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Rotokauri housing development launches with 72 sections for community living

'An inspiration to the world': The man who wants to build the perfect city

MADE's response to Council's proposed 660% increase in Developer Contributions

Rotokauri North project goes ahead

Building the country from the ground up

New $10b town centre for 40,000 rising at Drury West

Sunday TVNZ Interviews Charles Ma

Renewal of people’s lives central to the vision of Auranga

Auranga is building a home for champions

Auckland’s new city: the $2.4 billion plan for Drury

The City Wellbeing Index: How happy are the world's leading cities?

Tackling Auckland's housing crisis by rethinking urban design

Integrated Transport

This is why MADE has ignited a movement of national and international mobility leaders such as Beam Mobility, Big Street Bikers, EasyMile Autonomous Technologies, Mercury Energy alongside Auckland Transport, Waka Kotahi (NZTA) and Transdev to implement an integrated, low-carbon, multi-option transport network that connects seamlessly with public transport - the first of its kind in New Zealand.

The strategy is crafted with adherence to MADE’s pillars for better communities, in close alignment with our national commitment to reduce carbon emissions - focussing on providing multiple accessible, safe and affordable options of mobility beyond the car.

Auranga’s master-planned ‘campus’ urban design which includes flat, interconnected and safe roading has allowed for an ITS to thrive. Initial phases of approach and implementaion include options such as e-mobility scooters and bikes, locky-dock systems, shared e-vehicles, the early establishment of a growing bus route, to feasibility for autonomous driverless EV shuttles and the incoming Drury West Train Station which connects to Auckland CBD.

We believe the ability to have easy, efficient and sustainable journeys to connect with people is crucial to building a city of true belonging. Our mobility vision for our master-planned communities is a fully integrated, seamless transport strategy that connects micro-mobility with mass transit - implemented in the earliest stages of development rather than retrofitting years later.

Our model is also replicable and we encourage other developers to take any learnings from our approach that would serve to benefit new communities from the early stages of design and implementation. We are excited to be currently working with local authorities and mobility partners in the Waikato to explore a similar approach for our next community - EDIN Rotokauri – to co-author an integrated transport system unique to the region’s needs and opportunities.

With the support of Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency), Auranga is a major recipient of the inaugural 'Hoe ki angitū – Innovation Fund' to bring to life the community activitation component of the Integrated Transport Strategy. 

'Auranga Connect' is tailored-made community activation programme to encourage local residents to explore and use micromobility and public transport through easily accessible, affordable and integrated platforms. The programme was launched in March 2023 and will run as a 3-month trial in collaboration with Waka Kotahi, Auckland Transport, Beam, Big Street Bikers and Pollock Consulting.

Made Photo Stories

Charles Ma Factsheet

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Auranga Factsheet

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Drury Factsheet

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His first city, Auranga, on the southern border of Auckland - New Zealand’s largest city - will become home to up to 14,000 people when completed, making it the largest master-planned community in the nation’s history.

Born in Auckland, a New Zealander of Chinese descent, Charles Ma is Founder and CEO of the MADE Group, with over $1 billion of development completed and more than $1.5 billion in progress. His thinking is at the forefront of enhancing how people live, work and find a sense of true belonging in urban communities.

Charles has degrees in Civil Engineering and Commerce from the University of Auckland (NZ) and has studied at Stanford Graduate School of Business, London Business School, Harvard Business School, and Oxford’s Said Business School.

Human-centric Design & Development

In partnership with global urban and spatial design leaders such as Space Syntax (UK) and Steve Thorne (masterplanner), the focus was to create places that first sought to understand organic human movement through analysis and research in order to provide the best possible platform to integrate all the other social factors necessary for a community to thrive for generations.

Our projects promote a movement away from the traditional focus on economically efficient capacity to prioritising the balance of living, working and playing within one’s community – and the ability to do it naturally and easily. We strive to create a place of social connectedness and freedom - an environment conceived and made with meaning, where courage, integrity, humility, ingenuity and love can flourish organically for residents and visitors alike.

We focus on delivering an environment that enables all human beings to live with their basic needs met, with their dignity acknowledged, and with abundant opportunity to pursue lives of satisfaction and happiness, all without risk of denying others in the present and the future the ability to do the same. 


In Auranga, we ensured that an interconnected, human-centric approach formed the core of our masterplanning and delivery efforts. Built on the solid foundation of our pillars, our projects are intentionally and innovatively master-planned to meaningfully connect a wide range of land uses through human-centric design and sustainable urban planning.

It’s about valuing people as the priority. Rather than favouring cars, the streets are designed to be just the right width. Cars are not what makes a community, the people are. 

Auranga’s distinct central ‘boulevard’ is Bremner Road which connects all neighbourhood and stretches over a generous 30m width. To promote walking and ensure safety, separate extra-wide pedestrian & micromobolity lanes are isolated and clearly demarcated from the road by a raised concrete kerbside. These features have become an iconic and loved part of the community who are able to use active modes to get to places safely, promote wellbeing through walkable cities and play our part in reducing carbon emissions.

All streets in Auranga are also interconnected (no cul-de-sacs) to ensure ease of walking and travelling to the community’s main amenities and integrated, public transport hubs. You’re never too far away from getting to where you need to go! 


Living in Auranga is more than just owning a home – there’s a good reason why Auranga’s has become a much-loved destination for residents and locals alike.

The original approach to these amenities were founded on the belief that everyone deserves to access the goodness of nature, and that the enjoyment of our natural environment is crucial to our wellbeing and sense of belonging.

This is why, before any homes were completed, most of Auranga’s amenities were already built and ready for use. tDoing this early ignited a sense of community before residents  moved in. Whether you are looking for a scenic exercise location, the opportunity for family fun or a beautiful spot for quiet solitude, these amenities are all accessible and can be enjoyed moments from walking out from a resident’s home. Some highlights include: 


A magnet and a thriving hub for the community, this space showcases our values from Auranga’s community spirit and stories. Home to all our community events, Better Way Cafe, Auranga Residents’ Association (ARA), Auranga Residential Estates (ARE), our Community Manager and Placemaker, this much loved place is where visitors and residents transact and interact with values, rather than just monetary terms.

Our purpose-built, floating pontoon rises/falls with Ngakoroa Stream’s tides, gives access to the stunning body of water that surrounds Auranga. A favourite spot for summer swimming, launching kayaks and spotting ‘Fred’ the local seal!

Stirred by the inequity in the status quo, MADE and its projects aim to bring opportunity and dignity to those who need help to ignite their potential.

Instead of constructing premium or market homes to maximise profit, the first homes (and residents) in Auranga were KiwiBuild Homes which we aptly named ‘Champion Homes’. A human-focussed design of 46 brand new affordable homes were delivered with dignity in mind - 3 bedroom (2.5 bathroom) architectural homes on two stories with generous specifications such as high stud ceilings, quality appliances, spacious backyards and a family-orientated floorplan that allows families to grow and thrive over time.

Maximising dignity over efficiency, our Champion Homes were strategically spread out and therefore integrated in our community – therefore bringing an equality of living, caring and sharing to life through the build form. As a result, the community attracted 46 young, engaged and involved families who then became champions of Auranga’s foundations, setting a new vibe and culture of belonging for others to follow. 

We now look forward to the next chapter of Champion Homes and the new champions that will form the foundation for EDIN Rotokauri. 


Inspired by our values and vision, MADE believes that achieving affordable living is crucial to creating a place of true belonging. This means going beyond affordable housing and homes, and into the facets of everyday living from ease of transport to education, leisure and work, to dignified employment opportunities in the surrounding catchment.

We believe that accessible, affordable housing is an important cornerstone for families to thrive, this is why we are going beyond the national thresholds of affordable housing requirements in each neighbourhood to deliver as many opportunities as we can to enable this.

MADE is particularly interested in exploring models of living that venture beyond traditional methods. At this point, we are actively seeking possibilities and partnerships in enabling shared-equity schemes, build-to-rent opportunities, community housing - just to name a few.

We know that we cannot tackle this national challenge ourselves - if this is something you are particularly passionate about, why not get in touch to see how we may be aligned in delivering better, affordable and accessible housing for New Zealanders together? 


When MADE was founded, we believed that in order to create true, intergenerational change, a community of scale would be needed. The Auranga Town Centre (Plan Change 51) received is preliminary approval in 2022 and is the culmination of Auranga’s interconnected masterplan, transport-oriented development approach to a community of scale. 

Fusing the best of nature and urban density to create a place with equal capacity for commerce and leisure while embracing the goodness of creation - this is the beating heart and soul of Auranga and the wider community. A place for people to connect with the natural lifeforce of the land, stirred and moved as they immerse in the natural amenity of an urban setting. The lake, located in the heart of the town centre, perfect for quiet contemplation and restoration.

The buildings and architecture are designed to embrace all kinds of people and culture. Buildings are not too tall as to dwarf people, but tall enough to create a sense of enclosure and protection. Architecture that is timeless and enduring, fitting sustainably into its setting supporting the wellbeing of the community. 


Generosity is celebrated and practiced. Every exchange between people becomes an exchange of love and goodwill. Not a place to feed consumerism, but for people to be ingenious and innovative in shaping a better tomorrow. 

A work destination for high value jobs
A loved destination for New Zealanders as a civic hub
A universal destination for visitors that nurtures our united humanity
A multi-generational destination that inspires a natural inheritance 

Empowering communities

Equally as important to the detailed and people-focused ‘hardware’ are the initiatives, partnerships and entities that ignite the ‘software’ of a community. In its early stages, Auranga is highly focused on positive social outcomes that are enabled through integrated transport, employment, sustainability and a values-centric community life.  

This is evidenced in our extensive partnerships in the public and private sectors, alongside the establishment of full-time community champions such as the Community Manager, Placemaker and closely work to help establish the Auranga Residents Association (ARA) as a hub for community empowerment and neighbourhood service.  

The carefully crafted hardware in Auranga has now sown a platform for people and partners to create new, meaningful stories and initiatives, while igniting a spirit of collaboration and possibilities to thrive in this environment. We invite stakeholders from all walks of life to utilise our projects as platforms to bring their unique contribution, calling or mahi to life. 


Communities of belonging are created through both hardware and software. The tendency is for developers to focus on the hardware of place and then leave. 

This, however, fails to ignite and empower residents ability to thrive, finding belonging and enjoy the positive intergenerational effects realised through holistic communities. What if developers go beyond the infrastructure and houses, and play a key role in empowering the societal building blocks early on that allow a community to thrive a belong?

Cultural Heritage

While we look to the future of creating places of belonging, we acknowledge the heritage that has gone before us with stories, values and cultural wisdom. In Auranga, our partnerships stretch across Ngati te Ata, Te Akitai Pukaki, and Ngati Tamaoho, while in EDIN Rotokauri, our mana whenua working group is closely partnered with Tainui and its associate hapu’s in the Waikato.

MADE has worked with its Iwi partners with respect and trust, seeking its advice and support on all matters to do with the planning and building of its communities. At the basis of these relationships has been a mutually agreed desire to build living and caring communities, focused on the wellbeing of it citizens and the sustainability of the natural environment.

The relationship extends to specifically incorporate the cultural heritage of Iwi and finding pathways to the future for the Iwi and Rangitahi of today.

A recognition of the treaty-based partnership between the Crown and Maori has led MADE to initiate and support the establishment of a strong, mutually beneficial relationship with mana-whenua Iwi within the rohe of its developing communities. 

Platform for the Arts & Culture

When was the last time your heart was touched by a song on the radio, your soul rejuvenated from an epic beat, or your mind inspired from a breathtaking painting?

Our arts, culture and community empowerment approach seeks to create a new stream where both creatives and residents, hailing from different backgrounds and cultures, are gathered, united and empowered through the arts to share their unique story. Instead of treating arts as a ‘nice to have’, we believe the arts are an essential part of our social identity and cultural fabric.

In alignment with our Journey of Change, MADE sees itself as the platform provider for the arts and is excited to journey with our communities, schools, creative organisations and artists to deliver relevant, engaging and meaningful “living” experiences through visual, taste and performing arts.

With Auranga, our hope is that it may become a prototype community for what it means to experience living in a truly integrated city - where arts and culture become a new way of life for all generations. As MADE empowered cities traverse into different cities and cultures, we are excited to find new ways of becoming the platform for arts to thrive. Our ultimate hope is that our residents themselves will become instruments uniting to create a new song together, for the better. 


Creating communities rich in their celebration of arts and culture

In the times we are currently living, where confusion, isolation, and loneliness are so prevalent in our society, MADE strongly believes that the arts and its unique ability to express, heighten and heal is crucial to building a community of belonging.

In realising MADE’s pillar of ecology and the belief that our nature plays an irreplaceable role in a community’s wellbeing and belonging, we seek to preserve a balance between urban development and sustainable stewardship of the natural environment.

Environment & Sustainability

Air and water quality are the primary focus, with leading edge implementation of low emissions transport modes incorporating micro-mobility options and public transport / mass-transit with the common goal of seeding infrastructure and behavioural changes to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and play our part in helping achieve Aotearoa’s carbon emission reduction goals.

Innovation in natural waterways management is represented by slow water movements into the harbours, holding water upstream, pond development and creek bank planting. Acknowledging the importance of regeneration of wetlands to assist in water quality management compliments up stream management work of the ecosystem as well.

Our residents are committed to supporting sustainability in their community and lead the waste management and community garden initiatives. Their work in igniting community initiatives such as regular coastal cleanups and partnership with Council waste management teams have become crucial to this work.

MADE and its communities have also established unique partnerships with academia such as Unitec to recycle off-cuts for public amenities, explore research opportunities for developing construction waste reduction strategies (which contributes to more than 50% of total waste in Tamaki Makaurau), and is supporting builders to help realise possibilities on zero-waste on building sites.


Transformative Commercial Practices

As such, we have developed a commercial and operational framework called the “Journey of Change” where we invite other stakeholders across all sectors and backgrounds and to join us in bringing an aligned vision of better communities to life. 

At its core, it is founded on a values-centric approach to doing business and a willingness to voluntarily sacrifice for the benefit of others, in order that all might achieve better outcomes. 

To find out more about this unique approach to social enterprise and our Journey of Change, download a booklet here. 


The MADE team believes private sector enterprises inherently owe a great social responsibility to society and communities at large.

ARE was created to fundamentally define how a real estate agency could work with people to build a powerful community where its residents feel belonging.  

The agency's approach goes beyond the transactional level by seeing real value in being able to foster rich and genuine human relationships as the first point of contact for many prospective residents. The agency acts as a community 'host' or 'navigator' who sows an excellent, truthful vision of the community values, spirit and place upfront before jumping straight into selling a product. By doing so, a different trajectory of a resident's journey is set where the focus starts with inspiration.

ARE is also a manifestation of the shared values  Auranga has been founded on, playing its unique role to bring alive the Pillars of a Better Community and Journey of Change:

Generous, unconditional sharing of resources. 
Eg. ARE's physical office is a community space, a portion of every commission received is donated to the MADE Foundation to empower community initiatives.

 Dignified service of others.
Viewing each encounter as a precious opportunity to create relationship and go beyond the call of duty to build trust through values-centric service.

Contributing towards belonging. 
ARE is located in the heart of the community and is closely involved with all parts of community life. Members of ARE are also local who know the needs of Auranga, actively acting as servant leaders to help build community beyond real estate matters.

One example of how a private sector enterprise could redefine a traditional, often warped system for the better lies in our approach to establish Auranga Residential Estates (ARE). 

Engagement with Employment

It is only when people have the ability to prosper through meaningful employment (both giving, and receiving) that the joy of generosity comes alive - a willingness and ability to realise abundance, and share in giving skills, time and resources for others. 

This is why MADE has worked hard to develop partnerships with both public and private stakeholders to help bring opportunities to life, particularly for those who might otherwise struggle to reach their full potential without a little help. 

Notable partnerships currently include (but are not limited to) the Ministry of Social Development, Kainga Ora, Dempsey Wood, Rescare Homes Trust, Better Way Cafe and the MADE Foundation and we continue to forge new, cross-industry partnerships to enliven this important part of community building. 

Imagine a community where secure, dignified employment allows residents to thrive and serve each other. MADE believes that access to dignified employment opportunities is a necessary ingredient for communities to flourish and for residents to truly belong.

Health & Wellbeing

MADE communities place high priority on the health and wellbeing of all residents - without which, our vision for places of belonging would not be able to flourish.

This prioritisation is realised in our Whole-of-Health Community Wellbeing Strategy, which acknowledges the importance of providing health services that:

Integrate our communities’ input through active engagement

Work closely with private and public sector health providers to establish aligned outcomes for community wellbeing.

Ignited by MADE in 2022, the providers of the services act collaboratively across the service spectrum in order to realise the above goals. In particular, government agencies represented by NZ Health, Maori Health and Public Health (inclusive of DHB’s) are currently actively involved in partnership with primary health providers in the development of a Wellbeing Community Hub for health services delivered for and into the community, proposed to be situated in Auranga’s Town Centre. 


The most critical need for residents in any community is a community-focused, accessible health service designed to provide for their mental and physical health and wellbeing.

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