PHOTO: Top Christchurch Builder Leaves Subbies, Suppliers and Homeowners in the Lurch. John Ross Architectural Builders
What started as a boutique builder claiming to craft “Houses of the Year” has turned into one of Canterbury’s biggest construction collapses in recent memory.
Box 128 Ltd, formerly known as John Ross Architectural Builders Ltd (JRB), has officially racked up over $2.3 million in unpaid debts — the bulk of which is owed to subcontractors, suppliers, and devastated homeowners across Christchurch.
At the helm? John Ross Kelleher, aka Jack — a builder who branded himself a “hillside specialist” and positioned his firm at the top of the premium residential sector.
PHOTO BY ROCKET REACH
Now? His projects are unfinished, his clients are furious, and the liquidator’s latest report paints a grim picture.
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📉 Liquidation Deepens: Unsecured Creditors Climb from $850K to $2.3M+
According to the latest six-month report by liquidator Brenton Hunt, no creditors have been paid a cent — and the situation is deteriorating fast.
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The IRD is owed $7,614 as a preferential creditor.
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There are no secured creditors.
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Unsecured creditors have jumped from 42 (initially owed $850K) to 23 major creditors now owed $2.3 million.
That includes Master Builders Association, numerous small tradespeople, and disillusioned homeowners whose dream homes are now incomplete or riddled with structural issues.
🏚️ Million-Dollar Homes, Leaky Roofs & Legal Nightmares
At least two major Christchurch homes have been confirmed as affected:
🚧 One homeowner paid $1.7M — then spent $650K more fixing alleged faults:
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No guttering installed
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Full brick reclad needed
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Extensive water damage
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Family forced to move house six times with two young kids
🏠 Another $2.1M property saw:
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Improper insulation
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Full roof replacement required
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Unliveable conditions since April
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A Disputes Tribunal case abandoned when Kelleher failed to show
🤯 “Trail of Destruction” Across the Christchurch Luxury Market
In industry terms, this is a classic case of fixed-price contracts versus inflation. The liquidation report says:
“Delays in construction schedules, contractor shortfalls, and rising material costs made it impossible to complete contracts signed in better times.”
Meanwhile, Kelleher had already changed the company’s name to Box 128 Ltd in October 2024 — just weeks before the liquidation was triggered in December.
Insiders now call it a “textbook collapse”: zero cash flow, no secured assets, and large debts disputed or abandoned.
🧾 Master Builders Guarantee Activated — But Not Enough
The Master Build Guarantee has stepped in to support affected homeowners, but in many cases, the financial and emotional toll far exceeds the payouts.
“The issues he’s caused are just horrific,” one homeowner told Property Noise. “We thought we were building our dream home. Instead, it’s been two years of financial hell.”
Six claims have now been processed by Master Builders, covering unfinished homes, shoddy workmanship, and cost blowouts.
Their CEO Ankit Sharma said the Guarantee had provided “critical support”, but declined to comment on the total owed by Box 128 Ltd to the organisation itself.
📉 No Recovery Expected for Unsecured Creditors
Hunt’s reports confirm there is no expectation of funds being available for unsecured creditors.
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No company debts are expected to be recovered.
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Most tools, vehicles and assets were sold months prior.
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All incoming funds are now “in dispute” or non-existent.
Put simply: there’s nothing left to claw back.
🧠 Key Takeaways for Property Investors, Homeowners & Builders
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Due diligence is critical: Check a builder’s financial history, guarantee cover, and past performance.
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Fixed-price contracts may be high risk in volatile markets — especially without escalation clauses.
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Master Build Guarantees can help, but often don’t cover full losses.
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Name changes prior to liquidation should ring alarm bells.
- SOURCE: THE PRESS