Beca moves into new global headquarters: Te Paeroa o te Kawau

Beca has begun welcoming its 1,400 Auckland-based employees into its new global headquarters and Northern Regional office in Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter Innovation Precinct.

Beca has leased approximately 15,000sqm over five floors in a new Precinct development at Halsey Street. The building is targeting a 6 Green Star rating and 5-star NABERS NZ rating.

Additionally, Beca is targeting Platinum WELL Certification for its fit-out. WELL is a world-leading healthy building certification programme, offering a vehicle for organisations to deliver more thoughtful and intentional spaces that enhance human health and wellbeing.

“Moving to a Green Star-rated building in this thriving innovation precinct really allows Beca to bring its sustainability and employee experience goals to life,” Beca’s Group Chief Executive Amelia Linzey says.

“Beca has been working with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei since the early stages of this project,” Northern Regional Manager Rupert Hodson says. “Together, we have been developing a cultural narrative that connects us to the location and is reflected in aspects of the interior design.”

At a ceremonial dawn blessing on February 10, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei gifted Beca with a name for its new workplace, which also connects to this narrative:

Te Paeroa Taumatua

Te Paeroa Kaiata

Te Paeroa o te Kawau

It is the third line, Te Paeroa o te Kawau, by which the workplace will be commonly known.

The name references Beca’s legacy of leadership and contributions to Tāmaki Makaurau; its continual pursuit of innovation and improvement; and the building’s location.

“Te Paeroa o te Kawau means ‘The shoreline of the kawau’. It acknowledges that this site was once part of Te Waitematā and was frequented by the kawau (the cormorant or shag), which features prominently in Ngāti Whātua’s stories of the area. Te Kawau was also the name carried by prominent Ngāti Whātua chief, Apihai Te Kawau,” Rupert says.

“We are honoured to have been gifted this name and want to acknowledge the generosity of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei in working with us on the development of the cultural narrative for our new workplace. We acknowledge the responsibility we now have to bring this name to life and embed it into our everyday conversations and the role we play in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland,” Rupert says.

“Te Paeroa o te Kawau really resonates with us, as it reflects the aspirations we have for our future, the creativity of our people in the work they do to transform the world, and our innovative spirit – while also reflecting our legacy,” Amelia says.