Firms get nod for quake housing

Transportable Units Managing Directors, Russell Heenan (L) and Victor Kendall. Photo / Steven McNicholl

A group of specialist companies has won the right to supply materials and build the first 300 temporary houses for workers in Christchurch.

Housing Minister Phil Heatley announced that a consortium of Hawkins/Spanbild/Fulton Hogan, Jennian Homes and New Zealand Transportable Units would provide the first places. Preferred suppliers picked were Smith Crane, Hawkins Falcon and Tranzasia.

Hawkins is the Parnell-headquartered builder owned by the wealthy McConnell family. Spanbild is headquartered at Sockburn and specialises in lightweight structures. Fulton Hogan is the giant of the bunch: the Christchurch-headquartered Australasian civil contractor employs 5500 people and specialises in roads, quarries, civil contracting, rail, infrastructure and land development.

Jennian is the specialist house builder with franchise operations and NZ Transportable Units of East Tamaki sells portapads and beach baches from $16,275 up to about $66,000.

Co-director of NZ Transportable Units Victor Kendall said the company would set a production centre in Christchurch to meet the extra demand.

"We've already negotiated with various contractors [to work there]. We'll be looking to hire in Christchurch locally as much as possible and if necessary will boost that from Auckland."

He was unsure of how much the project would be worth to the company and said he was meeting the department of housing next week to work out particulars.

Heatley said it was important to pick New Zealand companies.

"Its great to see New Zealand based companies able to step up to provide accommodation to house people whose own homes need repair," he said.

"Since the first major Canterbury earthquake last September the Government has been working to manage the need for temporary accommodation. The HELP service initiated by Housing NZ in September was reactivated immediately following February's quake. This service put those who could offer temporary accommodation solutions in contact with those who needed it."