NZ Super Fund co-Chief Investment Officer Will Goodwin says approval to begin earthworks in preparation for the development of a new coastal community in Auckland’s Beachlands is a proud moment for the partnership behind the project.

The NZ Super Fund is one member of the Beachlands South Limited Partnership (BSLP), which is working on creating the platform for a master planned community that will extend the existing Beachlands township and include schools and commercial opportunities, as well as a new village centre and a broad range of housing choices.

Earlier yesterday, BSLP partners Ngāi Tai Ki Tāmaki led a ceremony to mark the beginning of earthworks for Stage One of the project.

Mr Goodwin said the Fund and its partners had been involved in the Beachlands project for more than five years.

“It’s not often we have the chance to invest in a local project that both meets our investment criteria and has the potential to generate long-term social and economic benefits for the community – and it’s very rewarding to see this development progressing to the next stage.”

Read BSLP’s full announcement below. To learn more about the proposed development, and the long-term vision of how it will enhance the natural environment, support the local community, and contribute to the wider Auckland region, visit the Beachlands South website.

Earthworks begin at Beachlands South

Site works have begun on one of Auckland’s most significant new residential, commercial and community developments at Beachlands South, a 10-15-year project to deliver high-quality urban development in east Auckland.

 A blessing by Ngāi Tai Ki Tāmaki, and a ground-breaking ceremony, took place yesterday (November 13, 2025) at the site, marking the start of preparatory earthworks on stage one of the project, which are expected to be completed over the next two summers.

On behalf of the Beachlands South Limited Partnership, Russell Property Group managing director Brett Russell said the milestone marked an important step forward in the project already more than six years in the planning and design, involving leading international and New Zealand architectural, design and urban planning firms.

“The high-quality of planning and design makes today all the more significant as we finally begin work to bring the development to life,” said Mr Russell.

“It will enable the completion of the Beachlands community in a coherent, masterplanned way, offering a variety of housing types, employment, recreation and educational opportunities that will benefit not only Beachlands but the wider Auckland region.”

An earthworks consent enables work on 37 hectares of land, roughly 21 percent of the live-zoned area of the proposed development.

The land preparation work is for an area proposed to include a new primary and secondary school, as well as the adjoining village centre, housing and community facilities that surround it.

“There is a lot to do before we get any vertical construction underway,” said Mr Russell, “but it’s pleasing to be underway on preparatory land shaping work.”

Mr Russell said the Partnership was pleased to welcome Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Mayor of Auckland Wayne Brown and Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson to the groundbreaking to help turn the first sod.

Will Goodwin, Co-Chief Investment Officer of cornerstone investor the NZ  Super Fund, said the Beachlands development was well suited to the Super Fund’s style of investing.

“We have a multi-generational investment mandate, so when we assess an investment opportunity we can take a longer view rather than being driven by short-term market considerations,” Mr Goodwin said.

Mr Goodwin said creating a platform for a sustainable community development project was aligned with the NZ Super Fund’s desire to support initiatives that delivered broader social and economic benefits to the country, as well as strong returns for the Fund.

Mr Goodwin and Mr Russell both acknowledged the strong contribution to the project from local iwi Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki; and Māori collective property investment fund Hāpai, both of which have invested in the project.

About Beachlands South

The Beachlands South plan change land area of 307.2 ha comprises 255 ha of land owned by Beachlands South LP incorporating the  Formosa Golf Course land (170.5 ha at 110 Jack Lachlan Drive) and 84.7 ha of land at 620 and 712  Whitford-Maraetai Road with the balance of 52 ha of land held by others. The Beachlands coastal community was established in the 1930s and since that time has evolved through a series of plan changes in an uncoordinated way. The Beachlands South masterplan is an opportunity to complete the expansion of the community in a coordinated and innovative way which greatly enhances lifestyles for all of those who live there, now and in the future. Partners in the Beachlands South Limited Partnership include the NZ Super Fund, Russell Property Group, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, and the Hāpai property fund.