About
Previously a dairy farm owned by the late Len and Joyce Hatwell, the land has always been closely connected to Te Awamutu, local farming life and the surrounding rural landscape. Len and Joyce bought their first 100-cow dairy farm in the area more than 57 years ago, and through years of hard work developed and cared for the land as Te Awamutu grew around it.
For Merv, Len’s stepson, Waipiko Landing carries a strong personal connection. It is a chance to honour the land’s history while helping shape its next chapter as a new neighbourhood for Te Awamutu.
This connection to place is shared by Dave Strachan of Strachan Group Architects, who grew up nearby and has long ties to the farm and wider area. Merv and Dave went to primary school together, lived close by, and both remember the landscape as part of their childhood – from crossing the golf course to eeling in the Mangaohoi Stream.
That local connection has helped shape the vision for Waipiko Landing from the beginning. The masterplan has been designed to respect the natural landform, rural outlook, waterways and views to the mountains, while creating a neighbourhood that feels connected, practical and easy to live in.
Wetlands, walkways, cycleways, planting and open spaces are not afterthoughts. They are part of the structure of the neighbourhood, supporting movement, amenity and a stronger sense of place.
The design guidelines also encourage homes that are warm, dry, low maintenance and well oriented for natural light. Variation in materials, forms and street frontage has been encouraged to avoid sameness and create a streetscape with character.
Waipiko Landing is still growing, but the vision is already becoming visible. Homes are taking shape, streets are forming, planting is settling in, and the wetland, paths and open spaces are beginning to define the neighbourhood.
This is a place designed for everyday life – close to shops, connected by walking and cycling links, shaped by the land around it, and grounded in the history of the people who farmed it before.
Project Partners
Strachan Group Architects is a multiple award-winning Auckland practice. Grounded in a specific and detailed first-hand knowledge of construction the team brings a highly developed sense of craft to creating sustainable buildings with precision and elegance. Waipiko Landing is close to Dave Strachan’s (Design Director) heart, as he grew up nearby Golf Road in Te Awamutu and even occasionally worked on the Hatwell’s farm
Veros is helping turn the long-term vision into a real, staged neighbourhood as development managers. Their role spans design, consenting, sales, infrastructure planning and delivery, focusing on practical details that shape how the neighbourhood works for future residents. Veros has managed commercial and residential projects across New Zealand, including residential subdivisions in the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki and Central Otago.
Demspey Wood build and maintain essential infrastructure, including roads, cycleways, and stormwater systems, ensuring robust connectivity and environmental sustainability. Dempsey Wood is also involved in significant land development projects, providing tailored solutions that support urban growth and community development. Dempsey Wood is the civils contractor at Waipiko Landing.
Additional Support
We are proud to collaborate with industry leaders such as Lysaght Consultants, CMW Geosciences, GHM Accountants, and Cooney Lees Morgan, who have helped to transform our vision into a thriving reality. We also extend our gratitude to our friends at Waipā District Council, for assisting the seamless integration of Waipiko Landing into the fabric of Te Awamutu.