42,000 Firth blocks go into affordable housing development
With Auckland being one of the most expensive places in the country to buy a house, 30 new apartments currently under construction at Hamlin Park in Mt Wellington - a $25 million affordable housing development - is much anticipated. The complex will consist of five three-bedroom, nine one-bedroom and 16 two-bedroom apartments … and includes 42,000 masonry blocks from Firth, laid by Ben Roche and his team from Ben’s Bricklaying.
“We were involved in the initial planning stages at the end of 2021,” says Ben. “From when the project started in December 2022 until the final block was laid in March this year, we laid a staggering 42,000 of Firth’s 20 series blocks which also included 336m3 of Firth’s block fill concrete.”
Ben says the scope of the project, as well as the high degree of community involvement, made the whole process one to remember. “Being part of this project was really cool for me and my team for so many different reasons,” he says. “For us as a 
company it was a really good opportunity to showcase the experience of everyone on my staff and our general ability to take on larger projects.”
With such a large volume of Firth concrete and 20 Series blocks arriving for their work on Hamlin Park Ben says it was a very busy site. “At one point there were two buildings going up at the same time, so there were multiple trucks and trailer loads of blocks going in every second day, concrete pumps, block fill and trucks every other day. Nothing we’re not used to – but still, a very busy construction site.”
Hats off to Firth …
“We have been a long-standing customer of Firth’s and rely on them to supply what we want when we need it,” adds Ben.
“I have to say hats off to them, we got / get amazing support from Firth. We know we’re not one of their big customers but there were times when we had received our deliveries that day, ordered the day before, when we wanted to carry on and I could call Taylah at Firth to see if we could get another load of block fill that day and they delivered! Considering the amount of work and demands the Auckland market puts on them we get amazing service. It’s nice to know they treat us as they would one of their biggest customers. We can’t fault their service and support.”
The benefits of masonry
“Masonry brick and blocks are a low-maintenance material, so the people moving into these houses won’t need to worry about costly upkeep,” says Ben. “It’s a one-time installation – there’s no expiry date on brick/block cladding. It doesn’t burn or rot, and it is an excellent insulator too – keeping your home warm in winter and cool in summer. It’s also versatile when it comes to aesthetics – owners can choose to paint it or plaster it to introduce new looks or help it blend into potential future home extensions. “
“There’s a reason masonry is one of the oldest continually practised professions in the world,” Ben says. “It’s such a versatile material – and for this project in particular, it was perfect.”
More about the development …
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Prior to the commencement of the Mt Wellington housing development it was blessed by Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki representatives at a ground-breaking ceremony.
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The development is being led by Tauhara North No 2 Trust, a lands trust within the rohe of Ngāti Tahu-Ngāti Whaoa in the central Bay of Plenty.
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The 57A Hamlin Road development will consist of 30 apartments, the allocation of which will be prioritised to support Tauhara North No 2 and Ngāti Tahu – Ngāti Whaoa whānau, mana whenua and wider whānau Māori.