- TIMBERBIZ.COM.AU - A La Une - 20/Aug 00:38

Techlam for Tonga Parliament redevelopment

New Zealand’s largest Glulam timber manufacturer Techlam has been awarded the structural timber package for the Tonga Parliament redevelopment project by Westland Construction. Source: Timberbiz The contract includes the supply and fabrication of glulam timber components for the new NZ$60 million Fale Alea that will replace the original building destroyed by the 2022 tsunami. For Techlam, this represents an opportunity to once again showcase New Zealand-made engineered timber on the international stage, particularly in a building that will serve as the democratic heart of the Kingdom of Tonga. “It is not every day you get to contribute timber solutions to a building that will serve as the centre of a nation’s democracy,” Brett Hamilton, Techlam’s managing director, said. The project, which had been delayed after the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai eruption, has been collaborative from day one. Techlam was part of the design conversation from early on, working alongside Westland Construction, Holmes Consulting and Warren and Mahoney. This early contractor involvement is core to how Techlam operates on every project. By engaging during the design phase, the team can influence the layout, structural approach and detailing decisions, all of which significantly impact both cost and buildability. “The value engineering sessions were incredibly collaborative,” Mr Hamilton said. “We brought our manufacturing expertise to the table early, suggesting approaches that would work better from a fabrication perspective, while the architects and engineers pushed us toward solutions that served the building’s cultural and functional requirements.” For the Tonga Parliament project, this meant Techlam could optimise the timber design from their Levin facility’s capabilities in a controlled environment, while ensuring components would integrate easily on the construction site in Nuku’alofa. The architectural requirements include curved and complex glulam structures. This is exactly the type of challenging work that gets the Techlam team excited. “Our Levin facility is set up perfectly for this kind of work,” Mr Hamilton said. “With over 7,500m² of production space, we can handle the scale and complexity. More importantly, our team has the experience with curved glulam that makes these challenging shapes possible.” The fabrication process will soon be underway to meet both the structural demands and the architectural vision that will define Tonga’s new parliamentary home. For a New Zealand company, working on projects across the Pacific is about strengthening regional connections and demonstrating what Kiwi manufacturing can achieve. “The parliamentary building isn’t just infrastructure; it’s where important decisions about the country’s future will be made. We are proud that New Zealand engineered timber will be part of that story,” Mr Hamilton said. As procurement and fabrication continue through 2025, the Techlam team is focused on delivering components that meet the exacting standards this project demands. “Every project teaches us something new,” he said. “Building on our experience across the Pacific, from Cassidy International Airport in Kiribati to the EFKS Saleaula in Samoa and Lomani Island Resort in Fiji, this project brings its own unique challenges around precision and cultural significance. It’s exactly the kind of work that keeps us passionate about what we do.” The project is expected to be completed by 2027, with the parliamentary complex opening to serve Tonga’s legislature processes for generations to come.