ŌDC’s Building Control team key to successful completion of Waikeria Prison

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Ōtorohanga District Council’s Building Control key to successful completion of Waikeria Prison

The new Waikeria Prison development, one of the largest projects ever undertaken by the New Zealand Government, is nearing completion. Launched in 2019 on land owned by the Department of Corrections, the prison project has been a significant milestone in the country’s infrastructure development.

As the project moves towards completion, Ōtorohanga District Council (ŌDC) Building Control team is playing a crucial role in overseeing the final stages of construction. Over the coming months, staff will continue their intensive programme of inspections to ensure the facility meets all necessary compliance standards.

The site has 28 buildings, each of which has been carefully inspected at every stage of construction. To date, approximately 1,700 inspections have been completed. Building Control Officers are now conducting the final inspections to ensure everything is in place for official sign-off.

“The next step is the issuing of Code Compliance Certificates and compliance schedules for each building,” said Phil Saunders, Building Control Manager. “These documents are essential as they confirm that all work complies with the approved building consents, providing the builders and owners with formal approval for occupancy.”

Like many large scale developments, the Waikeria Prison project faced challenges during the COVID-19 lockdowns. During this period, staff numbers on site were reduced dramatically, and in-person inspections were not possible. To overcome this, ŌDC Building Control developed an innovative remote inspection programme. Contractors provided detailed photographic evidence of the work completed, including information on the type of work, location, and timing, allowing council staff to ensure compliance without being physically present on site.

This remote inspection programme was instrumental in keeping the build on track and received national recognition at the 2022 Building Officials Institute of New Zealand (BOINZ) Awards, where it won an award for its innovation and effectiveness.

“Our team is incredibly proud of the work we’ve done to support this project,” Phil Saunders continued. “Despite being a small team, we’ve managed to accomplish an extraordinary amount, with minimal outside support from consultants. Every staff member has been directly involved in every phase of the development, ensuring that we meet the highest standards throughout.”

"This work showcases another fine example of our small council punching above its weight" said Tanya Winter, Chief Executive. "We are capable of achieving big things, and this project is a testament to the hard work and commitment of everyone involved."

As the project enters its final stages, the result is a world class facility that will stand for the next century, setting a new benchmark in correctional infrastructure.

For more information, please contact Tony Quickfall, Group Manager Regulatory & Growth, on 0800 734 000.