Waiariki Institute of Technology
Media Release
For immediate release
Friday, February 11 2005
Waiariki Opens $1 Million Refurbished Nursing Building
Waiariki Institute of Technology's School of Nursing and Health Studies will celebrate the beginning of its 20th year
with the opening of its newly refurbished and upgraded building.
The new $1 million teaching facility on Rotorua's Mokoia Campus will be officially opened on February 23, at 9am.
Waiariki's Head of School, Nursing and Health Studies, Maureen Kelly, says that she is very pleased with the revamped
building as it will mean more up-to-date facilities for students as well as more space to put their learning into
practise.
"We now have a place that has been purpose built for us with new science labs and two new skills labs where students can
practise the hands-on nursing skills. The School of Nursing and Health Studies has been in existence for 20 years now,
and some of the science labs and equipment were becoming old and outdated.
"The building is really lovely. It has bought all the staff together in one place and given us a heart. Before, we were
housed all around the campus. Now we are centred around the new reception area and everything is much more accessible."
Waiariki's School of Maori Studies, Art and Design has had a hand in the project with carvings to be completed by the
new Art and Design programme leader, Eugene Kara and the colour scheme planned by one of last years interior design
students, Dianne Hancox.
The number of students attending Waiariki's School of Nursing and Health Studies has increased steadily over the past 20
years, the last four of which have seen Waiariki nursing students claim top rankings in the state final nursing exams.
Waiariki nursing student Sarah Edgar's 90 percent was the second highest mark in the country for the Nursing Council of
New Zealand's 2004 state exams. Two other Waiariki students Donna Stewart and Kathryn Patton were third equal with 88
percent.
Waiariki's CEO, Dr Reynold Macpherson said that the School of Nursing and Health Studies had always performed extremely
well and was very highly regarded in the nursing profession.
"We are delighted to secure the school's future with the opening of this million dollar complex and I look forward to
watching them go on to even greater success."
ENDS