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CASE STUDY
132 Halsey Street is a high‑end waterfront residential development in Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter, comprising 51 luxury apartments with ground‑floor retail. Designed by Athfield Architects and delivered by Haydn & Rollett, the project presented significant complexity, including reclaimed land, a multi‑slab basement below sea level, and bespoke apartment layouts within a tight urban site.
The development was instrumental in establishing the NZGBC Homestar Multi‑Residential tool, achieving 7‑ and 8‑star ratings for both design and as‑built performance.
Given the constrained waterfront location and concurrent construction activity across Wynyard Quarter, efficient material handling and installation were critical. The lightweight nature of KOROK panels eased transport to upper levels and simplified on‑site handling, particularly beneficial in a multi‑storey environment with limited laydown space.
Minimal on‑site modification requirements further reduced labour time and potential delays, supporting Haydn & Rollett’s need to problem‑solve effectively while maintaining a high standard of finish throughout the project.
KOROK supplied fire and acoustic rated wall systems for critical building infrastructure, including lift shafts, risers and ducts, where performance, efficiency and buildability were paramount.
KOROK® 78mm panels are precision roll‑formed from high‑quality zinc‑coated steel meeting AS/NZS 1397:2001, with a 0.4 mm base metal thickness and Z275 coating, enclosing a lightweight aerated concrete core. With a nominal weight of just 10.2 kg per lineal metre, the panels provided an ideal balance of strength, durability and handling efficiency. This lightweight yet robust construction made the panels ideal for multi‑storey installation in a constrained waterfront environment.
Together with neighbouring developments, 132 Halsey Street played a pivotal role in shaping the NZGBC Homestar Multi‑Residential tool, achieving 7‑ and 8‑star Homestar ratings across both design and as‑built categories. The integration of high‑performance building systems—including KOROK’s fire and acoustic solutions—contributed to the project’s overall environmental and technical success.
Today, 132 Halsey stands as one of Auckland’s most exclusive waterfront residential addresses: a development that engages seamlessly with its public realm, delivers exceptional living environments, and sets a new benchmark for sustainable, high‑quality urban living.
Designers today have better tools than ever to understand how their choices affect a home’s energy use and carbon footprint. With embodied carbon and operational energy now able to be assessed early in design, materials are no longer just a specification detail – they are a performance decision.
Material choices made early in the design process have a significant influence on a home’s overall performance. Choosing solutions that are efficient, well‑designed, and suited to modern construction workflows can deliver benefits across comfort, cost, and emissions over the life of a building.
At KOROK, we see this as a positive step forward for the industry. As performance modelling becomes standard practice, smarter wall systems help designers and builders turn sustainability targets into practical, buildable outcomes – right from concept stage.
Further reading:
This article was inspired by recent industry discussion on accessible carbon and energy modelling. You can read the original article from BRANZ and the New Zealand Green Building Council here: Carbon and energy calculation that’s accessible for designers – BRANZ
Multi‑unit residential projects deserve solutions that deliver absolute clarity, certainty, and performance. That’s exactly what the KOROK® Intertenancy Wall System provides. Proudly NZ‑made and BRANZ appraised, it’s engineered to strip away complexity, accelerate construction programmes, and give your team confidence from the very first design decision through to final completion. With clean, predictable onsite installation and consistently reliable fire and acoustic performance, the system transforms intertenancy from a pain point into a proven advantage.
Our new video showcases just how much faster, easier, and more predictable intertenancy can be across apartments, terraced housing, hotels, retirement villages, and mixed‑use developments.
In #buildmagazine Issue 207, BRANZ highlights how unclear roles, fragmented documentation and poorly coordinated fire safety decisions continue to drive RFIs, consent delays and on-site risk — and how the updated PN22 guidelines aim to address this.
A key takeaway is the importance of locking in proven, proprietary fire-rated systems early, with clear performance evidence, defined responsibility, and documentation that can be traced from design through to construction.
This directly reflects how KOROK supports fire safety design in practice. Our fire and acoustic wall systems are BRANZ Appraised, system-tested in the BRANZ fire laboratory, and supported by clear standard details — making it easier for design teams to reference performance, allocate responsibility and demonstrate compliance during consenting.
When fire safety systems are clearly defined and well documented, coordination improves, uncertainty on site is reduced, and the path to a Code-compliant building becomes far smoother.
📖 Recommended read: “Coordinating fire safety design” – build magazine, Issue 207
Designing townhouses, apartments, and terraced housing is always a balancing act. On one hand, you need to ensure absolute compliance with fire and acoustic separation standards. On the other, you’re under pressure to keep the build practical, efficient, and cost-effective. The systems you specify can either make that process seamless – or create unnecessary challenges. That’s why more architects are turning to KOROK® Fire and Acoustic Wall Systems
Confidence in fire and acoustic performance is at the heart of KOROK®. Every system has been thoroughly tested, BRANZ-appraised, and designed to meet New Zealand’s strict compliance requirements. For residential projects, this reliability gives peace of mind – whether you’re working on attached homes or a multi-level apartment complex.
Equally important is speed. KOROK® panels are lightweight, pre-finished, and engineered with a steel shell and aerated concrete core. This reduces the need for multiple linings and accelerates installation, keeping builds moving forward and helping architects see their designs realised without compromise.
KOROK® also makes detailing simpler. The systems are straightforward and practical, allowing you to integrate fire and acoustic separation into your plans without excessive complexity. This ease of design translates into fewer site issues, ensuring a smoother construction process overall.
And then there’s sustainability. With panels that can be reused across projects, KOROK® helps reduce construction waste throughout the building lifecycle. For architects working to meet client expectations and growing environmental standards, this makes it a solution that balances performance with responsibility.
From terraced housing to multi-level apartments, KOROK® Intertenancy Systems are designed to integrate seamlessly into residential projects. They provide the reliable fire and acoustic separation you need, while also reducing time spent on problem-solving during construction.
KOROK® goes further than supplying systems. Through CPD-accredited presentations, we provide architects and specifiers with practical knowledge that can be applied directly to projects – all while earning valuable CPD points. It’s one more way we support your professional growth alongside delivering building solutions.
KOROK® Building Systems are more than just wall systems – they’re solutions designed to make your projects safer, smarter, and faster to deliver.
This technical guide provides a comprehensive overview of Hilti’s passive fire protection systems tested and assessed for use with KOROK® intertenancy and fire-rated wall systems. Developed to support designers, engineers and contractors, this document consolidates key firestop solutions that tested in accordance with AS 1530.4 and assessed in accordance with AS 4072.1 and are compliant under the NZBC Clause C for service penetrations in KOROK® walls.
Hilti’s firestop products are engineered for performance, tested for compliance, and supported by international approvals and local assessments. Each system outlined in this guide has been selected based on its compatibility with KOROK® wall (51mm and 78mm) configurations and its ability to maintain fire resistance ratings across a wide range of service types, including:
This guide includes:
CASE STUDY
The Project
The Te Iwitahi – Whangārei Civic Centre was conceived as a gateway project for Whangārei, reflecting multicultural themes, Tikanga Māori, and a transparent form to embody democracy in action. The four-storey building centralises council services, bringing together community, customer-facing functions, and staff workplaces in a single hub.
With a design anchored by a striking light-filled atrium, flexible open-plan workspaces, and biophilic design principles, the Civic Centre has become a vibrant, welcoming environment for both staff and community.
KOROK is proud to have supplied our fire and acoustic-rated wall systems to a project that has already achieved national recognition and set a benchmark for civic architecture in New Zealand.
KOROK’s Role
KOROK was proud to contribute to this award-winning project by supplying over 500m² of our fire and acoustic-rated wall panels. Our systems were installed across all lift shafts, risers, and ducts, delivering the critical fire safety and noise control performance the building required. These elements are essential in large civic projects, where high volumes of staff and community members move through the building daily. By providing a lightweight, robust, and compliant wall system, KOROK helped ensure safety, comfort, and efficiency throughout the construction process.
The Outcome
The Whangārei Civic Centre is now recognised not only for its architectural excellence but also for the way it serves the community. For KOROK, being part of such a landmark civic development showcases the reliability of our systems in high-performance, large-scale projects. Our involvement demonstrates how KOROK panels provide trusted solutions for critical infrastructure, meeting stringent fire and acoustic requirements while supporting project efficiency.
CASE STUDY
Located in Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter, 30 Madden represents the latest chapter in one of New Zealand’s largest urban regeneration projects. Developed by Willis Bond and designed by Studio Pacific Architecture, this multi-stage residential development features over 150 apartments, townhouses and duplexes across five buildings.
With sustainability and liveability at its core, 30 Madden achieved a 7-Star Homestar rating and received accolades including a Gold Pin at the 2022 Best Design Awards and an Excellence Award at the 2022 NZ Property Industry Awards. Behind the scenes, KOROK® played a key role in delivering high-performance intertenancy wall systems that supported both the environmental and construction goals of the project.
KOROK’s Contribution
To meet the stringent fire and acoustic performance requirements of multi-residential buildings, KOROK® supplied our 78mm Galv Panels for use in all intertenancy residential walls across the 30 Madden development. In multilevel buildings like apartments, intertenancy walls must achieve excellent fire resistance and sound insulation – while also fitting into tight construction programs. Traditional framed systems often rely on linings that complicate detailing, especially in ceiling plenums. KOROK® Intertenancy Residential (KIR) Wall Systems offer a smarter alternative:
Our KOROK® 78mm Galv Panels are roll-formed from zinc-coated steel and filled with a proprietary aerated concrete core. Each panel weighs only 10.2 kg per lineal metre, making them a lightweight yet high-performing solution that’s well-suited to modern mid- and high-rise developments like 30 Madden.
A System That Supports Award-Winning Design
With high-end finishing, elevated community spaces, and sustainable features such as stormwater harvesting and native landscaping, 30 Madden stands as a showcase of future-focused urban living. KOROK’s contribution ensured that behind the architectural elegance lies robust fire and acoustic protection – providing peace of mind to residents and long-term performance for the building.
As New Zealand’s population ages, demand is growing for retirement and aged care facilities that deliver comfort, safety, and peace of mind. That’s where KOROK® Fire and Acoustic Rated Wall Systems come in – designed to meet the unique demands of healthcare and retirement village construction.
Why KOROK is a Smart Choice for Retirement Living:
From high-rise apartments to memory care units, our systems are proven to perform. Helping retirement developers deliver top-tier living environments, efficiently and to code.
🧘♀️ Peace and quiet residents can feel – Superior acoustic performance supports wellbeing, privacy, and restful environments. Essential in aged care and healthcare settings.
🔥 Fire protection when it matters most – KOROK systems are BRANZ-appraised and built to meet the strict compliance needs of IL3 and IL4 buildings, where life safety is critical.
🛠️ Minimal disruption on-site – Our lightweight, pre-finished panels speed up construction, reduce mess, and are ideal for staged builds in sensitive environments.
🏥 Built for complex care environments – From memory care suites to high-rise apartments with lift shafts and service ducts, our systems perform consistently across all building areas.
🌱 Sustainable and safe – Low-waste, low-dust, and low-impact – supporting cleaner, safer sites for staff and residents alike.
Metlifecare Gulf Rise in Red Beach is a standout example of modern retirement living — open, connected, and community-focused. With architectural input from Warren and Mahoney (Stage 1), Ignite Architects (Stages 1–4 of Precinct Two), and landscape design by Boffa Miskell, the project is a masterclass in designing for wellbeing and longevity.
KOROK proudly supplied our fire and acoustic wall systems throughout the development, helping deliver on the vision of safe, peaceful, and efficient living for older New Zealanders
Summerset St John’s Retirement Village represents the pinnacle of modern retirement living—where luxury, location, and lifestyle converge. Set in Auckland’s eastern suburbs with sweeping views and proximity to beaches, cafes, golf clubs, and key amenities, it offers an unmatched standard of comfort and care.
KOROK is proud to have played a vital role in ensuring the safety, acoustic comfort, and performance of this flagship development by supplying our fire and acoustic rated wall systems across key areas of the project.
Ready to future-proof your next retirement project?
Get in touch with our team for system recommendations, CAD files, and technical support.
