58 | DEVELOPMENT Savory Construction: Manaway Bay T T Kim Newth Acclaim for construction excellence Contributing to the centre’s high-end feel are beautiful polished concrete floors and a stunning all-electric, zero-gas food and beverage area. Auckland-based Savory Construction is stepping into 2026 with positivity and confidence, buoyed by award-winning success in 2025 for their work as construction partner on Auckland International Airport’s landmark retail outlet centre, Mānawa Bay. Located within the airport precinct, Mānawa Bay is just minutes from the airport terminals and hotels with easy transport/roading connections to the city. It is New Zealand’s first such purpose-built premium outlet shopping destination. Housed in an impressive 35,000qsm building, Mānawa Bay features more than 100 fashion and footwear stores. Contributing to the centre’s high-end feel are beautiful polished concrete floors and a stunning all-electric, zero-gas food and beverage area. Targeting a 5 Green Star sustainability rating, Mānawa Bay has a park-like setting and is home to NZ’s largest rooftop solar system. Savory was engaged on an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) basis in mid-2022 and led construction on-site from early November 2022 through to opening in September 2024. At the 2025 New Zealand Property Industry Awards, Savory celebrated success with project partners and Auckland International Airport in winning the 2025 Yardi Retail Property Award for Mānawa Bay. Senior Project Manager Marcus Bunn says Savory’s number one commitment is to achieve great project outcomes for clients not to win awards. “But it’s always nice to be recognised for something above and beyond. As a build partner we deliver what’s drawn and make sure that quality is high,” he says. Savory is one of NZ’s oldest, most established construction companies. Rooted in tradition, the 100% Kiwi owned and operated company continues to evolve and grow. Savory aspires to be a builder of choice, with this latest success underlining their considerable capabilities. Their team previously worked in a large joint venture to develop and deliver the Ormiston retail centre in 2021. “With our relatively flat management structure, combined with a practical and engaged leadership style, any issues go straight to the top and are quickly resolved,” observes Scott Ward, Senior Project QS. “We’re a team that builds and are immensely proud of what we have achieved. Mānawa Bay is a flagship project for us, being the largest — in physical size and value — in Savory’s 85 year history.” Savory’s QS team and Rider Levett Bucknall as client QS worked through a multitude of pricing variations, with the final account signed off just one month after practical completion. “It speaks to the success of the job and its highly collaborative nature.” In the pre-build phase, Savory provided input on the design and was involved in early trade tendering and procurement, for example, for structural steel, reinforcing and civil works contractors as well as a pre-cast supplier, as well as pricing budget estimates through each design phase. “In that period, we also visited a similar outlet centre in Perth to firm up our understanding of what was involved.” SPECIALISTS IN STRUCTURAL STEEL, FABRICATION & STEEL ERECTION 25 Langley Road, Wiri, Auckland | Ph: +64 9 2783366 Fax: +64 2788595 E-Mail: davidm@grayson-eng.co.nz Proudly Supporting Savory Construction Ltd Marcus says working with a Perth-based architect was at times challenging, given the differences in building environments between Australia and New Zealand. Design workshops helped address these differences and overcome gaps in understanding. Regular meetings with their own staff and team of contractors ensured site works were well-coordinated. “It was most definitely a team effort,” says Marcus. “We want to acknowledge all involved including the wider consultant and client team.” Construction was broken down into five distinct phases. As base works were completed, early access was then able to be progressively opened up for some of the retail tenancy fitouts. Health and safety was carefully managed throughout. Landscaping and civil works were of significant scale in their own right with over 100,000 plants and trees across the site. Savory shares the project’s sustainability ethos and continually strives to improve green construction practices. Savory diverted a high percentage of construction waste on this project and used low VOC products, such as low impact paints and sealants.
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