The Special Award is given at the discretion of judges for a specific outstanding project or element of a project that they feel is worthy of recognition. The hub was developed under a partnership agreement between Tainui Group Holdings (TGH) and New Zealand Police and is the first of its kind, moving away from the traditional look and feel of a police station to incorporate the concept of manaakitanga.
Chris Joblin, TGH Chief Executive, says the project reflects a commitment towards creating modern, sustainable, community-minded facilities across the Waikato region, incorporating Waikato-Tainui cultural elements.
“The project was centred around the community, the aim was to foster a sense of community pride and ownership, so it was important for us to stay local and culturally relevant with materials choice, construction, and art and design,” says Mr Joblin.
The hub is discernible against the surrounding architecture with its design concept inspired by the Waka Hourua, a double hulled waka, to signify the collaboration between Waikato-Tainui and NZ Police.
The shape and orientation of the building reference nearby maunga; Maungatautari, Pirongia, Maungakawa, and Kakepukuu. It has been constructed to house both police working spaces, and co-location spaces for community members with independently accessible whaanau rooms.
Despite facing supply chain disruptions, pandemic lockdowns and complicated building work, the team completed the build under a tight deadline while reusing existing materials and sourcing locally wherever possible, to support the local economy and prioritise sustainability.
Materials were even recycled from the demolished original police sergeant’s building, such as rimu and floor panelling which is integrated into the reception counter; and bricks which are used at the threshold of the whanau room as a contemporary pou.
Alaska Construction + submitted the project for entry in the Civic projects category of the National Commercial Project Awards. Silver Awards are given to entrants that achieve over 80 percent of the points available.
Cambridge Police Hub construction project partners include:
- Tainui Group Holdings (developer)
- Alaska Construction + Interiors (construction company),
- Paua Architects (architect/designer),
- Greenstone Group (project manager)
We also acknowledge Rahui Papa who provided historical insights and Renata Te Wiata who provided cultural designs.