Featuring one of the largest gym fit-outs in the southern hemisphere, the University of Auckland’s $320m eight-storey recreation centre is the most complex build the University has ever undertaken.
The University of Auckland’s eight-storey recreation centre, complete with rooftop turf, pool, and state-of-the-art sports halls, was formally opened recently.
Minister for Infrastructure and Associate Minister for Sport and Recreation Chris Bishop and University of Auckland vice-chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater opened the building, which will be used by staff, students and the public as part of the University’s concerted focus on balancing well-being with academia.
The centre’s name Hiwa, gifted by Ngati Whatua Orakei, means “vigorous, active, robust and sound”, reflecting the University’s aspirations for growth and well-being. The 26,000 sq m facility covers a space equivalent to roughly 3.7 rugby pitches or 100 standard tennis courts, and is located on Symonds Street in the heart of Auckland.
With an innovative vertically stacked design, it centralises the University’s sport and recreation services into a single premises, overcoming the spatial constraints of its central city location.
Glass sports floor features integrated LED markings
Features include a premier rooftop multi-sport turf and two sports halls with the southern hemisphere’s first glass sports floor with integrated LED markings to accommodate six different sports.
It also holds capacity for 1500 spectators, a running track, an eight-lane 33-metre lap pool, a dive tank, spa and sauna, climbing wall, group exercise studios, combat sports studio, and expansive cardio and weights areas that make it one of the largest gym fit-outs in the southern hemisphere.
Hiwa serves as a vibrant community hub, offering a cafe, social spaces and versatile indoor and outdoor areas for various activities. The University’s physical education programmes and exercise science students will also use the facility.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater says the opening of Hiwa is a huge milestone for the University following comprehensive planning for a new recreation centre, spanning a decade. She says the investment in Hiwa further enhances the University of Auckland’s position as New Zealand’s pre-eminent, research-led higher education institution.
“We are delighted to open the doors to this wonderful facility to bolster the world-class education our students receive, and enhance the well-being of the wider community,” Freshwater says.
“It’s an important hub for our growing University population and an asset for Auckland. Our community has long desired sport and recreation facilities that befit the world-class campus environment expected of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading university.”
She says campus experiences, especially in sport and recreation, are known to enhance student success.
“Staff will also have more opportunity to pursue their health and well-being goals, and through public memberships and collaboration with the sport and recreation sector, we hope to positively impact the wider Auckland community.”
As a focal point on campus, Hiwa Recreation Centre is designed to enrich campus life by connecting learning, sporting and social facilities.
The building was designed by Warren and Mahoney in partnership with MJMA Architecture and Design, and constructed by Hawkins, in consultation with Rider Levett Bucknall, Beca and Colliers.
It is the most multi-faceted building on campus, requiring 500 workers on site at the peak of construction. The University chief property officer Simon Neale says Hiwa Recreation Centre is the most complex build the University has ever undertaken.
“The project was not without its challenges, being delivered through one of the most challenging periods for the construction industry in New Zealand,” Neale says.
“The consultant and construction team masterfully navigated the Covid pandemic and supply-chain issues, moving 40-tonne trusses and vast pre-cast concrete beams for the pool hall roof overnight and at weekends.
“But thousands of people and many businesses helped us deliver this significant project for the University, with a strong ethos of partnership between all those involved, enabling us to overcome the challenges and to deliver an outstanding facility which will support the health and well-being of our student and staff communities, and high-performance sport, for many years to come.”
As well as the minister, guests at the official launch included Auckland mayor Wayne Brown, deputy mayor Desley Simpson, Sports NZ chief executive Raelene Castle and Eden Park chief executive Nick Sautner.
Bishop said as the former sports minister, he had been to a number of sports facilities around the world, and Hiwa was “genuinely quite something. This is a remarkable facility for the university, but also for the city, and the whole country”.
Simpson said she was blown away by the new recreation centre. “We know Auckland needs assets like this, but this is truly international class.”
The event began with an elite diving demonstration for the Minister by engineering student and Commonwealth Games diver Frazer Tavener, and concluded with a shortened seven-a-side netball match between the vice-chancellor’s Invitational Seven, which included Minister Bishop, and a Sport and Recreation Seven, which featured alumna and former Silver Fern Sulu Fitzpatrick.
Memberships are available to students, staff and members of the public. Casual visitors are also welcome.
About Hiwa, Recreation Centre
Hiwa, Recreation Centre is a showpiece for the University of Auckland and reflects the importance the University places on student and staff health and well-being. It significantly enhances the campus experience for students and staff, offering a state-of-the-art gym, sports centre and social hub, balancing health and relaxation with academia. It also offers gym memberships to Auckland residents and provides an additional recreational space for community outreach.
Hiwa facts and figures
• Hiwa is a world-class facility for students, staff and the wider community to play sport, keep fit, have fun and socialise, and to get the most out of their time at the University of Auckland.
• Sport and recreation play a vital role in health and well-being. Hiwa befits a global university, meeting the national and international expectations of students.
• Hiwa is a 26,000 sq m facility, covering a space equivalent to 100 standard tennis courts or 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Spread across eight levels, its innovative design overcomes the spatial challenges of a central city location.
• It has a unique inner-city rooftop multi-sport turf and track, and two sports halls, along with the southern hemisphere’s first glass floor, accommodating six different sports.
• It includes an eight-lane pool, dive tank, spa and sauna, bouldering wall, and is one of the largest gym fit-outs in the southern hemisphere.
• As well as the fitness facilities, it serves as a community hub, with a cafe, and indoor and outdoor multi-purpose spaces.
• While Hiwa is primarily for students and staff, it has reinvigorated the city centre. The University recognises Auckland’s need for quality sports facilities and will be working to support the wider sports sector and contribute to making Auckland a world-class city.
• The University’s physical education programmes and exercise science students will also use the facility.
How much did the new building cost?
How much did the new building cost?
The sum approved in the University Estate Strategy for the full programme was $320m, which covered demolition and clearance of the site, ground works, temporary facilities for use during construction, and the design and construction costs themselves. Final costs will not be known until later this year, at which time the overall position will be compiled.
How can the University afford this?
Hiwa is the culmination of decades of planning and more than half of the funding for its construction comes from past and present student levies. The former student facilities levy and the current Compulsory Student Services Fee is paid by all students to contribute to student support services, and can only be spent on student initiatives.
Why is Hiwa needed?
Health and well-being are vital to the success of the University’s students. Research shows that participation in sport, leisure, clubs, societies and fitness activities increases retention and translates into better academic performance among students, as well as a greater sense of community, social connection and belonging.
World-class facilities attract high-quality students and academic talent, and enhance the University’s relationship with the Auckland community.
The University of Auckland believes this is an investment in the well-being not only of its 46,000 students but of the wider community. Providing world-leading sports and recreation facilities will further enhance the reputation, visibility and attractiveness of Auckland as a premier city in which to study and live.
