Templeton Group, the residential property developer that is responsible for a number of high quality projects north of the Harbour Bridge, took home four major accolades at the recent 2025 Property Council New Zealand Rider Levett Bucknall Property Industry Awards, the country’s most prestigious property awards.
Led by Nigel McKenna, Templeton Group is one of New Zealand’s largest private and non-listed residential property developers, with a multi-billion-dollar portfolio under development throughout the country.
Their wins at the Property Council Awards spanned four awards involving three of their projects, across two categories and reflected the strength of Templeton's diverse portfolio, which includes residential, mixed-use, and tourism properties.
Two of the awards went to projects at Long Bay on the North Shore. These were Kahu, a 42-home development, and the Light Box development encompassing 21 townhouses. Both won Merit Awards in the Hawkins Multi Unit Residential category.
Another Templeton project, Abstract Hotel in Upper Queen Street in the city, was honoured with an Excellence Award in the same category, as well as a Merit in the Holmes Group Tourism and Leisure Property category. Located just steps from the future Karangahape CRL station, the project’s design fuses New York inspiration with Auckland soul, revitalising a previously underused CBD site.
“These awards validate the bold vision Templeton brings to each project,” said Nigel McKenna, Templeton founder and chairman. “Each of these developments reflects, in its own way, Templeton’s understanding of the role of development as a force of social influence, changing perceptions and creating new and meaningful opportunities for families, creators and communities. They all feed off our team’s eclectic interests in design, culture and the arts coupled with a willingness to invest in creativity, expressed as a result of strong partnerships. I’m incredibly proud of our team and our collaborators, who continue to challenge what’s possible in urban design and community living.”
Templeton Group has a range of land and home developments north of the Harbour Bridge. As well as Kahu and Light Box at Long Bay, they also have Green View (72 sections) and Elementum (115 apartments, 15 terraced homes). There is also Weiti Bay (93 hectare gated community) and Warkworth Ridge (645 residential sites) further north.
Kahu Development (Long Bay)
Kahu is a 42-home development that Templeton developed as an innovative architectural response to a steep site. The innovative design features two buildings linked by a landscaped central mews, maximising sunlight from north-facing views over Long Bay village.
A Studio architects has created visually striking designs for Kahu’s mix of two- to four-bedroom homes with dynamic facades that vertically layer cedar and light and dark bricks to enhance street presence, establishing a visually rich, pedestrian-friendly streetscape, with mature trees softening the bold architectural lines.
The rich timbers, exposed bricks, and detailed finishes of the interior mirror the exterior and bring a soothing calm to each home.
“Kahu shows that urban density can be accomplished with warmth and variety on a very human scale,” said Nigel McKenna. “It demonstrates what is possible when design responds directly to community and context.”
The Kahu project was delivered in partnership with A Studio and Plus Architecture.
Only eight of these 42 affordable townhouses remain unsold. Two bedroom townhouses are priced from $875k, and four bedroom townhouses are from $1m. Visit kahuatlongbay.co.nz.
Light Box (Long Bay)
Templeton Group’s innovative Light Box development has been developed around a signature feature – an interior light-filled atrium that draws natural light deep into each of the 21 townhouses.
Already a winner at the New Zealand Institute of Architects Local Awards, this award confirms Light Box’s innovative approach to capturing the essential simplicity of the natural world – daylight, air, earth, trees -- and bringing it into the interior. The atrium, connected horizontally and vertically throughout each dwelling, creates a dynamic spatial arrangement that elevates the home’s design and liveability.
“Light Box is about calmness, clarity, and an imaginative connection to the landscape,” explains Nigel McKenna. “We’re thrilled to see that recognised again on the national stage. Light and nature is simultaneously enclosed and exposed, contained and set free.”
Designed by Novak+Middleton, Light Box includes 21 three- and four-bedroom townhouses that blend architectural refinement with relaxed coastal living.
Only three of these Light Box townhouses remain for sale. For more info visit light-box.co.nz.
