Come and visit Hiwa, where students and athletes train alongside fellow Aucklanders

FISU Healthy Campus Member, the University of Auckland (UOA) boasts a superb recreation centre that showcases the importance of health, wellbeing and inclusion at its best. Welcome to the first part of a three-article series on “Dual Career at UOA”.

In the middle of New Zealand’s busiest town, under the same roof – on top of which is a race course – you can find high paced HYROX fans, zen middle-aged Pilates afficionados, an international rugby player member of the Black Ferns, future engineers studying in the airy entrance hall while the best swimmers in the country do their lengths in the pool. Hiwa recreation centre – that opened in November 2024 – illustrates the Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland’s investment in the health and wellbeing not only of its 46,000 students but of its wider community. Let’s take a look around!

“Hiwa” isn’t just a name that sounds nice. It was gifted to the University by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, and is Maori for ‘vigorous (of growth), active, robust, sound’. But, even if it is indeed robust, the complex is first of all light and welcoming. The day we visited, members of the synchronized swimming team were finishing their lunch happily spread out on the lawn steps outside the building, giggling, chatting and relaxing. A lovely and lively welcome.

As you enter, you arrive in an entrance hall which reminds the visitors of an academic amphitheatre, but its large steps are covered with small tables which can welcome a laptop or a tray with a snack and a drink. Everywhere there are students chatting or studying with headphones and a café serves snacks and refreshments. This multifunctional space makes you feel at ease, whether you are there to train and sweat, shop at the University of Auckland store, revise your classes or meet a friend for coffee.

As you walk down towards the welcome desk, you may notice all the signage is both in English and Maori and there are details made out of native New Zealand wood integrated in the more modern and sleek material. Small touches of warmth and tradition are everywhere and different visual themes and patterns throughout the building help connect and define the different spaces.

The place is buzzing! The University’s physical education programmes and exercise science students make great use of the place, but many of the people we see enjoying a workout are obviously members of the community staying fit and healthy thanks to the state-of-the-art facilities.

When she officially opened Hiwa in 2024, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater said the investment in Hiwa further enhances the University of Auckland’s position as New Zealand’s pre-eminent, research-led higher education institution. “It’s an important hub for our growing University population and an asset for Auckland. Our community has long desired sport and recreation facilities that befit the world-class campus environment expected of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading university.”

She said campus experiences, especially in sport and recreation, are known to enhance student success. “Staff also have more opportunity to pursue their health and wellbeing goals, and through public memberships and collaboration with the sport and recreation sector, we hope to positively impact the wider Auckland community.”

As a focal point on campus, Hiwa Recreation Centre is designed to enrich campus life by connecting learning, sporting and social facilities.

Next in the “Dual Career at the University of Auckland” series: meet Jordan Townsend, High Performance Programme Coordinator and self proclaimed “one-stop shop” for student-athletes.