24 | Taupō District Council / RBS Group: Wairoa House REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Collaboration delivers new social hub T T Ange Davidson Proudly supporting RBS Group & Wairoa House Providing consulting services in structural and civil engineering, project and construction management since 2002. 09 377 5622 info@hlkjacob.co.nz RHYS 021 754 489 Diggers | Bobcats | Trucks A purpose-built social service hub is nearing completion in Taupō thanks to a collaboration with the Taupō District Council and the Waiora Community Trust. The new build replaces the Taupō Maternity hospital which was repurposed to home Waiora House community hub 34 years ago. Waiora House has been the central hub for social services and not-for-profit agencies in the Taupō district, accommodating services such as Taupō Women’s Refuge, Community Food Bank, Age Concern, financial services and counselling. The former Taupo maternity hospital was demolished in 2019 after asbestos was discovered during a routine council facilities audit. Taupō District Council’s project manager Pete Bradshaw says the new building will be more fit for purpose than its predecessor. “Designing the building has been a very organic process with the Waiora Community Trust, local architect and contractors, agencies and council sitting around the table. By really listening to what our community want, we have a flexible and fit for purpose building that works for everyone and is really welcoming,” says Pete. As a result, the new Waiora House design encourages people and agencies to work together in a connected and collaborative way. As many of the social service providers have different models and ways of working, the design has evolved to be a mix of private spaces and open plan areas to provide public and private meeting spaces for community use. Group visits were made to buildings with similar functions such as The Kollective in Tauranga to understand how collaborative workspaces have been designed elsewhere. The importance of the Spa Road site to local iwi and hapu was taken on board, plus the meaning of Waiora; a reference to water and access to resources that support and sustain life. “It has been invaluable to use local architectural firm, Shelter Architects and local contractors, RBS Group Ltd as they were always available to sort out any issues you hit along the way. You could go down to the site with them and sort out what needs to happen straight away. RBS have also been happy to With a design intent to use local materials, products, and services, the building is non-symmetrical in shape and has a curved aspect to it that gives a welcoming and nurturing feel. take members of the Wairoa Community Trust and other key stakeholders on site walkthroughs so they could see how the build was progressing,” says Pete. With a design intent to use local materials, products, and services, the building is non-symmetrical in shape and has a curved aspect to it that gives a welcoming and nurturing feel and is set to serve the Waiora Trust and community for decades to come. “Locals are going to have to look at and use the building for the next fifty years or more so it’s really important to get it right. The project has not been without challenges but we are pretty much on track and are set to open in the winter,” says Pete. “It’s really exciting to have this opportunity to create a modern and purposeful flagship community centre in our district that has been collaboratively designed by locals who are invested in making the building work for all models and ways of working.” Waiora House is owned by Taupō District Council and operated by Waiora Community Trust. For many years, Waiora House has been the place people go for help and advice, and with the impact of Covid and other social pressures such as housing shortages, the Trust’s services have seen an increase in demand. Proud to be associated with Taupo District Council and RBS group Phone Carwyn 027 471 1727 | Email carwyn@csmsurveys.co.nz
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