A New Era Begins - Unveiling Te Iwitahi

PROUD PROJECT MANAGERS

MAKING LOCAL PROJECTSHAPPEN

Congratulations to theWhangarei District Council on the new WhangāreiCivic Centre. TheBuilding Intelligence Group is proud to have project managed thejourneytobring this exciting and welcoming civic hub to lifefor the community.

Our reputation is built on projects across Aotearoa, ourfutureis aboutshaping projects that matter for this region. We arelocal faces with local know-how,talk to us abouthow we can makea difference on your project.

PAUL

CRUM

Project Director

E: p.crum@tbig.co.nz | P: 027542 2885

TERENCE

ELLIOT

Senior Project Manager

E: t.elliot@tbig.co.nz | P: 021 608838

WHANGĀREI OFFICE

Workingtogether forourDistrict

TheopeningofTeIwitahi, Whangārei'sciviccentre,is asignificantmilestonefor manyreasons.

WhangāreiDistrictresidentsnowhave acentrallocationtoaccessCouncil services,andWhangareiDistrict Councilstaffarefinallyworking togetherunderoneroofaftermore than30yearsofbeingspreadamong numerousbuildingsaroundWhangārei.

WhangāreiMayorVinceCocurullo andWhangareiDistrictCouncilChief ExecutiveSimonWestonbelieve everyonewillbenefitasaresult

“Weexpectbetteroutcomesintheway weworkforourcommunitybecause it’saboutdoingrightbyourratepayers andgettingtherightoutcomesforthem, asCouncilareultimatelyownedbythe communitieswithintheWhangārei District,”saysMayorCocurullo

MrWestoncouldn’tagreemore, explainingthattheimpactonstaffwill beimmeasurable.

“Frommyperspective,wehavebeen spreadacrossourcityindifferent buildingstothefrustrationofstaff

runningbackwardsandforwards tobefacetoface–justtobeableto shareinformation.

“Andweacknowledgethatithasbeen frustratingformembersofthepublic –ourcommunity–andcontractors turninguptothewrongofficesfrom timetotime.So,thisnewfacilitywill enableamuchbettercentralmeeting pointforusallwherewecanbetter servethepublicbecauseeveryone willknowwheretogo.Itisabeautiful, collegialenvironment.

“Inmymind,itiscredittoprevious Councilsandwhomadethereallyhard decisionstocrackonwiththebuild oftheciviccentre,”observesMayor Cocurullo.

“Whatwedorecogniseisthatinthe pasttenyears,therehasbeenastep changeinWhangārei’slookandfeeland itisnowamuchmoreinterestingplace tovisit.Itattractsmoreprofessional peopleandmoreinvestorsandour focusinCouncilisonattractingmore peopletoourDistrict.

“TeIwitahiisaqualityfacilityandafit forpurposeinvestmentforcurrentand futuregenerations.”

MrWestonsayshehastheutmost respectfortheteaminvolvedinthe civiccentreprojectitself,duetotheir abilitytokeepongoingregardlessofthe challengesthathavecomebeforethem –weatherevents,COVIDandsupply chainissuesincluded.

“Theykeptmarchingforwarddespite theseeminglyendlessseriesofhurdles intheirpath.

“SinceChristmasparticularly,ourteams havebeenworkingfromhomeand officesalloverthecityandthat’sareal challengetokeepdelivering.Ontop ofthathasbeentheexceptionalbad weatherwhichhasputeveryoneunder thepump

“Idon’tthinkwe’llknowourselves,all beingunderthesameroofandbeing abletowalkdownthecorridortosort outcomplexissuesfacetoface.Thatwill begoodtoseeafterthechallengesof thepastfewyears

Icanconfidentlysaywearealllooking forwardtothefuturethisbuildingwill provideforus,andforourcommunity.”

Unique design features allowthe public areas to feel connectedwith the rest of the building

TeIwitahi–thedemocratic ofourcommunity

TeIwitahi,Whangārei'sciviccentre,istheproductofCouncil’ partnershipswithlocalHapū,communityadvisorygroup localbusinessesandorganisations.

Theroundtableapproachsetsanew benchmarkforaccessibilityand sustainabilityinourDistrictandraises thebarforCouncil’scooperative approachtopublicprojects

Thiscommunity-ownedfacilitymarks thefirsttimeinmorethan30yearsthat Whangāreihashadacentralhubforits civicfacilitiesandservices.Universal designprinciples,sustainabilityandan integratedculturalnarrativeareatthe coreofthebuilding’sdesign.

ProjectleadsforWhangareiDistrict Council,GeneralManagerCorporate/ CFOAlanAdcockandBusiness

SupportManagerEddieWotherspoon, saytheyareproudtohavecompleted suchasubstantialconstructionproject inthemiddleofagloballydebilitating pandemic.

"OnMondayMarch23,2020,Team AveryArchitectsstartedtheirdesign process,’saysMrAdcock.‘Twodays laterourcountryenteredthefirstCOVID lockdown–meaningtheentiredesign andconstructionprocesstookplace inthemostchallengingandstressful constructionperiodofourgeneration. Aswellasongoinglockdowns,we werefacingglobalsupplychainand logisticalissuessuchasthenation-wide gibboardsupplyshortage,thefailure ofsomesupplierbusinesses,rampant constructioncostinflation,andcritical labourshortagesacrossmosttrades."

MrWotherspoonexplainsthatthe difficultiesdidn’tstopthere.

"Towardstheendoftheconstruction period,wealsohadtocontendwith severalmajorweatherevents,witha numberofoursuppliershavingtheir warehousesorfactoriesinundatedwith floodwater.

"Iamextremelyproudofhowthe workersonthisprojectpersevered throughsheerdeterminationtosolve everyproblemandovercomeevery hurdle–eventhoseoftrulyhistorical proportions."

WhileCOVIDcouldhavebecomethe storyofthisbuilding,theprojectmoved

onandtheteammeteachchallengein newandnotableways.

Sonotableinfact,thattheciviccentre projectwasnamedasoneofthree finalistsinthe2021NewZealand BeaconAwardsforbestpracticein constructionprocurement,alongside KiwiRailandNewPlymouthDistrict Council.Judgesnotedthepositive communityoutcomesfromthebuild, thehighnumberofwomenworkingon siteandthesubcontractorengagement –allindicationsofgoodpractice andinnovationintheconstruction sector–andmahiwhichsupported transformationandboostedthemanaof theconstructionsectorincommunities.

Duringtheearlystagesofconstruction activity,womenmadeup25%ofthe totalprojectworkforce,whilelocal businessesandlocalpeoplemadeup 80%ofthetotalworkersinvolvedinthe

overallconstructionofTeIwitahi.

Throughouttheproject,therewas alwaysafocusoncreatingaspacethat reflectedcommunityvalues.

BeaconProjectsareawardedbythe ConstructionAccord,apartnership betweentheMinistryofBusiness, InnovationandEmployment,andmajor constructioncompanies.Havingthat senseofcommunityrecognisedwas rewardingforCouncilstaff,saidMr Adcock,whomadeitclearthatCouncil’s procurementmodelfortheciviccentre projectwasunderpinnedbysocial benefitaswellascarefulbudgeting.

“Therewerewellover100entities involvedintheconstructionofTeIwitahi ,andtheprocurementmodelrequiredall subcontractorstohavelocalapprentices ortraineesmakingup10%oftheirstaff duringconstruction,”hesays.

The customer services desk on the ground floor is fully accessible, with aservicedesk designed to be accessible forwheelchair and mobility scooter users.

Floating stairsconnect internal floors, encouraging movement between levels.

“Canam,ourleadcontractor,worked closelywithNorthtectocreate pathwaysfortheirapprenticestofind workonsite.Wewantedtohelpexpand theexperienceofthosecompleting apprenticeshipsinourDistrict,while encouragingmoreofourapprentices tocontinuetheirtradesrightherein Northland.

"Northtecalsobenefittedfromthe constructioninanotherway,receiving woodoff-cutsfromthebuildsiteto buildpesttrapstobeusedinwithinthe Whangāreiarea.Thisisjustoneexample

ofhowtheciviccentreprojectcreated positiveenvironmentalandsocial outcomeswithinourlocalcommunity” saysAdcock

ForMrAdcockandMrWotherspoon,it’s clearthattheconstructionjourneyof thisprojecthasbeenjustasimportant asthefinalresults.

“Everydecisionwe’vemade,every actionwe’vetaken,hashadour communityatitsheart.Thiscivic centrebuildingistheresultoflocal partnershipsacrossourcommunity,

fromthematerialschosenrightthrough tothewalldesignsandroomfeatures–we’vebeenguidedbyourDistrictevery stepoftheway.”

Te Iwitahi is an extremely efficient, sustainability-focussed, fully accessible building,designed for high functionality now andintothe future. Thisisa place forCouncil staffand theWhangāreicommunity to work moreclosely together than ever before, in aspace thatwelcomes everyone, equally,tothe democratic heart of our community.

External stair walls areplanted with Tecomanthe Speciosa or ‘Three Kings Island Lily’,anationally critical species.

Cultural Partnerships

(tribes)were akeyprojec theoutset, rmationof a (Hapūelder egroup),cultur rewovenint buildingdesign ounds.

il’sManager explainshowt heRōpūKaum ofTeIwitahi.

vilyinfluenc iveofMaoridom andheavenlybodies earepersonified and Ranginui and ogeny.Thedesign henga (the-greatroughtforthall lestialphenomena dormancy.Oncethe hadagreedonthisas culturalconcept,Council toshapekeydesign oughoutthebuilding,”

Iwitahireflectsa oughrealmsofnatural rtingattheground thenthephysical water,andfinally onlevel3,subtly lours,patterns, names.

isthethemeonthe esentingthelandon whichwestand,whichprovidesfor thecommunity.Thisfloorwelcomes

visitorsintothebuildingwithfeatures suchasthestrikinginlaidswampkauri floordesigns,carvedtorepresent waka comingfromalldirectionstoarriveata singledestination(thecustomerservice centre),landformcontourlinesonthe Chamberwallpanels,a ketewānanga (basketofknowledge)wovendesignon theconcoursewalls,andearthentones inthefurnishingsandfabrics.

AlanAdcock,GeneralManager Corporate/CFO,explainshowthese themescontinueupintothefirst, secondandthirdfloors.

“Fromthegroundfloorwemoveupto thefirstfloor,"saysMrAdcock,"which reflectsManaAoTūroa,thephysical environment.Thisisshownthrough imagery,texturesandcoloursdepicting land-basedfloraandfauna,whilewater andseacreaturesillustratetheMana oteWaithemeonleveltwo.Finally,

MarkScott-ManagerforMāoriOutcomes

The atrium rises from the ground floor right up to above the roof level, allowing natural light to enter the building. This wasa keypartofthe cultural design narrative.

The celestial screens illuminateatnight, while the stunning patterns of the āteaceiling glowinsunlight

ManaAtuaonlevelthreeacknowledges thecelestialrealmthroughstars, feathersandanythingthatgoesabove theearthandallitrepresentsforthe peopleofWhangārei.”

WithCouncilChambersbeingthe centralmeetingplacewithinTeIwitahi, furtherdesignelementsinspired bynatureandseenon marae were incorporatedtoreflecttheimportance ofthatspace.Moststrikingofallisthe atrium,thedesignelaboratingonthe culturalcreationnarrativesymbolised by pou tokomanawa (centreridgepost) intraditionalcarvedmeetinghouses thatdepictboththe-great-separation andtherelationshipbetween Papatūānuku and Ranginui.Thesoaring spaceformedbytheatriumisamodern takeonthecentreridgepost,whilealso offeringauniquegatheringspacefor thoseabouttoenterChambers.

TheRōpūKaumātuaalsoguided designelementsofthesurrounding

landscaping,withfeaturessuch asa kāpehu (compass)inlaidinto theentrancepath,pointingout significantlandmarksinthearea,and night-illuminatedcelestialscreens onthe ātea (courtyard),showing constellationsvisiblefromtheSouth Pacificaswellassomewhichwillbe familiartothosefromfurtherafield. The ngahere (forest)plantingalong

thesideofthebuildingechoesthe surroundingPukenuiForest,whilethe livingwallsofthebuilding’sexternal stairwellsareplantedwithacritically threatenedleafyvine,endemicto Manawatāwhi(ThreeKingsIslands).

MrAdcockplacesparticularimportance onthe rongoā (medicinal)plantingat therearoftheciviccentre.

“Oneofthemostimportantelements tousisthe rongoā (medicinal)garden. Thiswasadesignfeatureconceivedof byMoanaKake,aprominentmember ofourRōpūKaumātuawhosadly passedawayduringtheconstructionof theciviccentre.

"Hervisionwastohaveatraditional medicinalgardenplantedforallto access.Thiswouldbeusedbystudents forlearningpurposes,andbychildren onexcursionsfromthecentrallibrary nextdoor.WehonourMoanathrough realisinghervision,andwethank herandherwhānauforherimmense contributiontothisproject.”

AbovetheentrancetoTeIwitahi, visitorsarewelcomedwithgreetings fromawidearrayoflanguages.This wasdevelopedinclosepartnership withtheWhangāreiMultiEthnic Collective,andpayshomagetothe multi-culturaldiversityofethnicities withintheWhangāreiDistrict.

The public spaceonthe ground floor features one of Northland’sonly universal changing room and showering facilities, along with family and public toilets.

Repair and restore all interior &exterior dents and scratches on all powdercoat surfaces

High quality colour match or colour customization on all powdercoat surfaces

Professional custom spray painting of architectural features

Dawn Kawanga Whare forTeIwitahi

Adawn Kawanga blessingceremony TeIwitahi,Whang centreonMonday asignificantstep building’spublic scheduledfor19J

Thetwo-and-a-half-hour wasattendedbyaround andmembersoftheWhang WhangāreiDistrictElec CouncilandNorthland Alliance(NTA)staff,c buildingcontractors

Manypeoplespokewithfeeling atthetraditional Kawanga Whare ceremony,whichfeaturedspeeches fromtheWhangāreiHapū,followedby representativesofCouncil,interspersed withwaiatafrombothsides.

GeneralManagerCorporateAlanAdcock spokeoftheinvolvementofHapūin theproject,buildingculturalnarratives intoTeIwitahi–fromtheinclusionofa rongoā garden(traditionalmedicinal garden),toa kāpehu (compass)pointing tosignificantlandmarkswithinthe area,tothepanelsofilluminatedstar constellations.

“The KawangaWhare blessingceremony wasasignificantsteptowardsopening thedoorsofournewciviccentretoour community,”hesaid.“From19Junewe

willbeopeningthedoorsofTeIwitahi forallcustomer-facingservices.Visitors willbeabletoseepeoplefrommultiple departmentsinonevisitinavery accessiblebuilding,insteadofmaking tripstodifferentlocationsaroundtown

“Thisbuildingpullstogetheralmost allCouncilstaffunderoneroofto deliverservicestothecommunity moreefficientlyandcosteffectively, somethingwe’vebeenworkingtowards foralongtime.”

Council’sManagerforMāoriOutcomes, MarkScott,saidfollowingcustomary practicesWhangāreiHapūhelditsfinal preparatorymeetingthenightbefore whichincludeddiscussiononthegifting ofanameforthenewbuilding.

“TheWhangāreiHapūwantedtogifta namethatacknowledgedboththe mana whenua (hometribes)andwasinclusive allthecommunitiesacrossthe WhangāreiDistrict.

giftedname Te Iwitahi references rincipalancestorwhoselineageties getherthetribeswhoarethe mana whenua ofthelandsWhangāreiCityis builtupon.

“Thegiftofthisnamealsoappropriately pressestheideaofthecoming getherofthemanypeoples.Thisis actlywhatthisbuildingisfor.”

MayorVinceCocurullosaidattending the Kawanga Whare wasanhonour “Theprideinthisbuildingwascleartosee oneveryfaceinthecrowd,whichincluded Hapū,electedmembers,Councilstaff members,contractors,andconsultants.

“TeIwitahiwillbeacentralhubfor localgovernment-relatedactivities, includingdemocraticprocesses, customerservices,administrative functions,CouncilstaffandNorthland TransportAlliancestaff.Itisalsoaplace wherethewholecommunitycanfeel safeandwelcomed.

The 22 May Kawanga Wharewas attended by Kaumātua, elected members, WhangāreiHapū,Council and Northland Transportation Alliancestaff,consultants and building contractors.

Night-illuminated constellation screens in the ātea

Te kāpehu points to significant pā sites in the local area.

Su ity

hi, g centre,hasbeendesigned fordecadesofusewithhigh levelsofenergyefficiency nowandintothefuture,while alsomaintainingalowcarbon footprint.

TeIwitahiwillberatedthrough NABERSNZ,anindependenttool forratingtheenergyefficiencyof officebuildings.WhangareiDistrict CouncilSustainabilityAdviser,Tracey Hale,saystheongoingmonitoring ofbuildingperformancewillensure Councilisimprovingenergyefficiency year-on-year.

“TheNABERSNZtoolisbackedbythe NewZealandgovernment,”MissHale.

“Unlikesomeothersustainabilityrating systemsintheconstructionindustry, NABERSNZhasarequirementforits memberstomeasureenergyoutput overalongterm–thesuccessrating isrelativetoanorganisation’sability toimproveitssustainabilityovera

periodoftime.Thisisn’taboutgreenwashingandthenrevertingbacktoa habitofhighenergyuse.Thisisadrive tochangeanorganisation-wideculture ofsustainability,throughincorporating smartdesignanddatacollectioninto thefabricofthebuildingitself.”

Amongthesustainablepractices incorporatedintothebuildingarethe collectionandreuseofrainwaterfor flushingthegroundfloortoilets,100% carbonneutralcarpettiles,rooftop solarpanels,andlighting,heating, ventilationandairconditioningwhich isactivatedbymotionandturnsitself offwhennotneeded.

ForMissHale,akeyaspectof sustainabilityinTeIwitahiistheability tobenchmarkenergyconsumption.

“TheintegratedBuildingManagement System(BMS),willcontinuously monitortheefficiencyofthebuilding,” sheexplains.

“Thissystemgathersdatafromutilities suchaswateruse,sensorlighting,air conditioningandsolarenergygeneration. Thedatawillresultinanenergy-use baseline,whichwillallowCouncilto beginreducingandrefiningitsenergy consumptionoverthenext12months.”

Outsidethebuildingaresixelectric andhybridvehiclechargingstations, foure-bikechargersandsecure parkingfor36bikesandscooters–initiativestoencouragepeopletobe moreactive,leavingvehiclesathome inanefforttoimprovewellbeingand helptheenvironment

AccordingtoMissHale,Councilhasa responsibilitytoleadthewaywhenit comestosustainability.

“Weshouldn’taskanythingofour communitythatwearen’tfully committedtoachievingourselves.We wantourcommunitytoreduceenergy use?Let’sdoithere,first.Wewant morepeoplewalking,ridingbikes,or busingtowork?Let’smakethatagoal forourCouncilstaff.Weneedtolead withactions,andthisbuildingwillsee ourCouncilmakesomerealchanges forthebetter.”

MP DR SHANERETI QSM

The rear of Te Iwitahi holds the Council Chambers, and looks out over the Waiarohia river.This is the location of arongoā garden with traditional Māori medicinal plants, and is also the siteofanunderground rainwater collection tank used to flush the ground-floor toilets.

TraceyHale-WhangareiDistrict CouncilSustainabilityAdviser

Rooftop solar panels feed energy back intothe Council system.

Features of Te Iwitahi

ONTHEOUTSIDE

1. Tekāpehu(compass)pointingtolocalpāsites

2. Illuminatedcelestialscreensshowingconstellationsfrom aroundtheworld

3. Criticallythreatenedspeciesofevergreenvine,Tecomanthe speciosa‘ThreeKing’sClimber’plantedonexternalstairwells

4. Plantingalongthesideofthebuildingechothelandscape andlocalfloraofthesurroundingPukenuingahere

5. Rongoāgarden(traditionalMāorimedicinalplants) alongthebackwallofTeIwitahi

6. Seatingandplayareaforchildrenundertheshadeof Pohutukawatrees

7. Groundfloorpubliccaféwithseatinginsideandoutside

8. Accessibleparkingspacesclosetoentrance

9. DedicatedHapūspaceforusebyourHapūpartners

10. Rooftopsolarpanels

AND

•10,000Lundergroundrainwatercollectionwatertankusedfor flushinggroundfloortoilets

•EVandhybridfleetchargingstations

•eBikeandeScooterchargingshedforstaff,andsecure bicyclestorage

ONTHEINSIDE

Wheelchairaccessiblereceptiondesk

Publicuniversalchangingandshoweringfacilities

Inlaidswampkauriwakadesignsongroundfloor,leadingto receptiondesk

Aground-to-ceilingatrium,connectingallfloorswith naturallight

5. Integratedlive-streamingtechnologyintheCouncil Chambers,makingCouncilmeetingsmoreaccessibleto thecommunity

6. Largeinternalelevatorsaccessibleformobilityscooters

7. Alarge,bookablegroundfloormeetingroomforuseby communitygroupsandorganisations AND

•Publictoilets,includingfamilytoiletandinfantchangingarea

•Hearingloopsin8meetingrooms,includingCouncil Chambers,toassistthosewithhearingaids

•IntegratedBuildingManagementSystemwhichmonitors energyconsumption

•100%carbonneutralcarpettiles

•Motion-activatedlighting,heating,ventilationand airconditioning.

•Furnishingsandcoloursoneachfloorreflectiveofthethemes ofthebuilding:

–ManaiteWhenuaisthegroundfloortheme,representing thelandonwhichwestand,whichprovidesfor thecommunity

–ManaAoTūroaistheLevel1theme,andreflectsthe physicalenvironmentwithimagery,texturesandcolours depictingland-basedfloraandfauna

–ManaoteWaiisthelevel2theme,withwater,sea,river andlakecreaturesshownasthetheme

–ManaAtuaisthelevel3theme,andacknowledgesthe celestialrealmthroughstars,feathersandanythingthat goesabovetheearth.

UniversalDesign &Inclusivity

Putsimply,theconceptofUniversal Designisaboutmakingbuildings likeTeIwitahiaccessibletopeople ofallabilitiesatanystageoflife, fromtheveryyoungtotheelderly, thosereliantonwheelchairsor othermobilityaids,andpeoplewith impairedvisionorhearing.

Business Support Manager Eddie Wotherspoon has been instrumental in driving the projectand is passionate about what it will provide forstaff,residents, andvisitorsto WhangāreiDistrict.

Hesaystheresearchanddesign processeshavebeenasmeticulousas thebuildphase.

Followingagenuinepartnership modelinthedesignofWhangārei’s newestcivicbuildinghasensuredthis communityresourceisaccessibletoall, withguidancefromCouncil’sDisability

AdvisoryGroupplayingasignific roleinremovingbarrierstot accessibilityneeds.

Fullyaccessiblebathrooms oneveryfloor,whilethegro offersauniqueuniversalsho changingroomfacilityfora severedisabilities,complete hoistsystem,adultchanget modestyscreen.

Thecustomerservicesdesk wheelchair-accessiblereceptionpoint, andtheelevatorshavebeenbuiltto allowamplespaceformobilityscooters –somethingthatisn’talwaystakeninto consideration.Eightmeetingrooms, includingtheCouncilChambers,feature ‘hearingloops’,whichallowmodern hearingaidstoconnectandhave meetingsbroadcastdirectlyintotheir hearingaidfeed.Theentirebuildinghas levelentryaccess,akeyaspectforthose withvisualandmobilityimpairments.

SaysMrWotherspoon:“Wehavegone aboveandbeyondtocarefortheneeds ofeveryoneinourdiversecommunity Thisisaboutinclusivity.Ifjustone personcan’taccessourservicesduetoa disability,weneedtolooklongandhard atourpurposeandourfunctionwithin ourcommunity.”

“Evenbeforewestarteddesigningthe building,weworkedwithfunctional andaspirationalstakeholdersto discusswantsandneeds.Thisisa buildingforourentirecommunity

decisionsthatensuredeveryonecould usethebuildingandparticipatein Councilactivities.

“OutsideofourDisabilityAdvisory GroupweworkedwiththeMultiEthnic Collective,ourYouthAdvisoryGroup, andourPositiveAgeingAdvisoryGroup. Wealsoheldcommunitymeetingsto makesurewegotthingsright.Ibelieve wehavecreatedabuildingwithout barriers,makingourservicesfully accessibleandofferingeveryoneinour Districttheabilitytoparticipatedirectly

AirConditioning,Ventilation,Refrigeration&Electrical

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The customer services desk on the ground floor is fully accessible, with aservicedesk designed to be accessible forwheelchair and mobility scooter users.

One of Northland'sonly publicly-accessible universal changing and showering facilities is located on the ground floor of Te Iwitahi.

Eight meeting rooms, including Council Chambers, featurehearing loops to assist those with hearing aids.

ClimatechcongratulatetheWhangareiDistrictCouncilontheirrecentmovetothenewCivicCentre.

Whatisa‘BMS’?

ABuildingManagementSystem(BMS)monitorsandmanagesthe mechanical,electrical,andelectromechanicalelementsofabuilding.

InTeIwitahi,Whangārei'sciviccentre,theBMSisconnectedto:

Theautomatedsystemsimplifiesthemanagementofabuilding’s services,fromthepowersystemandlightingtoventilationand firedetection.Thisdatawillallowthebuildingtogetsmarterand moreenergyefficientovertime.

•Temperaturesensors

•CO2Sensors

•HumiditySensor

•PIRSensors(measuring howmanypeoplearein eachroom)

•Watermeters(including rainwaterwatersupplyfor flushingwater)

•Energymeters

•Solarpanelmonitoring

•Generatormonitoring

•Exhaustfanmonitoring

•Heating,ventilation,andair conditioningmonitoring

GreenLoanforTeIwitahi

urthlocalauthorityinNewZealand applyforoneoftheseloansandwas approvedtoborrowupto$59million rtheDistrict’snewcivicbuilding.The hosbehindtheprogrammewasto assistCouncilsandCouncil-controlled ganisationsfinanceprojectsthat omoteenvironmentalandsocial llbeinginNewZealand.

“Thebuildinghasbeendesignedto provideawelcoming,inclusiveand easilyaccessiblecustomerexperience. Ithasalsobeendesignedtobe sustainableandtoreflectWhangārei’s culturalidentityandheritage.

"ThroughsecuringanLGFAGreen, SocialandSustainable(GSS)Loan, TeIwitahihassetasustainability benchmarkinWhangāreiDistrict,and

sustainabilityaspectsofthebuilding. ThisisthefirstCouncilfacilityinNew Zealandthathasmettherequired benchmarkforenergyefficiencyto receivethistypeoffunding."

"Ourratepayerswillreceivedirect benefitsthroughdiscountedinterest ratesontopoflowerenergyexpenses, andthisreflectsCouncil’scommitment toongoingsustainableoperationsfor ourfuturegenerations."

GeneralManagerCorporateAlan Adcocksaidqualifyingforthescheme

Te ce of to borr of

Community advisorygroups applaudTeIwitahi

ForJennyWilson,PositiveAging AdvisoryGroup(PAAG)memberof threeyears,TeIwitahihasexceeded allexpectations.Earlyinthedesign process,Councilpartneredwith communityadvisorygroupsto receivefeedbackontheirwants, needs,anddesignaspirations.

AlongwiththeMultiEthnicCollective (instrumentalintheinstallationofthe multi-lingualgreetingabovethefront door),theDisabilityAdvisoryGroup (whogaveguidanceonaccessible designfeaturesincludingchanging andshoweringfacilities,meeting spaces,levelentryways,reception areaandelevators),andtheYouth AdvisoryGroup,PAAGwereaskedto givetheirfeedbackandrequirements throughouttheproject.

Theirfeedbackincludedtheneed forhearingloops(nowinstalledin8 meetingrooms,includingChambers), clearwalkwaysoraisles(thishasbeen

implementedwithinmeetingrooms), andwithtwoofthePAAGmembersbeing wheelchair-bound,therewasaneedfor levelentrywaysandaccessibledoorways.

ItwasabigmomentwhenJennyand herfellowPAAGmembershadtheirfirst tourofthecompletedbuilding.

“Thedesignisjustoutstanding,”said Jennyofherfirstvisit.“There’snodoubt we’releadingthewaywhenitcomesto localgovernment,theCouncilChambers areinspiring.Theefficienciesofpractice thatwillcomewiththisbuilding,and thetechnology-it’sreallybuiltforthe future,fornextgenerations.”

“I’velivedinWhangāreisince1986,and I’vewatchedthiscitygrowanddevelop Ithasavibrancyaboutitnow,it’s becomeadestinationcity.Thisbuilding haspresence,theambienceandstatus ofitreflectswhatweareuphereinthe

north.That’ssomethingtobeproudof. “Ithinkweareblessedtohave suchafantasticcivicbuilding,itis aspirational,somethingworthstriving for.I’mabsolutelyenamouredwithit.”

JennyWilson,PositiveAging AdvisoryGroupmember.

ViridianGlass enhance Whangārei's civiccentrewith superiorglass solutions

Whangārei'snewcivic centre,situatedat9Rust Ave,issettobecomea symbolofarchitectural excellenceand communitypride.

Thismagnificentproject, undertakenbyStarkeand contractedbyCanam,has beenmadepossiblethrough theexceptionalcraftsmanship andtop-qualityglassproducts providedbyViridianGlass

Withitsunwaveringcommitment toexcellence,ViridianGlasshave playedapivotalroleincreatinga visuallystunningandfunctional spacethatwillsoonopenitsdoors tothepublicon19thJune.

Throughouttheconstruction oftheWhangārei'scivic centre,ViridianGlasshave deliveredoutstandingglass solutions,tailoredtotheunique requirementsofeachstage.The projectshowcasedarangeofglass typescarefullyselectedfortheir aestheticappealandperformance.

Acombinationofglasstypes wasusedtomeettheproject's requirements.Thisincluded:

1. Doubleglazedunitscreated withgreenglassaswellas

printedglasswithadotpattern. Viridian'sowndigitalprinter usesahighlytechnicalceramic ink,whichensuresthatthe surfaceneverfades.

2. Satinliteobscureglasswas usedinareaswhereprivacywas necessary

3. LightBridgeLow-EDouble Glazingwasinstalled.This high-performanceLow-Eglass ensuresthermalefficiencyand minimizestheneedforheating inthebuilding.Low-Eglass containsaninvisiblemetallic coatingthatreflectsheatinto thebuildingandreducesheat lossataslowerrate.LightBridge Low-Edoubleglazingisalso usedinotherapplicationssuch asRetrofitDoubleGlazing.

4. Additional variations, suchas thick 8mm cleartoughened glass, or green toughened glasswereintegrated throughout the designto ensure exceptional results.

ViridianGlassleavenostone unturnedwhenitcomesto deliveringtop-notchglass products.Theinstallationof eachglasstypetookplaceover anextensiveperiod,fromMarch 2022toApril2023,allowing meticulousattentiontodetail andflawlessexecution.Viridian Glass'sexpertise,combinedwith theirunwaveringcommitmentto qualityandcraftsmanship,have resultedinaciviccentrethattruly standsout

RobinsonAsphaltsleave alastingimpressionwith Whangārei'sciviccentre

RobinsonAsphalts(Robinsons) areproudtohavedelivered thephaseoneexternalworks packageforWhangārei’scivic centre.

Thecivilandlandscapeworkincluded awiderangeofservices,suchasa newcarpark,driveway,streambank remediation,fencing,largepaved areas,softlandscaping,planterboxes, streetfurniture,andmore.

Theprojectalsoinvolvedseveral notablelandscapingfeatures,suchas custom-designedseats,aplayspace, 37individualcortenandtotaracultural screens,anda4-meterwidestainless steelkāpehu(compass)integrated intothemainentrancepathway Robinsonsactedasasubcontractor underCanam,withWhangāreiDistrict Councilastheclient.

Robinsonswouldliketoexpresstheir gratitudetoeveryoneinvolvedinthe project,particularlyContractManager TomTaylor,SiteSupervisorBrett

Hillandtherestoftheteamon-site. TomandBrettwerealsoassistedby ContractManagerSamCowanandSite SupervisorsDavidWrightandRoss Keoghforvariousaspectsoftheproject. Despiteencounteringsignificant challenges,theteamsuccessfully completedawiderangeofwork, showcasingtheircommitment todeliveringoutstandingresults. Robinsonswouldalsoliketo acknowledgethevaluable contributionsoftheirsubcontractors, includingAbsoluteStainless, AnderConsulting,BDCConcrete, Greenfingers,LandEscapes,Northern Drainage,Numat,VirginConcrete, Walkspace,WhitewaterSolutions,and otherkeysubcontractorsandsuppliers.

Theciviccentreisthelatestinastring ofrecentprojectsforWhangārei DistrictCouncil,includingPūtahiPark, theTownBasinplayground,Bascule carpark,TownBasinbusfacilities, LaurieHallPark,theParihakaviewing platform,WhangāreiFallsupgrades, Ngunguruskatepark,Tamateraupull-in bayandmanyothers.

Whileconstructionprojectsinevitably causesomedisruption,Robinsons extendtheirgratitudetothepublic andneighbouringbusinessesfor theirpatienceandunderstanding throughouttheprocess.Theyare delightedtowitnessthesatisfactionof WhangāreiDistrictCouncilstaffasthey begintoenjoythenewbuildingand eagerlyanticipateitsofficialopeningto thepubliconMonday19thJune.

Withover50yearsofexperienceasa locallyownedandoperatedcompany, RobinsonAsphaltsremaindedicated todeliveringprojectsthatenhance Whangāreiforbothlocalsandvisitors, ensuringabrightfutureforthe community

Considerbuilding your future

We are delighted to congratulate Whangārei District Council on the completionof the new Civic Centre Building. We knowitwill be abusiness hub for our community for many years to come. We believe this purpose-built building reflects our district’s commitment to sustainability and cultural inclusivity, somethingwecan all be proud of.

We acknowledge the work that has gone into the buildingand the contribution NorthTec |TePūkenga, our ākonga, and our graduateshave made to the project throughoutthe process.

If you are interested in acareer where you design, create, and construct buildings like the Civic Centre or other commercial or residential projects, then we can help you get there. We have courses that can get you into the construction industry no matter which part of the process you’re interested in.

Whether it be architectural design, carpentry, plumbing, painting, electrical, and much more, we have acourse that will give you the skills you need to get your dream job and give you ahead start in the industry of your choice.

Check out what we have on offer at: www.northtec.ac.nz

 0800162 100

 study@northtec.ac.nz

 northtec.ac.nz

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Whangārei