HIWA (University of Auckland Recreation & Wellness Centre)

HIWA, the University of Auckland's new Recreation & Wellness Centre, is a state-of-the-art facility located in the heart of its urban campus. More than just a gym, it is a vertical, multi-level wellness hub designed to support the physical and mental well-being of the university's students, staff, and alumni. The name "Hiwa" is inspired by Hiwa-i-te-Rangi, the star of aspiration in the Matariki cluster, and symbolizes the building's purpose of fostering ambition and well-being.

Main Components and Attributes

HIWA's design is driven by a unique vertical stacking of different recreational spaces to maximize a confined urban site. Its key components include:

• Aquatics Hall: This features a 33x20m eight-lane swimming pool with a dive well and springboards, a spa pool, and a sauna. It's the first on-campus pool for the university.

• Gym and Fitness Areas: The center includes New Zealand's largest-ever gym fitout, with extensive cardio, weights, and functional training areas. There are also dedicated studios for group fitness classes, yoga, and dance.

• Sports Halls: The facility has two multi-purpose sports halls. One of the halls features the Southern Hemisphere's first glass sports floor with integrated LED markings, allowing it to be instantly configured for various sports, including basketball, futsal, and volleyball.

• Rooftop Turf and Running Track: The top of the building is utilized for a multi-sport turf and an outdoor running track, offering panoramic views of the city.

• Climbing and Bouldering Wall: A dedicated area for rock climbing and bouldering is included to cater to a variety of fitness interests.

• Social and Wellness Spaces: The building is designed to promote social interaction, with an atrium that connects Symonds and Princes Streets, and includes a cafe, social seating, and "touch-down" spaces for students to relax.

Overall Size

The HIWA Recreation & Wellness Centre is an eight-storey building with a total gross floor area of approximately 26,000 square meters (279,862 square feet), on a site of about 6,500 square meters.

Property Awards

The HIWA project has been recognized with significant awards, highlighting its architectural innovation and contribution to the community. These include:

• Rider Levett Bucknall Supreme Excellence Award (2025): This is the top prize at the Property Council New Zealand Property Industry Awards, recognizing the building as a world-class facility that has transformed the heart of the University.

• Colliers Project Leaders Education Property Award (2025): The building was named "Best in Category" for its excellence in education property.

• New Zealand Institute of Architects Auckland Architecture Award (2025): This award recognizes the building's design, which successfully integrates with the urban realm and provides world-class facilities.

• Excellence in the Holmes Group Tourism and Leisure Property Award (2025).