Kia Ora
Beachlands has evolved from an early beach settlement to an expanding coastal community
Beachlands South provides an opportunity to plan and deliver a world class master-planned development in a coordinated way. It will offer modern, high-quality housing choices and lifestyles, as well as areas for new schools, a village centre, and places for local businesses in a manner that is sustainable, enhances the natural environment, supports the local community, and contributes to the wider Auckland region.
Our Vision
Beachlands South is a place defined by its symbiotic relationship with the natural environment. Seamlessly extending and connecting with the existing town of Beachlands, it draws upon the existing rural coastal character of the area. It is an innovative, regenerative and low-impact development that is sustainable and resilient and will thrive for many generations.
Presentation
Working with Mana Whenua
We are partnering with tangata whenua Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki.
Ngāi Tai exercise mana whenua and mana moana responsibilities at the Kahawairahi – Kauriwhakiwhaki (Beachlands) area.
Our collective relationships with Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki predate the establishment of the Beachlands South Limited Partnership and have been mutually strengthened during the course of the master planned approach.
Our master planning has enabled greater alignment with the environmental, social, and cultural aspirations of mana whenua.
Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki have and will be fully engaged during the plan change process as well as horizontal and vertical development anticipated across the whenua (land).
About Us
Beachlands South represents a unique opportunity to plan and deliver a world class master-planned destination in Auckland.
The project will be developed by the New Zealand Government Crown entity, the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation Fund, and parties associated with the Russell Property Group – collectively known as Beachlands South Limited Partnership.
The partnership is exploring exciting opportunities for the site with any future plans and associated infrastructure improvement to be developed in consultation with the local community for the benefit of Beachlands and Auckland as a whole.
About Russell Property Group
The Russell Property Group (RPG) is part of the Russell Group of Companies, one of New Zealand’s largest privately owned and operated construction and property organisations. The Group is 100% New Zealand owned and has operated successfully for over 50 years. RPG prides itself on successful partnerships in construction and property development. RPG was established in 2010 and collaborates with investment partners to optimise a property’s full potential, through design, investment, build and management.
About NZ Super Fund
The NZ Super Fund is a NZ$85 billion global investment fund established by the New Zealand Government to help pre-fund universal superannuation. A long-term, growth-oriented investor, the Fund has more than $9.6 billion invested in New Zealand, including significant stakes in Kaingaroa Timberlands, Kiwibank, Datacom, Fidelity Life, NZ Gourmet and Awanui Group, along with a portfolio of rural land, more than $3.1b invested in listed New Zealand equities, and significant commitments to funds supporting small and medium sized local companies.
About Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki
Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki (Ngāi Tai) are original inhabitants and Iwi of Tāmaki Makaurau. The Iwi is based in Maraetai, the Waitematā and Tikapa Moana, and exercises mana whenua and mana moana interests across Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf. Its marae are Umupuia and Whataapaka. Ngāi Tai has whakapapa and other relationships with all Iwi in the region and beyond into Waikato, Hauraki and the East Coast. The Ngāi Tai Treaty of Waitangi claims settlement was enacted in July 2018. Iwi entities have ownership responsibilities for approximately $30 million of assets including Macleans College alongside Hāpai, and various property developments. Its entities are undertaking a number of environmental, cultural, social and commercial projects to revitalise the manawa of Ngāi Tai and increase the net monetary worth of tribal members.
About Hāpai
Hāpai is a property fund that is unique in Aotearoa being 100% Iwi owned and controlled, and singularly focused on empowering enduring Māori success in the property sector. Hāpai concentrates on combining Iwi capacity with proprietary opportunity to drive the collective growth of the Māori property economy. Hāpai was founded in 2019 by six Iwi, and has since grown to over twenty Iwi investors, to undertake their property investment collectively, enabling scale, diversification and effective execution. Hāpai’s investment mandate covers commercial investment property, housing (build-to-rent and retirement villages) and development property (land and residential development). The Hāpai portfolio includes eight commercial properties, over 200 residential BTR properties under development, alongside over 750 residential sections in the development pipeline.
Latest News
Media release: November 13, 2025
Earthworks begin at Beachlands South
Site works have begun on one of Auckland’s most significant new residential, commercial and community developments at Beachlands South, a 10-15-year project to deliver high-quality urban development in east Auckland.
A blessing by Ngāi Tai Ki Tāmaki, and a ground-breaking ceremony, took place today (November 13, 2025) at the site, marking the start of preparatory earthworks on stage one of the project, which are expected to be completed over the next two summers.
On behalf of the Beachlands South Limited Partnership, Russell Property Group managing director Brett Russell said the milestone marked an important step forward in the project already more than six years in the planning and design, involving leading international and New Zealand architectural, design and urban planning firms.
“The high-quality of planning and design makes today all the more significant as we finally begin work to bring the development to life,” said Mr Russell. “It will enable the completion of the Beachlands community in a coherent, masterplanned way, offering a variety of housing types, employment, recreation and educational opportunities that will benefit not only Beachlands but the wider Auckland region.”
An earthworks consent enables work on 37 hectares of land, roughly 21 percent of the live-zoned area of the proposed development.
The land preparation work is for an area proposed to include a new primary and secondary school, as well as the adjoining village centre, housing and community facilities that surround it.
“There is a lot to do before we get any vertical construction underway,” said Mr Russell, “but it’s pleasing to be underway on preparatory land shaping work.”
Mr Russell said the Partnership was pleased to welcome Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Mayor of Auckland Wayne Brown and Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson to the groundbreaking to help turn the first sod.
Will Goodwin, Co-Chief Investment Officer of cornerstone investor the NZ Super Fund, said the Beachlands development was well suited to the Super Fund’s style of investing.
“We have a multi-generational investment mandate, so when we assess an investment opportunity we can take a longer view rather than being driven by short-term market considerations,” Mr Goodwin said.
Mr Goodwin said creating a platform for a sustainable community development project was aligned with the NZ Super Fund’s desire to support initiatives that delivered broader social and economic benefits to the country, as well as strong returns for the Fund.
Mr Goodwin and Mr Russell both acknowledged the strong contribution to the project from local iwi Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki; and Māori collective property investment fund Hāpai, both of which have invested in the project.
For further information, please contact:
Brett Russell, Managing Director, Russell Property Group
E: brett@russellgroup.co.nz
T: 021 525 111
About Beachlands South
The Beachlands South plan change land area of 307.2 ha comprises 255 ha of land owned by Beachlands South LP incorporating the Formosa Golf Course land (170.5 ha at 110 Jack Lachlan Drive) and 84.7 ha of land at 620 and 712 Whitford-Maraetai Road with the balance of 52 ha of land held by others. The Beachlands coastal community was established in the 1930s and since that time has evolved through a series of plan changes in an uncoordinated way. The Beachlands South masterplan is an opportunity to complete the expansion of the community in a coordinated and innovative way which greatly enhances lifestyles for all of those who live there, now and in the future. Partners in the Beachlands South Limited Partnership include the NZ Super Fund, Russell Property Group, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, and the Hāpai property fund. www.beachlandssouth.co.nz
Media release: December 11, 2024
Auckland Council approves plan change to enable Beachlands South development
Appeals against the approval of a plan change to enable the Beachlands South
development have been settled following successful negotiations between the
parties.
Russell Property Group Managing Director Brett Russell says the Beachlands South Limited Partnership has worked constructively with Auckland Council, Auckland Transport and the other parties to address their concerns to reach agreements to finalise approval of the plan change.
“The success of negotiating a sensible outcome means that the development process can now move forward with the next phase of planning for this world class coastal community in east Auckland,” said Mr Russell.
Plan change 88 was approved by Independent Commissioners appointed by Auckland Council in April 2024, but then the decision was appealed to the Environment Court.
“Whilst the Plan Change process has taken a number of years, we have had a lot of positive support for securing this long-term, master-planned development at Beachlands South that will provide new housing supply for Auckland, as well as schools, new employment opportunities, recreational and community facilities for the whole region,” said Mr Russell.
The project is currently being managed by Russell Property Group on behalf of the Beachlands South Limited Partnership, comprising of entities related to the NZ Superannuation Fund, Russell Property Group, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki and Hāpai Development Property LP.
For further information, please contact:
Brett Russell, Managing Director, Russell Property Group
E: brett@russellgroup.co.nz
T: 021 525 111
About Beachlands South
The plan change land area of 307.2 ha comprises of 255 ha of land owned by
Beachlands South LP incorporating the Formosa Golf Course land (170.5 hectares at 110 Jack Lachlan Drive) and 84.7 hectares of land at 620 and 712 Whitford-Maraetai Road with the balance of 52 hectares of land held by others. The Beachlands coastal community was established in the 1930s and since that time has evolved through a series of plan changes in an uncoordinated way. The Beachlands South masterplan is an opportunity to complete the expansion of the community in a coordinated and innovative way which greatly enhances lifestyles for all of those who live there, now and in the future.
The project is currently being managed by Russell Property Group on behalf of the Beachlands South Limited Partnership, comprising of entities related to the NZ Superannuation Fund, Russell Property Group, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki and Hāpai Development Property LP. www.beachlandssouth.co.nz
Media release: April 12, 2024
Private Plan Change 88 for Beachlands South granted.
Master-planned development proposed for Beachlands South provides for new schools, coastal walkway, village centre and new housing.
The owners of the proposed Beachlands South development, Beachlands South Limited Partnership (BSLP), is delighted that the independent commisioners have granted its application for a private plan change (PC88) to enable the development.
Development manager and Russell Property Group managing director Brett Russell says the project team is pleased that their thorough planning and commitment to a sustainable, first class development has been recognised in the decision.
“This ruling for urban development in Auckland is one of regional significance,” he said. “It reflects many years of careful considered planning and work with key stakeholders and the Beachlands community by our multifaceted, local and international project team.
“We are delighted that this care and attention to detail, and the comprehensive nature of our application, has been recognised by the independent commissioners in their findings,” he said.
“We will continue to work closely with the Beachlands community, Ngāi Tai ki Tamaki and wider connections within the Auckland region as we move forward.”
The proposed Beachlands South development is for a 15-20 year development of 307.2 hectares of coastal land near Pine Harbour in East Auckland that includes the Formosa Golf Course.
“Beachlands and the wider Auckland region stands to benefit from master-planned, high quality urban development at this site,” said Mr Russell.
“Since the 1930s, the Beachlands area has developed and grown in an ad hoc fashion. This masterplanned development offers an opportunity to complete the expansion of the coastal community in a coordinated way offering modern, sustainable, high-quality housing choices and lifestyles supported by
new infrastructure, including improved water management, improved roading public transport services, new schools and a coastal walkway”.
Mr Russell said Beachlands South was a long-term development that would sustainably contribute to Auckland’s need for new housing, as well as more self-sufficient urban communities with a lower carbon footprint.
For further information, please contact:
BeachlandsSouth@russellgroup.co.nz
About Beachlands South
The plan change land area of 307.2 ha comprises of 255 ha of land owned by
Beachlands South LP incorporating the Formosa Golf Course land (170.5 hectares at 110 Jack Lachlan Drive) and 84.7 hectares of land at 620 and 712 Whitford-Maraetai Road with the balance of 52 hectares of land held by others. The Beachlands coastal community was established in the 1930s and since that time has evolved through a series of plan changes in an uncoordinated way. The Beachlands South masterplan is an opportunity to complete the expansion of the community in a coordinated and innovative way which greatly enhances lifestyles for all of those who live there, now and in the future.
The project is currently being managed by Russell Property Group on behalf of the Beachlands South Limited Partnership, comprising of entities related to the NZ Superannuation Fund, Russell Property Group, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki and Hāpai Development Property LP. www.beachlandssouth.co.nz
