STAKEHOLDER NEWSLETTER | MARCH 2025
IN THIS EDITION
OVERVIEW
A Message From Our Managing Director - Scott Gibbons
I am proud to announce that this month marks the 75th Anniversary of the founding of Gibbons.
The company was founded by my grandfather, Clifford “Bill” Gibbons. Born in Nelson in 1910, he left school at the age of 12 and after a short stint working as an apprentice tailor in New Plymouth, got into the bricklaying trade. Upon completing his bricklaying apprenticeship, Bill returned to Nelson and worked as a bricklayer for various firms before the Great Depression hit and he decided to set out on his own in 1930. It was then that he made his reputation as a true innovator for the enterprising way he secured his first major contract:
Buxton’s Hop Brokers and Merchants wanted 50 tobacco kilns built in the Nelson Tasman region. Bill, inexperienced with building kilns and unsure of what price to tender for the work, took the train with his bicycle and tools to Dovedale and built a kiln furnace for a farmer for no charge. That experience gave him the knowledge he needed to win the tender.
From there he went on to establish the contracting business in the Nelson region, founding C. Gibbons (Contractor) Ltd on March 8, 1950 (later renamed to C. Gibbons Limited) and diversified into potteries brick making and pipework, ready-mix concrete, quarrying, sawmilling, transport, subdivisions, property development and investment, while keeping his partnerships strong and continuing his building work in the construction industry.
When asked, “At what stage did your business make its most notable trend upward?” he replied “It didn’t. It’s just grown gradually into what it is today.”
This month starts our celebration of this incredible milestone, looking back over the early years of the company through to the vision of our future with the family generations to come.
Scott Gibbons - Managing Director
Bill Gibbons with his first work truck
SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY
Staff Community Volunteer Days
Starting in FY2023, Gibbons introduced a community service outreach programme, encouraging the team to volunteer for eight hours in any charity or community organisation they choose, during normal working hours. This past quarter, team member Emily Baird volunteered for an afternoon at Coastal View Lifestyle Village. They hold an annual Christmas market in the main hall which enables less mobile residents to do some Christmas shopping.
Emily said of her volunteering, “I really enjoyed my afternoon there, chatting with the residents and spending time with some of the amazing staff and volunteers. One who stood out was Dean, who volunteers without fail every week to help out with odd jobs and socialise with the residents. He mentioned that even though he was often forgotten as soon as he left for the day, the happiness and lighting up of the faces of residents when they have someone to spend time with is more than enough reward.”
“I have always found small acts of kindness or giving time to others who need help very rewarding. This was a good reminder that a small act on my part can have a large impact on others.”
As a family and business, we actively support a range of initiatives that have a lasting positive impact on the communities in which we operate. If you would like to see more of what we do in our community, visit:
ESG | Carbon Footprint
Our Carbon Emissions Accounting
As part of our sustainability strategy, Gibbons has measured our greenhouse gas emissions (carbon footprint) each year since 2021. Last fiscal year, we joined the Toitū carbonreduce programme and have stepped up our reduction targets to meet the strict requirements of the programme. We are proud of the progress we are making, however need our tenants’ help to continue with our reduction goals. As you may or may not be aware, tenants’ Scope 1 & Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions fall under Gibbons’ Scope 3 inventory and we are keen to gather this data from all of our tenants if possible.
To start this process, we have been speaking with our tenants that have indicated they are currently measuring their carbon emissions and have received great feedback. It is encouraging to know that many of our tenants are following the same protocols that we are and are working towards a zero carbon future.
If you are a tenant and we haven’t reached out to you and your business but you are currently measuring your carbon emissions, would you please get in touch with our ESG Manager, Steph Millar stephanie@gibbons.co.nz? We would like to include you in our emissions data this reporting period. Please know that our reporting is not public and your business name will not be mentioned in the inventory; only the value of your emissions will be recorded.
DEVELOPMENTS | Summer Update
Our Developments
Nelson Junction
As the first stage of Nelson Junction celebrates its first birthday this month, the second major development project at the shopping centre is advancing at an impressive pace, with the construction of the new 4,000m² Green Star 4-star rated supermarket dramatically transforming the site week by week.
Construction began in late November 2024 after securing building consent, and the vertical superstructure is already making excellent headway. The majority of the concrete tilt panels are now in place, and a significant portion of the steel framework has been erected. As the project continues to gain momentum, the roof is expected to be completed by the end of April, marking a key milestone. Once the building is “closed in,” a cultural blessing ceremony will take place before work shifts inside for the supermarket fitout.
Gibbons Naylor, the main construction contractor, is ensuring smooth operations by efficiently coordinating with a growing number of sub-contractors. Their collaborative efforts, combined with a strong focus on health and safety, are key to maintaining an efficient and safe working environment. The site is bustling with activity as heavy machinery and materials are moved daily, but safety remains a top priority.
In addition, Fulton Hogan, the main contractor responsible for civil works, is making significant progress. Most of the underground infrastructure has been completed, and by mid-March, the outline of the new carpark will start to take shape as the kerb and channel installation begins.
Behind the scenes, the project management and design teams are ensuring that all aspects of the project continue to run smoothly. They are diligently coordinating material deliveries and scheduling contractors, preparing for the next phases of construction. The handover of the building to Woolworths for stocking is expected in late October this year, with the supermarket scheduled to open to the public around mid-November. The project’s efficient progress promises to deliver a modern supermarket that will be a valuable addition to the Nelson Junction shopping centre and surrounding community.
Vista Heights
February saw another cut in the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by The Reserve Bank of New Zealand, continuing the OCR reductions that began in the second half of last year. These cuts aim to stimulate growth in the housing market and boost confidence, which is exactly what we are beginning to see at our Vista Heights subdivision. We had one of our five available sections go unconditional in February as well as many enquiries over the holiday period indicating that people are feeling more optimistic about the housing market outlook for 2025.
Four sections in the current Stage 5 are ready for sale with beautiful views to Waimea Estuary, Rabbit Island and out to Mount Arthur, all with house concept designs and imagery to help stakeholders better visualise the possibilities. And work has started on the future stages of the development, Stages 6 and 7, which will introduce another 22 lots. These are projected for completion around the end of 2026.
OPPORTUNITIES
New Opportunities for Lease
Gibbons currently have opportunities for lease available, from a small city centre office through to a large industrial site with 3,000 m2 of yard. We are focused on finding solutions that are best suited for our tenants, and know that as they grow, their requirements may change. Our flexibility of the different spaces available allows us to meet the changing needs of our tenants, in parallel with their business growth.
Here are some new and exciting leasing opportunities within our portfolio if you are looking to expand or know of someone who would like to join our tenant family. Click on the links below for more info or reach out to one of our Property Portfolio Managers who can work with you to find the best space for your commercial real estate needs. We’d love to hear from you.
