26 Feb 2025
Sunderland A at Hobsonville Point was the first large-scale multi-home development in Aotearoa New Zealand to undertake the Homestar certification process. With all homes achieving 6 or 7-star Homestar ratings, the project set a benchmark for sustainable and community-focused residential developments.
Designed by Studio Pacific, Sunderland A prioritises energy efficiency, water conservation, and healthy living environments, while also preserving heritage homes—reducing embodied carbon compared to new construction.
Sunderland A is integrated into the wider Hobsonville community, encouraging sustainable transport choices and strong social connections. The design prioritises walkability, green spaces, and efficient land use, aligning with Auckland’s broader sustainability goals.
What is Homestar?
Homestar is New Zealand’s leading holistic sustainability rating system for new home design and construction. Delivered by the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC), it assesses key aspects of a home’s environmental performance, including:
+ Thermal efficiency – Insulation, heating, and cooling
+ Water use – Low-flow fittings, greywater reuse, stormwater management
+ Energy performance – Passive solar design, ventilation, and material efficiency
+ Waste reduction – Sustainable construction practices and long-term durability
Homes are rated on a 6 to 10-star scale, with 6 stars indicating good performance and 10 representing exceptional sustainability.
Homestar ratings are gaining traction across Aotearoa as homeowners and developers focus on reducing energy costs, improving indoor air quality, and minimising environmental impacts. Achieving a Homestar rating can also increase property value while delivering long-term cost savings.
A Community Designed for Efficiency and Wellbeing
Sunderland A was developed by Willis Bond with a clear sustainability focus, ensuring that homes are resource-efficient, comfortable, and long-lasting. The design approach balances modern sustainability principles with the preservation of existing structures, contributing to a lower overall carbon footprint.
All dwellings in the Hobsonville Sunderland A project achieved 6 or 7-star Homestar ratings. As part of the Special Housing Areas (SHA) planning requirements, Sunderland A was the first multi-home development of this scale to undergo the Homestar certification process. Since then, other parts of Hobsonville Point have followed suit, continuing the area’s commitment to sustainable development.
The project integrates into the broader Hobsonville community, fostering green living patterns and a strong sense of connection. Key features include:
+ A pedestrian-friendly design – Walkways and cycle paths encourage active transport over car use
+ Pocket parks and shared outdoor spaces – Providing green areas for relaxation, exercise, and social connection
+ Efficient land use – A mix of terraced and standalone homes that balance density with quality of life
High-Performance Homes for Low-Carbon Living
Sunderland A’s homes were designed to maximise energy efficiency and comfort, incorporating:
+ Optimised daylighting and passive solar heat gain to reduce reliance on artificial heating
+ Thermal mass materials that store heat, improving temperature regulation
+ Efficient internal planning to reduce material use and lower embodied carbon
+ High-performance insulation, ventilation, and solar shading for improved indoor air quality and thermal comfort
+ Water-saving technologies including low-flow fittings, greywater reuse, and stormwater detention tanks
Retaining and Refurbishing Heritage Homes
One of the key sustainability measures at Sunderland A was the refurbishment of heritage homes. Instead of demolishing existing structures, we focused on adaptive reuse, significantly reducing embodied carbon compared to new construction.
By integrating these low-carbon design strategies, Sunderland A supports a more liveable, environmentally responsible future, aligned with New Zealand’s long-term sustainability goals.
Delivering Homestar-Certified Projects
At Sunderland A, Studio Pacific played a dual role as both the architect and Homestar Assessor, ensuring that sustainability was seamlessly embedded into every stage of the project. This required balancing high environmental performance with practical, liveable design solutions that benefit both homeowners and the wider Hobsonville Point community.
Our team of NZGBC-accredited Homestar professionals guided the project through the certification process, ensuring that every dwelling met the necessary standards for energy efficiency, water conservation, and indoor environmental quality.
A Track Record of Sustainable Housing
Studio Pacific has extensive experience delivering high-performance, sustainable housing across New Zealand, including:
+ 30 Madden – A high-density, sustainable apartment development in Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter
+ Niger Street Housing – A community-focused housing project integrating sustainable building principles
Sunderland A was one of the first large-scale housing projects in the country to complete the Homestar certification process, paving the way for future developments. By continuing to integrate sustainable design strategies into our work, we are helping to shape New Zealand’s future of energy-efficient, community-focused housing.
Sunderland A at Hobsonville Point was the first large-scale multi-home development in Aotearoa New Zealand to undertake the Homestar certification process. Photo Credit: Willis Bond & Hobsonville Land Company (HLC)
Sunderland A was developed with a clear sustainability focus, ensuring that homes are resource-efficient, comfortable, and long-lasting. Photo Credit: Willis Bond & Hobsonville Land Company (HLC)
Sunderland A is integrated into the wider Hobsonville community, encouraging sustainable transport choices and strong social connections.