University of Auckland Recreation and Wellness Centre, Hiwa
The new recreation centre opened in at the University of Auckland in November last year.
The University of Auckland's brand-new Recreation and Wellness Centre, Hiwa, is located in the heart of its urban campus. The 26,000 sqm facility spans a space equivalent to roughly 3.7 rugby pitches or 100 standard tennis courts. Inspired by the growing demands of university students, it replaces the outdated centre that opened in 1978, when the student population was only a quarter of its current size.
The centre’s name, Hiwa, was gifted by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and means “vigorous, active, robust and sound”—a reflection of the university’s ambition for growth and well-being.
A collaboration between Warren and Mahoney Architects and Toronto-based architectural firm MJMA, the project aimed to deliver an outstanding campus experience to attract new students and retain current ones within a safe, inclusive and accessible environment.
The exterior, developed by Warren and Mahoney, cleverly utilises rippling reflective cladding to integrate the building seamlessly into the neighbourhood, mirroring the surrounding trees and buildings. MJMA and Warren and Mahoney partnered on the interior design, weaving in thoughtful cultural narratives.
Beautifully interpreted cultural patterning appears throughout, from carved timber handrail details to Ao Riporipo, a reflective pattern portraying vibrating energy that oscillates across the centre.
With a strong focus on maintaining partnerships with High Performance Sport NZ (HPSNZ) and national sporting organisations, the university drew design inspiration for the award-winning facility from leading universities worldwide.
Featuring a world-class range of recreation and wellness spaces spread vertically across eight floors, the centre boasts a below-ground aquatic hall, squash courts, group fitness areas, weight and cardio facilities, dance and yoga studios, a rock-climbing wall, multi-purpose sports halls, a major show court with spectator seating, and rooftop turf and relaxation spaces.
Its innovative indoor arena has a seating capacity for up to 1,500 spectators. The arena’s impressive glass floor is equipped with LED lights that illuminate and transform to accommodate various sport-specific courts, including netball, basketball and badminton.
Warren and Mahoney consulted with the Jacobsen team to select flooring options that would complement the interior. A key design intent was to achieve a seamless transition between timber surfaces—the shiplap timber ceilings, timber-look walls and flooring.
Jacobsen worked closely with the design team to find a perfect match in TimberTop Breckenridge, enhancing the interior theme and creating a truly immersive space.
Photography: Mark Scowen
Architects: Warren and Mahoney and Toronto-based MJMA
