PROJECT

Government Organisation Fitout, Ōtepoti

CLIENT

ACC Investments

Our team gets results:

Dave Mann

Kylie Machin

Ōtepoti

After years of operating from four separate locations, 800 staff from a major government agency are now together under one roof in a new four storey office in central Dunedin. Delivered through a joint venture between Ngāi Tahu Property and ACC Investments, the 8,000sqm space was designed to bring people together, prioritising accessibility, connection, and a consistent national workplace standard. 

The landlord’s base build maximises natural light and features generous circulation routes, gender-neutral bathrooms, door sensors, and a central social hub to encourage informal collaboration. The tenant’s fitout then layered cultural identity, workplace functionality, and tailored furniture solutions into the environment, completing a space that feels open, inclusive, and connected to the people who use it. 

With the client’s property team based in Wellington, TBIG’s Dunedin-based team became an extension of their in-house group, providing on-the-ground support for real time decision making. We acted as Project Manager and Engineer to the Contract for the incoming tenant, coordinating design reviews, procurement, consenting, and construction monitoring while managing the day-to-day interface with the landlord. 

Cultural narrative was embedded throughout the design, guided by Aukaha. Bespoke glazing, gifted meeting room names, and detailing that acknowledges the land and stories of Ōtepoti ensure the space honours mana whenua. The building proudly carries the name Ōtepoti, gifted to recognise its location on the city’s original foreshore. 

Following completion, TBIG remained on site for two months to support onboarding, resolve defects, and ensure the new environment was working as intended. This hands-on transition period offered a rare and rewarding opportunity to see staff engage with their new workplace.

TBIG were a vital part of our project team, collaborating closely with our in-house corporate property group and helping keep consultants and design on track to meet tight deadlines. We truly appreciated their professionalism and the positive, collaborative spirit they brought to the build.

Property Project Manager, Ōtepoti

PROJECT

Te Iho (formerly Bowen House)

CLIENT

Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE)

Our team gets results:

Jeremy Wilson

Danielle Casey

te Iho

Te Iho, formerly Bowen house, has been reimagined as a modern, flexible workplace that brings multiple public sector agencies together under one roof. The full refurbishment of the 22‑storey building delivers a connected, future‑focused environment that supports collaboration, mobility, and the shared intent of the Public Service Act 2020.

The project included a complete interior fitout from Ground to Level 21, delivered alongside seismic and base‑building upgrades under a parallel Crown contract. Te Iho features open‑plan workspaces, dedicated meeting floors, a Leadership Development Hub, and shared ‘connect’ levels designed to strengthen cross‑agency interaction. Complemented by extensive stakeholder engagement, the design reflects cultural values, operational needs, and long‑term flexibility. The building is designed to achieve 5 Star Green Star and 4.5 Star NABERS ratings.

TBIG led the fitout from design through to delivery, managing the consultant team keeping the project tightly connected with MBIE and sub‑leasing agencies. We coordinated design development, procurement, tendering, and Building Consent processes. During construction, our team maintained a strong on‑site presence within a complex live, high‑security environment. We ensured fitout works aligned with seismic upgrades to minimise disruption and avoid rework.

A defining aspect of the project was the embedding of Te Āti Awa Taranaki Whānui’s cultural narrative into the heart of the building. Guided by Len Hetet and Manukorihi Winiata, the concept of He Uranga — a place of convergence — informed key design elements, including the central stair wrapped in He Korowai, symbolising protection and connection. These features ground the building in its whakapapa and support the Māori–Crown relationship.

Delivered on time and within budget, Te Iho sets a new benchmark for government accommodation: a shared, sustainable, culturally aligned workplace that supports a unified and agile public service.

Photography: Warren and Mahoney, photographer Ian Hutchinson

PROJECT

Parliament Building (the Beehive) Executive Wing Façade

CLIENT

Parliamentary Service

Our team gets results:

Jeremy Wilson

Angus Bridge

Alex Doyle

Executive Wing Façade (the Beehive)

World famous in New Zealand, the iconic Executive Wing (the Beehive) at New Zealand Parliament required upgrades to it's façade, repairing, restoring and replacing elements on the unique heritage-listed building.

TBIG was engaged by Parliamentary Service to collaborate with the main contractor, Naylor Love, on the first significant overhaul of the façade fabric of Parliament’s Executive Wing, a.k.a. the Beehive, since its construction in 1969. The work involved repairing and replacing façade elements, including window units, concrete beams, and marble columns, to address lifecycle degradation and ensure the structure’s performance for several more decades.

The project was conducted in a high-profile and sensitive live environment, requiring a comprehensive understanding of the site’s specific conditions and strong engagement with key stakeholders. They included parliamentary staff, the onsite café and banquet hall operations, and the New Zealand public, who maintain a strong and vested interest in the building.

Working with a progressive and staged delivery strategy, the scope included balcony radial beam remedial works, concrete repairs, balcony waterproofing and asbestos removal and encapsulation from levels 1-3. An innovate shrink wrapped hoarding replicated the exterior of the building, which meant the heritage-listed building appeared in its normal state to anyone viewing it from a distance.

TBIG are proud to have been engaged by Parliamentary Service as project manager on this special heritage-listed structure, ensuring that the completed works will require no further attention for decades to come.

The delivery of the upgrades to the Executive Wing Façade over levels 1-3 posed challenges unique to the building and Parliament. Parliamentary Service worked together with Naylor Love and TBIG to deliver the project despite these challenges to a very high standard, on time and to budget. All the while minimising disruption to operation of Parliament with the result of a very successful project.

david Willis, Parliamentary Service Manager Buildings Project Management Office

PROJECT

Waka Kotahi - 44 Bowen Street

CLIENT

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi

Our team gets results:

Jeremy Wilson

NZTA Waka Kotahi

Moving from two Wellington locations, Waka Kotahi brough 1,200 staff together into a single address at 44 Bowen Street. The new flexible and agile workspace aligns with Waka Kotahi’s strategic objectives in Te Kāpehu / Our Compass – forming a sense of community, enhancing collaboration and connectivity. Supporting activity-based working, spaces provide a spectrum of collaborative settings across seven levels.

TBIG led negotiations with the landlord and the basebuild contractor LT McGuiness in their capacity as the fitout ECI Contractor to develop a workable programme.

The scope of service included programme management, Agreement to Lease / basebuild monitoring, design management, procurement and consents management, construction administration including Engineer to the Contract and soft fitout management, cost management, basebuild variations for an internal stairwell, hard fitout and soft fitout delivery. Our team facilitated extensive stakeholder consultation to ensure that the fitout aligned with Waka Kotahi’s desired workplace experience.

With the base build designed and constructed to achieve 5-Star NZGBC rating and 4.5-Star NABERS, TBIG and the wider project team explored the benefits of Waka Kotahi undertaking additional sustainability measures. As a result, the fitout was designed and constructed to target a WELL Gold Certificate status with an emphasis in user wellbeing and environmental considerations.

TBIG were integral to our project, working closely with our inhouse corporate property team, and in driving the consultants and design to meet the tight time frames of the build. The project has been an incredible success.

Nikki Mazur, Waka Kotahi Head of Corporate Property

PROJECT

Tane te Wairoa - NIWA Hamilton

CLIENT

National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research

Our team gets results

Mel Briasco

Jacob Bray

Charles Brown

Rebecca Featherstone

tane te wairoa

NIWA HAMILTON

Tane te Waiora is an exciting home for NIWA to deliver its scientific operations in Hamilton in purpose-built future facing collaborative office and laboratory spaces that support 150 staff.

Located on the University of Waikato campus, the new NIWA Hamilton facility enhances the organisation’s capability to deliver world-class science in Hamilton. It is one of three core projects forming the NIWA Future Property Project strategy with a vision to create NIWA Science Workplaces of the Future – a suite of modern, welcoming, efficient, agile and fit-for-purpose buildings in Hamilton, Christchurch and Wellington that meet the needs of this high performing science organisation in contemporary and flexible facilities. All of the NIWA buildings will be designed to align with environmentally sustainable development standards.

NIWA’s Hamilton development comprises a new two level 4,500m2 building containing: Specialist laboratories and visitor facilities on the ground floor, collaborative modern flexible office accommodation on Level 1; 1,200m2 storage and workshop building; ancillary lab facilities and a storage building. The complexity of the laboratory facility was a key component of the development.

Our Wellington team led the master planning and strategy and design requirements before handing over into the sure hands of Waikato Lead Jacob Bray in Hamilton to lead the programme to through construction management delivery and stakeholder management.

As a significant research centre, Tane te Wairoa delivers on NIWA’s expectations for the Future Property Programme. 

TBIG have provided clear project management and regular communication throughout the project in respect of design issues, early risk identification, construction items and cost advice. This advice and their project control provided a measure of surety from the NIWA’s perspective.

Patrick Baker, Chief Financial Officer, NIWA

PROJECT

Stats NZ and Ministry for the Environment Agile Working Environment

CLIENT

Stats NZ & Ministry for the Environment

Our team gets results:

Mel Briasco

Jacob Bray

8 Willis street

Stats NZ’s new home at 8 Willis Street is a modern, sustainable workplace that sets a benchmark for the sector, and forms a key part of the award-winng Stewart Dawson's Corner redevelopment. A lease was secured for a new building to colocate with the Ministry for the Environment, with the new fitout covering approximately 13,000m2 over 12 floors, providing space for 1100 staff combined from both agencies.

The design supports connection and collaboration, where people can connect kanohi ki te kanohi - face to face - through different work settings that support a range of activities. Each agency has its own area while also having the ability to work throughout the building’s shared spaces.

8 Willis is Wellington’s first 6 Green Star office built under the new v3 Certified Rating, which represents World Leadership. In its first year, it was also awarded 5.5 Stars NabersNZ Base Build rating and a Tenancy rating of 5 Stars NabersNZ. The site incorporates solar energy generation through a voltaic array and features rainwater harvesting systems to reduce water consumption. Sustainability was a key focus throughout the fitout, with responsible procurement practices, eco-conscious material selection, and strategies aimed at maximising waste diversion from landfill.

TBIG was engaged in March 2020 during detailed design, to work with Stats NZ’s architect Jasmax, and Argosy’s (the Landlord) Design and Build Contractor McKee Fehl to manage the completion of the fitout design and construction.  

8 Willis is a dynamic office with the right tools and technology to enable new ways of working in a sector leading, sustainable, fit for purpose environment.

TBIG quickly put strong project management controls in place to help us ensure that we were clear about how the project was progressing, our risk profile and budget. We greatly appreciated their personalised approach, analytical expertise and pragmatism.

Helen Cooper, Head of Workplace Environments, Stats NZ

PROJECT

Royal Commission Auckland Hearing Space

CLIENT

Royal Commission

Our team gets results:

Martin Hubbard

Angus Bridge

royal commission auckland hearing space

Royal Commission required two levels of office space in Newmarket for the purpose of holding an Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions. It was a complete fitout to suit Government level standards, and to operate and function like a court room with various security zones. The second floor is a more traditional office space for up to 80 staff supporting the hearing process.

There was a strong vision to create inspiring, peaceful and immersive spaces, honouring the concept drivers of Toroa (Albatross) a symbol of personal journey, discovery and growth, seeking unity, peace and closure, I Harakeke (Flax.) A symbol of whānau, I Kaitiakitanga – guardianship and conservation.

The project was serviced at a national level as a collaboration between our Wellington and Auckland offices, with the Royal Commission and the design team located in Wellington, and the construction taking place in Auckland. The completed, fully tested and operational space needed to meet the pre-scheduled Hearing dates and our team led the fast tracking of the programme to ensure a beautiful high-quality space was delivered in advance of the scheduled Hearing.

PROJECT

Archives New Zealand, Wigram

CLIENT

Department of Internal Affairs

Our team gets results:

Ian Currie

ARCHIVES NEW ZEALAND CHristchurch

The Archives New Zealand Christchurch facility ensures that important material and records are preserved in a purpose built, highly secure and environmentally controlled premises.

The 3,000m² storage facility includes a large temperature and humidity-controlled storage stack area with 20,000 lineal metres of specialised shelving, a conservation room, public reading rooms, reference reprographic room, office space and carparking.

The key drivers for the facility were security, strict environmental controls and achievement of a facility in accordance with international standards. Our role centered on helping define a site specific and performance brief, followed by design management and project delivery.

The new Archive facility is the result of many years planning. We appreciated the professionalism and collaborative approach taken by The Building Intelligence Group throughout the build.

Pam Harris, (former) DIA Senior Project Manager Consultant

PROJECT

St Paul’s Square National Accommodation

CLIENT

Department of Internal Affairs

Our team gets results:

Mel Briasco

st paul’s square

Department of Internal Affairs

The Department of Internal Affairs used the Wellington accommodation project (WAP2) to consolidate their Wellington offices into a modern 13,800m² workplace environment. By moving to the St Paul’s building in Pipitea Street, the Department consolidated its property footprint and brought nearly 1,150 of its people together under one roof.

Implementing a fully flexible working environment enabled the flexible working approach to really flourish, and allowed space for communal staff areas to be developed on the upper mezzanine of the building, supported by meeting and informal breakout spaces and kitchen areas. Around 1,150 staff, working from six locations around Wellington, moved into the new workplace in January 2018.

PROJECT

Christchurch Justice & Emergency Services Precinct

CLIENT

Ministry of Justice

Our team gets results:

Ian Macaskill

Stuart Lyons

CHristchurch justice & EMERGENCY SERVICES PRECINCT

The Building Intelligence Group was engaged by the Ministry of Justice to manage the development of the business requirements/design/scope/programme/cost/risk and procurement strategy for the Detailed Business Case and to subsequently assist with integration of technology solutions and business operational readiness and occupation.

Our Managing Director Ian Macaskill led this strategic programme of work, being one of the Government’s key anchor projects for the Christchurch rebuild. CJESP brings together the Ministry of Justice and Christchurch-based judiciary, NZ Police, Department of Corrections, St John NZ, Fire and Emergency NZ and the Ministry of Civil Defence. The precinct comprises 40,500m² over five floors and is made up of three buildings.

Ian Macaskill led the project team for the Detailed Business Case. This included procurement of the consultant team, design management, leadership of the design team, stakeholder management, risk analysis, value management, delivery programme, whole of life cost and benefit analysis, and business continuity systems. TBIG subsequently worked in a programme development and management role for the integration of specialist ICT systems into the base build and fitout and planning for the occupation and facilities readiness, working with the Ministry of Justice, NZ Police and other Agencies to ensure a smooth transition of their business.

PROJECT

Christchurch Integrated Government Accommodation projects

CLIENT

CIGA

Our team gets results:

Stuart Lyons

Christchurch Integrated Government Accommodation

Post Christchurch earthquakes, the government made clear its commitment to relocate government office accommodation back into the Christchurch city centre, maximising advantages of co-location for multiple government agencies.

The CIGA project provided new accommodation for 1500 staff across 15 government agencies over four separate buildings. The Building Intelligence Group advised on procurement strategies and managed the agency fitouts within the four buildings to the quality and standards required by the Crown to support objectives under the Government Property Group Workplace Standards and Guidelines. The four new builds comprised an Agency lead – Statistics New Zealand (BNZ Centre Stage 1), ACC (BNZ Centre Stage 2), MBIE (Grand Central New Zealand) and MOE Ngāi Tahu (King Edward Barracks).

PROJECT

NZ Post Waterloo Quay Ground Floor

CLIENT

NZ Post

Our team gets results:

Martin Hubbard

NZ POST

WATERLOO QUAY GROUND FLOOR

NZ Post turned a former Post Box lobby into an exciting public space that won a 2016 New Zealand Architecture Award for Interior Architecture. 

The ground floor of the formerly named NZ Post House at 7 Waterloo Quay in Wellington was transformed into an open hub which provides a mix of spaces for NZ Post customers and staff.

The open lobby unlocks a scarcely used ground floor to provide a large open zone that contains a consolidated reception, meeting room suites, Customer Experience Zone, Retail Service Centre, Box Lobby, and the new Kanteen café.

The Building Intelligence Group is continuing to work on the redevelopment of this building at 7 Waterloo Quay.

The project team took time at the outset to understand our business needs and appropriately resourced our programme to deliver on those needs.

Dennis Rodgers, Strategic Asset Manager, NZ Post Ltd.

PROJECT

Tauranga Accommodation

CLIENT

Inland Revenue and Housing New Zealand

Inland Revenue and Housing New Zealand

TAURANGA ACCOMMODATION

Inland Revenue and Housing New Zealand relocated to a brand-new building at 306 Cameron Road, one of Tauranga’s busiest arterial routes. With a blank canvas on which to create a modern working environment, both departments had a shared vision to achieve contemporary and collaborative workplaces.

Our role commenced with assisting in the delivery aspects of the Development Agreement (DA), progressing through management of the design, procurement, construction and relocation. A strategy of integrating the fitout works with the Landlord’s programme of works was vital to achieving the programme.

The Ground Floor operates as the front of house for customer enquiries, with secure public meeting rooms and office area to provide service to customers. The first floor provides Inland Revenue with a back of house reception, open plan office space, and shared meeting and cafeteria spaces for both Inland Revenue and Housing New Zealand.

PROJECT

Accommodation fitout

CLIENT

Tertiary Education Commission / Commerce Commission

Our team gets results:

Stuart Lyons

tertiary education commission & COMMERCE COMMISSION

Already sited at 44 The Terrace in ageing fitouts, both agencies sought to consolidate their accommodation to bring their respective staff onto contiguous floors in modern working environments. TEC wanted to achieve connectivity and a largely open plan environment across their four floors.  The Commerce Commission held a similar goal. With two Crown Agencies seeking modern working styles, the catalyst was there to collaborate to create a shared reception, seminar, meeting rooms, and associated facilities on Level 9.

The Building Intelligence Group was appointed as Project Manager to develop and deliver a strategy which would drive efficiency across both fitouts and integrate with the Landlord’s programme of works.

One key element of the fitout was TEC’s vision for staff to move freely between floors with an internal staircase to provide connectivity through floors 9 to 12.  The stairs employed a very cool semi-transparent Kaynemail mesh screen that provided excellent visual connectivity.

PROJECT

Ministry for Social Development National Office

CLIENT

Ministry for Social Development

Our team gets results:

Mel Briasco

The Aurora Centre

The Ministry of Social Development’s National Office Accommodation Project entailed the redevelopment and fitout of the old Unisys House and Aurora Chambers buildings at 56 The Terrace.

The Aurora Chambers building was completely demolished, rebuilt and connected into the adjacent 18 level Unisys House tower, which had been stripped and fully refurbished to provide a modern workplace environment. 

The Building Intelligence Group was engaged as Project Manager for the MSD fitout, commencing with consulting on the Development Agreement, progressing through management of the design, procurement and construction phases of the project. The efficient and effective fitout concept is replicated over levels 4 - 18 with all public facing functions including auditoriums and publicly accessible meeting rooms located on levels 1- 3.

PROJECT

Supreme Court of New Zealand

CLIENT

Ministry of Justice

Our team gets results:

Ian Macaskill

Supreme Court of New Zealand

The Supreme Court is arguably the most important public building constructed in New Zealand for some time, embracing our judicial, cultural and historic values. It sits in harmony with the restored Old High Court, both projects delivered together on a landmark site by The Building Intelligence Group.

The project was unique – and we established the optimal team to deliver a project of this magnitude over seven years, continuously balancing the ‘new with the old.’  Outstanding features include the immense freestanding ovoid wood panelled No1 Courtroom sitting within the building which is wrapped in a bronze façade.

The Supreme Court project was a multiple award winner.

PROJECT

Old High Court restoration

CLIENT

Ministry of Justice

Our team gets results:

Ian Macaskill

Old High Court restoration

The Old High Court is one of New Zealand’s most important public buildings. Strengthening, restoring and base isolating this Category I heritage building concurrently with the new build of the adjacent Supreme Court, was one of Wellington’s most unique and challenging projects.

As project managers, The Building Intelligence Group established and led the optimal team to deliver this landmark project.

A project of this magnitude demanded continuously balancing the functional requirements, integrity of the architecture, heritage values, cost and timeframes to ensure no element was compromised by another.  

Receiving many accolades, this successful project was a multiple-award winner.