New centre caters to student needs

OPENING: Prime Minister John Key with Year 3 nursing student Desmond Hiwarau.

Waiariki Institute of Technology has unveiled its new multimillion-dollar building delivering state of the art technology to its students.

In a ceremony yesterday, the institute officially opened its Health and Science Centre after nearly three years of construction.

Prime Minister John Key was there to officiate the ceremony, along with local MPs Todd McClay and Te Ururoa Flavell.

In his speech, Mr Key said building state of the art facilities was crucial for educational institutes.

"It's an impressive building, quite beautiful really, and it's great to be here to see the difference facilities like this one will make to the education of Rotorua students and the wider community."

The $10.3 million multi-storey facility boasts modern learning environments, open student-learning spaces, simulation wards and the latest technology.

Mr Key said Waiariki was a great example of making sure New Zealanders were being upskilled and given the chance to do well.

"Waiariki is a vitally important institution, it is doing extremely well and is going from strength to strength."

Waiariki chief executive, Professor Margaret Noble said the building had been finished to the highest quality.

"The new Health and Science Centre provides our community and students with state of the art facilities and an environment conducive to technological advancement in line with the innovative developments happening at Waiariki."

Professor Noble said the institute's academic staff and the architects spent "considerable time and effort designing a building that would suit the modern student's needs".

"It is a fit-to-purpose facility with a lot of flexibility.

"Nursing is our biggest degree programme and it is important to ensure our students are learning in an innovative environment which nurtures and breeds the necessary skills for today's working environment."

First year nursing students Lisa Mercer and Andrea Crengle said they felt lucky to be among the first students to utilise the new building.

"It's a fantastic resource and allows us to train in a more stimulating, realistic and practical environment," Ms Mercer said.

"Having resources such as a simulation room will be extremely beneficial to the quality of our qualification," Ms Crengle said.