{"id":405388,"date":"2026-04-30T18:15:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T18:15:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/405388\/"},"modified":"2026-04-30T18:15:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T18:15:17","slug":"naylor-love-beats-hawkins-to-top-spot-as-10-busiest-builders-ranked-by-biggest-jobs-started-in-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/405388\/","title":{"rendered":"Naylor Love beats Hawkins to top spot as 10 busiest builders ranked by biggest jobs started in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

This year, Naylor Love<\/a> tops the list once again.<\/p>\n

\"IkeaIkea at Mt Wellington was built by Naylor Love. Photo \/ Corey Fleming<\/p>\n

The league ranks builders and developer\/builders by the total value of projects started in 2025.<\/p>\n

The builders work in the commercial, community, industrial, legal, military and multi-residential sectors. <\/p>\n

Data is based on Hubexo\u2019s research, as well as submissions from builders. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe have excluded companies that declined to be listed in the league. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe civil, infrastructure, transport, utilities, energy, mining, oil and gas sectors have been excluded because these are areas that warrant separate attention,\u201d a statement from Hubexo said.<\/p>\n

No 1: Naylor Love, $1.03b of work won in 2025, 103 projects, $10m average project value<\/p>\n

\"BrunoBruno Goedeke is chief executive of construction company Naylor Love. Photo \/ Sylvie Whinray<\/p>\n

This business is headed by Bruno Goedeke<\/a>, who joined the company in 2005. This builder\u2019s projects are high-profile.<\/p>\n

They include Sylvia Park\u2019s popular new Ikea, opened<\/a> on December 4, and Queenstown\u2019s Skyline gondola upgrade and extensions.<\/p>\n

\"PlansPlans for B230, the giant new Grafton tower on a site between Alten Ave and Wynyard St on the city campus. Image \/ University of Auckland<\/p>\n

Naylor Love\u2019s largest job won in 2025 was the University of Auckland\u2019s $200 million+ B230 project<\/a>, a 13-level tower replacing the Law Faculty and Maidment Theatre. <\/p>\n

\"PlansPlans for the new 13-level, multi-faculty Grafton building in Auckland, which Naylor Love will build. Image \/ University of Auckland<\/p>\n

The new 20,000sq m block will have a multi-purpose performing arts faculty with retractable seating, replacing the Maidment, demolished in 2016.<\/p>\n

The second-largest Naylor Love projects in the $100m-$199m range are:<\/p>\n

316 new beds at Hawke\u2019s Bay Regional Prison for the Department of CorrectionsA major redevelopment of Christchurch\u2019s Hillmorton Hospital, including a new acute adult mental health unit<\/p>\n

In the $50m-$99m range, Naylor Love won:<\/p>\n

Te Puna Hapori Courthouse in Whanganui for the Department of JusticeForte Health\u2019s new private hospital expansion in Christchurch<\/p>\n

The New World Stoke in Nelson is in the $20m-$49m league for Naylor Love. <\/p>\n

No 2: Hawkins, $592m, 18 projects, $32.9m average project value<\/p>\n

\"CraigCraig Treloar heads Hawkins, which is owned by Downer. Photo \/ Michael Craig<\/p>\n

Craig Treloar is executive general manager of Hawkins, owned by ASX- and NZX-listed Downer. <\/p>\n

Treloar heads the transport and infrastructure divisions.<\/p>\n

Hawkins was started by a Kiwi, Fred Hawkins, in his garage in the early 1940s.<\/p>\n

Hawkins\u2019 top projects won in 2025 are:<\/p>\n

Tauranga Moana High and District Courthouse, TaurangaSir Mark Dunajtschik Mental Health Centre, Lower HuttPort of Auckland offices, AucklandTimaru Theatre Royal and Museum project, TimaruCoolpak Coolstores, Christchurch<\/p>\n

The company\u2019s workload has been boosted lately after it secured an $800m contract<\/a> for the new terminals at Auckland Airport.<\/p>\n

\"HawkinsHawkins won an $800 million contract for the new Auckland Airport terminal project.<\/p>\n

The airport company contracted Hawkins for the delivery of a new domestic jet terminal building, the major structure in Auckland\u2019s terminal integration programme.<\/p>\n

That would be an \u201ceconomic engine\u201d, creating 2500 jobs at peak and supporting many thousands more, particularly in South Auckland, it said last year.<\/p>\n

No 3: Classic Group: $569.7m, 20 projects, $28.4m average project value<\/p>\n

\"ClassicClassic Group director Peter Cooney pictured in 2021. Photo \/ George Novak<\/p>\n

Classic is headed by Peter Cooney and headquartered in Tauranga.<\/p>\n

This is the only build-to-sell residential builder to feature in the top 10 list.<\/p>\n

The business was founded in 1996 in the Bay of Plenty by Cooney and Matt Lagerberg.<\/p>\n

It specialises in design and build and sells houses as well as house and land packages. <\/p>\n

No 4: LT McGuinness, $425.9m, 39 projects, $10.9m average project value <\/p>\n

\"TeTe Herenga Waka Victoria University\u2019s Nga Mokopuna The Living Building, previously called The Living Pa. LT McGuinness Wellington won a supreme Master Builders award for this in May last year. Photo \/ Master Builders<\/p>\n

This is a third-generation family-owned builder, established about 70 years ago. It has a workforce of more than 350 people.<\/p>\n

Its head office is in Wellington. <\/p>\n

\"TheThe exterior of the Intercontinental Auckland, a refurbishment and expansion by LT McGuinness.<\/p>\n

Waterfront office refurbishment for Precinct Properties\u2019 InterContinental Hotel was one of the builder\u2019s big projects.<\/p>\n

The new $120m Catalina Bay apartments at Hobsonville Point is another of its more high-profile jobs of late.<\/p>\n

\"InsideInside Te Herenga Waka Victoria University\u2019s Ng\u0101 Mokopuna The Living Building. Photo \/ Master Builders<\/p>\n

Some of the major projects LT McGuinness started in 2025 are:<\/p>\n

Te Papa Tongarewa biodiversity research centre, WellingtonPalmerston North AirportMinistry of Foreign Affairs head officeWellington City Council officesIreland St development, Freemans BayWork at Sylvia Park, Mt WellingtonHeretaunga House, Hawke\u2019s BayPitt St, ex-Beca office, Auckland sold to billionaires Anne and David Norman<\/a><\/p>\n

LT McGuinness also won the 2025 Master Builders supreme commercial award for a $10m+ building with Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington\u2018s Ng\u0101 Mokopuna The Living Building, at 42-50 Kelburn Parade. <\/p>\n

No 5: Dominion Constructors, $424.6m, 18 projects, $23.5m average project value<\/p>\n

\"BrettBrett Russell of Dominion Constructors. Photo \/ Brett Phibbs<\/p>\n

Dominion Constructors is Auckland-headquartered, family-owned and has been trading for more than 45 years.<\/p>\n

\u201cProud to be a 100% New Zealand-owned and part of the Russell Group of companies, Dominion has expanded from its beginnings as a concrete structures specialist to now employ more than 200 people and operate five divisions,\u201d it says.<\/p>\n

Its largest current project is a $190m contract<\/a> for the East T\u0101maki manufacturing research hub for Fisher & Paykel Healthcare.<\/p>\n

\"PlansPlans for Fisher & Paykel Healthcare’s new building at East Tamaki. Image \/ Supplied<\/p>\n

Second-largest is Christchurch\u2019s $96m Sheraton Hotel contract<\/a>, to refurbish and repair the earthquake-hit ex-Noah\u2019s in the centre of the city. <\/p>\n

\" The Sheraton Christchurch is set to open in mid-2027 after a hotel management agreement was signed with Marriott International by Mainland Capital and Russell Property Group. Image \/ Supplied<\/p>\n

The third-largest is a $50m contract with the T\u0101maki Regeneration Company at Pt England. Pirangi comprises 88 public and shared-ownership homes of two to five bedrooms.<\/p>\n

Other Dominion Constructor projects are:<\/p>\n

$30m contract with Daily Freight, Auckland$30m contract with Concrete Structures, Auckland and the South Island$25m project on Jervois Rd$24m contract with Mainfreight in Hastings \"SpadesSpades at the ready at the Beachlands sod-turning for the development of a multibillion-dollar scheme, November 13, 2025: Billy Brown of Ng\u0101ti Tai ki T\u0101maki (left), Rob Bassett of Bassett Plumbing & Drainage, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Russell Group’s Brett Russell, Mayor Wayne Brown and Will Goodwin of the NZ Super Fund.<\/p>\n

In November, a sod-turning ceremony<\/a> marked the start of a multibillion-dollar project to develop 307ha in Auckland\u2019s southeast at Beachlands.<\/p>\n

The Beachlands South Limited Partnership is Russell Group, the NZ Super Fund and Ng\u0101i Tai Hapai, an investment vehicle for Ng\u0101i Tai ki T\u0101maki and other local iwi.<\/p>\n

No 6: Southbase Construction, $381.3m work, 17 projects, $22.4m average project value<\/p>\n

\"QuinQuin Henderson of Southbase.<\/p>\n

Southbase is a group of independent specialist companies.<\/p>\n

This builder was founded in 2013 as part of the recovery response to the Canterbury earthquakes.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince then, we have delivered for a diverse portfolio of public and private sector clients and become known as a proven performer in the New Zealand commercial construction industry,\u201d it says.<\/p>\n

\"WorthWorth the fanfare: Venues such as\u00a0Te Kaha generate economic activity. Photo \/ Populous<\/p>\n

The business is New Zealand-owned and operated and worked on the new One New Zealand Stadium Te Kaha<\/a> in Christchurch. <\/p>\n

That opened on Friday night.<\/p>\n

The biggest Southbase contracts won in 2025 included:<\/p>\n

Auckland Airport work package three, thought to be worth $100m+ but confidential. This is part of a $3.9b, multi-year redevelopmentA $105m contract awarded by the University of Canterbury, for the Ilam Road Student Accommodation building, stage twoA $34m contract to build the new Papakura Courthouse for the Ministry of JusticeA $20m Queenstown Airport contract to build new officesA $19.5m contract to rebuild Twizel Area SchoolHNZ Rapid Capacity Expansion Projects \u2013 considerable national portfolio of works (dollar value confidential)<\/p>\n

No 7: 3Eyes, $331.8m, two projects, $22.4m average project value<\/p>\n

This builder was established in 2011 and delivers commercial, industrial and residential buildings.<\/p>\n

It is headquartered at Rosedale on Auckland\u2019s North Shore.<\/p>\n

3Eyes was founded by director Sean Li, a civil engineering graduate with experience in the building and construction industry since 2005.<\/p>\n

The company has grown from a construction-focused business into a full-service provider.<\/p>\n

It offers project management, subdivision development, design and construction services.<\/p>\n

No 8: Icon, $316m, two projects, $158m average project value<\/p>\n

\"DanDan Bosher heads Icon in New Zealand. Photo \/ Jason Oxenham<\/p>\n

Dan Bosher heads Icon in New Zealand.<\/p>\n

This company is owned by Kajima Corporation of Japan.<\/p>\n

Icon was to finish the $300m Seascape apartment but developer Shundi Customs is in receivership<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"PrecinctPrecinct Properties is developing a 638-bed student accommodation project on Auckland’s Queen St. Image \/ Precinct<\/p>\n

Icon\u2019s largest job in New Zealand is a $136m contract. <\/p>\n

That is the $201m, 638-unit 32-level student accommodation tower<\/a> at 256 Queen St in the centre of Auckland for Precinct Properties<\/a>.<\/p>\n

That block will be about 400m from the University of Auckland<\/a> and AUT University<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Icon also built The Pacifica apartments in Auckland and the new northern Auckland Council headquarters at Albany.<\/p>\n

No 9: Simplicity Living, $305m work, two projects, $152.5m average project value<\/p>\n

\"ShaneShane Brealey (left) and Sam Stubbs of Simplicity Living. Photo \/ Michael Craig<\/p>\n

This build-to-rent apartment specialist has not made the top 10 previously, so this is a debut by the company headed by Shane Brealey, working with Sam Stubbs.<\/p>\n

Simplicity is transforming tenancies in Auckland, providing new fit-for-purpose, long-term accommodation.<\/p>\n

Its 2331 build-to-rent units are planned or under construction on seven sites at:<\/p>\n

Ladies Mile, Queenstown<\/a>: 1083 units, $500m investment planned. 12 Lower Shotover Rd, plannedTe Reiputa<\/a>: 297 units, 222 car parks, $225m, 80 Mt Wellington Highway, opening tomorrow<\/a>Waiatarua<\/a>: 330 units, 172 car parks, $284m, 130 Ascot Ave, ex-Ellerslie Racecourse carpark, under constructionNorthcote<\/a>: 93 units, 137 Lake Rd, started in NovemberMorningside: 322 units, 10 Morningside Drive, construction started last July, due for completion 2027Ex-Unitec and at Waterview, developing 206 units with\u00a0Ng\u0101ti Wh\u0101tua<\/a>Considering buying at Maungawhau near the city centre, on land used for the City Rail Link\u2019s laydown yard, yet to purchase<\/p>\n

No 10: Haydn & Rollett, $290.4m, two projects, $145m average project value<\/p>\n

\"HaydnHaydn & Rollett managing director and majority shareholder Kim Barrett.<\/p>\n

Haydn & Rollett is headquartered at 1 Warehouse Way, Northcote.<\/p>\n

Kim Barrett is the majority shareholder and managing director of the company that built the $100m+ Costco Wholesale Westgate.<\/p>\n

\"PlansPlans for the big new student tower at 22 Stanley St, Parnell. Image \/ Reidy & Co<\/p>\n

The company\u2019s largest contract is building a $290m, 960-unit student accommodation tower<\/a> at 22 Stanley St, Parnell for Precinct Properties.<\/p>\n

The company started that last June and the tower is due to be finished by 2028. <\/p>\n

\"CarlawCarlaw Park Student Village by Haydn & Rollett. <\/p>\n

Private developer Greg Reidy teamed with Haydn & Rollett to be a force in the student accommodation sector.<\/p>\n

Carlaw Park is a product of this collaboration: stages one and two have 770 beds in 220 units.<\/p>\n

The two also developed what is now called Stuart McCutcheon House<\/a>: the $250m, 203-unit, 10-level block with 753 beds at the Stanley St\/Nicholls Lane intersection.<\/p>\n

All up, 416 apartments were developed, each with three to six bedrooms, resulting in 907 bedrooms in this block, Reidy said.<\/p>\n

Anne Gibson<\/a> has been the Herald\u2019s property editor for 26 years, written books and covered property extensively here and overseas.<\/p>\n

Stay ahead with the latest market moves, corporate updates, and economic insights by subscribing to our Business newsletter<\/a> \u2013 your essential weekly round-up of all the business news you need.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This year, Naylor Love tops the list once again. Ikea at Mt Wellington was built by Naylor Love.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":405389,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[9055,836,806,9852,18459,1558,6326,56423,27562,138,3595,305,82766,78,232,685,2882,10136,208778,111,139,69,28225,15412,11555,61,3010,32561,4576,379,2963],"class_list":["post-405388","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-business","tag-9055","tag-836","tag-as","tag-based","tag-beats","tag-been","tag-biggest","tag-builders","tag-busiest","tag-business","tag-by","tag-have","tag-hawkins","tag-in","tag-jobs","tag-last","tag-love","tag-named","tag-naylor","tag-new-zealand","tag-newzealand","tag-nz","tag-ranked","tag-spot","tag-started","tag-to","tag-top","tag-value","tag-work","tag-year","tag-zealands"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/405388","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=405388"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/405388\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/405389"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=405388"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=405388"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=405388"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}