Ministry Expands Reach in Southern New Zealand with New Hire

The Auckland-based Ministry has appointed experienced designer Nick Plimmer as its new relationships manager, aiming to enhance its presence in southern New Zealand. With a rich history dating back to the 1890s, the firm specializes in residential, commercial, hospitality, and aged-care projects, providing master planning, urban design, architectural, and interior design services.

Plimmer, who has resided in Wānaka for the past four years, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. After studying interior design in Christchurch, he worked in London around 2001 and spent 16 years in Dubai as a senior interior designer. His notable projects included collaborating with the semi-government developer Emaar on the design and fit-out of the Fashion Avenue extension at Dubai Mall. His local knowledge, combined with international experience, positions him uniquely to support Ministry’s ambitions in the southern region.

In his new role, Plimmer intends to focus on business development, leveraging his insights from Queenstown Lakes to deliver projects that are both ambitious and sensitive to local contexts. He emphasizes the importance of partnering with clients to identify suitable development sites and create strategic approaches tailored to their needs.

Plimmer highlighted the growing demand for housing in New Zealand, referencing the government’s “Going for Housing Growth” initiative. He noted the necessity for developers to ensure that projects are financially viable. “There are a variety of factors influencing those decisions at present,” he stated, pointing to the rising costs of building and current lending rates.

He underscored the significance of understanding how proposed developments will affect the surrounding environment, stating that the cost of infrastructure services is critical for developers. “If you’re a developer, you’re having to really weigh up what factors are going to be at play when looking to undertake a development that can assist with the housing issues we face,” Plimmer explained.

In Queenstown, Ministry will primarily target the growing hospitality sector, the luxury retirement market, and healthcare services. Plimmer mentioned that the firm is conducting initial studies to progressively expand into these three sectors while also exploring other opportunities in the region, such as build-to-rent developments, education, and data centers.

His enthusiasm for local developments is palpable. Plimmer expressed optimism about several new projects in the Whakatipu and Wānaka areas, believing they will significantly enhance the district over the next decade. He referenced the recently opened ROKI Collection, located on Lake Esplanade with views of Lake Whakatipu, as an example of innovative development in the area.

“To see this gentleman take the plunge, take a section of the Queenstown waterfront, and do something very special and dramatic with it is really encouraging,” Plimmer remarked. He also acknowledged other impressive projects, such as Ayrburn, developed by Chris Meehan’s Winton, and Noctis in Fernhill, developed by Coherent Hotel Ltd., which promise to elevate international hospitality standards in the region.

Plimmer believes the involvement of local investors demonstrates a commitment to supporting regional architects and designers. “While these businessmen can have the interest in supporting smaller architects and design firms, it’s really the likes of Ministry that has all the backing and support to make these projects of scale happen in the right way,” he asserted.

As Ministry expands its footprint in southern New Zealand, Plimmer’s leadership is expected to play a pivotal role in navigating the complex landscape of development, ensuring that projects not only meet business needs but also enhance the community and environment.