China Construction applies to liquidate Seascape developer Shundi associate
Plans by Shundi Tāmaki Village for the St Johns land it bought from the University of Auckland. Image / Supplied
One of the world’s biggest builders, China Construction, has applied to liquidate a New Zealand development business linked to the former developer of partly-built Auckland apartment tower Seascape.
A Gazette notice yesterday said that on December 5, China Construction had applied to the High Court at Auckland to liquidate Shundi Tamaki Village.
Shundi Tamaki Village and Shundi Customs are both 76% owned by Shundi Group Investment and share the same director: Harrison (Huojun) Shao.
They both use the accountants Gilligan Sheppard.
China Construction has previously chased Shundi Customs over a $33 million debt for the long-stalled, partly-built 56-level Seascape apartments in downtown Auckland.
Chinese developer Shundi was not only building the downtown tower on Customs St but also bought land in St Johns from the University of Auckland, where it had its Tāmaki campus.
Shundi bought the 11ha site at 261 Morrin Rd, St Johns. That site had been called the Tāmaki Innovation Campus.
There, Shundi planned extensive development but has so far not gone ahead with that.
On the liquidation moves advertised yesterday, Harrison Shao, of Shundi, hit back.
“Shundi will defend China Construction NZ’s application to put Shundi Tāmaki Village into liquidation, if required. However, with the settlement fund being agreed to be paid in China, Shundi expects the matter to be resolved prior to the hearing,” Shao said.
“The parties each have residual obligations to fulfil to close out prior to the hearing, but these have largely been resolved, pending final payment.
“The Seascape project is under Shundi Customs and is not affected by the application.”
The notice says the liquidation application will go to the court on Friday, February 27 at 10.45am Shundi Tamaki Village.
The Seascape tower has stood largely abandoned for 18 months.
In August 2024, China Construction suspended work on the tower and told 25 subcontractors to leave.
Since then, the $300m+ building site has stood largely silent, with little progress to continue cladding and fitting out the structure.
That has infuriated people in the area, including neighbours who have complained of dust and traffic holdups.
By March last year, China Construction had won the right to enforce a $33m claim against Shundi Customs.
In late March last year, Justice Greg Blanchard in the High Court at Auckland backed China Construction New Zealand against developer Shundi Customs over that $33m statutory demand.
“I order Shundi to pay the sum in the statutory demand within five working days of the date of this minute. I confirm that, absent payment within that period, CCNZ may make an application to put Shundi into liquidation,” he wrote.
Back on Customs St and at the Shundi tower, neighbours and construction experts alerted the Herald to a change at Seascape.
A new structure was erected near the top of the tower just below where it juts into its apex.
Jillie Clarke of Shundi said the Seascape project team explained the new structure:
- “The crash deck at level 47 is required to enable apex works to be undertaken in a safe and compliant manner;
- “It providescritical protection to the public by mitigating the risk of falling objects and tools during high-level works;
- “Installation of the crash deck is a mandatory prerequisite before any modifications can be made to the apex scaffolding.”
Seascape tower
- A mixed-use development to be New Zealand’s tallest residential tower at 187m.
- A glass tower with 221 apartments on 52 floors, all north-facing with harbour views.
- Five levels of basement parking, the deepest basement in central Auckland retained by a diaphragm wall.
- A seven-storey podium with retail, offices, swimming pool and a gymnasium.
- Refurbishment and seismic strengthening of Ballantyne House, transformed into a boutique hotel.
- Seismic strengthening of the White Rabbit, Gore St.
Timeline:
- August 17, 2015: Shundi engages China Construction in an early contractor involvement;
- September 5, 2017: Contract entered into between the parties, but the building design is incomplete, only at the concept level;
- 2020: Pandemic breaks out, extensions of time awarded to China Construction;
- May 2021: Fit-out works were due to be completed;
- July 6, 2021: completion was due;
- August 2, 2024: Building Disputes Tribunal adjudication awards China Construction $33m;
- August 22, 2024: China Construction suspends contract for non-payment;
- November 11, 2024: Judgment instructs China Construction to get paperwork from China;
- March 26, 2025: High Court declares builder’s paperwork in order, Shundi must pay $33m in five working days.
- February 16, 2026: Gazette notice published by China Construction, wanting to liquidate Shundi Tamaki Village;
- February 27: High Court due to hear that liquidation application.
Anne Gibson has been the Herald’s property editor for 26 years, written books and covered property extensively here and overseas.
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