At first glance, WOTSO’s new Auckland city-fringe coworking and office flexspace is not your typical WOTSO, if there is such a thing. The design is more corporate than usual, with discrete timber veneer throughout, connecting with the A-grade building it occupies.
But in signature WOTSO style, the ceiling is exposed, lending an industrial air, there’s a colourful mural by whānau artist Hana Maihi, and the hospitality is typical of every WOTSO, which now has 35 flexible workspaces across Australia and New Zealand.
In this case WOTSO is partnering with landlord Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa on its third site in New Zealand’s largest city. Located in the eastern CBD precinct of Te Tōangaroa, it offers a city alternative to WOTSO’s suburban Takapuna and Belmont flexspaces.
The new site opened in early September, occupying a prominent ground floor space in AECOM House, an eight-storey A-Grade building in the heart of the action opposite Māhuhu ki te Rangi Park, and close to cafes, restaurants, shopping and Spark Arena.
Janine Russell, NZ Manager for WOTSO, loves the new space – which features 13 offices, 14 coworking desks, and two meeting rooms – and says it’s perfect for fostering the friendly, open and collaborative working environment WOTSO is known for.
“We’re excited to be part of this community. It is a very beautiful WOTSO and we’re confident we will bring more life to an already vibrant area – we’re the last piece of the puzzle,” Russell said.
“It’s a matter of letting our neighbours know we’re here, what we do, and what they can use us for. Of course, that’s where our flexibility really shines.
“If you just need a meeting room for an hour, cool, we can do that. If you want an office for a month, okay great, we can do that. And if you want something printed, we can do that too.”
Grant Kemble, chief executive of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa, said there’s increasing demand for coworking and flexspace in Te Tōangaroa.
“WOTSO brings an energy that fits well here – bold, innovative, and forward-looking,” Kemble said. “With more than 3,000 people living in Te Tōangaroa, there is a growing need for flexible, collaborative spaces close to home.”
He said WOTSO’s collaboration “with our whānau artist Hana Maihi reflects the kind of partnerships we value – being able to share our stories through art – and we look forward to working with them to support the people and businesses of our precinct”.
Jessie Glew, CEO of WOTSO, said Te Tōangaroa was too good an opportunity to ignore.
“We saw a great opportunity and took it,” Glew said. “I think it will be heavily used by people from Australia and our Kiwi members. While we have a strategic focus on the suburbs and regions, our membership does need a fit for purpose, central space with a local feel. We have also really enjoyed our partnership with the Ngāti Whātua.
“Even though we have a more corporate look here, it still feels local, and there’s a lot of residential around this space. As with our other spaces, we’re attracting small to medium businesses that live in the area.”
Glew said WOTSO worked closely with innovative New Zealand company XFrame on the fitout, utilising its patented wall framing technology, which can be installed or deconstructed in hours for reuse in other spaces.
“It’s such a great product and love the way it can be reused in the future – circular economy at its best.”
She said WOTSO will be opening its fourth New Zealand coworking and office flexspace at Whangārei early next year.
Further information:
Martin Kelly
MJKpr for WOTSO
+61 414 774 978
Martinkelly@mjkpr.au
About WOTSO: WOTSO is an industry-leading coworking and office flexspace owner/operator with 30+ sites across Australia and New Zealand. It is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX: WOT) and has more than 6000 members. https://wotso.com/
About Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa
Established following the WAI388 Treaty of Waitangi Settlement, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa Limited is the commercial investment company of the Ngati Whatua Orakei Group and is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust. Funds generated by Whai Rawa are used to support the tribal development goals of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Maia Limited. Whai Maia is the Tribal Development arm that is responsible for portfolios including environment, education, health and wellbeing, sporting and cultural activities. http://www.ngatiwhatuaorakeiwhairawa.com/elopment goals of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Maia Limited. Whai Maia is the Tribal Development arm that is responsible for portfolios including environment, education, health and wellbeing, sporting and cultural activities. http://www.ngatiwhatuaorakeiwhairawa.com/
