Taupō District Council partnered with the Waiora Community Trust to rebuild the former Taupō Maternity Hospital, transforming it into a vibrant social services hub. The space houses several not-for-profit organisations and provides a central location for residents to access essential services.
“Waiora House serves as a model for local authorities to revitalise aging infrastructure and enhance social services through collaboration,” says TwentyTwo’s David Lambie.
Taupō District Council and the Waiora Community Trust celebrated the opening of Waiora House in 2023 and the project won the Award for Excellence in Collaborating for Results at the 2024 Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards. The award recognises projects that demonstrate successful collaboration with other government agencies for community benefit.
“Waiora House showcases the values of community leadership, a cross-sector approach and is a great example for communities struggling with decisions about older or higher-risk building stock,” said Raymond Horan, Taituarā Chief Advisor.
TwentyTwo is very proud to have been involved in the project through the business case and procurement phases and as engineer to the Construction Contract. This project exemplifies the strength of the relationship between Council and the Trust.
The social services hub and flagship community center was previously housed in the former Taupō Maternity Hospital until 2019 when it was demolished following the discovery of asbestos.
Taupō District Mayor David Trewavas said at the opening, “Waiora House stands as a symbol of hope, growth and collaboration. This facility will serve as a hub for meaningful interactions and support all members of our community.”
The building was designed for collaboration and connection, as reflected in the shared office space, meeting rooms, and gathering areas for community use.
“A special mention to Council’s Project Manager Pete Bradshaw,” says David, “as well as Shelter Architects for their innovative design and RBS Group Construction who went the extra mile.”
