Consulting engineer Scott McIntyre was ordered to pay $2.6 million damages covering redesign costs and extra loan interest payments after his faulty work delayed a West Auckland subdivision.
The High Court was told work on Harvestfield Holdings 145-lot residential subdivision in Sunnyvale was delayed eighteen months while Mr McIntyre’s engineering designs were reworked and new council approvals obtained.
Evidence was given of his initial engineering plans setting benchmark levels too low.
Several lots did not have sufficient fall for connection to public mains.
Other lots were not of sufficient height to satisfy council requirements of finished floor levels to be at least one metre above neighbouring Oratia Stream’s baseline 100 year floodplain.
Roading set too low saw nearly thirty lots with driveway gradients exceeding those required by council.
Stage one earthworks commenced in early 2016 were substantially complete before design errors became apparent.
Mr McIntyre initially worked with Harvestfield to correct mistakes, before being removed from the job.
In the High Court, Justice Andrew ruled Mr McIntyre liable for professional negligence.
He was responsible for the initial engineering plans and designs, under subcontract from Projenz.
Errors made delayed construction.
Mr McIntyre is liable for costs caused by this delay Justice Andrew ruled: redesign and rebuild costs ($658,500) and wasted interest costs ($1.9 million).
Evidence was given of Harvestfield paying ongoing interest at 12.5 per cent on its loan finance during the eighteen month delay.
Mr McIntyre was disqualified from defending Harvestfield’s claim, after failing to comply with a court timetable for filing documents.
Harvestfield Holdings Ltd v. McIntyre – High Court (21.04.26)
26.140