A resident living near Auckland’s derelict Seascape apartment tower has raised alarm bells over falling debris, claiming plaster is being shed from the 56-level structure and littering nearby properties. However, Auckland Council has countered the claim, stating the material is merely flaking paint and poses no safety risk.
The complaint centres on the partly-built $300 million tower on Customs Street East, which has stood idle with its crane motionless since construction ground to a halt. A neighbour, who wishes to remain anonymous, reported that debris has been falling onto their deck and the footpath below for some time, providing photographic evidence to the council which they say shows plaster.
“Our deck is again littered with flaked off plaster from the Seascape building. What have you done to remedy this health and safety issue?” the resident asked a council compliance officer in an email after becoming concerned about the recurring issue.
The 187-metre skyscraper, set to be New Zealand’s tallest apartment building, has become a controversial landmark on the city skyline since its owner, Shundi Customs, was placed into receivership in March.
Council and builder respond
Following an investigation, Auckland Council has determined the situation is under control. Ian McCormick, the council’s general manager of building consents, said that compliance teams visited the site and subsequently met with Icon, the construction firm that took over from the previous builder.
“We understand the fallen material was paint flaking from steel beams and does not pose a safety risk,” Mr McCormick said. He added that Icon has taken steps to manage the issue. “Icon have informed us that they have employed someone to keep the site and surrounding area clean of debris.”
Mr McCormick also confirmed that Icon had been in direct contact with the complainant and had performed a clean-up of their property. Despite this, the concerned neighbour maintains that the material is plaster and has now taken their complaint to the media.
An impasse over enforcement
Correspondence between the council and the resident reveals a complex situation regarding enforcement. A compliance officer explained that because major construction work has stopped, the council has “limited enforcement options available at this time”. For enforcement action to proceed, a discharge must be witnessed by an officer during a site visit.
The officer noted that they were unable to observe any falling flakes from street level and could not access the complainant's property during the Easter break. The council sent an advisory letter to the property owners, who are currently overseas, but confirmed no further action would be taken unless discharges were actively observed.
Adding to the complexity, the tower’s resource consent recently lapsed, and an application for an extension of time is underway. Frustrated by the response, the council officer suggested the next best step for the resident would be to contact WorkSafe New Zealand, as the matter could pertain to health and safety concerns associated with the worksite.
The troubled history of Seascape
The Seascape tower’s journey has been fraught with challenges long before debris became a concern. The project began in 2015 but has been plagued by delays and disputes. Major construction work officially stopped in August 2024 after a significant payment dispute between the developer, Shundi Customs, headed by Harrison Shao, and the original builder, China Construction.
An adjudication by the Building Disputes Tribunal awarded China Construction $33 million, a payment that became the subject of further legal wrangling. After the builder suspended the contract for non-payment, the High Court eventually ordered Shundi Customs to pay the sum in March 2025.
The financial strain culminated on 4 March 2026, when China Construction Bank appointed Brendon Gibson and Neale Jackson of Calibre Partners as receivers for both Shundi Customs and an associated entity, Shundi Tamaki Village. Such large-scale developments are a massive undertaking, often involving significant disruption and complex logistics, as seen with other major works like the Auckland busway project.
Uncertain future for Auckland's tallest apartment tower
The receivers have stated their primary goal is to manage the stalled project towards completion. In a statement following their appointment, Mr Gibson said they would work to keep the site safe while planning the next steps.
We will work with the current contractor onsite, Icon Construction, to ensure the development remains safe and secure.
The future of the half-finished tower remains a subject of intense speculation. Options range from securing new funding to finish the build as intended, converting the existing structure for a different use, or in a worst-case scenario, demolition. The prominent location in the heart of the CBD, an area typically buzzing with diners heading to some of the city’s best restaurants, makes the stalled project a significant blight on the urban landscape.
The ongoing issues also highlight the challenges faced by Auckland Council in managing compliance and public safety around complex construction sites, especially when developers face financial collapse. The receivers’ first report, which is expected to be released in early May, will provide crucial details on the financial state of Shundi Customs and outline the intended path forward for the ghost tower.
