What makes Safari Group stand out in New Zealand’s property and hospitality landscape is its unique model: combining development, construction, and hotel operations under one roof. This integrated approach allows the company to streamline project management, control costs, and deliver enduring value to both investors and the communities it serves. HUMBLE BEGINNINGS IN SOUTH AUCKLAND Neil’s personal story is deeply tied to his upbringing in South Auckland, a lower socio-economic area where opportunities often felt out of reach. He began his career through an apprenticeship in building, working hard to hone his trade. Soon after, he found himself working for his best friend, Stephen Taylor, who would later become his business partner. In those early days, Neil quickly discovered the challenges of entrepreneurship. Neil and Taylor’s business,Avoca, suffered financial difficulties in 2005 that ultimately forced it into voluntary receivership and liquidation. It was a painful experience, but also a defining one. Out of that setback came a critical decision: they would never again rely solely on external clients. From that point forward, they would build only for themselves. The strategy paid off.Their first self-directed projects, beginning with a development in Parnell and followed by a 34-unit project in Ponsonby, laid the foundation for a new era. By focusing on projects they could fully control, Neil and his team were able to chart their own path and safeguard their longterm stability. THE BIRTH OF SAFARI GROUP Emerging from the challenges of receivership, Neil officially formed Safari Group, with Taylor joining a couple of years later. The company’s early years coincided with the turbulence of the Global Financial Crisis, but once again, adversity brought opportunity. By tapping into offshore buyers and new markets, Safari was able to continue developing projects at a time when many others were scaling back. Through connections with investors like Jean-Michel Hauter, Safari expanded its reach into international markets, including Singapore and Noumea. One of its most notable successes during this time was the sale of a Henderson property, which reinforced the viability of the company’s new strategy and gave it momentum to keep pushing forward. From projects in Hamilton to Tauranga and beyond, Safari became recognized not only for its highquality developments but also for its innovative approach to sales and marketing. 51 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 07, ISSUE 09 SAFARI GROUP
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