Expansion of Christchurch Engine Centre

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The Christchurch Engine Centre, a partnership between Pratt & Whitney and Air New Zealand, is undergoing a significant expansion to enhance its capabilities in overhauling Pratt & Whitney’s advanced GTF jet engines. This project represents a major investment in New Zealand’s aviation infrastructure, reinforcing Christchurch’s role as a key hub for aircraft engine servicing.

The expansion includes the development of a new 10m Engine Test Facility, covering over 4,000 sqm, purpose-built for testing state-of-the-art GTF engines. Additionally, the engine centre is being expanded by 14,000 sqm at an estimated cost of $150 million. Once completed, the facility is expected to handle up to 140 GTF engine overhauls per year by 2032, with the first overhauls set to begin in 2026.

Beyond increasing engine servicing capacity, the project will have a broader economic impact, injecting $249 million into the region. It is set to create 200 high-value jobs within Canterbury, adding to the existing workforce of over 400 employees at the facility.

White Associates is proud to be part of this ambitious project as the Quantity Surveyors, providing essential cost management and procurement expertise, working alongside Apollo Projects as the main contractor and JLL as the project managers. Lead by Justin Maritz (Director at White Associates), and our Queenstown office, Elliot Smith (Associate and Manager of Queenstown Office) plus Syranda Yukel (Quantity Surveyor). We are providing pre-contract, procurement, and post-contract services for this project. Our primary focus is on the strengthening work and Test Cell construction, with advisory and review support for the new Repair & Materials Facility.

The project, which commenced in November 2024, involves extensive design and construction efforts, including earthquake strengthening of the existing facilities and significant infrastructure upgrades. Working in a highly sensitive, operational environment like Christchurch Engine Centre, requires careful planning and attention to detail, ensuring minimal disruption while maintaining the highest safety and quality standards.

As the project progresses, this expansion will position Christchurch as a leading centre for aircraft engine servicing, supporting the latest advancements in aviation technology. With a world-class facility, enhanced capabilities, and a skilled workforce, the upgraded engine centre is set to play a pivotal role in the future of aircraft engine maintenance in New Zealand and beyond.

White Associates Tour of Simplicity Living’s Mt Wellington Development

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Towards the end of last year, White Associates had the privilege of touring behind the scenes of Simplicity Living’s innovative Mt Wellington Development. Guided by Shane Brealey and his team, we saw their unique approach to planning, programming, procurement and delivery. Demonstrated by a blend of forward-thinking design, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability end solution.

Both Konrad (our Managing Director) and Shane begun their careers working in Civil & Civic / Lend Lease where a key philosophy of pre-planning projects leads to successful delivery on site. Simplicity Living’s model reflecting a forward planning mindset, continuously challenges traditional construction norms, embracing change and building trust across the project team to deliver exceptional outcomes.

The Mt Wellington development embodies a collaborative and efficient construction approach. Their team does not shy away from experimenting and trialling new structural systems which consistently refines as they progress. Suitably, the team achieves consistency in quality and efficiency all with a relatively small workforce. Subcontractors have embraced this unique style of delivering allowing them to be confident with the programmes that remain unchanged and therefore their resource commitment remains constant.

A stand-out feature of this development is Simplicity Living’s in-house Stackcell Structures walling system for in-situ concrete walls. This bespoke system designed by the team, is a telling example of innovative thinking as an alternative to traditional precast and in-situ concrete walls. The ability to effectively construct these walls without the traditional constraints of precast and in-situ construction, has allowed for reduced labour, along with efficiency in floor completion rates and reduction of unnecessary costs (i.e. cranage and logistical challenges). The Stackcell System allows general labour to install the system, ensuring greater certainty on the programme, productivity rates and economical wins.

The development as a whole, comprises 297 apartments, featuring a rooftop terrace, work-from-home spaces, a multi-use communal area, and a ground-level pavilion. The carefully planned landscape includes over 7,000 native trees and shrubs, transforming the development into an urban oasis. Simplicity Living has gone beyond the traditional development approach and are investing heavily in achieving a vision. The Build-to-Rent added value shows through providing enhanced public spaces for all tenants to enjoy.

Reflecting on our tour, it is clear that Simplicity Living’s Mt Wellington project is more than a construction triumph, it has challenged the norms of building historically. This collaborative model has been established from a well-planned vision of the team and how they can facilitate the build knowing all systems and processes are in place to allow for a win-win for both themselves and their delivery partners.

For White Associates, being able to work alongside the team and to be exposed to this way of project delivery, has allowed us to educate our own team, as well as clients, on the possibilities that it offers.

 

 

Strengthening Whānau Through Affordable Housing – Hawaiki Street Development

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White Associates had the privilege of being a part of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei’s visionary papakāinga housing project on Hawaiki Street, Ōrākei. The development is a testament to Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei’s innovative housing framework, which allows whānau to purchase homes while the iwi retains land ownership. The project is further supported by the Bank of New Zealand (BNZ), by offering hapū members who meet BNZ’s home lending criteria, a BNZ home loan to make, otherwise unattainable housing, more affordable. This model provides whānau with accessible pathways to home ownership, ensuring greater financial security and stability, embodying the principle of Mana Taurite, ensuring equitable access to opportunities for all hapū members.

Since August 2022, we worked alongside the design team and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei to establish an initial cost plan to ensure the client requirements are met. We provided full quantity surveying services including pre contract, procurement and post contract, and embodied Kotahitanga by working together and maintaining a positive and collaborative relationship with the main contractor.

With a strong focus on cost efficiency, this project was completed ahead of programme and under budget, allowing for more focus on the landscaping of the backyards and communal garden areas, located around and outside each apartment. There are now 24 terraced houses, including six with four bedrooms, eight with two bedrooms, and five with four-bedrooms with adjoining Kaumātua units. The dwellings successfully included solar energy and intend to achieve a Homestar (v5) 6 equivalent standard.

White Associates is honoured to have been a part of this aspirational project, helping to create high-quality, affordable homes that strengthen whānau connections to their whenua.

Sarah Moore (Quantity Surveyor) and Justin Maritz (Director), from White Associates who worked on this project, were fortunate to attend the opening karakia where they witnessed the excitement of move in day. We look forward to seeing the positive impact these homes will have on the community and celebrating the success of this collaborative and forward-thinking initiative.

Expansion to Future Proof Food Testing Facility

Posted by Kim Newth, Business North on

AsureQuality‘s Food Laboratory plays an essential role in upholding Aotearoa’s integrity as a quality food producer and exporter. A three-year investment, now underway, is future-proofing the laboratory for ongoing growth, further reinforcing NZ’s leading reputation on food safety and quality assurance. Located in Auckland, the food laboratory employs a 450-strong team and delivers around two million tests a year on food and food-related products, principally serving New Zealand’s primary sector by ensuring their products meet export requirements.

“By tests and people, I believe we are the biggest food testing laboratory in the southern hemisphere,” says Michael Hodgson, Group Service Manager – Food Testing.

“We’ve tested any kind of food you can imaging from a whole shark through to medicinal cannabis, and we test food packaging too. We also have a dedicated wine testing lab.”

In June, work started on the first stage of a major redevelopment project to separate non-lab and lab functions as well to boost testing efficiency with state-of-the-art automation technology.

Currently under construction next to the main lab is a new two-storey building (2000sqm in total) that will serve as a dedicated people hub. Linking up with the laboratory, the new hub will boost staff amenities while freeing up space in the main lab building for planning automation improvements.

“Anything that’s not testing-related is being taken out of the current lab building and put into the new people hub building, which will provide a really nice space for our staff to be in. It will include open plan offices, meeting rooms, staff cafeteria, smart training facilities, archiving space and a sample retention facility [for short-term storage of test samples ahead of disposal].”

Designed by Jasmax, the new hub is being delivered on site by lead contractor NZ Strong, with QS provided by White Associates and project engineering by Pragmatix. “All four have been amazing to work with.”

Once the hub is completed in August 2025, work will commence on the two-year lab redevelopment and fit out. The upgrade is needed to address rising demand for testing has almost doubled since 2012, mostly driven by dairy and infancy formula producers along with rising demand for tests on new alternative products.

As well as sample reception and site services, the lab has specialist chemistry and microbiology facilities. Automation improvements are already making a difference for the lab’s busy chemistry team while the microbiology team is welcoming the arrival of digital plate reader technology with automated plate sorting and retention/disposal.

There is much more automation to come in the upcoming lab redevelopment that will enable greater scalability, even faster turnaround times and ensure utmost precision in test results. For lab staff, it will mean far less time spent on repetitive, mundane tasks with spin-offs for well-being and retention. Workflows are also set to improve. “For example, the microbiology department is currently split across two wings in the current building but will be brought together as one in the redevelopment.”

Along with European suppliers, AsureQuality is working with local companies as much as possible to source the latest robotics and software needed for this exciting project.

To read from the original article visit the Business North – Volume 23 | Issue 6 | November 2024

By Kim Newth 

Exploring Heritage and the Treaty: Our Journey to Aotearoa

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This week, we continued our journey of deepening our understanding of te reo Māori and the significance of the Treaty of Waitangi. As a team, we took the time to reflect on our diverse backgrounds by sharing our personal stories—where we came from, and how our heritage has influenced our path to Aotearoa.

For some, this was a moment to uncover and share fascinating insights about their lineage, and for others, it sparked a curiosity, inspiring them to dig deeper into their family history and discover more about how their ancestors arriving in New Zealand.

It was a great opportunity to engage in conversation about the Treaty and to start exploring and reflecting on what it means for us all today and what it meant for Māori and non-Māori at the time.

To finish on a fun note, we capped off the session with another lively round of Kahoot, combining learning and enjoyment to reinforce the knowledge we have gained!

Embracing Māori Language Week

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Our team engaging in fun activities to embrace Māori Language Week!

The theme for Te Wiki 2024 is ‘Ake Ake Ake – A forever Language’ symbolising resilience, adaptability, and endurance of te reo Māori and the commitment to keeping it thriving for generations to come.

At White Associates, our team came together last week to celebrate Te Wiki by participating in activities that helped us learn and weave te reo Māori into our everyday routines. We’re committed to continuing this journey beyond the week itself, dedicating time in our weekly team meetings to deepen our understanding of te reo Māori and the Treaty of Waitangi, and to embed these learnings into our daily practices.

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From Classroom to Construction Site: Adam’s Journey as Quantity Surveyor

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While searching for full-time/summer work, Adam discovered White Associates (WA) and was immediately attracted to the diverse projects they offered. Despite his third-year construction degree being in full swing, Adam felt his workload wasn’t challenging enough and thought, why not get a head-start on his career too? This prompted his decision to join the Cadet programme at WA while continuing his full-time studies.

This didn’t come without its challenges, including endless hours spent studying late into the night mixed in with early work mornings. Given the demanding nature of his situation, both he and others had their doubts. Regardless, Adam pushed through and proved everyone wrong. It clearly paid off, as Adam has now moved on from junior quantity surveyor (JQS) to quantity surveyor (QS).

Starting early is really beneficial for your career in the long run, and don’t ever be afraid to jump in and take responsibility.

Challenges aside, he emphasises that there were significant benefits to working and studying simultaneously. “It really helped me grasp the theory a lot better. One day I’d learn the theory at Uni, and the next, I’d be putting it to practice it at work.”

Growing up, Adam always excelled in math and had a quirky habit of spending hours collecting cricket stats. He also took woodworks (a.k.a. construction) in school, which gave him an early introduction to the world of Health & Safety. All this set the stage for his first year at University, where he first encountered quantity surveying – right when it was time to decide his direction in construction.

“The cadetship involved less responsibility and focused more on learning. The exposure was similar to being a JQS, but this time you gradually take on more responsibility, and it’s obviously full-time.” He explains that transitioning from JQS to QS brings continuous added responsibility, more direct communication with various people in the industry (clients, consultants and contractors), and less reliance on associates and senior staff.

Adam enjoys the fun, collaborative environment at White Associates and values the diverse projects he can be a part of, noting how they rapidly enhance his exposure and experience. So far, he’s worked on townhouse developments, prison demolitions, and a data centre. The data centre, in particular, combined with the scale of the project and strict processes that aren’t commonly found in every project.  All of which he views as a significant opportunity for growth.

Outside of Adam’s busy schedule, he continues to indulge in his passion for sports. He is a talented cricket player and has a deep love for watching football, making time for these activities despite his productive work life.

When asked what advice he would give to someone starting their career in quantity surveying, he responds, “if you are in Uni, it is never too early to start your career, if you are prepared to put in the work, then it is never too early.

 

Douglas Innovation Centre

Under the Microscope: An Advanced Future for Douglas Pharmaceuticals

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The new Douglas Innovation Centre adds significant research and development capacity to Douglas Pharmaceuticals.

If you’re looking for evidence of New Zealand as a hub for advanced technology, you need to look no further than the $50 million Douglas Innovation Centre in West Auckland, a state-of-the-art pharmaceutical research and development (R&D) facility created by Douglas Pharmaceuticals. The facility is the largest of its kind in New Zealand, and sits castle-like at the top of a hill in Henderson. 

 

Opened in September 2022 after an 18-month construction period, the Douglas Innovation Centre uses world-class research to find solutions for a range of serious illnesses. The three-storey, 4,500m2 facility includes multiple laboratories, purpose-built rooms for commercial manufacturing, pilot scale product development suites, open office space, cafeteria, meeting facilities and a GMP warehouse. In recognition of its innovative design, which includes a skybridge connection to Douglas Pharmaceuticals’ existing head office, the Douglas Innovation Centre was recently awarded an Excellence Industrial Property Award at the 2023 PCNZ Property Industry Awards. 

 

White Associates was involved in the creation of the new facility, utilising a senior team comprising of Directors Justin Maritz and Brett Zeiler, and Associates Weng Tan, Elliot Smith and Richard Moore-Savage. The White Associates team provided a full range of Quantity Surveying services from Pre Contract feasibility estimates through to Procurement/Tender cost analysis and Post Contract cost management.  

 

Weng Tan says that what really stands out about the project is its complex and evolving nature. “The Douglas Innovation Centre was a significant extension of Douglas Pharmaceuticals’ existing warehouse, laboratory and office facilities, and laboratory facilities are technically sophisticated and mechanically intensive structures. Hermetic doors and windows were required for its multiple clean spaces, and the pressurisation of rooms required careful attention to detail to ensure no surfaces presented a hygiene risk.  It also required various types of reticulated gases, compressed air and vacuums throughout. The surrounding buildings remained fully occupied and operational throughout construction, which created logistical challenges included limited access to the laboratory building.”

 

The goals for the end-user experience evolved throughout the project, and the design had to adapt quickly so the Contractor could complete upgrades while they were still on site. “From a cost consultancy perspective, in addition to the routine construction cost control and monitoring we worked closely with the client’s accounting team. We ensured the payments were facilitated correctly and accordingly from the designated accounts,” says Weng. 

 

“Reliable, consistent communication was crucial in this project. Our job was to be clear and transparent about cost throughout the process. We added value by working closely with Douglas Pharmaceuticals, the Contractor, Project Management and consulting teams to provide quick, sound advice on costs. This in turn enabled Douglas to make informed decisions to ensure continuity of works for the contractor whilst working toward project budgets. We also kept close to the Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) Engineer and Contractor throughout the project to understand all changes as they arose, making forecasts and notifying the design team and client.”

 

Despite additional scope being added to the project, it achieved completion on time. “We were able to progress swiftly and close the final account with no dispute,” Weng says. “The client is extremely happy with the overall outcome and the level of quality achieved.” 

 

This article was contributed by Weng Tan and Gemma Christall.

White Associates Quantity Surveyors Historic facade the centerpiece of Christchurch redevelopment

Historic facade the centerpiece of Christchurch redevelopment

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In a city that has lost so much building heritage since the earthquakes, an innovative central Christchurch project is refurbishing a historic 120-year-old façade while creating a thoroughly modern and multi-purpose structure behind and around it.

A new three-level building proposed at 199-201 High Street in Christchurch consists of retail and commercial premises on the ground floor and offices on the upper floors. The $6 million project will provide new life in the city, with a cafe and shops at street level, and offices upstairs.

Shaun Stockman, Managing Director of the company behind the redevelopment, Stockman Group – which has previously featured in White Associates newsletters thanks to its excellent work on the nearby Billens Building – says that the existing heritage face at 201 High Street is being strengthened and retained as part of the northern elevation of the new building.

“The double-storey brick facade was built in the Victorian Free Style, with two bays at first-floor level, and arched windows flanked by pilasters adorned with relief work. Work to restore the facade, which is tied to the new structure, has involved renovating the facade’s bricks and stonework, and all leadlight windows repaired.”

White Associates again provided Stockman Group with bank funding representation and an initial due diligence review. Darin Bayer says that a key factor in the project’s success has been early contractor involvement.

“Things that have really made a difference on this project’s potential really have been early contractor engagement and the strong relationship between the borrower and contractor. Superb up-front planning from main contractor Canform Structures Limited, as well as the construction team’s attention to detail and uncompromising pursuit of quality, will lead to an exceptional outcome here, even as some of the challenges have been mighty, with 49-tonne beams cast on site and craned into place.”

“Superb up-front planning from the contractor, as well as their attention to detail and uncompromising pursuit of quality, will lead to an exceptional outcome here.”

Bayer says that the project is pushing along well, with the concrete floor and foundations complete, and ground floor precast panels installed. The project is due for on-target completion in early 2020.

White Associates Quantity Surveyors Creating a major community housing asset at Puhinui Park

Creating a major community housing asset at Puhinui Park

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Civil works are nearing completion on an inspirational new community housing project at Puhinui Park, off Barrowcliffe Place and Wiri Station Road in Manukau.

On a previously empty site, the project involves the establishment of a connected neighbourhood, creating a high quality, medium density residential community of some 300 affordable houses and apartments in the heart of Auckland’s south.  The whole development will be known as Kotuitui Place, and is a major step forward in the overall Transform Manukau plan for the wider community in Manukau.

Now one year into development, the project is being developed over five years by the Puhinui Park Limited Partnership (PPLP), whose partners also delivered the hugely successful Waimahia Inlet development.  The whole development has been planned in collaboration with Panuku as the previous land owner and with mana whenua Te Akitai Waihoua, who will build and manage 30% of the site (after the initial civil and earthworks stage by PPLP) through the Kotuitui Limited Partnership.

White Associates is providing bank funding representation to this experienced PPLP development team through the Bank of New Zealand, which comprises charitable entities Housing Foundation, CORT Community Housing, and Te Tumu Kainga (the Maori Trustee).

Darin Bayer says that this development team is a little different to the norm. “This PPLP team has a charitable intent, which means their focus is on delivering quality new homes that are affordable and attainable for working families. They are exclusively committed to supporting first home buyers, so they don’t sell to investors, with an aim that residents will live in a community of families who are committed to staying.

“Puhinui Park will be a real asset to the wider Manukau community, providing a wide range of housing types and tenures for the Housing Foundation programmes and other community housing providers, with a number of homes also available for private sale.”

Many of the dwellings will be three-bedroom terrace houses, but also on offer are some one-and two-bedroom apartments, and four-bedroom terraces. The range of purchase models include rent-to-buy and shared equity to help ensure affordability, with the Crown providing some significant funding also to add to the capital needed to provide this housing assistance.

The project is progressing well says Bayer, with civils works and infrastructure nearing completion to create the lots for housing construction to begin later this year. Overall, the project is due to be completed towards the end of 2022.

“Key factors behind the success of the project so far has been team continuity”, says Bayer. “The Housing Foundation development management team, with on-site construction works led by Frank Rientjes Project Management, are using HEB Construction straight from the Waimahia project to good effect.

“A key factor behind the success of the project so far has been team continuity. The project is progressing so well because the right team of people has been in place consistently over time.”

“Additionally, we applaud the team’s great planning, with realistic budgets and timeframes, and sufficient allowances for market escalation. The biggest challenge so far has been pushing ahead with work on site hand-in-hand with some design and approval processes still ongoing, but able to accelerate the work programme and delivery timelines while ensuring that the funding is all in place when needed.

“I often say that when you get a great team together – with the collective participation of all parties involved –  the client, its partners and funders, project manager, design consultants, quantity surveyor and the contractor – you’ll have a great job: if you have them in place, the right people generate the right outcome.”