PROJECT

Ngā Wāhi Tapu o Pukerangiora | Pukerangiora Pā

CLIENT

Pukerangiora Hapu

Our team gets results:

Hilary Barron

Pukerangiora pā

Pukerangiora Pā is a culturally and historically significant site in Taranaki and the ancestral home of Pukerangiora hapū, a kin group of Te Ātiawa iwi. 

Driven by the hapū's vision to share the stories of their ancestors, the project transformed the pā into an immersive guided and self-guided visitor experience that connects people with the site's rich history while respecting its cultural significance and sensitive archaeological landscape. 

The development includes an accessible boardwalk, viewing areas, interpretive signage and digital storytelling that enables visitors to engage with oral histories, cultural narratives and the unique heritage of the site. 

TBIG partnered with Pukerangiora hapū as project managers, providing leadership across procurement, programme, budget and compliance. Working within a wāhi tapu environment required careful coordination, stakeholder engagement and a flexible delivery approach to ensure cultural values remained at the centre of decision-making throughout the project. 

Delivered in partnership with, Clelands Construction, Locales and funding partners Toi Foundation, New Plymouth District Council, Te Papa Atawhai (DOC), Kānoa, and Lotteries, the project creates a meaningful visitor experience while laying the foundation for the hapū's long-term vision for Pukerangiora Pā. 

PROJECT

University of Otago, Annie Stevenson Building (CApSc)

CLIENT

University of Otago

Our team gets results:

Kylie Machin

University of Otago Annie Stevenson Building

The Annie Stevenson Building is listed by HNZPT as Category I Historic Place and is protected in the Dunedin City District Plan as a Scheduled Heritage Building, making it a place of significance to University of Otago and the wider city. TBIG was engaged to help transform the 1280m², three‑level structure into a modern open‑plan workspace that could accommodate the University’s executive leadership team and Vice‑Chancellor.

Our focus was on enabling a practical upgrade that respected the building’s historic fabric while meeting modern performance expectations. Working closely with heritage specialists, consultants, and the local consenting authorities, we supported the careful integration of seismic, structural, and building‑code improvements. This included discreetly strengthening perimeter walls, reinstating original materials where possible, and incorporating new services through coordinated BIM modelling to minimise impacts on protected features.

The primary motivation for this project was to address an outdated and non‑compliant building that posed risks to occupants. The vision was to deliver a safe, future‑proof facility with a lifespan of at least 50 years. This aligns with the University’s shift toward more flexible, collaborative, and shared work environments, supporting modern workplace needs.

Sustainability and buildability were key considerations throughout. Salvaged timber was reused extensively, energy performance was improved through high‑efficiency systems and double glazing, and simplified internal planning supports long‑term adaptability. Collaboration with Aukaha ensured Te Ao Māori values were reflected.

The completed building provides a bright, flexible workplace that supports modern ways of working while honouring its heritage character.

PROJECT

Dunedin Railway Station External Remedial Works

CLIENT

Dunedin City Council

Our team gets results:

Paul Wagner

Winner of five 2024 Industry Awards

• Master Builders Commercial Project Awards, National Category Winner & Gold Award

• Property Council New Zealand South Island Property People Awards, Judges’ Choice Award

• NZIA National Heritage category winner

• NZIA Southern Heritage category award

dunedin railway station

The heritage restoration of Dunedin Railway Station, a Category 1 Listed structure widely considered New Zealand’s most photographed building, safeguarded a nationally significant landmark while reinstating its original character and extending its life for future generations.

The project demanded a commitment to heritage values, craftsmanship, and sustainability, balancing budget constraints with the need for technical innovation. Through thoughtful planning and skilled execution, complex restoration works were delivered, while minimising disruption to station operations and stakeholders.

Limited to the external building envelope, the work included salvaging and reinstating heritage Marseille roof tiles, restoring lead gutters and flashings, and refurbishing key cast and wrought iron features. Copper cladding on architectural elements was renewed, alongside timber joinery and Oamaru stone masonry repairs. Flat roof membranes were replaced to ensure long-term weatherproofing of the building structure.

The project brought together a specialist team, including heritage architects Salmon Reid and artisans from around the world, contributing not only to the quality of the work but to the upskilling of local trades. Complex technical issues, such as corrosion of structural elements, were addressed with innovative modern solutions like replacing steel reinforcement with glassfibre reinforced polymer rods.

TBIG is proud to have provided project management services across all stages of the work, coordinating the project team to deliver the works to exacting heritage standards. The reinstatement of the station’s original character preserves its historical significance and ensures its legacy as one of New Zealand’s most celebrated architectural landmarks.

The Railway Station is an iconic symbol of the rich cultural history of Dunedin and holds a special place in the hearts of its residents. I am thrilled that the restoration has brought it’s unique, intricate architectural details back to life for future generations to enjoy.

Anna Nilsen, Group Manager Property Services, Dunedin City Council

PROJECT

Kate Sheppard House refurbishment

CLIENT

Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga

Our team gets results:

Kim Lochhead

kate sheppard house REfurbishment

The epicentre of women’s suffrage - Kate Sheppard’s Christchurch Ilam home has opened as a place to tell her story and the social changes that have followed some 132 years after NZ’s trailblazing feminist lived in this home. Built in 1888, this Category 1 listed kauri villa was purchased by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga (HNZPT) in 2020. HNZPT was entrusted with this special property and the journey to return Te Whare Waiutuutu Kate Sheppard House to its former glory, repurposing it as a visitor experience which would tell the narrative of the remarkable achievements of Kate Sheppard and others who worked tirelessly to achieve women’s suffrage and to provide a venue for continuing her legacy. 

The works included repairing and strengthening floors, ceilings, wall linings, repositioning walls and doors, exterior and interior painting, fireplace maintenance, remedial carpentry works and garden redevelopment. All works were in keeping with the historic fabric of the house. In a partnership between the University of Canterbury and HNZPT, Kate Sheppard house will also be used as a base for collaboration, seminars and talks as well as academic research, with seminar rooms and meeting rooms.

Kate Sheppard House features interactive displays developed by Story Inc. bringing alive formative details such as the gathering of 31,000 petition signatures printed on the replicas of Kate’s original wallpaper. HNZPT Manager Heritage Assets Southern, Dr Christine Whybrew, says “We are honoured to have the responsibility of caring for this place, and sharing its stories with visitors.”

Photography credit: HNZPT Chris Hoopmann.

The legacy of the suffrage movement and achievements of Kate Sheppard and other New Zealand women will be told at this special place.

prime minister jacinda ardern, Excerpt from the Prime Minister’s Speech at the opening ceremony, 15 december 2020

PROJECT

Katherine Mansfield House & Garden restoration & redevelopment

CLIENT

Katherine Mansfield House & Garden Birthplace Society

Our team gets results:

Byron Roff

katherine mansfield house & Garden

Katherine Mansfield House & Garden at 25 Tinakori Road has long been a Wellington icon, and a destination for tourists, students and fans of Mansfield. After 131 years standing, and as 30 years as a museum open to the public, the birthplace of one of New Zealand’s most internationally acclaimed writers received some much-needed maintenance and upgrades.

Our team worked with the Katherine Mansfield Birthplace Society Board and a dedicated team of specialists, including Dr William Cottrell, an expert in furniture and interiors of 19th century New Zealand. Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga was consulted during the project. The works included replacing the roof, flashings and gutters and damaged weather boards, with remedial attention to the front windows which had been installed in a mid-1980’s development, and the installation of a heating and ventilation system. A wraparound timeline has been installed in an upper room and a new permanent exhibition room has been created.

“People are seeing the house in a whole new light which is very rewarding” says Director Cherie Jacobsen. Visitors now have an even greater insight into Katherine Mansfield’s life.

PROJECT

Lyttelton Timeball Station

CLIENT

Heritage New Zealand

Our team gets results:

Tess Browne

Watch the video:

Lyttelton Timeball Station

The Lyttelton Timeball Station is a historic maritime landmark, and one of only a few left in the world. The Timeball Station experienced significant damage in the 2010/11 earthquakes. Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga were committed to the reconstruction of the Timeball tower, Timeball, original flagpole and surrounding grounds. 

A specialist team tacked the restoration, the rebuild philosophy was to retain as much of the original fabric of the building as practicable.  

The site is a nod to its very important past but also a newly plotted pathway to the future.  It incorporates original heritage elements with new, such as the automated Timeball mechanism replacing the original component. The project was a UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award of Merit winner for Cultural Heritage Conservation 2019.

The Building Intelligence Group went the extra mile to ensure this project of national and international significance was an outstanding success.

Shelia Watson, Director Southern Region, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere

PROJECT

Deans Farm Buildings restoration at Christchurch Boys’ High School

CLIENT

Ministry of Education

Our team gets results:

Tess Browne

Deans Farm Buildings RESTORATION

The historic Deans Farm Buildings at Christchurch Boys’ High School have been repurposed for the future, after undergoing seismic strengthening and heritage restoration following dilapidation and earthquake devastation.

The CBHS Board saw a future worth saving and engaged The Building Intelligence Group to lead a specialist project team to bring the buildings to 67% NBS and to repurpose the buildings into a fitting home for the Old Boys’ Museum and School Uniform Shop. 

A Heritage Impact Assessment and Temporary Protection Plan were completed in parallel with the design to seismically strengthening the building in a programmed sequence of works. The project won a Canterbury Heritage Award.

The Building Intelligence Group’s experience and attention to detail ensured that the heritage values of the buildings were not overlooked while meeting all project objectives.

Carole-Lynne Kerrigan, Built Heritage Specialist

PROJECT

The Christchurch Club restoration

CLIENT

The Christchurch Club

Our team gets results:

Tess Browne

The Christchurch Club

The Christchurch Club is a Category 1 listed building, designed in 1856 by Benjamin Mountfort. After the devastating earthquakes, The Christchurch Club embarked on a determined journey to restore, strengthen and repurpose the Club for the future.

The Club’s aspirations and project brief required high quality, innovative and enduring design solutions that reflected the Club’s special character. Conservation of the building’s heritage elements was vital, balanced with an overarching requirement to repurpose and enhance the Club.

The Club’s vision was brave and determined, in the context of the loss of so many heritage buildings in Christchurch.  Seismic strengthening has taken the building to 100% NBS. Heritage elements blend seamlessly with new facilities.

PROJECT

Hall of Memories

CLIENT

Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Our team gets results:

Andrew McCalman

Hall of Memories

After the Christchurch earthquakes, the need to seismically upgrade the Category 1 Heritage listed Hall of Memories in Wellington became a priority. This iconic building serves as the commemorative chapel of the National War Memorial.

The Ministry for Culture and Heritage set a very clear objective, the work should be imperceptible and needed to be ready for the Anzac Day Centenary Celebrations in 2015. Our knowledge of heritage and seismic projects was invaluable, and The Building Intelligence Group led a specialist team to carry out the seismic strengthening and rehabilitation works.

Looking at a photograph of the Hall of Memories before and after the restoration, you likely wouldn’t be able to tell much difference – which was the objective.