54 | James Kirkpatrick Group: Manu St - Waide T T Karen Phelps Leaders in sustainable building design The development includes one of the most advanced dangerous goods warehouses in the country, purpose-built to store flammable, poisonous and potentially unstable materials. DEVELOPMENT James Kirkpatrick Group Limited (JKGL) has set a new national benchmark for sustainable industrial development after achieving a 6 Star Green Star Design Certified Rating from the New Zealand Green Building Council for its latest project in South Auckland — the highest possible rating, signifying world leadership in sustainable building design, says JKGL project manager Mark Hellyer. “This project shows that sustainability and complex industrial operations don’t have to be in conflict,” he says. “We set out to deliver a facility that met extremely demanding operational and safety requirements and that also pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in sustainable design.” The development at 9 Manu Street is a world-class distribution centre and dangerous goods warehouse constructed by Waide Construction. Spanning 12,000sqm, the facility represents a combined investment of more than $20 million by JKGL and L’Oréal Groupe and is designed to support L’Oréal’s expansion in the New Zealand market over the next decade. It more than doubles the capacity of the company’s previous distribution centre and has been future proofed to support business growth for years to come. The development includes one of the most advanced dangerous goods warehouses in the country, purpose-built to store flammable, poisonous and potentially unstable materials. The structure is 16 metres high, with reinforced concrete walls 250 millimetres thick and a roof 400 millimetres thick, delivering a four-hour fire rating capable of fully containing a fire for at least that period “In the event of a fire the building can be filled with fire-retardant foam in just three minutes,” explains Mark. “It’s one of only a few facilities in New Zealand with this system and the largest purpose-built dangerous goods store in the country.” The foam system uses ten generators capable of pumping 7,500 litres of water per minute, with pressure-release roof louvres and heavy concrete construction managing internal pressure. The building is also engineered to withstand earthquakes and potential explosions associated with dangerous goods storage, with heavily reinforced flooring designed to manage extreme loads. Mark says a holistic approach was taken to sustainability that considers not only operational efficiency but also embodied carbon, resource use and long-term resilience. The facility reuses an existing structure rather than building entirely new, achieving more than an 80 percent reduction in upfront embodied carbon and supporting a circular approach to construction that minimises waste. It will operate on 100 percent renewable energy including on-site solar generation, and features extensive rainwater harvesting systems, cutting potable water use by more than 55 percent compared with a standard facility. Operational energy consumption is also reduced by more than 55 percent through high-efficiency building systems and smart design choices, delivering both environmental and long-term financial benefits. Located just 250 metres from the Ōtāhuhu Train Station, Mark says the facility also supports sustainable commuting and reduces reliance on private vehicles. “This aligns with its broader environmental goals by cutting emissions, reducing congestion and improving access to jobs and services in the area,” he explains. Despite the technical complexity, Mark says the project was delivered at speed. Construction involved around 100 contractors and was completed in nine months, with the dangerous goods store itself built in just four months including racking installation, foam system integration and office upgrades. It was officially handed over to L’Oréal Groupe on 25 November 2025 at an event attended by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and French Ambassador to New Zealand Madame Laurence Beau. “This development demonstrates what JKGL is capable of when sustainability, safety and speed all matter,” says Mark. “It cements JKGL as a leader in distribution and dangerous goods warehousing and shows how attracting global investment starts with world-class infrastructure. JKGL remains committed to building smarter, cleaner and more resilient facilities that position New Zealand as a destination for leading international brands.” (09) 444 5300 | admin@citywideelectrical.co.nz | www.citywideelectrical.co.nz Industrial, Commercial, Domestic, Electrical Installation & Maintenance Data & Communications, Switchboard Design & Manufacture Proudly Supporting James Kirkpatrick Group PO Box 317 082, Hobsonville, Auckland 0664 CITYWIDE ELECTRICAL
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