Newmarket Home for Fonterra?
Newmarket Business Association CEO, Ashley Church, wants Fonterra to consider Newmarket as the base for its new
state-of-the-art Head Office and is calling on developers to submit proposals which will meet the needs of the Global
Dairy giant.
Fonterra is seeking a perfect site in Auckland to build New Zealand's best new building within four years. In a detailed
brief, Fonterra chief executive Theo Spierings, says it's new headquarters must be of international quality, designed to
promote 21st century knowledge and working patterns, and be able to enhance work style. Interestingly, Mr Spierings
wants Fonterra's new building to match its image and reputation and “facilitate driving cultural change, sustainability
and the health and safety of Fonterra employees".
Newmarket can easily accommodate Fonterra’s requirements, according to Mr Church, by providing an environment and
amenities which are second to none in New Zealand.
“Fonterra is clearly an employer which values its staff and wants to be part of an environment which ensures their
retention. Newmarket can do that. We provide a superior mix of retail outlets, commercial services, and public amenities
in a central city location – and we’re the primary hub of public transport in Auckland. In every sense, we’re a perfect
fit with Fonterra’s aspirations”.
Mr Church points to a series of recent announcements and projects already underway as evidence that Newmarket is now
highly regarded as a premium business base. The new Manson TCLM office building on Remuera Road, plans for a major
extension to Westfield 277, the NZ Transport Authority's desire for significant commercial development under the newly
developed motorway viaduct, and the recent purchase of the former Lion Breweries site by Auckland University are
examples of the regard in which Newmarket is held.
Further public and private development is also on the drawing board with a current push for improvements to
streetscapes, parking, and the mix of businesses in the centre as well as a ten year plan outlining a series of
improvement projects – many of which are already underway.
“Newmarket is already regarded as a Centre of Excellence – but that perception will be reinforced with a series of
announcements over the next couple of years”.
ends