New habitat NHNZ relocation - supported by Westpac

Success brings its own challenges, especially when a growth in business puts office space at a premium. When renowned documentary maker NHNZ found itself in such a position, it looked to relocate to new premises that would serve the company for the next 15-20 years.

The solution for the Dunedin-based firm was found in a repurposed 1940s building that started life as the Mosgiel Woollen Mills factory and was later the Metropolitan Club. The building was bought and developed by a group of Dunedin investors, keen to support the firm that has won international acclaim for its wildlife documentaries.

In the past 12 months, Westpac has also lent its support to NHNZ. Craig Ross, commercial manager in Dunedin, says Westpac is now the commercial banker for the firm, and also the banker for the company founded to redevelop the new premises.

"Westpac has always had a strong presence in the region clients appreciate being able to talk to our local managers and specialists about their business opportunities and forthcoming projects. We are particularly excited about working alongside NHNZ, which is a very progressive and innovative company. It is one of those rare businesses that probably has a greater international profile than it has a local profile. NHNZ has a highly talented staff working on a number of exciting projects."

NHNZ managing director Michael Stedman also attributes the success of the business to the staff and their hard work.

"In commissioning new offices for our staff, our brief to the team at Baker Garden Architects was to give us light, visibility and a sense of community."

Stedman says redesigning and upgrading an existing building was a more environmentally friendly alternative than building from scratch, and reflected NHNZ's commitment to green practices.

In redesigning the building, the architects made full use of the existing features, restoring the wooden floors and replacing the blacked-out windows with clear glass. Much of the interior was gutted, however, and a full-height central atrium introduced. This captures natural sunlight and heat, which is stored in a thermal mass wall. The new air conditioning system also channels the heat released by equipment in the building to the thermal mass wall, ensuring the temperature inside remains stable.

With windows looking into the atrium, there is a new sense of transparency in the building. Opportunities for social interaction are increased by the open stairwell and colourful breakout and meeting areas.

The multi-million dollar refurbishment provides 11 edit suites and three sound suites, state-of-the-art online facilities, a computer graphic suite and gaming unit; and it accommodates an expanding emerging media division. More than 55km of wiring, including fibreoptic cables have been installed.

"The design is versatile and different areas can be repurposed in response to the changing needs of international production and technology," says Stedman.

"Our new premises reflects our philosophy of growth through constantly evolving to meet international requirements. With the emergence of 3-D and an increasing production slate from a widening client base, NHNZ is now very well placed to cater to the anticipated rise in output."

NHNZ, which was founded approximately 35 years ago, now has a company in Singapore, a significant shareholding in South Africa's largest wildlife-documentary maker, and a base in Washington DC. It is also the largest Western producer of documentaries in China.

In addition, NHNZ's stock footage division, Moving Images, holds more than 200,000 hours of high-quality stock footage, with a major holding of High Definition footage.

To encourage similar success stories, Westpac has many ideas that can help grow your business from financing your property development, investment property or business equipment, to helping you make the transition from renting to owning your business premises.

For more details of how Westpac can help your business, or a client's business, contact your local Westpac business manager, or freephone 0800 177 188. Website: www.westpac.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas