University of Auckland’s Hiwa Recreation Centre gets official opening

The University of Auckland has staged the official opening of its $320 million aquatic, recreation and sport centre.

Staged on 21st February, the official opening of the Hiwa Recreation Centre followed its soft launch in November, since which more than 100,000 people have passed through its doors.

Seen as an to not only the University but the city of Auckland as well as the University, the eight-storey 26,000 square metre building includes a 25 metre pool, rooftop sports court, sports halls, a fitness centre and studios, as well as chill-out zones, café and space for staff, students and the public to meet.

Designed by architects Warren and Mahoney in association with MJMA of Toronto, Canada, it has already hosted a number of events and sports matches.

The recent official opening saw University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater and New Zealand Minister for Infrastructure and Associate Minister for Sport and Recreation, Chris Bishop unveil a plaque in front of more than 100 guests, including Auckland Lord Mayor Wayne Brown, Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, Sports NZ Chief Executive Raelene Castle, Eden Park Chief Executive Nick Sautner and a number of alumni Olympians.

Explaining that the investment in Hiwa, more than half of which was paid for by student levies over many years, further enhances the University of Auckland’s position as New Zealand’s pre-eminent, research-led university, Professor Freshwater stated “we are delighted to officially 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.

“It’s an important hub for our growing University population and an asset for Auckland.”

Planned for a decade, the new facility replaces the University’s first recreation centre from the 1970s, when there were around 10,000 people on the City Campus.

Today the Hiwa Recreation Centre will cater for more than 50,000 students.

Professor Freshwater added “Hiwa demonstrates our commitment to excellence.

“Being a global top-100 university we can now also offer world-class recreation facilities that leading institutions around the world typically offer.”

The facility’s name, Hiwa, means “vigorous, active, robust and sound”, reflecting the University’s aspirations for growth and wellbeing. It was gifted by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.

Click here to view architects Warren and Mahoney's account of their work on the project.

Images: Courtesy of Warren and Mahoney/University of Auckland.