32 | EDUCATION EIT campus rebuild enters a new chapter EIT Council Chair David Pearson described the Government investment as a turning point. More than three years after Cyclone Gabrielle caused catastrophic flooding across EIT’s Hawke’s Bay campus in Taradale, the institute’s major recovery and redevelopment programme is continuing to reshape the campus for the future. The February 2023 cyclone inundated around 90 per cent of ground-floor buildings, damaging more than 500 teaching and support spaces and forcing EIT to relocate programmes across temporary sites in Napier and Hastings. Since then, a substantial remediation programme has progressively restored the campus while also creating opportunities to improve learning environments rather than simply reinstate what existed before. A major boost came in April 2026, when the Government approved $10 million from its contingency fund to support the next stage of the Hawke’s Bay campus rebuild and improvement programme. EIT had already used insurance proceeds to complete essential remediation, but said those funds were insufficient to meet all of the campus’s longer-term requirements. EIT Council Chair David Pearson described the Government investment as a turning point, saying: “This investment gives us certainty as we complete the next stage of our rebuild and plan for the future.” One of the most significant recent milestones has been the redevelopment of the Bruce Martin building. The cyclone-damaged building has undergone seismic strengthening and extensive remodelling and now accommodates Te Kahikatea – Clinical Simulation Suite, alongside upgraded teaching and office spaces. The new clinical facility includes a simulated hospital ward, clinic and specialist learning spaces where nursing students can develop EIT Campus practical skills in realistic healthcare environments. The project was completed by Hawke’s Bay construction company Gemco Construction, which has been a key delivery partner in the wider flood recovery programme. Executive Director, Operations Glen Harkness said at the June 2026 blessing that the redevelopment “now provides state-ofthe-art nursing facilities and brings one of our largest student cohorts back to the heart of our campus”. He also acknowledged the contractor’s contribution, describing Gemco as a strong project partner in delivering the facility. The nursing development follows other major improvements across Taradale. The former Twist Library has been transformed into the Tim Twist Building, now serving as EIT’s main student hub, bringing reception, information, library, IT support, registry and enrolment services together. It connects with Te Papa o Kiwa, an enhanced central quad designed to provide a clearer focal point and place of orientation for students, staff and visitors. The latest nursing-suite opening in September underlined how far the recovery has progressed. EIT Chief Executive Lucy Laitinen said the significance was in creating something beyond a like-for-like replacement: “Formally opening a space that wasn’t simply replaced but rebuilt for the future, is a special moment.” With parts of the campus still identified as under construction, the recovery remains an active programme. But the emphasis has increasingly shifted from emergency remediation to long-term renewal: creating a more resilient, modern and connected campus while returning teaching and student services to the heart of EIT’s Taradale home. 34 Wakefield Street, Onekawa, Napier PO Box 39, Napier +64 6 843 5353 www.boulevardservices.co.nz PROUD TO PROVIDE CLEANING SERVICES AND CONCRETE FLOOR GRINDING TO EIT CAMPUS We have over 30 years of combined knowledge and experience in manufacturing of Aluminium Windows and Doors from renovations through to high end commercial products. Our Windows and Doors are designed to make the most of what comes naturally, seeking to make the best use of light and the natural environment, while also providing the practival benefits of lower maintenance, longer life and better security Call in and see the team for your free measure and quote. Gemco is proud to help rebuild EIT. Supporting brighter futures in Hawke’s Bay. gemcogroup.com
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