The University of Waikato opened its Tauranga campus on Durham Street in 2019. Photo / Alex Cairns
The University of Waikato has made significant property deals in Tauranga as it progresses “ambitious plans” to grow its Durham St campus.
The university has bought the nearby Bongard Centre and soon-to-be-former Craigs Investment Partners building on Cameron Rd, Senior Vice-Chancellor Alister Jones said.
It was weighing how it would use the buildings, considering a mix of teaching, research and student-focused activities.
It has also secured long-term leases on two other sites within walking distance, earmarked for almost 300 new student accommodation beds.
Jones said the university had “ambitious plans” for the campus and shared a long-term goal with its partners of seeing Tauranga recognised as a “university city”.
The $55 million campus opened in 2019, but the Covid-19 pandemic slowed its growth.
Jones said it was now back on its feet and in “a strong growth phase”.
Jones said the university was in “early planning discussions with partners and developers” about the new accommodation projects.
Up to 60 beds were expected to be ready for occupation at 146 Durham St from late 2027 in a converted existing commercial building.
This was set to be followed by a 220-bed development of purpose-built student accommodation at 219-221 Cameron Rd, targeted for completion in 2029.
These would add to the university’s current offerings of six three-bedroom flats at Durham Mews and 91 studio rooms in its $20m Selwyn Street Studios building, which opened in 2021.
Jones said having more students living in the city centre would “massively” change the area.
“Bringing more students into the heart of Tauranga supports local businesses, adds energy and diversity to the city, and strengthens Tauranga’s identity as a place to live, learn and build a career.”
Data provided by the university showed it had 1523 full-time and part-time students enrolled last year, equating to 962 equivalent full-time students (EFTS).
This was an increase of about 90 on the prior three years, when EFTS had remained relatively flat.
Jones said student satisfaction surveys showed the university was rated “way above the national or the global benchmarks … ”.
“We’re operating at 93% student satisfaction, which is pretty high.”
The university had 120 staff based at the Tauranga campus, and eight new staff joined at the start of this year.
Further appointments were expected as programmes and activities continued to grow throughout the year.
Jones said the focus was on “strengthening the campus as part of the city centre rather than rapid physical expansion”.
“Expansion will occur primarily through growth in academic programmes, research activity and industry partnerships, alongside gradual development of facilities and city-integrated spaces that support learning and student life.”
It planned to progressively introduce new or expanded programmes, particularly in areas linked to regional growth sectors, business and community needs.
New programmes planned across 2026-28 included:
Jones said Waikato wanted to offer a package deal of lifestyle, good education, work-integrated learning, and job opportunities outside of study.
“Our long-term vision is for a campus fully integrated with the city, and that relies on working closely with our partners across Tauranga, including iwi, Tauranga City Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, industry and community organisations.”
Jones said the university had workshopped what it would take to make Tauranga a “university city”, from a CBD perspective, with the councils, TECT, developers, and business executives.
To avoid replicating resources, the new Tauranga Library would also serve as the university library.
The university would work with the CBD’s justice precinct - where a new court will be built - to support the teaching of law; local schools for teacher education, and health providers for medicine education.
The aim was to make Tauranga a welcoming city for international and domestic students.
The university had invested in marketing campaigns aiming to attract international students.
The university’s director of Tauranga campus development and operations, Joseph Macfarlane, said there had only been a “sprinkling” of international students previously, but the campus had welcomed a cohort of 20 education students for the upcoming semester.
“We’re hoping to welcome another cohort of international students in our Master of Marketing programme that starts in B trimester.”
He estimated there would be around 50 international students over the two semesters.
The university was also promoting Tauranga’s lifestyle benefits.
“We’re also looking into the city as a sort of extended playground for students,” Macfarlane said.
Students enjoyed surfing after class, and being near the inner-harbour and beaches.
“We’re really trying to sell a package.”
Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale said the campus expansion was “exciting to see”.
“Increasing student numbers, new programmes, and ongoing precinct development are adding to the momentum of our city centre’s revitalisation and provide a strong case for Tauranga to be recognised as a ‘university city’.”
The university’s growth was key to achieving the council’s goal of Tauranga being a city that attracts and supports business and educational opportunities, creating jobs and developing a skilled workforce.
Drysdale said, personally, he never had the choice to stay in Tauranga to gain a tertiary education as a youth, so it was great to see people growing up in the city now - including his children - having that option.
– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Ayla Yeoman is a Local Democracy Reporting journalist based in Tauranga. She holds a Bachelor of Arts majoring in communications, politics and international relations from the University of Auckland, and has been a journalist since 2022.