solutions for service integration, including recessed track lighting and cleverly concealed electrical conduits within the glulam (glue-laminated timber) structure. The innovative approach employs mass timber construction, specifically choosing glulam over steel to achieve both aesthetic and environmental goals. We specialise in providing durable, and high quality concrete services for Residential and Commercial projects Proudly supporting Mako Commercial 027 293 7469 admin@mcintoshconcrete2024.co.nz www.mcintoshconcrete.co.nz Commercial & Residential Waterproofing & Tiling Services www.tombatiling.co.nz info@tombatiling.co.nz 021 923 463 / 022 403 7594 Tomba Tiling
6 | Z Energy T TKaren Phelps Energising NZ’s low-carbon future Since launching in 2011, Z has donated over $10m to local initiatives across New Zealand through its Good in the Hood programme. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT When Z chose its name in 2011, it was far more than a simple branding exercise, it represented a vision to meet the energy needs of its customers as a modern energy provider, says CEO Lindis Jones. “Our success will be determined by how we deliver for our customers today, while transitioning with Kiwi households and businesses to a low-carbon future,” Lindis says. As one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest transport energy companies, Lindis says that Z is positioning itself for the energy transition. Its strategy demonstrates a nuanced approach to meeting current fuel needs, while simultaneously investing in technologies like EV-charging infrastructure as some customers look to move away from petrol or diesel vehicles. Z imports around 50% of New Zealand’s liquid fuel – more than three billion litres annually – but is simultaneously investing in EV charging, and at the end of 2024 had over 150 EV charging bays across select Z service station sites. The company’s ownership of Flick Electric and its growing network of EV charging stations reflect its commitment to providing alternative energy choices. With its growing EV charging network, it is making meaningful strides in supporting the country’s EV infrastructure. Lindis reports that Z has now reached a milestone of having EV chargers at one in four of its service stations. “We are building fast and reliable charging sites at select service stations in key areas of the State Highway network,” says Lindis. “These well-located sites will provide increased coverage alongside some of New Zealand’s major routes and offer customers on-site amenities and the ability to grab a coffee or bite to eat while they recharge. “While New Zealand needs more EV charging sites to help alleviate range anxiety and support an increase of EVs on the road, we also need to make sure these chargers and the sites are fit-for-purpose. We have fast or ultra-fast chargers, and are leveraging technology to offer a seamless digital experience through the Z App.” Z supports local communities and various biodiversity projects. Its Good in the Hood programme is an example. At each service station, four community groups are selected to receive a share of $4000, with customers voting using orange tokens to determine fund allocation. Since launching in 2011, Z has donated over $10 million to local initiatives across Aotearoa New Zealand. “We have service stations in most communities across New Zealand, so we want to be a good neighbour in the local community and one of the ways we do this is through the Good in the Hood programme,” Lindis says. It has also established a $1 million annual biodiversity fund focused on restoring indigenous ecosystems. One notable project is the Puhinui Regeneration Project, which aims to regenerate land, waters, and support local communities. By partnering with the Sustainable Business Network, Z is helping to create employment and training opportunities for rangatahi (youth) in environmental roles. Another innovative environmental initiative involves collaborating with Trees That Count to accelerate native forest regeneration. By implementing a ‘seed islands’ strategy, Z is supporting a cost-effective approach to reforestation, which harnesses natural ecosystem restoration processes. He says Z remains distinctly New Zealand in its purpose – powering better journeys, today and tomorrow – and will continue to balance safely and reliably delivering the affordable energy our customers and economy need, while supporting the transition to a low-carbon future for Aotearoa New Zealand. Z has now reached a milestone of having EV chargers at one in four of its service stations.
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8 | Living Energy Wood fuel a winner Living Energy has supplied and installed 30 wood boilers throughout New Zealand. T TRussell Fredric Solar energy set to power the country REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT T TSue Russell “Our vision is to be involved in getting a solar project.... in every town in the country.” In 2003, Rob Mallinson established Living Energy, intent on enabling the delivery of cost- effective, environmentally sustainable wood-derived energy for industrial and commercial heat users. Living Energy has supplied and installed 30 wood boilers throughout New Zealand and Australia, meeting the heat requirements of sawmills, hospitals, universities, swimming pools, and schools. Since the company was formed, it has saved these clients hundreds of thousands of dollars on their energy costs. The boilers combust forestry slash or sawmill by-products like sawdust and shavings. “We are proud to have introduced the first modern ‘packaged’ wood boilers at schools, hospitals and swimming pools. But there are now around 20 similar boiler types available in New Zealand, so we have adapted to maintain our unique positioning,” says Rob. So, in more recent developments Living Energy has partnered up with European suppliers to provide a specialist wood-fuel storage and recovery system to wood boiler clients. This is called the Toploader, and 19 such systems have now been supplied across both countries. An exciting solar farm development in Whitianga is part of a much bigger picture that is tipped to transform the electricity market in New Zealand. For the past two years, Lodestone Energy has been rolling out utility-scale solar farms in the North Island, with its first two projects already generating enough clean energy to power over 15,000 homes. Managing director, Gary Holden says the Whitianga solar farm, Pāmu Rā ki Whitianga, isexpected to be operational by the end of this year. It will be Lodestone’s fourth project within the company’s first five-site plan. “Our vision is to be involved in getting a solar project, like the one we’re building, in every town in the country, so we are methodically starting where there’s lots of sunshine and lots of interconnection capacity with the grid.” In addition to the high sunshine hours in the area, Pāmu Rā ki Whitianga’s proximity to local electricity demand and a nearby distribution network connection influenced the decision for its siting. Previously a dairy farm, the low-lying land adjacent to the Whangamaroro River suffered from surface flooding and boggy conditions. Lodestone’s agrivoltaic solar design sets panels widely apart and two metres above the ground, which allows the land to be farmed symbiotically, providing space both for machinery, and for sheep to graze comfortably around the panels. The project has been undertaken in liaison with community stakeholders and the local iwi, Ngāti Hei ki Wharekaho. Once operational, Pāmu Rā ki Whitianga will have a capacity of 33 megawatts at peak, and be capable of powering the equivalent of 6800 homes. Lodestone Energy plans to build up to three to four solar farms a year which, because of the increased supply in the national electricity “This means our clients can still benefit from our expertise in the wood-energy sector, whilst our ex-competiors, the wood boiler suppliers, use us to supply their clients with a state-of-the-art wood fuel storage and recovery system. It’s a win-win-win.” The company is based in St Heliers, Auckland and uses a well-established team of subcontractors to install the Toploaders. Rob says the journey of the company has been one of achieving milestones. He is particularly pleased with how various sectors have taken to the concept of using wood, to power their heat needs. “Through the use of our wood boilers our clients have avoided thousands of tonnes of CO2 emissions. What few appreciate is that wood is by far the lowest-cost renewable energy source for industrial heat users, and we have plenty of it, so it best meets the elusive energy ‘trifecta’ of security, affordability and reliability,” Rob says. The Toploader system enables trucks to easily deliver wood fuel to a wood boiler site. It allows much greater volumes to be stored, and automatically recovers the wood, so it also means the site doesn’t need a front-end loader. “We have installed these at various sites including at two large dairy factories, which have the largest wood boilers in New Zealand. grid, would result in downward pressure on electricity prices, Gary says. “Eventually, if we do our job right with renewables, it will squeeze gas and carbon out of the electricity market completely, and then electricity prices will come down for the whole country.” Lodestone is capitalised by a group of about 25 professional and institutional investors “that believe in the power of this business model” in addition to institutional investors, with more than $650 million raised to date. When the Whitianga project is completed, Lodestone’s total investment in solar farms will be an estimated $250 million, with all the electricity generated pre-sold to commercial customers. “We are sold out for the next 10 to 20 years on those farms and we are now in discussions with customers for our next phase of farms,” Gary says. In 2023, Lodestone announced an agreement to supply The Warehouse Group’s 260 stores, across New Zealand, through its Virtual Rooftop Solar solution, based on an innovative form of energy contracting. More recently, Inghams NZ was announced as another foundational customer. The next phase of development includes projects in South Canterbury at Clandeboye, Mount Somers and Dunsandel, which are all consented, while another solar farm is being planned for Dargaville on the near horizon “as the next stop in that part of the country”. “We’re just getting started and we’re quite excited about the next couple of years; it will be as busy as ever.” Lodestone Energy www.prolec.co.nz 03 348 8096 servicing@prolec.co.nz Suppliers of fully automated Biomass Boiler control systems throughout New Zealand. With 5 units in Australia and 14 in NZ, the Toploader is now the Go-To solution for receiving, storing and on-feeding biomass. Suits projects from 150m3 to 10,000m3. Proud to be bringing the Toploader to NZ 3-in-1 automated wood fuel storage system Fuel Reception - Bulk storage - Fuel Recovery Multiple advantages: • Full truck-to-storage-to-boiler solution • Large volumes, reducing operational risk • Simple civils - just a at concrete oor contact: rob.m@livingenergy.co.nz | phone: +64 (0)27 257 9001 • Eliminates need for a front-end loader • Low cost wood-panel walls • 30% of the power usage of ‘Live’ floors • Easy & low cost maintenance • Lowest capital & running cost per m3 See www. Toploader ®.com LivingEnergy Lodestone Kaitaia: Lodestone Energy has partnered with Infratec to build its first five solar farms throughout the North Island. www.infratec.co.nz
| 9 Lodestone Energy: Whitianga Solar Farm Once operational, Pāmu Rā ki Whitianga will have a capacity of 33 megawatts at peak, and be capable of powering the equivalent of 6800 homes. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONNELL CONTRACTORS CONTINUING TO HELP POWER NEW ZEALAND WITH GREENER ENERGY For a vastly experienced contractor in the power sector visit connellcontractors.co.nz WAIKATO-BASED CONNELL CONTRACTORS IS CEMENTING IT’S PLACE IN A GREENER FUTURE ASSISTING WITH SECOND SOLAR FARM FOR NEW ENERGY, INFRATEC AND LODESTONE ENERGY. Following the success of the Kaitaia Solar Farm, the 32MW Edgecumbe Solar Farm is poised to be a game-changer, providing clean energy to over 6,000 small businesses, farms, homes, and apartments annually, and Connell is playing a critical role in its success. Nationally award-winning Connell has been instrumental in shaping the physical foundation of Lodestone Energy’s vision. Since early 2023, Connell’s dedicated team has been on-site, transforming the landscape to accommodate this milestone in the Bay of Plenty. “Extensive planning and preparation, coupled with a select team of highly performing professionals allowed us to overcome challenges, particularly in the demanding winter conditons, We’re proud to have played a pivotal role in maximising Aotearoa New Zealand’s renewable energy output in a sustainable manner,” says CEO Lester Foxall. Connell Contractors continues to be a key player in New Zealand’s green infrastructure development, helping lay the foundations for vital energy projects. As Lodestone Energy’s Edgecumbe Solar Farm takes shape, Connell’s commitment to excellence is helping pave the way for a greener and more sustainable future.
10 | CMP Construction: Highbury Triangle T T Karen Phelps Massive social housing project completed The development’s fifth building, which was added midway through construction, is New Zealand’s tallest mass timber building. T T to page 12 “It all went together very smoothly and was an amazingly successful project. We have a very strong team and a lot of planning went into Highbury Triangle.” DEVELOPMENT CMP Construction NZ Ltd (CMP) has successfully delivered Auckland’s landmark Highbury Triangle development, completing New Zealand’s tallest mass timber building in late 2024 as the final phase of the $140 million project. The development represents Auckland’s largest social housing development, providing 236 apartments through Kāinga Ora. “It all went together very smoothly and was an amazingly successful project. We have a very strong team and a lot of planning went into Highbury Triangle. “It’s a beautiful development and one we were proud to have worked on,” says Andrew Moore, CMP’s commercial manager. The development’s fifth building, which was added midway through construction, made history as New Zealand’s tallest mass timber building. Despite this significant addition to the scope, it added just five months to the overall project programme, demonstrating the efficiency of modern construction methods and the company’s ability to adapt to changing project requirements, says Andrew. This part of the project showcased innovative use of cross laminated timber (CLT), representing a significant step forward in sustainable construction. “A vital element for success in this construction method is achieving design precision and maintaining coordination, given the stringent tolerances involved,” explains Andrew. He says that CMP’s early involvement in the design phase enabled valuable engineering input, improving both time and cost efficiencies. The project faced unique challenges, particularly regarding the mass timber construction, as much of the cross-laminated timber product was sourced from overseas. This required careful management of supplier agreements and contracts to ensure timely delivery and quality control. The development achieved a New Zealand Green Building Council 7 Homestar rating with the use of mass timber construction significantly reducing carbon emissions compared to traditional building methods, while also minimising construction waste and shortening build times. A key consideration in the construction process using CLT was New Zealand’s humidity conditions and their potential impact on the timber components. The project team worked closely with engineers and designers to ensure precise tensioning and fitting of components, as timber expansion due to moisture absorption could affect alignment and structural integrity. Highbury Triangle primarily caters to senior residents, with four of the five buildings specifically designed for older occupants. The complex includes 148 one-bedroom, 54 one-and-a-half bedroom, and 34 two-bedroom homes. The apartments feature adaptable designs for people with various needs, including hearing impairments, intellectual disabilities, and vision loss. The 1.5-bedroom homes allow space for overnight carers, addressing this need in supported living environments. Special attention was paid to accessibility throughout the complex, with wider internal corridors, bench seats, and multiple ramps. The buildings include lifts large enough for wheelchairs and mobility scooters, with dedicated parking spaces for mobility vehicles both outside individual units and within the development grounds. The development spans a 9433sqm site and incorporates approximately 1500sqm of landscaped areas. FLOORCOVERING P R O U D LY S U P P O R T I N G C M P C O N S T R U C T I O N 09 638 4949 sales@lovichfloors.co.nz 19C Edwin Street, Mt Eden PO Box 56-106, Dominion Rd, Auckland 1446 Showroom by appointment Flooring can completely change the feel of a commerical or residential space. That’s why getting it right is so important. We have nearly 40 years’ experience in doing just that; delivering a quality product to our clients. For all your carpet, timber or vinyl needs contact us.
| 11 CMP Construction: Highbury Triangle DEVELOPMENT The development represents Auckland’s largest social housing development, providing 236 apartments through Kāinga Ora. 09 218 4734 43 William Pickering Drive Rosedale, Auckland Proudly partnering with CMP Construction to deliver the hard and soft landscape package. Kainga Ora Highbury Triangle
12 | Social housing development completed The development spans a 9433sqm site and incorporates approximately 1500sqm of landscaped areas. T T from page 10 CMP Construction: Highbury Triangle DEVELOPMENT T T CMP Construction expands operations - page 14 Community features include shared vegetable gardens, flower beds, and glasshouses for growing seedlings. The design preserved existing pohutukawa and oak trees, integrating them into the new landscape to maintain the site’s natural character. A new lane running from Tait Park to Great North Road establishes a publicly accessible link through the site, connecting individual buildings and integrating the development with the surrounding neighbourhood. The complex features secure swipe card access, well-lit pathways, and careful apartment orientation to enhance safety. A tenancy management office within the development facilitates direct interaction between residents and the local management team. With the successful completion of Highbury Triangle, CMP Construction hopes to begin work on an even larger social housing development in Wellington, the Arlington project, which would be New Zealand’s largest social housing project, comprising 16 buildings. social housing developments over the line, and we’re hoping these projects will start kicking off this year,” Andrew says. “We’ve been working with the Government to help them make their buildings more time and cost efficient to get this and other larger Mastering multi-stage & multi-room residential and commercial joinery fitouts to suit your budget. 0800 334 567 www.gartshore.co.nz Window Treatments | Outdoor Shades & Awnings Soft Furnishings | FF&E | Wallpaper | Furniture Joinery & Flooring | Upholstery | Interior Design info@admireinteriors.co.nz | + 64 3 366 2816 www.admireinteriors.co.nz
Development success through smart supply solutions Noel Leeming Commercial’s successful supply of appliances to the Highbury Triangle development showcases its capabilities in large-scale project delivery. "We are proud to have contributed to the project’s success by leveraging New Zealand's biggest retail network for buying power and ensuring cost effective procurement and delivery to schedule. Building something of such magnitude, having trust in your suppliers is paramount,” says William Mills, Sector Lead for Building and Trade at Noel Leeming Commercial. The company supplied the ovens, cooktops and rangehoods for the project, subcontracting to head contractor CMP Construction. As part of Toitū its involvement encompassed waste management solutions that add real value to construction projects. "People in construction often don't realise that when we take away the rubbish, it eliminates the cost of skip bins for the construction company," explains Emma Nightingale Building & Trade Business Development Manager (North) Noel Leeming Commercial. "We remove cardboard, soft plastic and polystyrene, taking them to our distribution centre for recycling into other products. We're proud to be Toitū carbonreduce certified and have a vision to make sustainable business easy and affordable for everyone." She says the success of the Highbury Triangle project, which encompassed 236 apartments, hinged on precise planning and coordination. Emma says the team maintained constant communication with site managers, staging orders to match on-site requirements as well as maintaining flexibility to accommodate the dynamic nature of such a large-scale construction project. "Communication, planning, coordination and execution are key with all the moving parts on a build," says Emma. "We eliminated logistical headaches on site for the contractor around appliances. We were proactive in our approach to ensure this rolled out as smoothly as possible." With over four decades of experience, Noel Leeming Commercial has built a reputation for reliability across various sectors from government projects to private developments. It operates through a network of 66 retail stores, seven distribution centres and employs more than 60 installation specialists nationwide. The company's extensive infrastructure includes more than 71 Tech Solutions vans and 42 account managers, enabling it to provide comprehensive support across the country. The company's range incorporates commercial technology, appliances and office supplies sourced through its parent company The Warehouse's various brands. This one-stop-shop approach has seen it work with clients across different sectors from electrical suppliers, joiners, property managers and educational institutions to developers, residential builders and group builders. William says dedicated account managers make it easy for customers along with the ability to pop into the extensive network of stores and enjoy preferential pricing for one-off needs “We provide personalised account support from our regionally based Account Managers and Sector Specialists. Our central sales and account support team also provides key services to our team and customers,” he explains. “Noel Leeming is New Zealand’s leading technology and appliance retailer helping Kiwi’s with technology solutions for more than 50 years and Noel Leeming Commercial remains dedicated to supporting Kiwi businesses across all sectors with market-leading solutions.” Noel Leeming Commercial has been helping Kiwi businesses with commercial solutions across industry sectors nationwide for over four decades. As a one-stop supplier, we help businesses source, set up, and complete small to large projects and day-to-day operations without the hassle of dealing with multiple suppliers. Our broad catalogue of products and services extends beyond what you find instore and can be sourced at great value pricing because of our large buying power. Our extensive range includes industry-leading commercial technology and appliances through Noel Leeming and a broad suite of furniture and office supplies sourced through The Warehouse and Warehouse Stationery. Our dedicated team of over 100 sales and support staff are passionate about producing great outcomes for our customers and never shy away from a sourcing challenge, whether that is urgently shipping Starlink units to restore communications in cyclone-impacted Hawke’s Bay, getting 6,000 Chromebooks across the country to keep kids learning during COVID or fitting out over 400 emergency housing properties a year. We're proud to be Toitū carbonreduce certified and have a vision to make sustainable business easy and affordable for everyone. 0800 737 5223 | www.nlgcommercial.nz
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