Auckland City’s new $100m Mission

Auckland inner city Mission is in for a $100 million makeover, with resource consent issued for its plan to build apartments in the CBD.

On a 4,000sq m site next to St Matthews in the City church, the Mission will be building 150 apartments.

Housing New Zealand is contributing to the project but it can’t yet say how much it will be investing.

“Housing New Zealand has agreed in principle to lease or purchase 50 units in the complex,” said Housing New Zealand director of Auckland operations Celia Patrick.

“Discussions about this are in the very early stages, and no final decisions have been made.”

The building has been designed by Rewi Thompson Architects and Stevens-Lawson architects and will have 80 apartments with 50 apartments for solo parents who are full time students.

A drug and alcohol rehabilitation unit is also part of the project, with accommodation for 20 addicts set aside.

The apartments will have a shared greenhouse area where tenants can grow plants and vegetables. The built will have a library and gym facilities, with a medical centre and convenience store on the first floor.

“Here is an attitude to social housing that recalls the spirit of the first state housing program in New Zealand,” the Mission said of the project.

“There is nothing patronising or stingy about the apartments. Almost anyone would be pleased to live in them.”

In the 2008-2009 financial year, Auckland City Mission gave its services to 12,715 adults.