Financial close for Christchurch Men’s Prison Redevelopment Project

CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND – The Southern Renewal Partners consortium has achieved financial close for the construction of the NZ$440 million Christchurch Men’s Prison Redevelopment Project Phase One.

The project involves the redevelopment and expansion of the existing Christchurch Men’s Prison, an operational minimum-to-high security facility located in Templeton, west of Christchurch city centre.

New facilities will be designed to support Department of Corrections operating requirements, providing a modern, safe environment for staff and prisoners.

Works to be delivered comprise the first phase of a planned four phase redevelopment of the existing prison. Once complete, a new section of perimeter will integrate each phase into the original prison infrastructure.

The project is being delivered as a public-private partnership, with Southern Renewal Partners set to finance, design, construct, and maintain the facility for the construction period plus 25 years in partnership with the New Zealand Department of Corrections.

Southern Renewal Partners consortium comprises

• Plenary Group as lead sponsor, 65% investor, financial and commercial adviser, and SPV manager
• Webuild as 25% investor and D&C joint venture lead
• Leighs Construction as 10% investor and D&C joint venture partner
• Serco as asset management and facilities maintenance contractor

Department of Corrections retains responsibility for delivering all custodial services.

Debt is being provided by leading international banks ANZ, HSBC, ING, Intesa Sanpaolo and Westpac.

At peak construction, the project is estimated to employ a peak workforce of 600 people, supporting local jobs, supply chains, and capability development across the region.

Plenary Group Chief Investment Officer Patrick Lauren said, “The Southern Renewal Partners team is honoured to be entrusted to deliver this important redevelopment; one that provides local jobs alongside a stronger and safer prison system. We are delighted to bring our infrastructure capabilities to New Zealand and look forward to working with the Department of Corrections to get to work and deliver on the promise.”

Webuild Senior Executive Vice President Operations Oceania Marco Assorati said, “We are honoured to partner with the New Zealand Department of Corrections on a project of such importance to the community. Our focus is on delivering modern, safe and sustainable facilities that support rehabilitation, strengthen operational outcomes, and reflect New Zealand’s commitment to a safe and effective corrections system. With our local partners, we look forward to bringing global expertise and local capability together to deliver a project that will serve the region for decades to come.”

Leighs Group CEO André Lovatt said, “Leighs has deep roots in Canterbury, and we’re genuinely proud to be part of a strong and experienced team delivering facilities of this scale and significance.”

Serco Asia Pacific Chief Executive Officer Andrew Head said, “The project builds on Serco’s experience supporting complex justice infrastructure through long‑term public‑private partnerships Serco brings proven asset and facilities maintenance capability in highly secure environments. We look forward to working with our partners to support a modern, safe and resilient facility that delivers long‑term value for the New Zealand Government and community.”

Construction will commence shortly, with the project slated to be completed in late-2029.