WELLINGTON - China's biggest building company will be working on a hotel project billed as China's biggest-ever investment in New Zealand's tourism infrastructure, the developer said on Monday.

New Zealand's Hawkins Group would be working in a joint venture with China Construction to build the Park Hyatt Auckland, on downtown Auckland's harbor front, after signing a contract with Beijing-based developer Fu Wah International Group.

Work on the seven-storey hotel, which would have a total floor area of 29,000 square meters and 195 rooms, was due to commence this month and completion was scheduled for late 2018.

Hawkins had experience and understanding of the Auckland waterfront environment, including the challenging ground and climate conditions, Richard Aitken, Fu Wah New Zealand general manager, said.

"Together with China Construction, they have the resources, experience and skills to deliver an outstanding outcome for Auckland," he said.

China Construction was one of the world's biggest construction businesses, with an annual construction turnover of around $100 billion.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key ceremonially broke the ground on the project in March.

Key was joined onsite by executives of Beijing-based property developer Fu Wah International Group, which is investing NZ$200 million?($143.56 million) in the hotel, representing one of the largest foreign investments in New Zealand tourism infrastructure.

Fu Wah won development rights for the 195-room hotel after a global investor search process in 2013 led by the land owner, Auckland City Council organization Panuku Development Auckland.

It will be the first Park Hyatt hotel in New Zealand, and one of 37 worldwide.