Our Movers and Shakers series is spotlighting Aotearoa's leading sustainability professionals transforming the way we design, build and operate our buildings and homes. These are the people leading the charge for a more sustainable built environment throughout Aotearoa.
Greg Tolley
As Head of Development at Kiwi Property, Greg Tolley, is at the frontline of smart green thinking in Aotearoa’s property and development industry. High-level sustainably built environments are his aspiration. As project director for the landmark mixed-used Sylvia Park Precinct he’s masterminding intelligent solutions to enhance people’s lives and safeguard the planet.
What were your early career intentions - what inspired your pathway in property development?
I had an interest in property from a young age and completing a Bachelor of Commerce (Valuation and Property) at Lincoln University provided a fantastic foundation. Early in my career I was drawn to development and the potential to create new built environments for people to enjoy.
On a daily basis what excites you most about your work?
I get a buzz from starting with a blank piece of paper and creating great places for people to live, work and play. A lot of what I do is about putting the end customer first and thinking creatively about their needs and how they’ll use that space.
I find working with a design team to create and deliver a well-considered building design - on time, safely, sustainably and on budget - incredibly satisfying. Ultimately watching occupants benefit from that space is what excites me most. I feel very lucky to be excited every day by the projects I’m involved with.
You have a 25-year track record in property management and development – what’s the most significant change you’ve witnessed?
I see two key changes:
-
An increased understanding of sustainability in the building industry. The application of which means we’re creating buildings which place less burden on the environment and provide better experiences for occupants. It’s now understood that sustainability is good for more than just the planet - it also benefits the people using the space and long-term makes better financial sense for the developers.
-
An increase in the diversity of people working in the industry. It’s fantastic to have a better gender mix in the industry and an increased ethnic mix. We all bring something different to our roles and diversity in the property industry ensures we develop more considered buildings for all users.
Is the conversation around green building louder than five years ago?
100 percent. Most certainly. Five years ago, green buildings felt like a much looser concept, but people now better understand what constitutes a green build. Everyone involved in the property industry is now more aware of the need for improvements in sustainability in the development and management of buildings – across design consultants, contractors, project managers and owners.
The cool thing is these peer groups are challenging each other to improve sustainability initiatives and are impacting more than just their piece of the puzzle. Tenants and building occupants are also increasingly part of this conversation, becoming educated about what they want out of a building and working with the industry to obtain improved outcomes.
Kiwi Property is leading in the ‘build-to-rent’ (BTR) space with Resido (295 apartments) at Sylvia Park Precinct. How does BTR allow people to live better?
BTR is still pretty new in New Zealand - it offers residents an exciting new way to live, offering the stability of long-term tenure with the ultimate benefit of flexibility that renting provides. Our Resido product allows people to live better through the provision of a high-level fantastic amenity with a 24/7 gym, media room, rooftop BBQ deck, community lounge and kitchen, co-working space and meeting rooms. Access to Sylvia Park, a train station and bus stops also adds value for our residents. Community and security are also a key difference at Resido with an on-site team curating social events and ensuring robust security and well maintained and efficiently operating apartments.
How can a property development company improve its own sustainability performance?
By working with qualified people who’re passionate about sustainability. Sharing learnings and asking questions of others in the industry is important for all companies to build a stronger knowledge base of how to do things efficiently and effectively in the sustainability space. If the industry works together, we’ll ensure the quality of New Zealand developments improves across the board.
What change do you hope to see in the property sector in 2025?
Apart from lower interest rates and a strong economy to help kick start new projects, I’m keen to see the industry as a whole continue the positive steps being made to ensure buildings are developed and operated sustainably.
Continuing to grow a diverse workforce in the development sector will propel this as our younger generation is really passionate about reducing environmental impact. There are lots of really talented young individuals out there able to contribute new perspectives to the way we do things. We need to make sure the industry is opening doors for them rather than keeping things the way they’ve always been.
Your favourite green building here or anywhere in the world?
I’m biased but I’m incredibly proud of our office and medical building at 3 Te Kehu Way in the Sylvia Park Precinct. It’s Aotearoa’s first 6 Green Star Design & As Built (NZv1.0 Built) rated building. The tenants absolutely love working there and it’s got a unique exterior design that’s added a really interesting visual element to Mount Wellington.