AIA New Zealand has completed a comprehensive upgrade of its corporate headquarters at Smales Farm in Auckland.
Over the past 15 months, AIA NZ has carried out a major refurbishment of its head office – AIA House – adapting the space to better reflect the changing dynamics of work and employee preferences.
Chief people officer Brynlea Hunter-Morpeth said the decision to modernise the workplace was based on employee feedback and an internal assessment of operational needs.
“In 2022, as part of a review of our existing workplace strategy, it became clear that our head office was no longer fit for purpose. Our existing workspaces and technology were not meeting our desire to enable a high-performing, flexible, and inclusive workplace that aligned with our purpose, our focus on well-being, and our ESG goals,” she said.
The renovated premises no longer assign desks to individuals. Instead, teams operate within designated zones or “neighbourhoods.”
The layout includes shared lounges, quiet rooms, focus areas, and flexible meeting spaces. Employees also benefit from updated digital systems, more natural lighting, and designated well-being spaces.
Additional amenities include end-of-trip facilities such as bike storage, showers, and towel service to support commuting and fitness activities.
AIA partnered with NOWW Advisory, design firm Jasmax, RCP, and Alaska Interiors to deliver the project.
The building is designed to meet 5-star Green Star standards and is targeting a 5-star NABERSNZ energy rating within the first year of operation.
The site spans three floors and houses over 700 staff, with two floors allocated as B:HIVE+, an expansion of the Smales Farm flexible workspace.
The update follows a positive Q1 2025 performance from AIA Group, the parent company based in Hong Kong.
The group reported a 13% increase in the value of new business and a 7% rise in annualised new premiums.
Growth was driven in part by continued demand from mainland Chinese customers purchasing insurance in Hong Kong, while results across other Asia-Pacific markets varied.
