| 103 T T Karen Phelps Hawaiki development ‘sets the benchmark’ The Hawaiki Development comprising 24 townhouses was built for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei in Tāmaki Auckland. Photo - Dracos Media. Vivian Construction: Hawaiki Development DEVELOPMENT A project that demonstrated high levels of collaboration has seen Vivian Construction named as a finalist in the Building Institute Aotearoa 2025 Building People Awards following its successful delivery of an innovative iwi-led housing development that challenged traditional homeownership models. Based in Auckland, the company was founded in 2017 by brothers Jeff, Matt and Tom Vivian and earned recognition in the Collaboration | Kotahitanga category for the Hawaiki Development comprising 24 townhouses built for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei in Tāmaki Auckland. Site manager Jacob Mathews, who headed the project, says the development stands out for its pioneering approach to affordable housing. Rather than selling the land outright, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei retained ownership, and whānau members funded the construction, creating accessible pathways to homeownership in an area where market prices typically exclude many buyers. “The Hawaiki Development is personally my most significant accomplishment to date. It was the first project of this scale and we are proud it was delivered ahead of schedule and within budget,” says Jacob. “We navigated complex challenges, including asbestos removal, unsuitable ground conditions, flooding and coordination with multiple stakeholders.” The project, situated along the culturally significant Kupe ridge between Takaparawhau and Pourewa, required extensive collaboration between Vivian Construction, project managers The Building Intelligence Group, and architects Jasmax. Jacob says this partnership proved essential when unexpected complications arose, including ground conditions that required lime stabilisation and tight service corridors that demanded innovative solutions. “Instead of working in silos, we leaned in together using weekly site meetings, walkthroughs and open communication to resolve issues in real time,” he explains. The team implemented Procore software for seamless communication, and established a phased construction programme that ultimately delivered the homes before Christmas, allowing families to settle in ahead of schedule. Vivian Construction actively supported Māori employment pathways and engaged iwi-affiliated subcontractors throughout the build. With more than 40 workers active onsite at the project’s peak, health and wellbeing initiatives, including the Health15 programme provided blood pressure checks for all employees and consultants. Regular external Health & Safety audits consistently achieved scores above 90%. “This team exemplifies what successful project delivery looks like when consultants and contractors move beyond coordination and commit to shared ownership of the outcome,” says Jacob. “The collaboration not only delivered for the client, but set a benchmark for future iwi-led housing projects.”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=