At street level, a welcoming plaza would provide a space for people to come together to create and enjoy a daytime buzz. A pedestrian link on the north side of the site would connect The Terrace with Waiteata Road, enabling safe and easy passage between Kelburn and the city.

The proposed redevelopment would allow the University to accommodate future growth and respond to modern student and staff needs—a very real challenge given the space constraints the University faces. The site’s location also affords the University a profile and prominence from the city. Director of property services David Stevenson says, “As a civic university, we need to be readily accessible to government and commercial partners. The strategic advantages of the Te Huanui site make it unique.”

Any development would look to the most modern guidelines and prioritise wellbeing and sustainability. “We want the best possible facilities for our students and staff,” says David.

Both blocks of flats on the site are earthquake prone and the cost of remedial work on the Gordon Wilson block, which was formerly social housing, is prohibitively expensive. The proposal does, however, pay tribute to the site’s social history. The McLean Flats would be strengthened and repurposed, most likely as postgraduate research facilities. A 2018 digital heritage project by alumni Jessie Rogers, David Silcock, and Hannah Rushton lets people take a virtual tour of the Gordon Wilson Flats, contrasting the flats’ heyday with the languishing state they were in when bought by the University.

If it proceeds, Te Huanui will be the largest development ever undertaken by the University. The site has been factored into long-term plans and, over the past few years, the University has sold other properties, such as the Karori campus and housing stock, to make money available for the project.

Nonetheless, any development would be some years away and would be managed in stages to ensure the build is affordable. “A 10-year timeline wouldn’t be unrealistic,” says David. He is also sensitive to the fact redevelopment would alter the local residential area. “Many neighbours have lived around here for a long time, so our scheme has been developed to be sympathetic to the area.”

David says everyone will benefit from the redevelopment.

“We’ve a rare but very real opportunity here to make a huge contribution to our staff and future students—as well as to Wellington and the world beyond.”

You can read more about this project on our website - www.wgtn.ac.nz/huanui