With the theme “Better City, Better Life”, World Expo 2010 will be world’s biggest and it is expected to attract 70 million visitors during the six months it will be open, between 1 May and 31 October. In addition to the pavilion, built on a 2,000 square metre green field site within the Expo park, the consortium’s project brief also included full fit-out and development of all exhibition content.
NZTE is the Government Department responsible for this whole-of-government project, which offers New Zealand businesses the opportunity to develop and build international relationships in China, the second biggest market for New Zealand, after Australia.
Coffey regional manager Asia Pacific, Matt Thomas, said: “We are really excited to be able to partner with client NZTE and use our specialist knowledge to deliver a world class facility that will help the New Zealand business community to promote their culture, innovation and technology.”
Headed by specialist project managers from Coffey Projects, the consortium features a leading New Zealand team including visitor experience specialists Story Inc, architects Warren and Mahoney, cost controllers Rider Levett Bucknal, landscapers Dawnfinder, technologist Toulouse and engineers Beca, among others.
The project director, Chris Bicknell, said the innovative delivery methodology used has enabled Coffey Projects to deliver the project on schedule and within budget, while offering the NZTE flexibility where required.
“The consortium established to deliver this project has some of New Zealand’s top specialists in their respective areas working together, and that has ensured an efficient and economical delivery of this international project over the past two years.
“We have utilised Chinese contractors, consultants and a local design institute to minimise cost and assist with the challenges of working within the Chinese and Expo regulatory environment. However, there has been a huge Kiwi input in the upfront conceptual work and in the final install and dressing to ensure we delivered a New Zealand product.
“Creating a piece of New Zealand in downtown Shanghai was an extraordinary outcome and it has been a truly combined New Zealand-Chinese achievement. We have even managed to bring over three chilled container loads of New Zealand native trees for the pavilion’s rooftop garden.”
Inspired by the Maori creation story of Tane (the forest god), who separated his parents Rangi and Papa (Sky Father and Earth Mother) to create the world in which we live, “Cities of Nature: Living between land and sky” is the theme of the New Zealand pavilion. NZTE is expecting about 40,000 general visitors each day– up to seven million visitors in total over the duration of the Expo.
Coffey Projects has delivered a variety of cultural and heritage projects around the world, including the Civic Theatre restoration in Auckland, Te Papa National Museum in Wellington, Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre, and Federation Square in Melbourne. The consultancy was also involved in the previous World Expo in Aichi, Japan.
Media contacts
Diana Krause, Global Manager External Communications, Coffey
T: +61 3 9473 1300; M: +61 420 959 942; E: diana_krause@coffey.com
