Dexus Delivers Quake-Proof Archives for NZ Treasures

Dexus has completed a 10-storey building that can withstand a one-in-1800-year earthquake as the Australian property giant extends its reach across the Ditch. The $261-million government archive was built in partnership with New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs to store government records, cultural heritage and documentary collections. The Te Rua Archives New Zealand was built to last on a 3692sq m site at 2 Aitken Street, Wellington. The site is owned by Canadian retirement fund PSPIB/CPPIB Waiheke. The site was affected by a 7.8-magnitude Kaikōura earthquake in 2016 that led to the demolition of the building on it, Defence House. Dexus executive general manager for growth markets Nik Kemp said they had wanted to create the most seismically resistant civic building in the southern hemisphere. “This is widely recognised by experts as New Zealand’s most complex infrastructure construction project to date,” Kemp said. “Projects like Te Rua are critical because they prove that resilience and adaptability can be engineered into buildings in seismic zones. “By demonstrating advanced seismic design and real-time performance monitoring, they give investors and communities confidence that higher-density developments can be safe, sustainable, and operational even after major events. “It’s a blueprint for unlocking urban growth in earthquake-prone regions.” ▲ The completed Te Rua Archives in Wellington, New Zealand. Kemp said they were seeing strong returns across their NZ portfolio spanning multiple asset classes. “Dexus is focused on expanding its presence in New Zealand through strategic investments in social infrastructure, healthcare, and resilient real estate that support long-term urban growth,” Kemp said. “This approach reflects strong demand for private capital in essential assets and aligns with our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and partnering with government to deliver future-ready solutions. “The public-private partnership model reduced financial risk, ensured the demanding seismic and cultural requirements were fully met, and produced a facility that redefines resilience, sustainability and public value.” ▲ Dexus executive general manager of growth markets Nik Kemp in front of the Te Rua Archives in Wellington NZ. Te Rua was independently tested to ensure it met UNESCO and legislative requirements to protect taonga (treasures) and Memory of the World collections. “The facade shows how cultural design and engineering innovation can work together. It is both a shield for New Zealand’s heritage and a case study in global best practice,” Kemp said. The new structure has a 19,500sq m net leasable area and 26,000sq m ground floor area. It was designed by Warren and Mahoney, Tihei and Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika representatives. Testing of the facade found it to be up to three times more effective at maintaining climate stability after a natural disaster than the Smithsonian, the British Library or the US Library of Congress. The building’s 4000sq m bronze-toned facade acts as a cultural statement and a technical innovation, and is embossed with Māori motifs including Pūhoro and Kotukutuku. ▲ Inside the Te Rua Archives developed by Dexus to store New Zealand’s history. There are 38 triple pendulum base isolators below the structure—each the size of a small car—that allow the building to move up to 1.35m horizontally and 350mm vertically without loss of functionality. The design ensures the building remains safe and operable within 24 hours of a maximum credible earthquake, a level of seismic resilience rarely achieved worldwide. Inside the building, the climate will remain within 1C of the set temperature for 48 hours after a power outage or disaster, which meets UNESCO and legislative requirements. There is a two-level bridge linking the building to the National Library of New Zealand, forming a “heritage campus” with Ngā Taonga Sound &amp; Vision. The project was announced in 2019, approved in 2021 and construction began in 2022. “This building protects New Zealand’s past while setting a new standard for how civic infrastructure can be delivered,” Kemp said. “The lessons from Te Rua, from Indigenous collaboration to advanced seismic engineering, are directly transferable to the infrastructure challenges facing Australia.” New Zealand’s current infrastructure pipeline includes 12,000 infrastructure projects valued at $NZ275 billion.

Dexus Delivers Quake-Proof Archives for NZ Treasures

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