Auckland builder Teak Construction goes into liquidation after 34 years in business

That building has been marketed for sale lately. Its deadline sale closes on Thursday.

The Victopia apartments, which Teak fixed. Photo / Dean Purcell

Teak Construction, headed by Wayne Birchall, says it had bid for more than 500 jobs, had 34 years of experience and was founded in 1992.

“Since 1992, Teak Construction Group has built a solid reputation for consistently high-quality construction. We are New Zealand-owned and operated and have deep foundations in fairness, transparency and reliability,” the company says on its website.

“We’ve cut the ribbon on more than 500 successful builds, from major commercial projects, to government, remedial and residential works.”

Its most high-profile job lately has been repairing the Victopia apartments on the corner of Nelson St and Victoria St, opposite TVNZ’s headquarters.

On December 15, the Herald reported on progress there.

After six years out of their homes and spending $72 million on a huge remediation, the owners saw the scaffolding removed.

Auckland Council contributed some of the $72m, after the owners claimed $53m to fix the building.

Teak Construction worked on the Beachcroft Apartments in Onehunga but finished up in 2022. Receivers and administrators have been appointed to the $85 million Beachcroft Residences project. Photo / Jason Dorday

The 204-unit Victopia is 16 levels: 14 apartment levels above ground and two basements.

Teak Construction had repaired the block since last decade.

The builder also worked on the 85-unit Beachcroft Residences in Onehunga, dubbed Fawlty Towers due to problems with its completion.

Teak left that site in 2022.

Last year, the Herald reported how Teak Construction had launched legal proceedings against the owners of Auckland’s Quattro Apartments, who dispute the sums claimed and say they want money from the builder.

The Quattro Apartments on Great North Rd, Grey Lynn.

At the time, Birchall said his company stopped work at the four-level, 64-unit block in 2022 because of non-payment.

But Quattro body corporate chairman John Dragicevich disputed the claim and said it was claiming money from Teak.

A sum of $3m to $4m is thought to be in dispute for fixing the units at 444 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn.

Birchall said: “Teak Construction Group has filed proceedings in the High Court in Auckland against Body Corporate 361242, over money it is owed in relation to remedial repairs on The Quattro on Auckland’s Great North Road.”

Birchall was approached for comment today about the liquidation but did not respond.

Birchall, Stuart Charlton and Samuel White are directors of the company.

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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