08 / FACTS
Media kit
The facts, without the guesswork.
Biographies, key facts and contact details for journalists, event organisers and anyone checking the record.
Project record
Built work and current plans.
My completed work includes buildings of up to six storeys.
Williams Corporation’s published design for Williams on Worcester includes a 10-storey apartment tower in central Christchurch. It is part of our current development work, not a completed building.
The tower description was checked against the official project page on 7 September 2026. Follow the project link for current information and contact the team for construction milestones and availability.
Explore Williams on Worcester (opens in a new tab)Company origins
My first company: 1 June 2011.
Matthew Horncastle Builders Limited was incorporated on 1 June 2011. The same legal entity, company number 3402552, is now registered as Williams Energy Limited. Its intervening names were Matthew Horncastle Holdings Limited, Williams Commercial Limited and Williams Corporation Trading 2 Limited.
View the Companies Register record (opens in a new tab). Incorporation and name history checked 7 September 2026.
Williams Corporation’s company history book (PDF, opens in a new tab), updated August 2022, marks ten years in business in June 2021. It records Blair Chappell joining Matthew in 2012 and the business adopting the Williams Corporation name in 2014. These are different milestones: the first company began in 2011, before the partnership and later business name.
01Approved biographies
Short biography.
Matthew Horncastle is a New Zealand property developer, qualified builder and co-founder and Managing Director of residential developer Williams Corporation.
Standard biography.
Matthew Horncastle is a New Zealand property developer, qualified builder and co-founder and Managing Director of Williams Corporation. He incorporated his first building company in 2011 at 17. Blair Chappell joined him in 2012, and the business later adopted the Williams Corporation name. The company has settled more than 2,500 homes and developed more than NZ$1.3 billion of property.
Extended biography.
Matthew Horncastle is a New Zealand property developer, qualified builder and co-founder and Managing Director of Williams Corporation. After leaving Nelson College at 16, he began a carpentry apprenticeship and formed his first building company at 17. Blair Chappell joined him in 2012, and the business adopted the Williams Corporation name in 2014. The business grew from spec homes into a large residential developer focused on well-located urban housing across New Zealand. It has settled more than 2,500 homes and developed more than NZ$1.3 billion of property. Matthew writes and speaks about housing supply, business execution, productivity and the New Zealand economy. He is based in Christchurch with his partner, Hannah Bungay, and their son, Alexander William Horncastle.
02Common questions
Who is Matthew Horncastle?
Matthew is a New Zealand property developer, qualified builder and co-founder and Managing Director of Williams Corporation.
What does Williams Corporation do?
Williams Corporation develops well-located residential homes in New Zealand. Matthew incorporated his first building company in 2011; Blair Chappell joined him in 2012.
Is Matthew related to property developer Bill Horncastle?
Yes. Bill Horncastle is Matthew’s father and worked in property development. Matthew grew up around the industry before beginning his own career with a carpentry apprenticeship.
What happened in the property downturn?
Williams Corporation reduced its construction programme and team as sales slowed. Matthew has spoken openly about the decisions, restructuring and tighter cash discipline that followed.
What does Matthew speak and write about?
Property development, housing supply, business execution, productivity, free markets and the New Zealand economy.
How can media contact Matthew?
Email matthew@williamscorporation.co.nz with the question, publication and deadline.
Editorial portrait
Ready for publication.
Download the web-resolution portrait or request a high-resolution file, landscape crop and confirmed photo credit before publication.