8 | T T Aimee Wilson Culturally grounded urban development “Meaningful mana whenua partnership results in developments like Te Taumata being shaped by cultural narratives and values, delivering a unique and authentic sense of place.” Te Taumata Development REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT The $3 billion Te Taumata Lakeview development in downtown Queenstown will bring visitors and local community together in one innovative world class landmark. Drawing on international expertise, the masterplan has been designed as a mixeduse urban precinct of residences, hotels, hospitality and public amenity, developed in close collaboration with local mana whenua ki Tuawhenua, so that it is both globally benchmarked and deeply grounded in the identity of place. Cultural integration is at the heart of this project and has been since the very beginning. The precinct embeds stories, values and design principles that reflect place, identity and belonging. Mana whenua-owned consultancy Aukaha provided a cultural narrative written by Dr Megan Potiki (Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou), which was named in reference to Te Taumata a Hākitekura (Ben Lomond) — the mountain bordering the development. The Kāi Tahu design integrations also reference whakapapa, tapatapa (naming) and Kāi Tahu reo. “Meaningful mana whenua partnership results in developments like Te Taumata being shaped by cultural narratives and values, delivering a unique and authentic sense of place,” Aukaha Kaiwhakahaere Whakapā Dani McDonald said. Developer Ninety-Four Feet formally settled on the first parcel of land with the Queenstown District Council in December 2025 and CMP Construction has started on the excavation works as lead contractor. With Stage One underway ‘The Roto Collection’ will feature two architecturally designed residences and a hotel, that will anchor the precinct and bring new housing and amenity to the heart of Queenstown. The company expects the first stage of the 14-year development to be complete in 2028, with the next eight months dedicated to laying the groundwork, following vital infrastructure upgrades by the council. CMP Construction regional manager Daniel Dwyer said the complex earthworks underway on the site require drilling, hydraulic splitting, rock‑milling, anchoring and shotcrete benching, rather than conventional excavation methods — given the geology transitions from loose alluvial gravels to extremely hard schist. He said there are many challenges and risks in building a development of this scale, such as working within tight boundaries and in an alpine environment, with current world events also having the potential to affect material supplies. As a result, there was a need for early procurement and material storage to mitigate snow events, road closures, and freight delays into the region. And because the development directly borders the Ben Lomond / Te Taumata‑o‑Hākitekura Reserve, the company Aukaha is a rūnaka-owned consultancy supporting mana whenua partnerships to deliver development with enduring value. We work with industry, the public sector and communities to deliver projects that create long-term social, environmental, cultural and commercial value, delivering on mana whenua outcomes while supporting sustainable growth and resilient regional economies. www.aukaha.co.nz understands the importance of the highly valued recreational, scenic, and cultural landscape, “with active mountain bike and walking tracks that must remain safe and operational during construction”. Te Taumata Lakeview is designed to balance local life with visitor energy, prioritising homes, amenity and everyday use, while still welcoming people from outside the region. Over time, it will deliver more than 1000 homes across a genuine mix of price points and living models. It will be a neighbourhood for everyone, with plazas, restaurants, laneways, hot pools, wellness facilities, galleries, and direct access to Ben Lomond Reserve and the lakefront, reshaping the heart of Queenstown, adding vibrancy and amenity that serve both locals and visitors. Managing director of Ninety-Four Feet Dean Rzechta said the project is defined by thoughtful design and exceptional amenity. “It brings together world-class architecture, landscape, and cultural considerations to create a neighbourhood that will serve Queenstown for generations to come.”
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