Building work on a new arts precinct at NorthTec's Raumanga campus in Whangarei has begun, with work on phase 1 (3D arts/old carpentry block) already underway and phase 2 (2D arts/old engineering block) construction work planned to begin in early 2011.

Representatives from the Whangarei arts sector -Mary Britton (outgoing CHART CEO and Local Advisory Committee Member for NorthTec's arts programme), Ian Pritchard (Kamo High School teacher and NorthTec alumnus), and Heather Hunt (Local Advisory Committee member for NorthTec's arts programme, NorthTec alumnus and illustrator/graphic designer) went on a campus tour on Monday (subs 27 September) with NorthTec's Director - Creative Industries and Humanities, Khalid Bahkshov, NorthTec's Manager - Assets and Facilities, Rob MacLean and some of the arts programme staff members so that they could see where the new precinct will be located and how it will function and to provide valuable feedback on the facility.

The precinct will use refurbished buildings vacated as a result of the move of trades-related programme delivery to the Future Trades campus in Dyer St, Whangarei in addition to some newly-constructed facilities. It will also feature permanent installations of work by NorthTec's' applied arts students and include an area named after late-tutor Geoff Wilson (who is currently remembered on campus through the eponymous gallery space The Geoff Wilson Gallery).

"I think it's fantastic that with will have this facility for the students," said Ms Hunt. "It's a huge improvement and it's great that NorthTec tutors have been consulted."

"It's amazing, it could really change things," said Mr Pritchard. "It's a mind-shifter to convert it into an arts space."

"We are very excited by what the new arts precinct will mean for our students and the arts," said Mr Bakhshov. "In combination with the learning opportunities provided by NorthTec's talented arts tutors the new facilities will establish NorthTec's Raumanga campus as a national centre for excellence for arts education."

"This is a continuation of the work that we have already done to provide new learning facilities for our arts programme at NorthTec's Rāwene campus. Our Rāwene and Kerikeri campuses have national and international profiles because of the excellence of the arts education that is provided by our tutors there and we believe that the new Raumanga arts precinct will only add to that profile."

A blessing was held earlier this week (subs 28 September) to enable the contractors to work safely onsite.

The new arts precinct will be operational from mid-2011 and will incorporate the Māori arts programme.