Media release
3 June 2014
Hobsonville Point’s Catalina Precinct takes off
Hobsonville Land Company has selected AVJennings and its builder partner team as its preferred partner to develop the
Catalina Precinct, the third precinct under development and the second for AVJennings, at the fast-growing community in
upper harbour Auckland.
The Buckley Precinct, comprising over 750 homes sites, was the first at Hobsonville Point to be developed, and is now
home to over 200 families with a further 260 homes coming to market this year. AVJennings established its New Zealand
operation at Hobsonville Point when it won selection to develop Buckley Precinct in 2008. Willis Bond is developing
Hobsonville Point’s Sunderland A Precinct.
Hobsonville Land Company CEO Chris Aiken says: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with AVJennings which has
developed a strong local team on the back of its impeccable credentials as a leading developer and builder of high
quality, medium-density housing in Australia. AVJennings has proven its New Zealand development capability with Buckley
Precinct and its proposal for Catalina exceeded our expectations to deliver next-generation housing for Auckland.”
Catalina Precinct comprises 15 hectares and will allow for more than 450 homes. In keeping with the overall vision for
Hobsonville Point, the new precinct will provide a variety of dwelling styles and price points – including 20 percent
affordable Axis Series homes – on a site benefitting from outstanding harbour views, new-age schools now operating and
access to regional public transport services.
Mr Aiken said the Catalina Precinct was one of Auckland’s first Special Housing Areas, and a close collaboration with
Auckland Council was enabling an acceleration of the development of new homes to address Auckland’s urgent need.
Earthworks and infrastructure development had commenced on site, and the first new homes in the precinct were expected
onto the market in December, 2014.
AVJennings’ CEO Peter Summers says: “We’re delighted to extend our involvement with New Zealand’s leading residential
development. The Catalina Precinct agreement recognises and improves upon the successful development model AVJennings is
employing at Hobsonville Point to deliver quality housing at pace to meet the Auckland demand. We’re committed to
maintaining quality while ensuring the right balance between house size and house price, ensuring homes remain
accessible and affordable for everyday Aucklanders.
“Importantly, our contemporary approach to development extends beyond simply building homes: wecreate places for new
communities to come together and thrive. AVJennings has a successful track record of supporting new community
development in this way in Australia, and now we’re applying this experience locally at Hobsonville Point.
“The outstanding Builder Partners AVJennings has been able to work with in Buckley Precinct have played an instrumental
part in the project’s success to date, and we look forward to continuing these relationships with them on the Catalina
Precinct.
“The Catalina Precinct represents the continuance of a growth phase for AVJennings after a period of consolidation and
cautious optimism in both the New Zealand and Australia residential housing markets.”
Since Hobsonville Point commenced in 2009, 200-plus homes have been completed, a further 214 are under construction and
406 properties – a mix of apartments, terraces and standalone homes – have been sold, almost all of these off the plan.
AVJennings expects to complete the Buckley Precinct in 2015. Development of the Catalina Precinct is likely to take
three years, and be completed in 2018.
Ends
About Hobsonville Point
Hobsonville Point is a master-planned community being developed on 167 hectares of upper Waitemata Harbour coastal land
formerly home to the Hobsonville air base. Up to 3,000 new homes are planned – part of what will be a major focus for
housing growth in northwest Auckland. Social amenities include the Hobsonville Point Park and playground, cycleways,
walking tracks, the Catalina Café, Hobsonville Point Farmers Market, a new primary school and a new secondary school.
Weekday commuter ferry services, from a new wharf with park and ride facilities, operate daily from The Landing to
downtown Auckland, a 25 minutes ride away. The community’s visionary design and architecture has been recognised by
three prestigious awards: A Silver Award in the category of Landscape Planning and Environmental Studies at the NZ
Institute of Landscape Architects Awards (NZILA) for developing the Hobsonville Point Design Code and Design Guide; a
Gold Award at the BEST Design Awards; and an Urban Land Developments Property Award of Merit at the Rider Levett NZ
Property Council Industry Awards 2011 for the superb housing design and attention to detail in the landscaped streets at
Hobsonville Point. For more information visit www.hobsonvillepoint.co.nz
About AVJennings
AVJennings is a leading residential property development company operating in Australia and New Zealand. AVJennings’
unique ability is to provide a diverse range of property living solutions under the one brand for over 80 years
including land sales, completed homes, townhomes and apartments.Hobsonville Point on Auckland’s upper Waitemata Harbour
is AVJennings’ first project in New Zealand. The company was chosen to partner with Hobsonville Land Company in the
first stage of development, Buckley Precinct, which started in October 2009.
About Catalina
The vision for Catalina Precinct is to build a strong, vibrant community that sets new benchmarks for quality and
accessible urban development with an environmentally responsible focus. Catalina Precinct comprises 15 hectares and will
allow for more than 450 homes. In keeping with the overall vision for Hobsonville Point, the new precinct will provide a
variety of dwelling styles and price points on a site benefitting from outstanding harbour views, new schools and access
to regional public transport services.