Te Pā Tāhuna apartments

Takiwai is a three-storey development of 27 apartments, the first stage of the Te Pā Tāhuna community on the old Wakatipu High School site. 10 of the units are KiwiBuild homes, making it one of the first mixed private/KiwiBuild developments in the country.

The ground floor comprises of seven live-work units with a one-bedroom apartment and an area suitable for a small business. The storeys above consist of one- and two-bedroom apartments, all with private balconies. Brick cladding on the ground floor walls blends into the overall landscape, which features extensive native planting, timber screening and car parking. Levels 1 and 2 have an attractive blend of Nu-Wall and Heritage Tray cladding.

The building incorporates a solid ground floor with block walls and a concrete ceiling, while the upper levels are built with a sustainable timber solution. This hybrid design posed several challenges with acoustic and fire protection requirements. We worked closely with the consultant team to provide solutions that ensure the building exceeds code requirements.

We prioritised social procurement on this project, focusing on bringing in iwi-affiliated subcontractors and suppliers. Their insight gave us a better appreciation of the cultural aspects of the build, such as the Māori influenced design and layouts. We also engaged with Aukaha and offered their candidates work experience on the project.