BNZ Joins Harbour Quays

Media Release
31 October 2006

BNZ Joins Harbour Quays

A new home for BNZ business support operations in Wellington came a step closer today when its chairman Kerry McDonald signed a development agreement with Harbour Quays developers, CentrePort. BNZ’s interest in this property was confirmed last month when the Wellington City Council granted a Resource Consent for the building to proceed.

“This is a very significant occasion because it opens a new chapter in our relationship with Wellington,” says Mr McDonald. The BNZ has a long history in this city which will continue with the lease of this prestigious site.

“We have been particularly attracted to the location, large floor plate, low rise configuration and focus on environmental sustainability this building offers. The emphasis is on providing a high quality internal and external environment for staff and this is in line with our position as a large employer and a leading Australasian company. We believe a building like this helps us attract and retain the best people by providing premium working conditions,” he says.

Site works will begin on this six storey block before Christmas with completion date of 2009. It is to be made up of three blocks linked by atriums providing a sense of openness and spaciousness. The ground floor will be occupied by retail tenants compatible with the building use.

This is also an important advance for Harbour Quays, says Nigel Gould, chair of CentrePort.

“Located right across Waterloo Quay from the Railway Station, the building will occupy a prime site. There will be easy access from Waterloo Quay. The building will transform what is currently a largely utility area into an integral part of the business centre of the city, and will help link that part of the city with the sea. Being so close to the Railway and Bus Stations staff will have the opportunities afforded by conveniently located public transport. The building also sits comfortably along side the operations of CentrePort's shipping customers located in this area of the Port."” he says.

“It will be in every way a symbol of the modern and cultured city Wellington has become.”

On the same occasion CentrePort also signed with Fletcher Construction a contract for the construction of this Wellington flagship building for BNZ.

“We are very pleased to have Fletcher Construction on board with this important development. Fletchers have built many of the premium developments in the city in recent times and we can rely on them to give this building the attention to detail that such a landmark structure deserves,” says Mr Gould.

“Now that this project is up and away and complements the buildings occupied by other tenants including Statistics New Zealand, the Rugby Union and Telstra Clear, we can now turn our attention to the development of the environment around these buildings to provide the total quality concept for which we have been striving,” says Mr Gould.

ENDS

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