Foodstuffs North Island's support centre at Landing Drive Māngere has earned the prestigious 6 Green Star Interiors rating, the highest recognition for its sustainable office fitout. This accomplishment comes on the heels of Auckland International Airport receiving a 6 Green Star Built rating for the base building last year, making it one of only seven fit-outs in New Zealand to achieve the 6 Green Star Interiors rating.
Nick Hanson, Head of Property at Foodstuffs North Island, emphasised the organisation's dedication to environmental sustainability, aligning with their 'Here for NZ' commitment. The Auckland Airport business park facility boasts New Zealand's most prominent office and industrial campus, featuring a 77,000m2 distribution centre and an 8,500m2 support centre housing over 1,000 employees.
) From left to right: Lindsay Rowles, GM Membership and Property, Foodstuffs; Sam Archer, Director of Market Transformation, NZGBC; Nick Hanson, Head of Property, Foodstuffs; and Simon Wilson, Director, RDT Pacific;
Impressive sustainability features include a massive rooftop solar panel display comprising 2,880 panels and a rainwater harvesting system that stores 67,500 litres. The support centre's design prioritises hospitality and collaboration, with spaces for cooking demonstrations, product tastings, a subsidised cafe, and even a mini supermarket for essential items.
The commitment to sustainability extends to the interior fitout, with 93 percent of the organisation's furniture from its previous premises being reused or donated to charity. Approximately 84 percent of construction waste was diverted from landfill, and the support centre utilises 53 percent less water than a typical office. Remarkably, in its first two years of operation, the support centre generated 11 percent more energy than it consumed.
Hanson described the building as a unique opportunity to embed sustainability throughout it, supporting their carbon emission reduction goals. With the built environment contributing significantly to global carbon emissions, he emphasises the importance of changing the property sector's approach to construction.
Acknowledging that New Zealand lags in environmentally sustainable builds, Hanson was happy with achieving the 6-star rating, highlighting the dedication and collaboration of the project team. RDT Pacific Director Simon Wilson, who managed the project, commends Foodstuffs for their bold vision and leadership, emphasising the extraordinary energy efficiency achieved for building this scale and setting a standard for the future. The Green Star Interiors rating is celebrated as a testament to the team's commitment to a high-quality, sustainable build.
