Construction of the University of Waikato’s new medical school building is set to begin, with the key contractor announced today.
Foster Construction (Fosters) have been appointed to lead construction of the four-storey teaching and learning building, which has been designed by architects Chow Hill.
Back row L – R: Leonard Gardner – Director at Foster Construction; Jonathan Albery – Project Director at Colliers; Jim Mercer – Chief Operating Officer, Professor Neil Quigley – Vice-Chancellor and Professor Jo Lane – Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Division of Health at the University of Waikato; Sam Thomas – Senior Principal and Registered Architect and Jane Hill – Senior Principal and Registered Architect from Chow Hill; Harley Raihe – Cultural Advisor at Foster Construction
Front row L – R: Professor David McCormack – Interim Dean of Medicine at the University of Waikato; Adam Findlay – GM Construction (Waikato), James Peers – Quantity Surveyor, Blanton Benjamin – Project Manager and Warren Luxton – CEO at Foster Construction.
Designed in close collaboration with the University’s Division of Health, the building will include purpose-built learning environments to enable the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine’s ‘digital-first’ approach to teaching and learning.
The build will employ an estimated 200 people across the Fosters team and other local subcontractors, consultants and suppliers during its two years under construction.
Chief Operating Officer Jim Mercer says the project marks an exciting step forward in the development of the Hamilton campus.
“The new building is set to occupy a prime site at the heart of our Hamilton campus, with great proximity to key student and engagement spaces The Pā and Te Manawa – the Student Centre. We’re looking forward to getting underway and seeing the new facility become part of the campus.”
Fosters Director Leonard Gardner says, “Establishing the medical school in the Waikato will be transformational for our region, and for the delivery of health to communities throughout New Zealand.
“The development also marks another significant step in the University of Waikato’s growth and Fosters are proud to support the delivery of this facility, and other growth projects across the University campus.”
The New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine will introduce a new model of medical education for New Zealand with a different approach to training doctors.
In their first year, students will be based primarily in the new building where they will study biomedical sciences and the social factors that influence health using case-based scenarios that mirror real patient experiences.
Students will learn in small, collaborative groups, supported by advanced digital tools such as VR and clinical simulation labs and expert staff.
Pro Vice-Chancellor of Health Professor Jo Lane says the building’s design reflects this innovative approach to teaching and learning while providing for flexibility into the future.
“Our new facility will have a variety of spaces for group and self-directed learning such as digital anatomy labs, VR-enabled case study rooms, clinical skills practice areas and hospital-standard simulation wards,” he says.
“It’s about giving students practical experience – no giant lecture theatres here.”
Chow Hill Senior Principal Jane Hill says collaborating with the University and Project Team on this transformative development has been an exciting opportunity to shape the future of health education.
“The new facility brings together future-focused design thinking across the health and tertiary sectors, and we’re inspired by the role it will play in preparing Aotearoa’s next generation of health professionals.”
The University is proud to be working with a range of additional consultants to bring the project to life.
Fosters and Chow Hill are joined in the lineup by project leaders Colliers as well as Beca, CKL, Holmes Group, Tonkin + Taylor, Rider Levett Bucknall, BCD Group, Assemble, Mott MacDonald, Agile Engineering and Boffa Miskell.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held last Friday, attended by Prime Minister Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, Minister of Health Hon Simeon Brown, Minister for Universities Hon Dr Shane Reti and representatives from Waikato-Tainui and other iwi partners of the University.
Construction of the building is expected to be completed in December 2027.
