Auckland's Seascape tower construction halted over paperwork dispute

Work on the Seascape tower in Auckland has been halted for seven months due to a legal dispute. The $300 million project, which features 56 levels, is currently stalled because of issues related to paperwork in China. In November, a court ruling stopped the builder from resuming work until the necessary documents were completed. China Construction New Zealand, the builder, won $33 million in arbitration against the developer, Shundi Customs, due to non-payment. Shundi Customs is looking to complete the builder's paperwork in China to potentially recover money owed. However, the registration process is complicating matters and has contributed to the delays. Due to these ongoing issues, the Seascape tower has remained abandoned since last August. As winter approaches, the structure’s lower levels are only partially protected from the weather, leaving it vulnerable to the elements.