Te Ara o Mauao Opening

The Chow:Hill Team recently shared in the celebrations as Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology opened Te Arao Mauao, their new student-centric, multi-purpose interdisciplinary learning space at the Windermere Campus.

More than 100 invited guests were welcomed to the opening by Dr. Leon Fourie, Toi Ohomai Chief Executive and Anthony Robertson, Corporate Services Director. Bay of Plenty Regional Councillor, John Cronin, carried out the official unveiling. The new building provides Toi Ohomai with 3,500m² of modern learning space across Art & Design, Music & Radio and other disciplines, for approximately 700 students.

The concept of a collaborative urban laneway has underpinned the design of both interior spaces and building form with modern learning and social environments connected and blended across a central three story internal atrium or 'Learning Laneway' (Nga Ara).

Central to the design is the concept of flexibility and variety. Te Ara o Mauao represents significant change for Toi Ohomai, moving the Windermere Campus away from siloed (prefab)classrooms towards modern project based learning environments. This dynamic facility acts as a transitional stepping-stone, promoting wider transformation in learning and delivery across other faculties and the organisation as a whole.

Te Ara o Mauao reaches beyond the campus inspiring a vision of modern tertiary learning across the wider Bay of Plenty Community, through its vibrant, active and welcoming spaces and collaborative partnerships. The building's name actively communicates this ambition by association with the legend of Mauao (Mt Maunganui). The building is a metaphor for 'being caught in the light of learning', growing in mana through knowledge, and developing a deeper understanding for your own benefit and the benefit of others.