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.

Supporting Efficiency on a Challenging Site

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 Technical Contribution

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.

A Benchmark Outcome

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.

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Project Maunga is the major redevelopment of Taranaki Base Hospital, delivering future‑focused healthcare facilities for the Taranaki region. The project sets new benchmarks for healthcare design, targeting Zero Energy and Zero Carbon certification through the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), while maintaining the rigorous fire, acoustic, and infection‑control standards required in a hospital environment.

Architectural Vision & Performance

Designed by Warren and Mahoney Architects, This project challenges traditional perceptions of hospital environments. The single‑level building prioritises accessibility, patient dignity, and clinical efficiency, while feeling more like a community clinic than a hospital.

After accounting for carbon‑sequestering materials, the building achieves a net upfront embodied carbon of –126 kg CO₂e/m², making it one of the first healthcare facilities globally to achieve a net‑negative carbon outcome.

Why KOROK® Was Chosen

KOROK® systems delivered the required fire resistance and acoustic performance for lift shafts, risers, and ducts, supporting patient safety, comfort, and regulatory compliance in a healthcare environment, while also enhancing construction efficiency. The system contributed to reduced construction time, and minimised programme risk.

• 813 m² of KOROK® 78 mm Galvanised Panels
• Applications: lift shafts, service risers and services ducts

The KOROK® 78 mm Galv Panel offered several advantages aligned with the project’s requirements:

• Fire and acoustic performance: Providing compliant fire separation and acoustic control essential for hospital service zones.
• Lightweight, high‑performance construction: Precision roll‑formed from AS/NZS 1397:2001 compliant zinc‑coated steel with a lightweight aerated concrete core, delivering strength at a nominal weight of just 10.2 kg per lineal metre.
• Efficient installation in confined spaces: Single‑side installation reduced the need for internal scaffolding within shafts, improving safety and construction efficiency.
• Reduced programme risk: Faster installation and minimal on‑site modification supported delivery within a complex, live hospital environment.

Outcome

The integration of KOROK® fire and acoustic rated wall systems supported the delivery of a world‑leading healthcare facility – one that combines sustainability leadership, patient‑centred design, and robust technical performance. At Taranaki Base Hospital, KOROK® has contributed to a building that is not only safe and durable, but also aligned with the project’s wider vision of resilience, efficiency, and long‑term environmental responsibility.

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Hiwa – The University of Auckland Recreation Centre is a landmark, vertically stacked wellness facility at the heart of the university’s student precinct. Designed to support physical, social, and mental wellbeing, the 20,000 m² building responds to a constrained urban site through an innovative split-level configuration organised around a central fitness core. Since opening, Hiwa has become a major hub of campus life, with over 500,000 visits in its first months. KOROK contributed to this nationally and internationally recognised project by supplying high-performance fire and acoustic wall systems for lift shafts, risers, and service ducts, supporting both the building’s technical and architectural ambitions.

 Technical Challenge

The project faced significant technical complexity due to its eight-level vertical stacking, requiring robust fire separation between lift shafts, risers, and occupied spaces. Construction occurred within a tightly constrained urban site, limiting access and traditional installation methods, while extensive service coordination was required across stacked programme zones. These challenges demanded a wall system that could deliver certified fire and acoustic performance without adding unnecessary weight, complexity, or installation time—particularly for multi-storey shaft construction.

Why KOROK Was Specified

KOROK was specified to support the project’s fire safety strategy while simplifying construction within confined vertical spaces. The KOROK® lift shaft, riser, and duct systems offered several advantages aligned with the project’s requirements:

• Single-side installation, eliminating the need for internal scaffolding within shafts
• Proven fire and acoustic performance, essential for large, publicly occupied buildings
• Lightweight construction, reducing load impacts on the stacked structure
• Speed and efficiency, supporting programme certainty in a complex build environment

For a project of this scale and intensity, the ability to install from one side only was particularly valuable, improving safety, access, and sequencing across multiple floors.

System Selected

The project utilised KOROK® Lift Shafts, Risers & Ducts systems, constructed with KOROK® 78mm Galv Panels.

The panels are precision roll‑formed from high‑quality zinc‑coated steel in accordance with AS/NZS 1397:2001 standards and house a lightweight aerated concrete core. With a nominal weight of approximately 10.2 kg per lineal metre, the panels provided excellent handling characteristics while maintaining structural integrity and high-performance fire and acoustic outcomes.

This system was particularly well suited to the vertical nature of the building and the high level of service coordination required throughout the facility.

Benefits, Compliance & Performance Outcomes

KOROK systems at Hiwa delivered compliant, high‑performance fire and acoustic solutions for lift shafts, risers, and ducts, supporting both occupant safety and user comfort. The BRANZ‑appraised systems provided confidence in compliance, reduced consenting risk, and aligned seamlessly with the project’s advanced fire engineering strategy. Fast, single‑sided installation improved programme certainty and coordination within the vertically stacked building, while long‑term durability ensured reliable performance for this landmark education facility.

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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:

• Power and data cables
• PVC, PEX, and metal pipes
• Cable bundles and conduits
• HVAC services
• Structural steel and linear gaps

This guide includes:

• A system index for quick navigation
• Detailed tables of tested configurations
• Installation notes and performance ratings
• Reference to relevant test reports and approvals

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CASE STUDY

Te Iwitahi – Whangārei Civic Centre

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.

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CASE STUDY

New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC)

The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) sets a bold new standard for large-scale civic infrastructure. Located in the heart of Auckland and occupying half a city block, the NZICC is not just a building, it’s a redefinition of what it means to host the world in a uniquely New Zealand way. KOROK is proud to have played a vital role in supporting the success of this landmark project through the supply of our fire and acoustic rated systems.

Designed by Warren and Mahoney in collaboration with Moller Architects and Woods Bagot, and built by Fletcher Building, the NZICC features a vertical stacking layout and an extensive program of flexible, high-performance spaces. With a 2,850-seat plenary hall, over 8,000 square metres of exhibition space, and a dedicated multi-use theatre, the structure demanded robust and adaptable building solutions at every level.

KOROK® Systems: Protecting the Heart of the Building

KOROK supplied our fire and acoustic rated wall systems for all lift shafts, risers, and duct enclosures throughout the NZICC. In a facility of this scale and complexity, these core services are central to both life safety and operational efficiency. Our systems delivered key advantages to the project team, helping them stay on schedule while maintaining the highest standards of safety and performance:

• Single-side installation meant that lift shafts could be enclosed without the need for internal scaffolding—eliminating logistical complications and reducing time on site.
• Superior fire and acoustic performance provided assurance in both regulatory compliance and end-user comfort. In a convention centre where large crowds and simultaneous events are the norm, effective noise separation and passive fire protection are non-negotiable.

Building for the Future

As the NZICC moves toward completion at the end of 2024, it will stand as a global benchmark for hospitality and cultural expression—featuring expansive glass façades, stunning Māori and New Zealand landscape-inspired artwork, and a new pedestrian laneway that connects people across the city.

We’re proud that KOROK systems contributed to the delivery of a project that not only transforms its urban surroundings but also brings safety, performance, and durability to the heart of one of New Zealand’s most significant public venues.

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CASE STUDY

Indigo Hotel & Apartments

KOROK is proud to have contributed to one of Auckland’s most distinctive new developments — the Indigo Hotel and Apartments at 51 Albert Street. This iconic project brings together a 4.5-star lifestyle hotel, luxury branded residences, and vibrant food and beverage offerings, all within a uniquely challenging site: a slender 41-storey tower rising from a historic 1912 heritage façade.

Designed by Scott Carver and Dalman Architects and delivered by ICON Construction, the Indigo Hotel and Apartments is a shining example of how careful planning, construction innovation, and respect for heritage can work hand in hand to create a new city landmark.

• Year: 2024
• Location: Auckland
• Market Segment: External + Lift Shafts, Risers, Ducts
• Product Used: 78mm KOROK panels
• Architect: Scott Carver & Dalman Architects
• Builder: Icon
• Client: Ninety Four Feet Australia & IHG Hotels International

The Challenge

The development’s highly constrained inner-city site presented several key construction challenges:

• A tight building footprint within a heritage-listed façade.
• Stakeholder sensitivities, with close proximity to neighbouring residents, businesses, and the historic St Patrick’s Cathedral.
• The need for high productivity and precision construction techniques on a vertical build of this scale.

ICON Construction’s advanced project management systems and meticulous construction methodologies ensured these challenges were met head-on, delivering an exceptionally efficient build process.

KOROK’s Solution

To meet the stringent fire and acoustic performance requirements across the tower’s external walls, risers, and duct systems, KOROK supplied our 78mm fire and acoustic rated panel system.

Our panels were selected for their:

• Lightweight nature, critical for high-rise construction.
• Exceptional fire protection performance for vertical service penetrations and separation zones.
• Superior acoustic insulation, ensuring a premium experience for both hotel guests and apartment residents.
• Rapid installation advantages, helping ICON maintain construction momentum within a tight delivery program.

As a pre-finished system, KOROK panels also contributed to reducing on-site finishing work, a key benefit on a project with constrained site logistics and limited laydown space.

Project Highlights

The Indigo Hotel and Apartments development stands out not only for its scale but for its storytelling and celebration of Auckland’s evolving identity.

• The hotel interiors creatively blend industrial elements with heritage materials such as exposed brick, reclaimed timber, and vintage automotive references.
• The modern tower’s guest rooms maintain a refined industrial feel, incorporating subtle local cultural references that connect guests to the heart of the city.
• The podium revitalizes Auckland’s historic entertainment district, contributing new life and energy to a growing cultural hub.

At KOROK, we are proud that our systems play a quiet but vital role in supporting developments like Indigo Hotel and Apartments — delivering life-safety, acoustic comfort, and buildability for landmark projects that help shape the future of our cities.

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CASE STUDY

Catalina Bay Apartments

KOROK® Fire and Acoustic Wall Systems at Catalina Bay Apartments

KOROK Building Systems played a key role in the construction of the Catalina Bay Apartments in Auckland, supplying our high-performance fire and acoustic wall systems. This 13-level waterfront development, built by LT McGuinness for client Willis Bond, consists of 73 luxury apartments across two towers and nine townhouses on a concrete podium. Designed by Architectus, the project integrates sustainability, history, and high-end living, offering panoramic views of Waitemata Harbour.

A Landmark Development with a Strong Foundation

The Catalina Bay Apartments were built on a historically significant site, once home to a Royal New Zealand Air Force base. The design of the development pays homage to this heritage while providing modern, high-quality residences.

Despite construction challenges such as extreme weather events and pandemic-related delays, the project was successfully completed in July 2024, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the client, consultants, and contractors. More than 2,200 workers contributed to this impressive 28-month build.

KOROK® – Setting the Standard in Fire and Acoustic Protection

KOROK is proud to have contributed to this landmark residential development, providing solutions that ensure safety, comfort, and efficiency. Our fire and acoustic wall systems continue to set the benchmark for high-performance construction in New Zealand’s premium apartment projects.

KOROK supplied all fire and acoustic wall systems for the project, including:

• Lift Shafts, Risers, and Ducts
• Intertenancy Apartment Walls

Our systems were chosen to enhance fire safety, acoustic insulation, and construction efficiency in this high-end residential development.

KOROK® for Lift Shafts, Risers, and Ducts

KOROK® panels provided an efficient and robust solution for the lift shafts, risers, and ducts at Catalina Bay, offering multiple advantages:

• Single-side installation: Eliminates the need for scaffolding inside shafts, accelerating the build process.
• Superior fire and acoustic performance: Ensuring compliance with New Zealand’s strict building codes for safety and comfort.

KOROK® for Intertenancy Apartment Walls

Each apartment in Catalina Bay was designed for privacy and luxury. KOROK® intertenancy walls played a crucial role in achieving this by delivering:

• Proven fire-rated protection and acoustic insulation, ensuring a safe and peaceful living environment.
• Solid wall construction, enhancing security and long-term durability.
• Faster installation times, reducing project timelines and labor costs.
• Sustainable solutions, minimizing construction waste and contributing to the development’s Homestar-7 sustainability rating.

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For over  25 years, KOROK has been a trusted provider of high-performance fire and acoustic walls for the multi-level construction market. Now, with the introduction of the KOROK KIR high-performance intertenancy apartment wall systems, KOROK offers comprehensive solutions for seamless floor plate transitions.

Our systems integrate lift cores, riser ducts, stair cores, hallways, and apartments into one streamlined package. Experience unparalleled fire, seismic, acoustic, and safety protection with KOROK – your all-in-one solution for modern construction needs.

Simplify with KOROK: Combining Performance and Safety

Experience the perfect blend of simplicity and performance with KOROK. Our range of IT wall solutions incorporates fire protection, seismic deflection, passive safety, and acoustic efficiency, all while eliminating complex build-ups. KOROK delivers unmatched performance, safety, and simplicity for your construction needs.

Intertenancy Apartment Solution

• Early Installation
• Solid & Secure
• Tested performance
• STC rating from 55 up to 69
• Fire rating from FRR 30 to FRR 120
• Simplified program continuity
• Waste reduction with custom lengths

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Wall Transition

• Tested Fire Door Solutions
• Simple transitioning for interface junctions

Corridor, Service Riser & Ducts

• Multiple wall design solutions
• Single-sided fix
• Simple passive fire service penetrations allowing for early services installation
• Programme Continuity
• Reduction in scaffolding
• Early Inspection & installation

Lift Cores

• Structural steel infills
• Intumescent coated steel connections
• Slab to Slab options
• Early fix services & lift components
• Added fall protection
• Simple penetration solutions
• Door head solutions
• Early installation & sequencing continuity

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Stair Core & Scissors Stairs

• Safe exit
• Linings are optional
• Prefinished colour coated panel options
• Prefinished panel provide a cost-effective, single fixed solution
• Reduced structural steel
• Multiple installation solutions
• Programme continuity
• Small crew to install
• Lightweight simplicity
• Handrail connection

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