Zespri will invest over NZ$40m in the design, build, fit out, and furnishing of a new 4,800m2 head office.
Plans for the three-story complex were approved by the Zespri board last night (6 December), with the new office to be built on the New Zealand kiwifruit marketer’s current site in Mount Maunganui.
Zespri’s chief financial officer, Dave Hazlehurst, said it would be a “future-proof” building to support the industry’s growth outlook.
“Zespri has well and truly outgrown our existing building as the organisation has grown to support our industry’s rapid progress,” Hazlehurst explained. “With global sales expected to more than double to NZ$4.5bn by 2025, the new building will provide the facilities we need to deliver this growth for the kiwifruit industry. We’re excited to show our community and growers something we can all be proud of.”
Hazlehurst said the new building would develop into a hub for the New Zealand kiwifruit industry, with facilities to host growers and office space for other kiwifruit organisations. It will also provide a venue to host international trade, government and media delegations on behalf of the industry.
“This development will connect us with both our local community and the global markets,” Hazlehurst adds. “Zespri’s investment in the new building shows our long-term commitment to the Bay of Plenty which produces around 80 per cent of our premium Zespri Kiwifruit.”
Zespri bought the land on Maunganui Rd from Tauranga City Council in December last year, having operated at the site since 1996. Work will start on the new complex in the first quarter of next year, with the building set for completion by the end of 2018.
