A graphic representation of the new facility construction of which will begin at Mt Albert campus in December
MIT & Unitec’s move towards a model supporting region-wide delivery of vocational education allows us greater flexibility in finding cost effective ways to provide high quality facilities.
Recently, senior leadership made the decision not to renew our lease on New Zealand Maritime School’s (NZMS) Mahurangi campus.
“As a leadership team, we believe ākonga | learners and kaimahi | staff deserve to work and learn in facilities which reflect the true value of this training to not only the maritime and marine sectors, but our country as a whole,” says General Operations Manager, Dan Brady.
One key aspect of NZMS’s delivery is ensuring those working in the sectors have received training to fight fires in a simulated ‘on-ship’ environment. An important part of the decision to relocate NZMS training currently offered at Mahurangi was an urgent need to upgrade our Fire Training Facility.
After reviewing all options available across Tāmaki, it has been decided the new facility will be established at our Mt Albert campus in the area currently occupied by Building 170 following the demolition of that building in December.
Sustainability, safety, and environmental stewardship will guide every stage of this project.
In recent months, our project and academic teams have been working closely with Auckland Council and Maritime New Zealand to shape a design that is both fit for purpose for our learners and sensitive to our environment and whenua.
The design includes features which reduce impacts and offer a world-class training experience for ākonga and kaimahi, such as:
- Use of LPG-powered fire props – utilising the same type of gas found in backyard BBQs, eliminating the need for heavy fuel sources and avoiding the burning of materials. This makes training safer, cleaner, and more sustainable.
- Integration of Augmented Reality (AR) systems – Learners can engage in a wide range of simulated emergency scenarios without the need for live fire, enhancing safety while providing an immersive, hands-on experience.
“We’re genuinely excited about what this means for our teaching teams, and our ongoing commitment to innovation in applied education and most importantly for our learners,” says Mr Brady.
Our kaumatua and Directors of Mātauranga Māori across Tāmaki have gifted the name “Mahuika” for the facility.
In Māori tradition, Mahuika gave fire to humanity after a lesson with Māui, placing her final sparks within the trees so that people could create fire and use it wisely.
Te Whare Mahuika honours that legacy, with fire respected as a life-giver, a force of challenge and a symbol of courage, knowledge, and protection.
This house of learning carries the spirit of Mahuika, teaching the power of fire, the value of safety and the responsibility to protect life and community.
Guided by the whakataukī:
“He ahi ka – he tohu aroha, mahana me te kaitiakitanga.”
The enduring flame is a sign of love, warmth and guardianship.
If you have any initial questions on this project, please email pip.schollum-manase@manukau.ac.nz
I believe we would need more than sustainability, safety and environmental stewardship placing a marine hazard fire training facility addressing airborne contaminants, metals and hydrocarons next to a sensitive learning envionment. Not more than 60 metres away is our Marae and its Wharekai then our Te Puna restaurants and library and student and staff areas on one free flowing campus. It is true that Unitec Mt Albert (and Waitakere), has taught younger and older students for over 40 years but, we have taught Te Noho Kotahitanga and that we have been taught that we have an obligation on this campus to embrace the rights of each other including those for our future Rangatiratanga.
How is that we have to hold opposites of thinking in our minds simultaneously as we care for those things we hold precious as Kaitiakitanga all the whilst embracing our local or central government planning consents constantly to prop up an industrial zone activity in the middle of our classrooms.
“Thank you for sharing your thoughtful reflections and the perspective you bring through Te Noho Kotahitanga and Kaitiakitanga — both of which continue to underpin how we approach developments across the campus.
I’d like to reassure you that the fire training facility proposed for the lower section of Building 170 will not utilise any carbonaceous or live-fire foam systems.
The training approach has shifted to use non-carbonaceous fire training foam, which is not fire suppression foam and therefore eliminates concerns around contaminants such as hydrocarbons, metals, or other harmful residues.
The facility design and operating methodology have been developed in close collaboration with Auckland Council and specialists in wastewater and environmental management.
Their guidance ensures that the system meets or exceeds best-practice standards for sustainability, safety, and environmental protection.
Additionally, the facility will primarily use LPG (comparable to household BBQ gas) and augmented reality fire simulations, enabling realistic learning without the environmental impact of traditional live-fire systems.
We are committed to ensuring that this facility honours our shared responsibilities to the whenua and the wellbeing of all those who study and work on campus.”
Kia ora and thank you for your reply providing more insight into the plan for the new marine fire training facility, its proposed system’s warranties and guarantees and for your renewal of confidence that Auckland Council’s resource and building consent schedule of maintenance will result from high quality peer reviews in wastewater and environmental management.