58 | LT McGuinness Ltd � Karen Phelps Inclusivity underpins exciting build “To foster inclusivity, I sought to learn greetings across the multiple languages spoken on-site and established a culture of openness. The result was high morale across a site that inducted over 1300 people throughout the construction period.” CONSTRUCTION In recognition of his exceptional leadership on New Zealand’s largest mass timber office building project, LT McGuinness project manager James Haworth was nominated in the 2025 Building Institute Aotearoa Building People Awards in the JAMES HARDIE Innovation | Auaha Award category and the 2025 Property Council NZ Outstanding Leadership Award category. James’ nominations centre on his project management of 90 Devonport Road in Tauranga, an eight-storey hybrid mass timber and steel structure that represents a significant milestone in sustainable construction. The building, completed in March 2025, achieved a 6 Green Star design accreditation and is on track for a 5-star NABERS rating for energy efficiency. “One of James’ strengths is his ability to collaborate and invite multiple opinions and views and then having the ability to distil these into solutions,” says Jeremy Opie from Warren and Mahoney Architects, who worked closely with James throughout the two-year project. “These solutions were always well communicated to the client, consultants and construction team.” The project’s complexity stemmed from its pioneering use of locally sourced laminated veneer lumber (LVL), cross laminated timber (CLT) and Glulam, which replaced the majority T T to page 60 of traditional concrete and structural steel. This innovative approach cut the building’s all-of-life carbon footprint by more than 60% compared to conventional structures. James’s approach involved fostering an inclusive workplace culture. The project team included workers new to New Zealand alongside Tauranga locals, most working together for the first time. “Toolbox talks became a team-building tool, encouraging different team members to lead warm-ups as a way to bring everyone together,” says James.
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