A new era for Scion
“WE ARE AT A DEFINING POINT FOR NEW ZEALAND, WITH THE potential for forestry to fuel a bio-based and sustainable economy. Scion’s work has the potential to power the transformation that New Zealand is making as we look to meet our climate change commitments, build our economy back better, and improve environmental and social outcomes,” says Scion Chair, Dr Helen Anderson of the opening of its new innovation building.
Te Whare Nui o Tuteata, has been officially opened by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Minister of Research, Science & Innovation, Dr Megan Woods marking a new era in Scion’s evolution.
The building name “Te Whare Nui o Tuteata” was gifted by
Ngā Hapū e Toru who hold mana over the whenua. The name acknowledges the mana of the tupuna Tuteata, from whom
Ngā Hapū e Toru descend and the connection to the whenua, Tītokorangi.
Te Whare Nui o Tuteata is now the ‘front door’ to Scion’s campus – Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park – which is already home to more than 30 different organisations and companies.
Scion Chief Executive, Dr Julian Elder, says, “Te Whare Nui o Tuteata is an example of timber technology and innovative design and construction that has been created through collaboration with New Zealand designers, wood processors and construction firms. This building is a symbol of the powerful connections we foster between Scion, local iwi, government, industry and the local community.”
Te Whare Nui o Tuteata showcases innovative technologies for large buildings in timber that are climate-friendly, earthquake-resilient and cost-effective. The building stores approximately 418 tonnes of CO2eqv for the life of the building. This is equivalent to the emissions from 160 return flights from Auckland to London. New Zealand’s radiata pine forests can regrow this amount of wood in just 35 minutes – making it truly sustainable.
See the April 2021 edition of NZ Logger magazine for a full feature on the new building.