Waikato Business News August/September 2023

“Working with Fosters
was a genuinely
professional experience
that guaranteed the
standards of excellence
NIWA required.”
Michael Bruce, NIWA Regional Manager
NIWA’s new purpose-built Hamilton facility is a $45 million injection in
Waikato-based science for the benefit of the nation.
The environmental research complex is on the University of Waikato campus and
includes 5,000m² of laboratory space and office facilities, alongside standalone
workshop and storage buildings. It strengthens long-standing partnerships with
both the University and Waikato-Tainui.
The old NIWA building was about 30 years old, and Regional Manager Michael
Bruce says “It had become apparent that a purpose-built, state-of-the-art
facility was needed to meet our needs, now and into the future, to ensure NIWA
can continue to provide worldclass environmental science.
“We also needed a space that was going to attract and retain skilled people,
many of whom could choose to work anywhere in the world.”
NIWA’s new main building includes 900m 2 of advanced laboratory space with
extensive bench space, temperature controlled rooms, wet labs, an electrically/
magnetically shielded room (Faraday cage), a lead-lined X-ray room, walk-in
sample/specimen fridges and freezers, a radioisotope lab, eDNA preparatory
clean room and multiple fume cupboards for controlled experimentation.
The upper floor provides sophisticated research and office facilities for more than
150 scientists, technicians and support staff, working across NIWA’s freshwater,
climate and marine science disciplines, with extensive accommodation for
visiting scientists and collaborators.
Fosters was chosen for this build project on the basis of their reputation.
“Fosters are clear leaders in the Waikato for a project of this size and
complexity,” explains Michael. “They’re known as a highly competent team with
a proven record. Throughout the entire process, tender to completion, they were
an easy team to work with.”
The project team included Fosters, TBIG Project Management, Beca Engineering,
Warren and Mahoney Architects, and Labworks. It was a large group to
coordinate, on a project with many moving parts.
“Fosters were the cornerstone, keeping the project moving, within budget and
on-time,” says Michael. “All the time, meeting our high expectations for Health
and Safety by keeping everyone safe on site.”
Building to 5 Green Star Principles was vital to meet NIWA’s sustainability
principles. It also added another level of complexity.
“Having this intricate and compact design delivered on time, on budget and
to spec shows Fosters were exceptional at organisation and delivery,” says
Michael.
“They were also exceptional at communication. This wasn’t just a box-ticking
exercise for their team; we were included at every step, and that made the
project work so well. Working with Fosters was a genuinely professional
experience that guaranteed the standards of excellence NIWA required.”
Got a build project in mind?
Get in touch with Fosters today!
FOSTERS.CO.NZ
07 849 3849