I would now like to hand the conference over to Mr. Chris Meehan, Chief Executive Officer. Please go ahead.
Thank you. Good morning, and thank you for joining us today for Winton's FY 2026 Interim Results Call. It's a pleasure to be here today, and we appreciate you taking the time to dial in. Alongside me, as always, today is Jean McMahon, who's Winton's Chief Financial Officer. Today I'll start with a business update and then hand it over to Jean for the financial overview. I'll then finish with a few slides on the market and outlook. We will take questions at the end, but investors and analysts can add themselves to the question time queue at any time.
It's fair to say that this six months financial results don't fully capture the resilience and progress that the Winton team has delivered so far in FY 2026. Economic conditions remain challenging, however, we've continued to settle pre-sold properties, achieve solid new pre-sales, launch new projects, and diversify our revenue streams. Some of the business highlights for this period include completing the Northbrook Wānaka Wellness Spa, which opened this month, and also commencing construction of Stage 2 at Northbrook Wānaka. Launching residential project in Northlake Stage 15F and Northridge Stage 7, both of which has sold very well. We've completed the renovation and the refurbishment of the Cracker Bay offices.
We've progressed the development of the Cracker Bay Hospitality, with the first restaurant, Bravo, due to open next week. We've progressed the Sunfield and Ayrburn Screen Hub fast-track applications. Our land bank pipeline has an expected yield of about 5,750 units. Our revenue for first half 2026 from residential development was NZD 14.7 million, delivering an EBITDA loss of NZD 1.0 million. This is due to settling 14 units compared to 90 units in the corresponding period. There's always a high degree of seasonality to our development activities. We undertake civil works and earthworks in the warmer and drier months, and then complete and settle the units in the second half of our financial year.
In first half 2026, we also didn't complete any new build products such as apartments, dwellings, or commercial units. Therefore, we saw less units settled in total over this period, so we had an improved gross margin from 22% in the prior period to 35% in first half 2026. We still have some significant residential projects on track to complete in second half 2026, which we'll outline in the coming slides. On 10th of February 2026, the expert panel issued a draft decision approving Sunfield, the Sunfield Master Plan Committee, under the Fast-track Approvals Act of 2024. Winton is currently reviewing the draft decision and the draft conditions of this consent.
Winton expects a final decision to be released over the coming weeks. We note that it is, of course, only a draft decision at this point. We'll take some time to go through all the materials provided from the panel, and we'll have some more to say when the decision is final. Winton's proposed Ayrburn Screen Hub is also a fast-track project under the Fast-track Approvals Act of 2024. The fast-track process is ongoing, with a decision expected in April 2026. The facility will be located adjacent to the Ayrburn Hospitality Precinct in the Northbrook Arrowtown.
Should the project receive consent, it will be a valuable part of the Ayrburn Master Plan and will generate significant recurring revenue from the Screen Hub and incremental revenue growth from the hospitality precinct. The Ayrburn Screen Hub is planned to be an all-inclusive film studio, enabling users to work and stay on site through filming, pre-production and post-production. It's accompanied by studio buildings, work rooms, office space for film departments, as well as dressing rooms, screening rooms, and meeting spaces. A 185-room accommodation facilities for film workers is also planned, which will be available as visitor visitor accommodation for when the films aren't in production.
In the last six months, we continued the momentum on site of some of our larger neighborhoods. At Lakeside, the balance of Stage 4 works are complete, with settlements Q4 2026. Works on Stage 5A are underway, and we also expect settlements for these in Q4 2026. Within the development, we've completed key community facilities, including a reserve area, extending the walking and cycling network at Lakeside. We have also recently completed a new neighborhood playground. During the first half 2026, we launched Air Residences, a premium lot subdivision within the Ayrburn precinct. Civil works continue on site, with strong sales inquiry.
At Northlake, we launched Stage 15F, which has sold strongly, as well as selling the last lots of Stage 17. Works on Stage 18B and 18C are nearing completion, and the sales rate there has been steady. We also launched a new Stage 7 at Northridge in Cessnock, where sales have been strong. We intend to get underway with these works on site in second half 2026, with settlements expected in FY 2027. The first stage of Northbrook Wānaka officially opened in May 2025, with the new residents continuing to move in and start their Northbrook lifestyle during first half 2026.
We've recently completed the Wellness Spa, a luxurious amenity featuring a heated swimming pool, sauna, boutique fitness studio, hairstyle salon, and treatment rooms. It has been great to deliver such a premium amenity to our Northbrook residents, and construction is now underway on the balance of Stage 2, which includes a cafe, restaurant, and 35 care suites designed to provide rest home, hospital level, and dementia care. We're on track to complete these works in FY 2027. Our commercial includes Winton's investment properties at Lakeside and Cracker Bay, and the operating businesses at Ayrburn and Cracker Bay. Revenue for this segment includes rent and hospitality revenue.
In the first half of 2026, commercial revenue was NZD 17.4 million, up from NZD 10.4 million in the first half of 2025. This represents a 67.4% increase. The renovation and refurbishment of the Cracker Bay office is now complete, offering premium waterfront facilities for tenants across four levels. The leasing has progressed well, with 77.1% of Cracker Bay rentable area leased as at 31 December 2025. Cracker Bay's first restaurant, Bravo, is due to open next Friday and offers guests a vibrant dining atmosphere with uninterrupted water views. The Ayrburn Tourist Centre has just completed its first six months of operations with all venues trading.
It remains on track to become the most visited attraction in the region, with performance driven by strong event delivery, growing visitor demand, and improved utilization of our multi-venue site. Our priorities here are fourfold: sustained visitor growth, operational efficiencies across the multi-venue footprint, expansion of a forward event pipeline to reduce seasonality, and consistent delivery of a premium customer experience, which will be aligned with the Ayrburn brand. The Ayrburn Classic will be hosted this coming weekend, starting off with our first Tour d'Elegance, featuring 40 supercars and classics. The 2026 event has an expanded program, including a live auction and increased sponsorship value.
We're very confident that this year's lineup will cement the event's positioning in the motoring world. Now I'll turn it over to Jean for the financial overview. Thank you.
Thanks, Chris. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us. As Chris mentioned, we are pleased to report our interim results for FY 2026. Winton has delivered revenue of NZD 32.4 million, 60% down from NZD 81.1 million in H1 FY 2025. A total of 14 units was settled, a decrease of 76 units from 90 in H1 FY 2025. Cost of sales— cost of goods sold of NZD 14 million is lower than H1 FY 2025 by NZD 43.5 million or 75.7%. As Chris mentioned previously, this decrease in units settled is driven by a period of lower product delivery in our residential development timelines.
Commercial revenue increased by NZD 7 million, a 67.4% increase in H1 FY 2026, due to all venues at Ayrburn being open and improved occupancy at Cracker Bay. A fair value gain of NZD 1.2 million resulted from the revaluation of commercial and retirement assets within the investment property portfolio. This compares to a loss of NZD 2.8 million in H1 FY 2025. Employee benefits expense remained consistent with the prior period at NZD 10 million in H1 FY 2026, despite more venues trading at Ayrburn, as we continue to build efficiencies within the team. Administrative expenses also remained steady at NZD 5.8 million, with a decrease in legal costs offset by an increase in other expenses due to additional Ayrburn venues trading.
Net interest income was NZD 0.5 million lower due to a decrease in average cash reserves. The resultant net loss after tax in H1 FY 2026 is NZD 0.9 million, an increase from a loss of NZD 2 million in the prior period. Winton's cash balances remain strong at NZD 14.5 million. During H1 FY 2026, the NZD 18.3 million debt facility secured against the office building and marina complex at Cracker Bay was extended, with a new expiry date of November 2027. Winton has no recourse debt at the group level, and all other properties excluding Cracker Bay, Northlake Stage 18, Sunfield, and Lakeside across the group remain unencumbered.
We note that Winton's debt profile is set to reduce in H2 FY 2026, with settlements at Northlake Stage 18 and Lakeside forecast to repay the respective debt facilities in full. An increase in inventories represents progress at Northlake, Stage 15S and Stage 18, as well as Lakeside. During H1 FY 2026, Winton's cash flows, cash outflows included the final land deposit paid payment for Sunfield. As at FY 2024 and FY 2025 results, the board paused paying a dividend to maintain financial discipline during softer market conditions, which remains the board's view for FY 2026. Over to you, Chris.
Thanks, Jean. Turning to the market. Well, the property market has remained subdued in many parts of New Zealand, particularly Auckland, and the economy has continued to struggle. Unemployment continues to increase, and we maintain our view that until the residential property market is unlikely to substantially turn around until unemployment has peaked. Whilst the New Zealand economy remains in a subdued state, constrained by rising unemployment, historically low net migration, and low construction activity, which is evidenced by ready-mixed concrete volumes, it's hovering below the 10-year averages. Despite these factors, there are some positive signs in Winton's operating environment, including improved borrowing conditions for consumers, increased competition amongst suppliers, lower labor unit costs, and policy changes attracting high net worth overseas buyers.
It remains our view that given the current economic environment and public market, we must remain both cautious and constrained. We'll continue to conserve resources until there are clear signs of robust growth rather than tentative signs of stabilization. We'll also continue to take a disciplined and selective approach to committing additional capital, pending clear evidence that there was sustained improvement rather in market conditions. We maintain our view that a more positive outlook is likely to emerge only after unemployment has peaked. While remaining appropriately cautious, we enter the second half of FY 2026 with confidence in the medium-term fundamentals of both the market and our strategy. Thank you. That brings our presentation to an end, but happy to move to any questions, if we have any.
Thank you. If you wish to ask a question, please press star then one on your telephone, and wait for your name to be announced. If you wish to cancel your request, please press star then two. If you are on a speakerphone, please pick up the handset to ask your question. Our first question for today will come from Nicholas Hill with Craigs Investment Partners. Please go ahead.
Hi, good morning. Regarding Northbrook Wānaka , you comment sales are steady and entry prices are meeting expectations. Are you able to quantify this? How many units were sold over the period?
We'll leave that to Jean.
Hi, Chris. Thanks. Sorry, we don't go into that level of detail specifically on individual projects. Yeah, I can't comment on that, sorry.
Are you able to provide that detail at an aggregate Northbrook level?
No.
Obviously, we're in the other settlements, so yeah. Okay, then moving on. What was behind the commencement of Stage 5A at Lakeside? I believe in August there was some commentary on Stage 4, but I don't think I recall anything mentioned about Stage 5.
It's just in furtherance of our delivery of the satisfaction of our general contract, Nick.
Okay. Was that part of that option? Because I believe some of it, about 200 units at Lakeside have a, I think there's been, like, an option from Kāinga Ora.
No, it was, it wasn't. No, it wasn't.
Okay.
It's just a base contract. Yeah.
Okay, and then yes, last one from me before I let someone else have a go. To be clear, when you say that if you are granted approval for Sunfield, you will commence development immediately, is this in reference to the enabling and wider infrastructure piece, or does this also include residential units?
Ideally, both.
Okay. Are there any kind of like?
You end up doing one. If it gets to that, you end up doing them largely at the same time.
I guess when you're in the middle of a— would it be correct in sort of seeing it as a, say, if you're in the middle of infrastructure works and the market sort of, you know, improves or becomes active, you can very easily just tack on the lots?
That's fair. Yep. Yep, that's fair.
Okay, fine. Okay, thanks. I'll let someone else have a go.
That's it.
The next question will come from Rohan Koreman Smit with Forsyth Barr. Please go ahead.
Hi, Chris and Jean.
Rohan.
Just a question on a couple of these other comments around, you know, works nearing completion. So it's in Northlake, you talk about the balances of Stage 18 nearing completion. Does that mean you expect settlements in the second half there as well?
Yes, that's correct.
Cool. And then Cessnock with stage seven commencing and is being released to the market, can you give an indicative time on when you think those settlements will come through? I'm guessing it's not this financial year. It's probably a 2027-2028 story.
That's correct. 2027, correct.
Cool. Thank you. And then, Sunfield, I've had a look at the draft decision, and it looks like it's largely approved. I'm not a great reader of what the conditions are, so you'll have a view on whether those are appropriate or not, and I'm sure that's probably what you'll be talking about. But I think previously there was a view that you'd have some early land sales in terms of industrial, and obviously, there's the land to NZTA for Mill Road. Is it still the kind of view that you'll get those to market early? And can you give an indicative timing on, you know, when some of those things are maybe coming through, if you get approval?
It's still too early.
Or hypothesis.
It's still too early to say, Rohan. It's still too early to say. All we've got is the draft decision, and we'd need to assess where we land, where the project sits after the final decision is issued.
Is there—and I know it's sensitive, but is there anything you can say about the draft conditions versus your initial expectations for the project?
No, only that they are draft and it would be—yeah we wouldn't be commenting on the draft.
Okay. Thank you. Then maybe last one, just around land sales. There's obviously been the Wynyard thing in the paper. You maybe a comment or two on that, and then, you've always talked about buying land in terms of building out the resi business. I've noticed Ferncliffe Farm's back on the market. Just to comment around, you know, I guess, future development sites or if kind of Sunfield is the immediate focus before you buy other land.
I think it's fair to say Sunfield is the immediate focus, but it all depends on how and when the decision comes out.
Sorry, the first part of that question was, is there any validity around the recent media article on when you.
I think the media article quoted me as saying it's just market gossip, and I stand by that. It's nothing but market gossip.
Cool. Thank you.
There are no further questions at this time. I would like to hand the call back over to Mr. Meehan for any closing remarks. Please go ahead.
Sure. Just a simple thanks again for everyone joining us today, and obviously, if anyone has any follow-up questions, please just email them through to myself or to Jean. But thank you for joining.
This concludes our conference call for today. Thank you for your participation. You may now disconnect.