Written by Paul Vettise
On-site accommodation at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Karaka complex is under starter’s orders with a ground-breaking ceremony to announce the beginning of the construction project.
The Double Tree by Hilton Karaka will be the only hotel sited in the Papakura-Franklin area and invited guests on Thursday were present for the occasion with local Member of Parliament Judith Collins cutting the ribbon.
“We’re thrilled to get construction underway,” New Zealand Bloodstock Managing Director Andrew Seabrook said.
“This hotel will not only be appealing to our international thoroughbred and standardbred clients, but also to tourists, business operators and event organisers alike.
Hilton’s Heidi Kunkel alongside Sir Peter Vela of New Zealand Bloodstock and Hon. Judith Collins, MP for Papakura, at the ribbon cutting ceremony
“We had had a few champagnes and it was pretty exciting. We’ve been working on this for several years now and we’re finally about to start.
“It will be an 18-month build and we want to be open before the Yearling Sales in 2021, that’s our target.
“It will be an 18-month build and we want to be open before the Yearling Sales in 2021, that’s our target.” – Andrew Seabrook.
“It’s going to be used for weddings and other functions as well. There’s a lack of restaurants in the area and when there are big concerts on in Auckland there’s just not enough hotel space.
“They spill out to Pukekohe so it’s going to be the best hotel between Hamilton and the city.”
The hotel will feature 120 guest rooms, including four suites, a restaurant and bar, garden bar and pool along with conference facilities and the hotel will offer three room types in the grounds of the sales complex, which is located 20 minutes’ drive south from Auckland International Airport.
“With such a major part of our economy coming from the bloodstock industry it’s really important that we take care of the accommodation and also the entertainment outside the sales room,” Collins said.
The key drivers behind The DoubleTree by Hilton at Karaka, which will open its doors in 2021
Economy booster
The hotel will boost the local economy in the future, providing a number of full-time jobs.
“This is going to provide around 70 construction jobs for the next 18 months and there will be 40 jobs in the Hilton itself,” Collins said.
The Hilton Group, a leading international five-star hotel brand, will operate the hotel under their DoubleTree brand.
Also attending the ceremony was Hilton’s Vice President of Operations for Australasia Heidi Kunkel.
“The DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka will certainly be a wonderful addition to our current portfolio of hotels across New Zealand, of which, we currently have six hotels operating," she said.
