Luxury Returns to Queenstown Hotel

Posted by Kim Bowden, Business South on

By Kim Bowden

To read from the original article visit Business South – July 2025 | Volume 34 | Issue 5 
Image: G2 Studio

Perched above the Shotover River in Queenstown’s Arthurs Point, the former Nugget Point Hotel is being redeveloped into Coronet Ridge Resort – a five-star alpine retreat set to bring a fresh level of luxury to the area’s accommodation market.
The transformation, spearheaded by owners New Bay Group, with management oversight from Capstone Hotel Management, represents a $30 million investment into the future of the site and Queenstown’s high-end tourism offering.

Clare Davies, the founder and managing director of Capstone, says this isn’t just a refurbishment – it’s a rebuild. “The hotel’s been taken right back to blockwork. The team has completely gutted and modernised every part of the asset: plumbing, electrical, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air- conditioning) and interiors – even the restaurant roof has come off. It’s essentially a brand-new build.”

However, despite the new chapter, the site’s legacy remains. Nugget Point Hotel once operated in the five-star bracket, though over time, limited reinvestment saw it shift to a more modest standing. The relaunch as Coronet Ridge marks not just a return to form, but a significant step forward.
Clare says she is proud to be working alongside New Bay Group, calling their investment a strong vote of confidence in the destination.

“We’ve got owners who see the potential in Queenstown and the wider tourism sector, and they’ve committed to a substantial investment back into the asset,” she says. Due to open in late 2025, Coronet Ridge will feature 41 boutique rooms, each with a private balcony or patio, and styled with natural textures, timber joinery, and curated landscape photography.

The resort will boast standout facilities, including a Roman-style day spa, private cinema, squash courts, and a new restaurant, Elevation, led by acclaimed chef Des Harris.
Positioned just minutes from the access road to the Coronet Peak ski area, the resort benefits from being just far enough outside central Queenstown to off er quiet luxury – yet still connected to everything that makes the region special.

“We’re really fortunate to have a location that offers the best of both worlds,” Clare says. “You’re close to ski fields, iconic attractions like Shotover Jet and Arrowtown, and world-class food and wine. But you also get to retreat back here – positioned up over the river, with what I’d say are some of the best views in the country.”

As for what the five-star guests can expect – it’s more than just high thread-count sheets. “They’re looking for personalised service, local knowledge, and a sense of arrival – being made to feel welcome. Our staff aren’t just hosts – they’re guides, curators of experience,” Clare explains.

“We’re here to help people really discover Queenstown and connect with it.”

Rooms at the soon-to-be-open Coronet Ridge Resort are bookable now for stays from late November onwards. Clare is confident the reimagined resort will attract both international and domestic leisure and business travellers – and also welcome locals seeking a relaxing spa experience or a special night out. “We can’t wait to relaunch the resort as Queenstown’s newest sanctuary for relaxation, adventure, and rejuvenation,” she says.

Home ownership offered for iwi

Posted by Sue Russell on

Business North | Volume 24 | Issue 3 | June 2025
Written by Sue Russell

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei first settled in Tā- maki Makaurau (Auckland) in the 17th century, migrating from the north, and have kept their ahi kā (home fires) burning through continuous occupation in the central isthmus ever since.

Today, the iwi comprises nearly 8000 people from new-born to kaumātua all with genealogical links to their eponymous rangatira, Tuperiri.

Grounded to their land through their marae at Ōrākei, the iwi owns more than 150ha of land in Tāmaki Makaurau. Its commercial arm, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa, is charged with developing and growing these assets, including the creation of more opportunities for its whānau to live in good-quality housing on iwi land.

A recent example where this vision has been realised in bricks and mortar is the $20 million housing development at Hawaiki Street, their newest papa kāinga development enabling whānau to purchase a home in Ōrākei.

Located near the corner of Hawaiki and Kupe streets and sitting atop the Kupe ridge, which connects Takaparawhau and Pourewa, two significant whenua for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Hawaiki is a collection of 24 one-, two-, and four-bedroom townhouses.

Designed by leading architecture studio Jasmax and built by Vivian Construction, the homes reflect kōrero shared through workshops with whānau as part of the Ōrākei Masterplan.

The terraced houses are centred around a shared green space, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

“Hawaiki provides a more affordable path- way to homeownership for whānau in Ōrākei, where the average house price is around $2 million,” says Whai Rawa chief executive Grant Kemble.

“Without opportunities like this, many whānau are priced out of their papa kāinga.”

Projects of this nature, providing more homes to whānau, are considered as tremendously critical by the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust Board, who govern the affairs of the hapū. Put simply, the priority to build more homes gives whānau not only a warm and healthy home to live in, but also helps the hapū maintain its ahi kā, its long history and connection to the whenua (land).

Grant says it’s extremely gratifying to lead a commercial entity that is growing the hapū’s assets and seeing that realised into real out-comes for whānau.

To make homeownership more accessible, homes are sold under a 150-year leasehold arrangement. Leasehold payments have been removed, significantly reducing the purchase price. A shared equity scheme is also available to further support whānau on their path to homeownership.

“Sustainability was also front of mind. The homes feature sustainable materials, energy-efficient appliances, solar water heating, and systems to collect and reuse rainwater – all designed to reduce costs and align with the iwi’s commitment to kaitiakitanga,” says Grant.

Homes can only be on-sold to registered Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei members, ensuring that the development continues to serve the whānau and hapū for generations to come.

Hawaiki has been named a finalist in the 2025 Property Council New Zealand Awards in the Community and Affordable Housing category – a recognition of the project’s innovation, impact, and deep connection to place.

Servicing Capabilities Set to Expand

Posted by Bernadette Cooney, Business North on

By Bernadette Cooney 

To read from the original article visit Business North – Volumne 34 | Issue 3 | May 2025

A significant expansion is under way at the Christchurch Engine Centre in Harewood, which will add 14,000sqm of workshop and test-facility space in preparation for servicing the Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine for the first time within New Zealand.

The US$150 million investment will ensure the centre’s maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities grow to handle the GTF™ engine that powers Air New Zealand’s AirbusA320neo aircraft.

To date, more than 2200 GTF-powered aircraft have been delivered to over 80 customers worldwide.

GTF engines enable up to 20% better fuel efficiency with a smaller noise footprint, and since entering service in 2016 have helped airlines save more than two billion gallons of fuel, equivalent to avoiding 20 million metric tons of CO2 emissions, compared to those aircraft having been powered by prior-generation engines.

Demand for the GTF engine remains strong, with 11,000 engine orders and commitments in total across all platforms.

Graham Jack, general manager at Christchurch Engine Centre, highlights the importance of the expansion.

“This project will increase our current space, and extend our engine services supporting the International Aero Engines AG (IAE) V2500 engine powering the Airbus A320ceo aircraft to the GTF-powered Airbus A320neo aircraft. It will be the only engine shop of its kind in New Zealand.”

The first GTF engine overhaul at Christchurch Engine Centre is expected in late2026, with capacity for up to 140 GTF overhauls planned annually by 2032.

Construction is underway, with completion expected in stages.

“With the new MRO capabilities, it will be added to Pratt & Whitney’s GTF MRO network and support the growing fleet,” says Graham.

“This facility has a proven track record of delivering exceptional performance and quality with a highly capable workforce, having overhauled more than 1500 IAE V2500 engines.”

With this growth, the Christchurch Engine Centre will add a couple of hundred staff over the next five years, increasing its highly skilled workforce from a current 400 people to around 600.

The Christchurch Engine Centre is a joint venture between Pratt &Whitney and Air New Zealand.

It was established in 1948 by Air New Zealand’s predecessor, the National Airways Corporation, and has a long history of servicing aircraft engines, from the Gypsy Queen engines to Rolls Royce Dart and Pratt &Whitney JT8D engines on Boeing 727 and 737 aircraft.

Expansion of Christchurch Engine Centre

Posted by white associates on

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.