Te Takapau - Nov 2021

Building pride of place at Ruakura Superhub

We are pleased to share this update with news and views on the Ruakura Superhub, the people developing and building it, and those who will soon be moving in to live in, work in and enjoy the unique precinct we are creating.

Ruakura is New Zealand’s largest multi-use development, totalling 490 hectares. The 92-hectare Stage 1 is on track for opening in mid-2022. This month is our orientation edition for the Superhub!
Ruakura from above

Our new drone footage was taken earlier this month, showing Ruakura rapidly emerging from the surrounding landscape and we invite you to join us on a quick orientation tour, viewed from above

Many of the major elements of the 92-hectare Stage 1 can be seen in this drone shot. From the Ruakura interchange (front and centre), the Link Road slices through the centre of Stage One the Superhub. To the left of the Link Road is the industrial area and on the right is the Logistics Zone (large rectangle of earthworks) and inland port (triangle shape).

Zooming in

Port enablement works are more than 90% complete for the 17-hectare first stage of the inland port. In the foreground is the existing Ruakura Road. The grey line above the port is the East Coast Main Trunk Railway offering rail connections to Tauranga and Auckland.

The Link Road under construction in the foreground borders the 60-hectare logistics zone (rectangle of earthworks). Located next to the inland port, the zone will accommodate some of New Zealand’s largest and most sophisticated distribution centres, with further announcements on some of these tenants expected in the coming months.

The first layer of membrane and seal will go on to the Link Road this month. This image looking east towards the Waikato Expressway shows how the industrial zone (at right) will be serviced by the new Link Road. Swales (which will have native plantings) will feature either side of the four-lane road.

The Ruakura Interchange (pictured centre) will enable easy access on and off the Waikato Expressway when the new expressway opens in mid-2022.

The 10-hectare wetland is taking shape and filling with water (as designed). Native planting and a series of settling ponds will clean and clarify the water – to act as the ‘kidneys’ for the Superhub. The wetland will include 2.2km of new public boardwalks and walking tracks. Just out of shot in the foreground is the 5-hectare service centre which will be anchored by Waitomo Group.

Construction is well underway for the FIRST tenant building for Ruakura Superhub (artist’s impression above). With site works and ground prep complete, contractors Calder Stewart have started the formwork for the foundation slab for the new regional hub for PBT Express Freight Network. Located near the inland port, PBT’s new hub will include a 2,800 sqm logistics facility with a 1,890 sqm loading canopy and a 250 sqm office. The mostly steel construction will target a Green Star 4 rating, complete with rainwater harvesting for amenities and future-proofing structures for solar power. TGH expects the PBT hub to be completed and operational by August next year.

Ruakura in the news

Senior journalist Aaron Leaman and visual journalist Christel Yardley from the Waikato Times/Stuff have taken an in-depth look at Ruakura Superhub over the past few months. Talking to everyone from kaimahi (staff) in the Tiitoki Taiao O Waikato nursery cultivating plants for the Superhub, through to earth moving equipment operators, train drivers, project managers, the CEO’s of TGH and Port of Tauranga and iwi leaders such as Linda Te Aho and Rahui Papa, they have skilfully woven the story of Ruakura from the time of the land’s confiscation by the Crown to today’s proud vision.

Catch this powerful storytelling here

(Tip: don’t miss the two videos embedded in the story).

Developing a new urban form larger than the Auckland CBD, takes a team of hundreds, and we gratefully acknowledge the support of our funding and development partners: Port of Tauranga Ltd (our JV partner for the inland port), New Zealand Government (funding support for public infrastructure through the PGF and CIP) and Hamilton City Council (co-funding for public roads).

Key service providers include; Bloxam Burnett & Olliver, Boffa Miskell, Beca Group, Cambridge Construction, CMW Geosciences, C&R Developments, Kiwi Rail, Pragmatix, Schick Civil Construction, Tika Group, Tonkin & Taylor and dozens of other local subcontractors including some owned by local iwi. Around 40 Waikato-Tainui affiliated people are working on the project at this time.