Waikato-Tainui opens new office building
The sounds of karakia echoed around the brand-new four-storey ACC regional office at its official opening.
Members of hapuu Ngaati Korokii-Kahukura and Ngaati Hauaa, Ngaati Wairere, Ngaati Tamainupoo and Ngaati Maahanga trailed around the building, simultaneously blessing each floor on April 22.
Kiingi Tuheitia presided over the karakia and opening of the office, which represented a strong and lasting partnership between Waikato-Tainui and the Crown.
He also unveiled the new name for building that was developed by Tainui Group Holdings – Amohia Ake.
The name took its significance from the Waikato-Tainui saying, ‘‘Amohia ake te ora o te iwi, ka puta ki te whei ao – the wellbeing of the people is paramount.’’
The 8500 square metre office on the corner of Collingwood and Tristram streets would be the home of around 800 ACC staff, bringing together two existing offices.
The complex was on WaikatoTainui Treaty of Waitangi settlement land, and was a maara kai or vegetable garden in pre-colonial days.
The opening of the building signified vision and success, Tainui Group Holdings chair Hinerangi Raumati-Tu’ua said.
This development had been a significant and vital source of work and economic activity for
the city during the volatile Covid period, she said.
It was the outcome of a threeyear development project by Tainui Group Holdings, the commercial entity of Waikato-Tainui.
‘‘How good it feels to be landowner and landlord to the Crown today,’’ she said.
The building had a distinctively Waikato look and feel, and would help ACC improve the quality
of life for all New Zealanders.
‘‘Developing Amohia Ake has been an awesome team effort under the testing circumstances of the pandemic and supply chain challenges.
‘‘We are grateful to everyone who has worked together to deliver this great new asset for our Waikato iwi and to the central city,’’ Raumati-Tu’ua said.
Chair of Te Whakakitenga o
Waikato (the Waikato-Tainui parliament) Parekawhia McLean said the new building was a case study for the successful commercial development of whenua that came back to the iwi through the 1995 settlement process and would produce benefits for all.
‘‘Waikato-Tainui has proudly developed this whare as a longterm home for the hard-working kaimahi (staff) of ACC in a way
that benefits ACC, Hamilton, our wider region and Waikato-Tainui itself.’’
It was a significant development for everyone, Minister for ACC Peeni Henare said.
‘‘I’m delighted to see the culmination of this iwi and crown partnership and the vibrancy this will bring to the local CBD in the postCovid era.’’
ACC board chair Hon Steve Maharey said having all its Hamilton ACC staff in one office would be great for the team.
The building was fantastic, he said. It was modern, easy to get to in the central city, and would be easy to work in.
And its partnership with Waikato-Tainui was built into the design.
‘‘This relationship is a great example of what can be done across the country.’’