Waiariki Turns towards the Future

Waiariki Turns towards the Future

Waiariki Institute of Technology turned the turf on their new Health and Science building project and and the key on the new purpose designed Information Centre in Rotorua today.

Waiariki Council Chairperson Graeme Nahkies dug the spade into the site for the $10.2 million teaching facility and then cut the ribbon to signify the opening of the Information Centre which is expected to become the hub of student and public activity in future years.

“Providing a high quality institute with enhanced facilities, services and systems to support the needs of students and staff is one of the key outcome areas for Waiariki and both of these initiatives contribute to that,” Mr Nahkies said.

Waiariki Chief Executive Professor Margaret Noble said the day was exciting for the region’s distinctly bicultural institute and the impact of both new facilities would enhance future student experiences and extend the services that Waiariki provides.

“Once completed the Health and Science building will provide a modern teaching environment which will help our students and staff excel while the Information Centre provides a central point of contact with Waiariki for both prospective and current students and for visitors to Mokoia Campus,” Professor Noble said.

The Information Centre is designed to give better customer service experience to students as well to support the institute’s direction to ensure students have all the information they need to make the choice of course and qualification.

It also houses the institute’s Careers and Employability Centre providing students with help and support in developing their employment skills and in finding employment. This initiative provides a permanent information base after one-stop-shop trials during recruitment periods earlier this year.

The building site and centre opening occasions were completed according to Māori tikanga with Waiariki kaumatua Ken Kennedy leading the formalities which were attended by about 50 people.

Waiariki’s Health and Science building is targeted to be completed in time for the 2015 academic year while the Information Centre is open officially to deal with enquiries from Monday 25 November 2013.

The Health Science building has been designed by Darryl Church with MOAA Architects and Hawkins Construction is due to start their build presence from Monday.

This is the latest project on the institute’s estate plan which has also seen a refurbishment of the Waipa campus, a recreation centre and two other new teaching buildings constructed at Mokoia since 2007.

ENDS

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