The $31.7 million He Toki Kai Te Rika trades training centre project had been due to open in the first quarter of this year, polytechnic senior communications adviser Shane Gilchrist said.
However, due to a range of factors — including labour shortages due to Covid-19 along with shortages of building materials because of significant weather events, ferry issues and overseas supply chain problems — the opening was now set to take place in the second semester, Mr Gilchrist said.
Timber and plasterboard linings, along with ‘‘a range of other items’’, were affected by the shortages.
Most building projects in the construction industry were encountering the same supply issues and cost implications.
It was standard for construction projects to be subject to extension of time payments.
‘‘However, because of contractual and commercial sensitivities we decline to comment further,’’ Mr Gilchrist said.
In the statement, polytechnic executive director Jase Tibble said any delays to the opening of the training centre would not affect the delivery of any projects or the polytechnic’s intake for semester 2, which starts on July 17.
