Kaimahi past and present gathered on Friday morning for a special karakia ceremony to farewell Building 170.
The building will be demolished during the end-of-year summer break due to a lack of weathertightness which over the years caused extensive damage to it structure.
Those who have been based there will be relocated to B110, B115 and our Waitakere Campus.
Pae Arahi, Hare Paniora welcomed the gathering, which included Executive Director, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga and members of Tāmaki Transition Group.
Kaihautu Rikona Andrews led a karakia and walk-through of the spaces, which was an opportunity to acknowledge and remember the mahi, kaimahi and learners who have been part of the 35-year-old building’s history.
The occasion was a testament to those who have made a difference in people’s lives within the classrooms, the offices and the hallways of B170. That legacy of serving our learners and communities will continue when MIT and Unitec become a single entity on 1 January 2026.
Following the karakia ceremony, everyone moved across to Ngākau Māhaki at Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae where they shared their memories and stories, some reacquainting with old colleagues after many years, before sharing kai.
Around 26% of our kaimahi were based in this building. B170 was the home of Bridgepoint, which included Bridging Education, Language Studies and our IELTS Test Centre. It was also used by kaimahi from Creative Industries and by a number of other schools as a teaching space.
“For those of us who have been here a long time, this building played a large part in who we are and where it all started for some. It feels like a friend,” remarked Interim Head of School Bridgepoint and Community Studies, Sue Emerson.
“But it’s not the bricks or mortar, it’s about the people. We are taking our people into new spaces. Let’s carry forward the spirit of this place. Let’s remember the energy and the sense of belonging that it gave everyone.”
Matua Hare said the building was the home of the School of Humanities when it was opened in 1990, not long after he had joined Unitec as the Head of Puukenga in B171.
Director Student Success, Annette Pitovao, who has been at Unitec since 1998, reminisced about the “amazing” cheese scones that used to be served in Café 170 which was a popular spot for many staff in the early years.
“Everybody would try to arrive early as they were just coming out of the oven – it was phenomenal times,” Annette remembers.
IT Computer Support Engineer Andy Brien was present when the then Minister of Education, Lockwood Smith came to open the building on the same day of a student union protest. He also recalled that B170 was once originally called L Block.
Former kaimahi Susan Watene recalled being part of the groundbreaking He Whitinga programme which evolves into Foundation studies and Bridgepoint in the 1990s.
“When I came here, I knew I was in the right place in the right role helping tauira go on to further study at Unitec. It was a special place,” Susan says.
B170 also holds fond memories for former kaimahi Avian McManus, who remembers many of the past staff and students who made working there so memorable.
“Thinking about them all makes me miss those days. But things are different now and I think it has to be, in a sense of where MIT and Unitec are going,” Avian explains.
