New Kaitaia campus

Far North Holdings chief executive Andrew Nock. Photo / File

An integrated education campus is being developed on the site of the former Far North District Council service centre on Kaitaia's Redan Rd. The first stage of the new education and services hub was opened last week.

The campus will provide classroom and administration facilities for tertiary education and training providers NorthTec and Kiwidotcom.

Negotiations are on-going with other education providers who are keen to co-locate. Other service providers, such as the Health and Disability Advocacy and Kaitaia Business Association, have also been accommodated within the complex.

The project has been driven by Far North Holdings and Mayor Wayne Brown as part of an initiative to maximise value of buildings displaced by the construction of the multi-purpose Te Ahu Centre.

"The intention is to create an integrated campus at a single location, focusing on providing a high-quality learning environment that meets the needs of the students and incorporates as many education providers as possible," Far North Holdings chief executive Andrew Nock said.

"Until now, tertiary education providers in Kaitaia have been dispersed in various buildings across the community. There are no common areas for students to interact and the environment is not particularly encouraging for new students.

"By co-locating providers, it is going to be possible to offer a comprehensive range of courses on a single site, with a landscaped common area and facilities which should appeal to prospective students. The overall vision is to elevate the profile of tertiary education in the Far North and at Kaitaia in particular."

The facility will allow education providers to reduce operating and building maintenance costs by sharing reception, administration, classroom and kitchen facilities. The first stage of the development was refurbishing the building now occupied by the skills and business training provider Kiwidotcom. NorthTec will begin moving some of its courses to the new campus at the start of next year. In the meantime, it is also involved in renovating buildings at the new campus.

Tertiary education providers will also play a major role in the construction of classrooms at the new campus, providing a practical adjunct to the construction, joinery, design, painting and decorating courses offered.