McKenna helps Housing NZ

Nigel McKenna, once a developer, is now acting as a consultant for Housing NZ.

Former high-flying multibillion-dollar developer Nigel McKenna is working on Auckland's big state house overhaul.

A Housing New Zealand spokesman said the former bankrupt was acting as a consultant to the state-owned organisation.

"He provides consultancy services to Housing New Zealand through Development Advisory Services and has done so since 2013. He is one of a number of external industry experts currently engaged by us on a consultancy basis," the spokesman said.

"We are currently undergoing a major redevelopment programme, particularly in Auckland. Redevelopment of this complexity and scale requires sector-leading expertise, and Nigel was identified as having the unique skillset to help unlock the potential of and deliver on a range of projects.

"Specifically his role is to provide strategic advice to inform our decision-making around land utilisation for multi-dwelling projects.

"Projects he is involved in include our neighbourhood master-planning work in Tamaki alongside the Tamaki Redevelopment Co and a redesign of our Maria/Yates St site in Onehunga."

The spokesman refused to say what McKenna was being paid.

McKenna was bankrupted in April 2011 and automatically discharged last April. In 2011, he owed creditors $153.6 million but was offering to repay only $1.25 million.

He has been one of New Zealand's most influential developers, particularly last decade when he worked on some of the country's biggest schemes, including Galleria Customhouse shops in Auckland with Andrew Krukziener, the Metropolis 40-level apartment tower also with Krukziener, Sebel and Quays hotel/apartments, the roughly $100 million Viaduct waterfront, UniLodge student towers near Auckland University for about $45 million, Beaumont Quarter apartments opposite Victoria Park, the $300 million Lighter Quay's Westin Hotel, Quadrant hotel/apartments next to Hyatt at Waterloo Quadrant, Wellington Holiday Inn and Kawarau Falls resort at Queenstown.

He was planning the new Flat Bush town for 40,000 people and the $500 million McArthur Ridge five-star hotel with a health spa in Central Otago, and apartments in Atlantic City.