A new flagship Waitomo service centre has been announced for the Ruakura Superhub.
Ruakura developers Tainui Group Holdings signed an agreement with the Waikato-based fuel distributor to develop a full-service site accessible off the Waikato Expressway via the Ruakura interchange.
The Superhub is currently under development on the eastern boundary of Hamilton.
The 1.6-hectare site would incorporate a Waitomo Fuel Stop with alternative energy options including hydrogen refuelling and EV charging stations as well as commercial truck refuelling lanes. A touch-free carwash, two quick-service restaurants, a café and a convenience store would round out the offerings.
“We are delighted to welcome Waitomo Group to Ruakura Superhub,” said TGH chief executive Chris Joblin.
“With almost 75 years on the clock, we are confident they know and understand locals and visitors to our region,” he said.
Joblin said confirmation of the new service centre added to the momentum around Ruakura Superhub. Extensive earthworks, construction of local connecting roads and leasing negotiations were now in progress right across the first 92-hectare first stage of the 480 hectare-site.
Waitomo Group managing director Jimmy Ormsby said the business was honoured to be the first retail/service tenant to sign for the Ruakura Superhub.
“This partnership with TGH to develop our flagship Waitomo site at Ruakura cements our commitment to the region we call home and builds on our rapid growth in the market over the last five years,” he said.
“We‘re proud, and honoured, to work with our partners at TGH to help bring the vision of the Ruakura Superhub to reality. The service centre development will reflect the scale and quality expected from a project of national significance.”
Ruakura will be anchored by a 30-hectare inland port, with the first 17-hectare stage now in development by TGH and Port of Tauranga, in a 50/50 joint venture announced earlier this year.
The inland port will be serviced by high-capacity rail and roading infrastructure, with the East Coast main trunk rail line running along the Port‘s northern boundary and the new Waikato Expressway on the eastern boundary. Initially, rail services would be provided by the existing MetroPort trains running between Auckland and Tauranga.
The Ruakura precinct is estimated to accommodate 6000-12,000 jobs once it‘s fully developed and would have significant social and economic benefits for Waikato iwi, Hamilton, the region and New Zealand as a whole.
The Ruakura Superhub inland port and adjoining logistics hub are expected to open early/mid 2022.
