Air Liquide opens new industrial gases depot at Ruakura Superhub

Air Liquide marks a significant milestone in Aotearoa-New Zealand with the official start-up of a new industrial gases depot at the Ruakura Superhub in Hamilton today, on 9th December 2025. 

Strategically located at Ruakura Superhub, Australasia's largest inland port, logistics, and industrial hub, this new, purpose-built facility is designed to extend Air Liquide’s New Zealand supply chain network and improve the reliability of supply to better serve Air Liquide’s customers in this region.

The 9,000m² facility includes gas storage and loading facilities, a workshop, an office space, carparks and landscaping situated on Aka Matua Lane in the Ruakura Superhub. The new depot has been recognized for its high environmental standards, achieving a 5 Green Star Design & As Built NZv1.1 Certified Design Rating with the New Zealand Green Building Council - a rating which is deemed to represent ‘New Zealand Excellence’.

Speaking at the karakia (blessing) held today to mark the opening of the depot, Tainui Group Holdings (TGH) Chair, Hinerangi Raumati Tu’ua, welcomed Air Liquide to the burgeoning Superhub precinct.

“Attracting world-class businesses like Air Liquide has been our vision for Ruakura Superhub from the outset. It is very rewarding to see this come to fruition and also to have the involvement of a number of tribal-owned businesses in its construction”, says Hinerangi.

Safe, efficient and reliable supply chain operations are essential to industrial and medical gas customers in New Zealand. High-quality gases serve the needs of New Zealand businesses in a broad range of industries, including food, beverages, water treatment, desalination, hospitality, manufacturing and medical and healthcare services.

Natalie Wilford, General Manager of Air Liquide New Zealand, stated:

“Adding to our existing New Zealand presence, this state-of-the-art facility at Ruakura Superhub will provide increased capacity and improved reliability to serve our customers efficiently. Air Liquide New Zealand’s investment in this new depot is a clear sign of our long-term commitment to supporting the growth of local industries in this basin.” 

The new Air Liquide facility has been developed by Tainui Group Holdings and built by local builder Foster Construction. Tribal-owned businesses were sub-contracted to supply concrete, electrical services, civil works and insulation.

It will be jointly owned by Tainui Group Holdings and global investment company Brookfield Asset Management through their joint venture formed in April this year and leased long-term to Air Liquide. The underlying whenua (land) remains in the ownership of Waikato-Tainui.