Construction commences on New Samoa High Commission Chancery in Wellington

Samoa’s High Commissioner in Wellington, Leasi Papali’i Scanlan with Guy Cleverly (CCM Architects) and Grant Taylor (Wilson Construction) breaking ground for the new Chancery project.

Source: Samoa Government

Construction has commenced on the new Chancery for Samoa’s High Commission in Wellington following the ground breaking for the project 13 July, 2020.

Samoa’s High Commissioner, Leasi Papali’i Scanlan together with Mr Guy Cleverly (CCM Architects) and Mr Grant Taylor (Wilson Construction) broke the ground to mark the commencement of the construction of the new Chancery at 5 Clermont Terrace, Wellington, New Zealand.

Cabinet approved 16 June 2020, the Samoa Government Tenders Board’s recommendation to award the construction contract to Wilson Construction Ltd, a Wellington based company with several years of experience in the construction of residential, industrial and commercial buildings.

The new Chancery consists of three levels of office space plus an underground car park. Construction is expected to take up to twenty months. In the meantime, the High Commission is operating from its temporary office in the two-storey apartment building built by the Samoa Government for its diplomatic staff in 2015. This temporary office is located just behind the current Chancery Site on 5 Clermont Terrace.

“This Project has taken some time to design and develop especially given its location and the need to secure several consents and approvals, not only from the Wellington City Council but also from the neighbours,” said High Commissioner Leasi Papali’i Scanlan.

The Chancery’s look when it is completed in 20 months time.

The previous Chancery was over 80 years old. And, following several earthquakes in the Wellington region in recent years, a number of cracks had appeared on the old building’s structure and was therefore considered a safety risk.

Father Vilo Hansell during the blessing of the site.

The High Commissioner expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister and Cabinet for their support and approval for the Project to go ahead despite the many challenges.

The High Commissioner also noted that the construction of the new SHC Chancery in Wellington is an important symbol of the warm and close relationship between Samoa and New Zealand and also demonstrates the commitment that Samoa has to the Samoa-New Zealand partnership for many years to come.He also thanked the Board and Management of the Unit Trust of Samoa (UTOS) for the funding which has made the Project possible.

The High Commissioner acknowledged the hard work and support of the Consultants and Project Management Teams both in New Zealand and Samoa then delivered a short prayer to bless all those who will be working on the construction of this new Milestone for Samoa in New Zealand.

The Building Site had been blessed by Father Vilo Hansell in December last year.