Te Arai Links: A Dream Location, not only for Golfers
Just 75 minutes from Auckland, located on a beautiful white sand New Zealand beach, Te Arai Links is more than just a golf course, it is an extraordinary escape that seamlessly combines world-class golf, luxurious accommodations and eateries, and breathtaking natural landscapes.
Designed by renowned architects Tom Doak, Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, Te Arai Links features two 18-hole courses (North Course and South Course). Quickly cementing a reputation as a “golf mecca.”
Expansion to Future Proof Food Testing Facility
AsureQuality‘s Food Laboratory plays an essential role in upholding Aotearoa’s integrity as a quality food producer and exporter. A three-year investment, now underway, is future-proofing the laboratory for ongoing growth, further reinforcing NZ’s leading reputation on food safety and quality assurance.
Exploring Heritage and The Treaty of Waitangi: Our Journey to Aotearoa
This week, we continued our journey of deepening our understanding of te reo Māori and the significance of the Treaty of Waitangi. As a team, we took the time to reflect on our diverse backgrounds by sharing our personal stories—where we came from, and how our heritage has influenced our path to Aotearoa.
Transforming Nugget Point: Luxury Reimagined
Perched above the scenic Shotover River in Arthur’s Point, Queenstown, Nugget Point Hotel is among the closest accommodations to Coronet Peak ski area and a quick five-minute drive from Queenstown’s lively city centre. Situated near Skippers Canyon and Queenstown Hill, the hotel is renowned for blending serenity with adventure.
Embracing Māori Language Week
The theme for Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2024, ‘Ake Ake Ake – A Forever Language,’ highlights the resilience, adaptability, and endurance of te reo Māori, and the shared commitment to ensuring its vitality for future generations.
From Classroom to Construction Site: Adam's Quantity Surveying Journey
While searching for full-time/summer work, Adam discovered White Associates (WA) and was immediately attracted to the diverse projects they offered. Despite his third-year Construction degree being in full swing, Adam felt his workload wasn’t challenging enough and thought, why not get a head-start on his career too?
A Journey of Growth: Matt Foxall's Path to Senior Quantity Surveyor
With a Bachelor of Construction majoring in Quantity Surveying from Massey University, coupled with his lasting fascination with cost analysis and his passion for understanding pricing dynamics, Matt Foxall propelled himself into roles focused on post-contracting and estimating within the construction industry.
Stepping into Quantity Surveying: How a Cadetship with White Associates Led to Industry Awards
Enjoying the surf at Raglan, bowler, going golf mode….one of our rising star Quantity Surveyors. Connor Morley while finishing his degree at Massey University has recently been recognised with industry awards.
Redefining our values to power our future
From White Associates’ very beginning in 2005, our business has been built on a values-based platform.
White Associates hits the ground running with 3 new people
White Associates hits the ground running with 3 new people
Under the Microscope: An Advanced Future for Douglas Pharmaceuticals
The new Douglas Innovation Centre adds significant research and development capacity to Douglas Pharmaceuticals.
Older and Wiser: Weng Tan Reflects on Ten Years at White Associates
Weng’s love of collaboration means he is always learning something new.
CCA Retentions Regime: Complying Instruments – What are they and what are my options?
In this article, we explain the function of a Complying Instrument and compare the various options available for Parties A.
Graham White to retire as White Associates goes from strength to strength
Graham will retire at the end of November, leaving behind a strong management team and a company that continues to grow.
A Practical Guide to the new CCA Retentions Regime – how will it affect me?
In this article we highlight the implications for Financiers, Principals, Developers, Contractors and Subcontractors.
Introducing Rebecca Ward, our new Senior Advisory Consultant
Rebecca brings a practical, big-picture approach to the White Associates team.
The Next Decade of Procurement
Director Justin Maritz calls for efficient procurement strategies on his 10-year anniversary.
Newly Promoted Associate Director Jesse-Paul Conradie, Advisory Division
Jesse looks forward to continuing to promote a culture of dispute avoidance in his new role.
From Cadet to Graduate and Beyond: Adam Harris
Adam shares his experience of our Cadet Programme alongside completing his studies and where it’s taking him next.
The cadet programme is designed to equip future quantity surveyors with the skills and experience required to kickstart their careers.
Updated Retentions Regime – What compliance requirements will project funders impose?
In this brief, we discuss this question and how changes to the retention moneys regime provide increased insolvency security and enforced accountability.
White Associates appoints 3 new shareholders on our 18th birthday
It is with great pleasure that we announce that on our 18th birthday we are celebrating our coming of age by announcing three new shareholders, further strengthening our leadership and shareholding structure, developing our people and supporting the continued growth of our business into the future.
The future looks green; budgeting in the construction industry
The dollar has been unchallenged at the head of the budget table since its inception, but is that about to change?
From marketing and retail management to quantity surveying
Looking for a change from retail management and marketing, Olivia de Rooy found the “numbers side” of studying quantity surveying the perfect fit.
Precision the key to Woolworths' Distribution Centre opening on time
Just under a year ago, amid media fanfare on 31 August 2021, the new Palmerston North Distribution Centre for Woolworths opened. Not only was the practical completion achieved on schedule in June, the project was also delivered within the approved budget. This project has recently received a Merit in the CBRE Industrial Property Award at the 2022 PCNZ Industry Awards.
New World Supermarket, Te Kauwhata
Earlier this year in March 2022, the all new New World Supermarket in Te Kauwhata opened to the public.
Taking the test: relationships drive A-grade outcomes at Macleans College
When looking to do well in an exam and the clock is ticking, one of the keys to success is to budget your time so you complete your work fully in the time allowed. For this and many other reasons White Associates is exceptionally proud to be part of the team that has delivered the new science and technology buildings at Macleans College for the Ministry of Education on time, and to budget.
A finalist in the Education Property category of the 2022 Property Industry Awards run by the Property Council New Zealand, this exceptional $7.4 million project is the first stage of a bigger multi-phase project at the college.
White Associates strengthens leadership structure to support growth
At White Associates we are strengthening our leadership structure in order to develop our people and support the continued growth of our business into the future.
We are broadening our director base
Alongside Konrad Trankels, Graham White, Justin Maritz and Darin Bayer we are pleased to announce that Brett Zeiler has taken the opportunity offered to become a director of our business. A well-recognised leader within our business, Brett has been instrumental in helping us achieve much over recent years, and his directorship is well earned.
Tree Planting Day with Sustainable Coastlines
The Sunday before New Zealand went into our second Level 4 lockdown the White Associates whānau and our friends at ASC Architects & Bluewater Project Management were lucky enough to be able to hold a tree planting day along the coastline of the Te Atatū Peninsula.
We managed to plant over 400 native plants which will help protect, regenerate & maintain these areas for years to come.
A special thanks to Sustainable Coastlines for helping us to organise this special day !
Pink Shirt Day
In support of the Pink Shirt Day movement, on 21st May, White Associates proudly wore pink and ran a fun raffle which raised over $250 for the Mental Health Foundation. As a company we will continue to take a stand against bullying, be upstanders in our communities and continue to show our support for Pink Shirt Day in the years to come.
Swiss precision in Cromwell
When you think about Switzerland, what comes to the forefront of your mind? Is it expensive watches, exclusive banking, cuckoo clocks or chocolate maybe?
Although this is a story about none of those things, it is about something for which the Swiss are also globally renowned: precision. Specifically, the precision involved in assembling a very Swiss factory at the bottom of the world, replicated to the centimetre to accommodate precision machinery that was transported by ship from Langenthal, Switzerland, to Cromwell, Central Otago! And not just any factory – but one that now produces precisely prefabricated timber panels and elements for the residential and commercial construction sectors.
Auckland Property Investors' Association
Thanks to the Auckland Property Investors’ Association (APIA) for inviting Director Darin Bayer to speak at the Building & Development keynote event last week.
Lessons from the 2020 Maelstrom
What a year: what stress, what challenge, what change; what resilience, what teamwork, what an effort.
And what learnings! As we come to the end of this year of all years, a year in which we have all been put to the test like never before, we have paused for thought to examine what we have learned through it all:
Mt Eden Correctional Facility Winner at 2020 NZiOB Awards
We’re delighted to announce that the team who worked on the Mt Eden Correctional Facility Building C project came home with the Hays Interdisciplinary Collaboration Award at this years award ceremony.
Riverside Market generates awards buzz as visitors flock
Just over a year ago, a temporary symbol of Christchurch’s powerful resilience, creativity and determination became a permanent city attraction when the Riverside Market opened to customers.
Since then, the hugely popular covered market has gone from strength to strength, attracting 30 independent food outlets, 40 fresh produce stalls and 10,000 visitors every day into its welcoming, humming 3,500 sqm space at 96 Oxford Terrace
Give a Little Month
Covid-19 has affected all parts of our society and sadly had a huge impact on the ability of charities, NGOs and not-for-profit organisations to generate income.
Funding is essential for these organisations to continue to do the good work that they do but now that they are unable to rely on traditional fundraising methods it is difficult for them to raise the much-needed funds to keep them serving the community.
At White Associates we wanted to do our small part and set out to raise $1,500 in the month of September in what we called “Give A Little Month”.
Precision in Action: Plant and Food Research
At White Associates we do love it when projects receive awards recognition. One that keeps on giving in this respect is a redevelopment project for Plant & Food Research that has been nominated for the Naylor Love Heritage and Adaptive Reuses Property Award at the upcoming Property Council NZ Awards.
Seemingly involving just about every part of our business, this $40 million series of complex and multi-faceted projects demonstrates the intensive cost management work we do to meet the precision required for work in professional scientific research laboratories.
Arresting Development: HASTINGS POLICE STATION
When working on a project for the New Zealand Police it is important to ensure that every detail is completely locked down – particularly when it comes to cost.
White Associates took on a challenging and hugely rewarding project to manage the costs and budget for the comprehensive redevelopment of Hastings Police Station. Originally picking up the project alongside similar work for Napier Police Station, White Associates provided a range of pre- and post-contract services throughout this $20 million construction project that involved demolishing an existing station and constructing a new three-storey building to exacting seismic requirements on poor ground conditions.
Gabi Rayneau: championing the Broader Outcomes at White Associates
Long ago, in the dim and distant days before Covid, White Associates took an evolutionary leap forward as a company. Inspired by the announcement of the Wellbeing Budget in 2018, and realising the importance of the opportunities offered by the Construction Accord and Broader Outcomes, we created a framework to deliver on these documents and help us start an altogether new journey as a business.
Auckland City Mission: HomeGround
Pioneering. Groundbreaking. Leading edge.
These are often-overused words in the world of construction. However, in the case of Auckland City Mission HomeGround, they are not just an accurate, fair description of ambition in action, but they are the starting point for a truly impressive accomplishment emerging in the centre of Auckland.
Construction Projects: How to tackle the unknown impacts of Covid-19
At a time when the Rebuilding Together budget shows the Government reaching deep into its economic trouser pocket to stimulate activity in an effort to reduce the Covid shock, at White Associates we anticipate a massive period of unknowns for our industry.
Among our significant learnings over the past seven weeks, this is one that we hope might help you emerge from your bubbles into this new world of rapidly shifting uncertainty..
15 Years Absolute Dependability
IT’S NOT THE YEARS OF YOUR BUSINESS,
BUT THE BUSINESS IN YOUR YEARS.
For White Associates, quantity surveying is more than technical project calculations – it’s a promise of seeing the bigger picture, being fully responsive and delivering projects with complete financial confidence.
Reflecting on 15 years
With the nation in lockdown, those of us fortunate enough to be able to transport our offices home are now getting used to the ‘new normal workday’.
But today is not just a ‘normal workday‘ for us here at White Associates as we celebrate a great milestone: our 15th anniversary as a business.
Funding Construction Projects During COVID-19
Your questions answered.
Amid the rapidly evolving environment of the COVID-19 outbreak, at White Associates we are working with our clients to undertake risk analysis on existing and new projects, addressing questions for funders on risks that may impact the construction industry and project funding across procurement, supply chain and resourcing.
Team approach unlocks success at Mt Eden Corrections Facility
At White Associates we often write about the significant – yet all-too often under-rated – value of strong project teams.
Few projects we have worked on have proven the immense value of team cohesion more than the recent and successful completion of the c.$100m Mt Eden Corrections Facility (MECF): on time, within budget, and relationships enhanced across the board.
Mt Eden Corrections Facility opens on time and budget
Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis MP took a trip to Mt Eden as the VIP guest for the opening ceremony to mark the completion of the Mt Eden Corrections Facility (MECF) Building C.
This c.$100 million project, which has been under construction for about two and a half years, has involved the construction of approximately 200 remand and at-risk cells by Leighs Construction, on time and within budget.
Broader Outcomes driving a new approach to our legacy
At White Associates we’re setting out on a major new journey in our approach to how we do business. Inspired by the Broader Outcomes put in place by the Government as it seeks to drive better outcomes for more people in New Zealand, we have been digging into the core principles of our business – what we do, how we do it, why we do it, and what we want to leave behind us.
Introducing: Corize Olivier
We offer a warm welcome to our latest cadet, Corize Olivier, who joined us at the end of last year.
Arriving into New Zealand from South Africa two and a half years ago, Corize has numbers running through her blood; both her parents are also quantity surveyors.
Justin Maritz becomes White Associates director
White Associates is delighted to announce the appointment of Justin Maritz to Director.
Now joining Graham White, Konrad Trankels and Darin Bayer as fellow directors of the business, Justin started at White Associates as a Senior Cost Planner in 2013, progressing to Principal in 2016 and then to Associate Director last year. With over 22 years’ experience working across South Africa, the UK and New Zealand, Justin works closely with all areas of the business, applying his significant expertise in cost planning, estimating, value management and construction cost management across the public and private sectors.
White Associates to open Queenstown office in January
On 28 January 2020 White Associates will open its doors in Queenstown. Led by up-and-coming White Associates Quantity Surveyor Elliot Smith, the new operation will offer our full range of estimating, cost planning, construction cost management and funding representation services, and act as the base for our work from Christchurch down to Invercargill…
Elliot Smith: our main man in Queenstown
Making the move to Queenstown to head up our new operation is Elliot Smith. He’s been racking up a variety of experience and carving his way through a wide range of projects with enthusiasm and skill.
Elliot started at White Associates in 2016 and since then has become a valued team member, working across pre- and post-contract disciplines on numerous projects, and latterly moving into estimating while sharing time between both teams.
Graham White made NZIQS Life Member
We are excited to report that the NZIQS Council has awarded White Associates founder and director Graham White a life membership in recognition of his service to NZIQS and industry.
Resilience on retreat!
What do health, wellbeing, The Resilience Institute, laughing yoga, putt-putt golf, and the Auckland City Mission have in common? They were all key elements of our annual company retreat.
Team focus is the best way forward
Check out this recent article in New Zealand Construction News, in which Graham details the value that strong teams create over multiple projects:
Moving (mulch) mountains
On Sunday 15th September the White Associates team got stuck in (at times literally!) at the Orangihina-Harbourview Park Planting Day organised by the Te Atatu Marae Coalition and Sustainable Coastlines.
Creating a successful KiwiBuild formula
At a time when the Government’s KiwiBuild Programme is coming under increasing public scrutiny, one Auckland developer is defying the critics by delivering quality homes on a budget.
Supporting the future of our industry with Keystone
At a time of constant pressure on property and construction project deliverability, it is exciting for us to get involved in supporting the future of our industry by signing up to become a sponsor of the Keystone Trust.
Introducing Jesse-Paul Conradie - Contract, Dispute & Commercial Specialist
White Associates’ Bank Funding team has been significantly strengthened with the appointment of Jesse-Paul Conradie, who brings a powerful combination of expertise to us across a number of highly relevant disciplines including risk management, dispute avoidance, dispute resolution, construction law, and contracts law.
Check Us Out on Instagram
Take a look at our new Instagram page to see how we’re alive and well online. We’re posting regularly in an effort to show you a sample of the projects we’re involved with and the challenges involved in the work we do. Come and join us!
Disputes: an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure
Jesse-Paul Conradie shares his views on why the current construction environment is unsustainable, and shares his top tips on what can be done to move the dial and prevent disputes from escalating to the destructive extent we have seen over recent months.
Funders' opportunities and challenges
Although 2019 has got off to a positive start with an exciting mix of projects underway, fundamental challenges remain in place in this heated market, and borrowers and funders will need to come up with innovative ways to approach project funding if they want to succeed.
Creating new community housing at Puhinui Park
Civil works are nearing completion on an inspirational new community housing project at Puhinui Park, Manukau. Find out about why this project is challenging the norms for this type of work.
Historic facade centrepiece of Christchurch project
In a city that has lost so much building heritage since the earthquakes, an innovative central Christchurch project is refurbishing a historic 120-year-old façade while creating a thoroughly modern and multi-purpose structure behind and around it.
People, not contracts, are the key to construction success
There’s a lot of talk in the market about procurement, forms of contract and unfair sharing of risks causing major problems on construction projects for companies. Graham White shares his views about why problems are never about forms of procurement or contracts.
Are you getting the project you want?
Read MoreAs we approach Christmas, it is not only household budgets that are feeling the strain. The development and construction sectors have been under pressure for a while, and one of the key concerns expressed across both sectors is whether projects are stacking up financially: do they have the financial underpinnings to get to the finish line?
Tastes good, Feels good, Does good
Love caffeine, hate waste? We do. So we’re doing something about it, hooking up with stylish re-usable coffee cups company KeepCup, to cut waste and encourage the use of re-usable cups!
Six key learnings as Ebert tests retentions law
Now, it has been reported that the receivers for Ebert are taking legal action to test the law (Construction Contracts Amendment Act 2015) as they attempt recovery for subcontractors. It is understood that receivers PwC have set aside $9.3m for this purpose, although much of the $36.1 million owed to unsecured creditors will go unpaid, according to the first receivers’ report.
The receivers’ first report on the Ebert Construction Limited (in receivership) has identified some interesting points and learnings.
Avert disaster: check your retentions now!
The pressure is on for construction companies large and small right now – and for their sub-contractors and suppliers.
Business news channels are buzzing with stories of finance and retention payments related cataclysms, such as the Matrix Homes receivership and the circa $30 million owed to Orange H Group creditors, to name only two.
In turn, this will no doubt cause a cash flow crisis or worse for supply chains, as companies have the biggest downward spiral.
White Associates strengthens senior leadership team
We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve appointed a new Associate Director and a new Principal as part of two internal promotions.
Returning to former glories: Christchurch's historic Billens building
When one of the most beloved buildings in Christchurch was destroyed, one man took it upon himself to raise it from the ashes.
The end result is something to behold.
Fletcher's fall out - 3 burning questions
Fletcher Building’s woes are well documented but what effects are these going to have on the rest of the construction industry?
Here’s our take on how the ripples will be felt for some time to come…
Riverside Farmers’ Market set to lure thousands in Christchurch
An exciting new project is underway that’s set to revitalise the western end of Christchurch’s retail precinct.
Creating a legacy with the Auckland City Mission
With homelessness at an all-time high, the Auckland City Mission is on a journey to better serve the city’s most vulnerable people.
Fighting in Cure Kids' corner
What happens when a quantity surveyor tries their hand at boxing? Find out what happened when our very own Justin Bearne stepped into the ring…
White Associates appointed for new unit at Christchurch Men’s Prison
White Associates are pleased to announce that they have been appointed to provide QS services during the construction of a new 20-bed unit at Christchurch Men’s Prison under the Department of Corrections’ Prison Capacity Programme.
How to navigate construction's perfect storm
How do you protect yourself from the black cloud looming over the construction industry?
White Associates Director Graham White, a man with 40 years’ industry experience, shares his views.
White Associates in Canterbury Build Magazine
Check out Director Darin Bayer’s column in the latest issue of Canterbury Build Magazine (Metropol, Page 74, July 20 2017).
What your building is insured for vs. what it would cost TODAY to rebuild
We’re all acutely aware that it costs significantly more to build today than it did a few years ago, or even a few months ago for that matter. We’ve been carrying out insurance reinstatement estimates for some of our commercial clients recently and have unearthed a significant disparity between what a property is insured for compared to what it would cost in today’s market to rebuild. Alongside rising building costs, there are a number of components in the construction process that need to be taken into account.
Breaking ground at Mount Eden Correctional Facility
There have been some exciting new developments on the Prison Capacity Programme with ground now broken at Mount Eden Corrections Facility for the new accommodation block (Building C) for the Department of Corrections.
Spotlight on Department of Corrections' Prison Capacity Programme
New Zealand’s prison population is soaring and in the last two years has increased at a rate considerably higher than what had been forecast. Consequently, there is significant pressure on prisoner accommodation which has required the government to increase its prison funding.
White Associates are pleased to announce their appointment as the Department of Corrections’ Cost Advisor for their Prison Capacity Programme.
Structure it right and you won't have a problem
The media is awash with stories about apartment developments falling over or asking for more money. We’ve all heard about banks shutting up shop and the desperate need for more houses hampered by the chronic shortage of labour, material delays and their fluctuating prices. Residential developments have been hit the hardest but commercial projects are not immune to these pressures.
There’s no escaping the fact that building in this market is going to cost you more money and your margins will be affected. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t deliver a successful, financially viable project.
Timing is everything: Pressure on project feasibility grows
The pressure is well and truly on for the development and construction community. Developers are seeing rising land prices, material prices are fluctuating, the labour force is stretched, and it’s putting increasing pressure on the feasibility of developments.
We are seeing clients across the development spectrum looking for the return on their investment and this is now largely dependent on early involvement from reputable contractors and the quality of procurement processes being used.
Spotlight on Transocean Business Park
Delivering a high-quality industrial business park for our client Transocean Development, created the opportunity for the White Associates team to show off its expertise in the Christchurch industrial market.
We spoke to White Associates project leader Darin Bayer and Transocean Developments Director Jon Howard to find out more about the new, high-quality industrial development and to get some commentary on the challenges and opportunities of the Christchurch market.
White Associates Features in the Media
Seismic strengthening may be a necessary evil for heritage building owners, but when done well, it can create new value.
Justin Maritz, a principal of property and construction cost consultants White Associates, says that in order to get better seismic outcomes, building owners need to ask the question: can I do this differently? “The rules have relaxed, but building owners shouldn’t,” he says.
Spotlight on Victoria Residences
Construction for the project is already underway, and 92% of residences are already under contract despite only being on the market for 6 months.
White Associates’ have worked closely with BNZ and Conrad Properties on Victoria Residences, conducting due diligence on the project, and ensuring BNZ was comfortable to fund it. Now that construction has begun, White Associates is responsible for monitoring the project key deliverables.