The Manawatū campus' Veterinary Tower

Details

Description

A very familiar feature of the Manawatū campus, the eight-storey Veterinary Tower building, was designed by the Ministry of Works in 1966 and built between 1968 and 1970.

After 50 years of use, due to an increased awareness around earthquake risks and the resulting rise in building safety requirements/codes, it was found that the building no longer met the necessary seismic rating standards. A decision was thus taken in 2021 to vacate the building and to demolish it.

Demolition commenced in 2022. Due to the building's proximity to other facilities, the university opted to have it physically deconstructed and removed. The initial stages of the demolition consisted of stripping the interior of the building and removing windows and spandrels. In October 2022 the next stage started and included the structural demolition of the building.

Much of the building will be recycled, including its timber, glass and metal. The concrete rubble and debris removed from the site was earmarked to be recycled into roading material.

Below are photographs and other material highlighting the history of the Vet Tower.

Image

Massey University campus, 1 February 1969

Massey University campus, 1970

Massey University campus, 22 April 1980

Massey University campus, 5 September 1978

Massey University, Turitea Site, March 2001

Veterinary Clinical Sciences Building, 19 March 1968

Veterinary Sciences Complec. Tower, October 1969

Veterinary Sciences Complex. Stage 2 (Tower) construction, October 1969

Veterinary Sciences Complex. Stage 2 (Tower) construction, first floor, 6 May 1969

Veterinary Sciences Complex. Stage 2 (Tower) construction, first floor, overall site, 6 May 1969

Veterinary Sciences Complex. Stage 2 (Tower) construction, overall Site, October 1969

Veterinary Sciences Complex. Stage 2 (Tower) construction, up to fifth floor in place, October 1969

Veterinary Sciences Complex. Stage 2 (Tower) foundations, 1 August 1968

Veterinary Sciences Complex. Stage 2 (Tower) foundations, 10 December 1968

Veterinary Sciences Complex. Stage 2 (Tower) foundations, 24 August 1968

Veterinary Sciences Complex. Stage 2 (Tower) foundations, 25 February 1969

Veterinary Sciences Complex. Stage 2 (Tower), April - May 1970

Veterinary Sciences Complex. Tower Block, January 1971

Veterinary Sciences Complex. Tower being demolished, February 2022

Veterinary Sciences Tower Block, 1990s

Publication

50 years of veterinary education: A history, 1963-2013

The Vet Tower and lake, 1974

Sidebar Items

LocationPalmerston North, New ZealandContributorMassey University Archives