He said he chose the building because “it’s under construction”.
“It’s not completely closed off like a fully built-up building, so it’s easy to get in. I just went up the stairs,” he said.
Police said it was “aware of a video circulating on social media showing a person base jumping off a building in Auckland’s CBD”.
“Inquiries are ongoing to identify those involved, and whether they had authorisation to access the building jumped from,” a police spokesperson told the Herald.
“Police want to remind the public acts like these are reckless and pose a risk to not only the person jumping, but people on the ground.”
When the base jumper was asked if he had any plans to do any other stunts in New Zealand, he said: “Maybe, why not jumping from the Sky Tower?”
Construction on Auckland’s unfinished Seascape tower was stopped in 2024. Photo / Michael Craig
Australian builder Icon, which took over the abandoned project from China Construction, said it is investigating the incident.
“We condemn this reckless and illegal behaviour,” an Icon spokesperson told the Herald. “This was an extremely dangerous act that was undertaken without authorisation and could have fatal consequences. These actions create unnecessary risks for not only the individual involved but also potentially threaten the safety of emergency responders and the broader community.
“The site is secured with comprehensive security measures to prevent unauthorised access, including monitored alarm systems, CCTV surveillance and 24/7 security personnel. We will be working constructively with security personnel and authorities to investigate the incident.”
Auckland Council head of compliance Adrian Wilson said the council was not aware of the incident nor “anyone reporting the site to us as being insecure”.
“We have no concerns in relation to the safety of the building and have confidence in Icon to monitor and manage health and safety on site as per the health and safety management plan,” he told the Herald.
“If someone chooses to trespass or break into the building, it is a matter for the police and the owner.”
Wilson said the council conducted a “general inspection” to monitor construction on April 15.
The $300 million, 56-level, 221-unit Seascape tower in Auckland CBD. Photo / Sylvie Whinray
The soaring Seascape tower will officially become New Zealand’s tallest residential building when fully finished.
Construction on the $300 million, 56-level, 221-unit “ghost tower” was paused in August 2024, with reports that work stalled due to a dispute between the developer and the builder.
The developer, Shundi Customs, went into receivership in March, and Calibre Partners’ Neale Jackson and Brendon Gibson were appointed as receivers by China Construction.
Bayleys, the real estate agency in charge of the sale, confirmed last month that a buyer with significant financial and technical expertise had been chosen, although no sale has yet taken place.
Calibre Partners did not respond when contacted by the Herald.