A beacon of sustainability
Ngāi Tahu Property has waved its green wand over the central city, with the residential, commercial and industrial land developer now celebrating a five Green Star rating and 5.5 star NABERSNZ energy efficiency rating for the Pita Te Hori Centre building.
The New Zealand Green Building Council awarded Te Urutī, one of two five-level office buildings in the Pita Te Hori Centre, a 5 Green Star rating.
That confirms the sustainability of its design, construction and completion achieves New Zealand industry excellence.
Meanwhile, the NABERSNZ rating reflects its market-leading energy efficiency performance following occupation by tenants.
The green credentials follow last year’s confirmation of a 4 Green Star rating for Iwikau – the other commercial building in the centre’s first stage.
The centre was designed by Warren and Mahoney Architects in conjunction with services engineers and Green Star professionals from Powell Fenwick and Aurecon.
Ngāi Tahu Property Chief Executive David Kennedy says the ratings are a fantastic result which can ultimately be tied back to following Ngāi Tahu values.
“Sustainability is a key feature of kaitiakitanga; one of our core values which we share with our ultimate owners, Ngāi Tahu whānui-families,” David says.
“The Pita Te Hori Centre also showcases other values including tohungatanga – expertise and rangatiratanga – leadership. Truly living up to those values meant not treating sustainability as a ‘tick-box’ exercise. Everything we did provided real benefits to everyone using the buildings and all of Ōtautahi-Christchurch.”
Those benefits include tenants being able to provide excellent conditions for their staff.
Sustainable technologies lower energy requirements and onsite energy production reduces demand on electricity distribution networks, ensuring the buildings have much lower carbon emissions than standard.
Development Manager James Jackson says the Pita Te Hori Centre features Christchurch’s first district energy system utilising aquifer-sourced heating and cooling through highly efficient heatpump technology.
The scheme provides up to 215,000 kWh of clean heating and cooling capacity each year.
Additionally, solar panels generate up to 106,000 kWh of electricity annually supporting the Pita Te Hori Centre’s peak usage periods.
Smart LED lighting also significantly reduces energy consumption.
Ngāi Tahu Property installed sensor-monitored ventilation ensuring above-code air-quality in the buildings.
Low-flow water fittings are complemented by individual metering for tenancies encouraging further water-use reductions.
“A myriad of clever, sustainable technologies work together across the Pita Te Hori Centre,” James says.
“These environmental solutions were embedded into the design of Te Urutī and Iwikau.”
These features are proving attractive to businesses who insist on healthy, safe and sustainable work environments for their staff.
“We have seen it is not just possible, but desirable, to build sustainable and healthy office spaces, with a range of Government departments and national and international firms choosing to base their South Island operations in our buildings.
“They appreciate and share our commitment to sustainable buildings and workplace practices.”
Located near the historic site of the ancient Puari Pā of Waitaha and Ngāti Māmoe, the Pita Te Hori Centre holds strong spiritual, cultural and historical significance for Ngāi Tūāhuriri, the mana whenua of the area and the wider Ngāi Tahu iwi.
Previously home to the King Edward Barracks and the former Christchurch headquarters of the New Zealand Police, the site also carries historical military and civic significance.
