23 July 2019
Auckland Airport and Tainui Group Holdings (TGH) have unveiled a stunning, uniquely New Zealand design for the new luxury Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport Hotel, as part of a karakia service to celebrate the start of construction.
The joint venture partnership has worked with architects Warren and Mahoney to infuse unique Waikato-Tainui cultural elements into the design of the building, drawing heavily on the connection between land, sea and sky through the use of natural materials and light, while referencing our unique environment.
The partnership also announced Dominion Constructors Ltd has been awarded the contract to build the hotel, with construction beginning on 1 August.
The project is part of Auckland Airport’s multi-billion-dollar infrastructure investment programme, which will transform the airport over the next two decades. This project alone will generate approximately 300 jobs during construction and will then employ 200 people once the hotel is open, according to Mark Thomson, Auckland Airport’s General Manager of Property.
“We are proud to take the opportunity today to celebrate the continuation of the successful commercial partnership between TGH and Auckland Airport.
“The joint project team has gone to great lengths to ensure a world-class experience for travellers, including a top floor restaurant and bar offering stunning views across the Manukau Harbour and Waitakere Ranges as well as luxurious guest rooms. All this is within a short and effortless walk from the terminal,” said Mr Thomson.
Parekawhia McLean, Chair of the Te Whakakitenga o Waikato, said the iwi was proud of its role in bringing a spectacular new hotel to the front gateway for Aotearoa, New Zealand.
“It’s very fitting that the design for Te Arikinui is inspired by the historical links of Tainui waka at Te Manukanuka o Hoturoa (Manukau Harbour) and the discovery and exploration our tuupuna undertook in settling this area,” said Ms McLean.
Chris Joblin, CEO of Tainui Group Holdings, said the company had enjoyed its experience partnering with Auckland Airport on the existing Novotel Tainui Auckland Airport Hotel and looked forward to growing the partnership with a second hotel in the portfolio.
“We are confident the two hotels will provide a complementary offer to meet the needs of discerning travellers. With around 40 million passenger movements forecast by 2040 we believe this will also prove to be an enduring investment to support the economic resilience of Waikato-Tainui,” says Mr Joblin.
Jonathan Hewlett, a Principal of Warren and Mahoney said the design of the new hotel builds on experiences offered at the adjacent Novotel Tainui Auckland Airport Hotel, which the practice also designed.
“The hotel responds to global hospitality trends as guests seek authentic, personalised experiences that reflect the local culture.”
“Each visit to Te Arikinui will deliver a memorable New Zealand experience inspired by the spirit of discovery, past, present and future. Guests will encounter environments that reflect our unique culture and landscape, from sea to sky, infused in the form and fabric throughout,” Mr Hewlett said.
Ends
Notes to editor
- The name of the hotel, Te Arikinui, has been gifted by Kiingi Tuheitia. Its meaning is ‘Supreme Ariki’ or ‘Supreme Paramount Chief’ and in addition to being the chiefly title carried by his mother, the late Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu, it is available to all future successors should they wish to use it. The name was chosen to reflect the status and 5-star premium experience that the hotel will offer.
- The 311-room hotel is being developed in a 50:50 partnership with Tainui Group Holdings and will be operated by AccorHotels under the Pullman brand.
- Click here for a gallery of downloadable images with architect’s impressions of Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport Hotel.
For further information please contact:
Auckland Airport
Stephanie Crush
+64 27 801 9377
Tainui Group Holdings
Piet de Jong
+64 21 812 766
[email protected]
