Fire and acoustic protection for a landmark civic development

The new Tauranga Library & Community Hub is the first building completed within Te Manawataki o Te Papa, Tauranga’s major civic precinct redevelopment. Designed as an inclusive hub for learning, community connection and essential services, the three-storey facility forms a significant part of the city’s renewed civic heart.

Delivered for Tauranga City Council, with Studio Pacific Architecture leading the design and LT McGuinness as main contractor, the project combines a strong focus on sustainability, cultural identity and long-term community use.

For this complex civic building, KOROK® supplied 1,150m² of KOROK® 78mm Galv Panel, used as part of the building’s lift shaft, riser and duct systems.

Fire and acoustic protection where it matters

Lift shafts, risers and service ducts are critical elements within a multi-storey building. They need to provide reliable separation while accommodating essential vertical movement, building services and infrastructure. KOROK’s fire and acoustic rated wall systems provided a lightweight solution designed to meet these requirements, helping create protected shaft and service areas within the building.

The KOROK® 78mm Galv Panel system combines fire and acoustic performance with an installation approach suited to challenging construction environments. This was particularly valuable for shaft applications, where access can be restricted and conventional construction methods can introduce additional time, labour and temporary works.

Installation from one side

One of the key advantages of the KOROK system on this project was its single-side installation capability.

Traditional shaft wall construction can require access or scaffolding within the shaft itself. KOROK’s system is designed to be installed from one side, removing the need for internal scaffolding and providing greater flexibility during construction.

For lift shafts and other restricted-access areas, this can help simplify installation, reduce construction complexity and allow work to progress more efficiently. This approach also supports better coordination with the wider construction programme, particularly in a project where multiple trades and building services need to be integrated within a complex multi-storey structure.

Supporting a sustainable building approach

Sustainability was a fundamental consideration throughout the Tauranga Library & Community Hub project. The building is targeting a 6 Green Star Design & As Built rating, with mass-timber hybrid structural systems incorporated to reduce its environmental impact.

Within this broader sustainable design approach, KOROK provided a lightweight fire and acoustic solution for critical shaft and service applications.

The ability to install KOROK systems from one side also offers practical construction benefits, helping reduce the need for temporary access infrastructure and supporting a more streamlined installation process.

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Project Overview

The City Rail Link (CRL) is the largest transport infrastructure project ever undertaken in New Zealand, transforming Auckland’s rail network into a modern rapid transit system. This landmark development creates New Zealand’s first fully underground railway line, increasing network capacity by 50% and connecting key city precincts through a world-class transport system designed to serve Auckland’s growing population for generations to come.

The Challenge

Major underground rail infrastructure projects present unique fire protection challenges. Service risers, ducts, ceiling spaces, and bulkheads must maintain fire compartmentation throughout the network while allowing efficient installation within constrained construction environments.

The CRL project required solutions that could:

• Provide reliable fire and acoustic performance across critical building services infrastructure.
• Support complex construction sequencing within a large-scale infrastructure project.
• Minimise installation time in difficult-to-access locations.
• Reduce disruption to other trades working simultaneously on site.
• Deliver consistent fire continuity throughout service-rich environments.

KOROK® Solution

KOROK® supplied 760m² of its 78mm KOROK Galv Panels for use across risers, ducts, ceilings, and bulkheads throughout the project. Installed by Livefirm Construction, the KOROK® systems provided a lightweight, high-performance fire-rated solution tailored to the demanding conditions of underground rail infrastructure construction.

Project Benefits

By implementing KOROK® systems throughout selected riser, duct, ceiling, and bulkhead applications, the project benefited from:

• Fast installation using lightweight prefabricated panels.
• Single-side construction for risers and ducts, eliminating the need for internal scaffold access.
• Reliable fire compartmentation for critical infrastructure environments.
• High acoustic performance within service areas.
• Reduced site complexity and improved coordination with other trades.
• Efficient construction sequencing in restricted-access underground spaces.
• Proven performance on one of New Zealand’s most complex infrastructure projects.

Supporting a Landmark Infrastructure Project

The City Rail Link represents a transformational investment in Auckland’s future, delivering enhanced connectivity, reduced travel times, and increased public transport capacity for generations to come. KOROK® was proud to contribute to this nationally significant project, providing fire-rated solutions that supported efficient construction while helping maintain the high safety and performance standards required for critical transport infrastructure.

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Let’s Talk About Your Next Data Centre Project

Whether you’re designing a hyperscale facility, edge data centre, co-location facility, or supporting infrastructure building, KOROK® can help deliver fire protection, acoustic performance and construction efficiency in one integrated solution.

Contact KOROK today to discuss your next data centre development.

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SmartSteel Buildings delivered a modern 5-bay commercial workshop for Northland Toyota, designed to support a high-volume automotive operation. The facility incorporates vehicle preparation bays, hoist-ready service areas, and a layout optimised for efficient workflow and professional presentation.

As part of the building envelope, KOROK® supplied high-performance external wall solutions to meet the demanding requirements of durability, safety, and acoustic control typical of busy automotive environments.

KOROK® Contribution

KOROK® provided 108m² of KOROK® 78mm Colour Panel, installed as part of the KOROK® External Wall System.

The KOROK® External Wall System is a non-loadbearing vertical wall solution engineered for commercial and industrial applications. It combines:

• A zinc-coated COLORSTEEL® outer shell for durability and weather protection
• A high-density (400 kg/m³) aerated concrete core for fire resistance and acoustic insulation

This all-in-one system delivers fire rating, acoustic performance, and weather-tightness within a single assembly. The system uses 78mm interlocking panels installed vertically to create a continuous protective barrier, limiting acoustic leakage while maintaining fire integrity.

Outcome

The integration of the KOROK® External Wall System ensured that the Northland Toyota workshop achieved:

• High fire safety standards for commercial compliance
• Improved acoustic performance, supporting a more controlled working environment
• Durability suited to demanding industrial use
• Efficient construction timelines, aligning with Smart Steel’s delivery goals
• Modern, professional aesthetics

This project demonstrates how KOROK® contributes to high-performance building outcomes by supporting safer work environments, efficient project delivery, and long-term durability and reliability, working alongside SmartSteel Buildings to deliver a facility that reflects the operational excellence and brand strength of Northland Toyota.

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The Sands Stage 1A is the first completed phase of The Sands Town Centre in Pāpāmoa, a major master‑planned commercial development in the Bay of Plenty. Completed in 2024, the project includes a New World supermarket and a mixed‑use retail block, delivered concurrently on a greenfield site. Livingstone Building acted as ECI Contractor alongside Bluehaven Commercial, delivering approximately 4,901m² of space including supermarket and multiple tenant fit‑outs. This stage represents the fifth collaboration between Livingstone and Bluehaven and forms part of the first of three planned stages for the wider development.

Why KOROK Was Specified

KOROK was specified for its proven performance in commercial and industrial environments where reliable fire and acoustic separation is critical. Its independently tested and appraised systems provided confidence to the project team, while the modular, prefabricated panel design supported efficient on‑site coordination and consistent, verifiable performance outcomes aligned with construction and programme requirements.

The project used 78mm KOROK galvanised panels as a non‑loadbearing internal wall solution across supermarket and retail tenancies. The system delivers a robust combination of fire resistance and acoustic control for intertenancy and back‑of‑house areas, using interlocking steel‑faced panels with an aerated concrete core that can be installed vertically or horizontally to suit the building layout.

Technical Challenge

As a large‑format supermarket and multi‑tenancy retail development, the project required internal wall systems that could provide effective fire separation and acoustic control across a range of occupancies. These performance requirements were essential to meeting regulatory obligations while supporting the differing operational needs of both anchor and specialty tenants.

Compliance + Performance

KOROK Warehouse and Retail Systems are developed to recognised New Zealand Standards and supported by BRANZ testing and appraisal. On this project, the system delivered compliant fire resistance, effective acoustic performance, and reliable non‑loadbearing structural performance, providing confidence in regulatory compliance and supporting a smooth consenting and delivery process for a complex mixed‑use commercial development.

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CASE STUDY

Xtreme Zero Waste Recycling Center

KOROK Panels at Work in Raglan: Quieting the Glass Recycling Hub

We’ve just wrapped up a project at the Xtreme Zero Waste recycling center in Raglan, where we installed a “box” using our fire and acoustic panels around their glass recycling facility. The goal? To keep the noise down from the glass recycling process. The crew at Xtreme Zero Waste couldn’t be happier, saying, “The box looks awesome and works well.” It’s great to see our panels doing their job, making the space quieter and more comfortable for everyone involved. We’re stoked to have been part of this project and to see our panels making a difference right here in Raglan.

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CASE STUDY

Costco Auckland, Standing Strong with KOROK® Wall Systems

Costco, the world’s second-largest retailer, opened its first New Zealand store in October 2022 at 2 Gunton Drive, Westgate, Auckland. Part of the expansive Westgate Shopping Centre, this new 15,000m² retail space features overhead parking for over 800 vehicles and includes essential services like a fuel station, tyre centre, food court, optometrist, and hearing aid services. This store is a key addition to the rapidly growing Northwest Auckland community, built on a challenging site during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a solid structure made of steel and concrete, Costco Auckland stands as a durable retail hub that incorporates the high-performance KOROK® wall system.

KOROK® Systems for Costco

KOROK® supplied 78mm fire-rated acoustic panels (GEN 2) for several key areas of the Costco Auckland project, delivering fast installation and exceptional quality. Our system provided pre-finished internal walls, ensuring a sleek and clean aesthetic, combined with robust fire safety and acoustic insulation.

Key Areas Where KOROK® Panels Were Used:

• Separation Walls: Between the entry and main shop (7.2m high, ColorSteel Titania finish)
• Lift Surrounds: ColorSteel Titania panels installed around the main lifts
• Fire Escape Stairwells: Galvanized panels left visible for fire compliance

Why KOROK® for Warehouses and Retail?

KOROK® wall systems are designed for large-scale environments like warehouses and bulk retail stores. Our strong, secure separation walls offer:

• Superior Fire Resistance: Compliant with all fire safety regulations
• Noise Insulation: High acoustic performance for noise control in busy environments
• Fast Installation: Single-panel system simplifies and speeds up construction
• Aesthetic Quality: Pre-finished panels provide a clean, professional look

Costco Auckland’s successful construction is a testament to KOROK®’s ability to meet the needs of high-demand retail spaces. Our fire-rated acoustic panels delivered both safety and efficiency, ensuring a sturdy, high-performing structure that aligns with Costco’s global standards.

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