The Manawatū campus' Veterinary Tower

Once a prominent feature of Massey University’s Manawatū campus, the eight-storey Veterinary Tower was designed by the Ministry of Works in 1966 and constructed between 1968 and 1970.

After 50 years of use, growing awareness of earthquake risks and updated building safety codes revealed that the structure no longer met required seismic standards. In 2021, the decision was made to vacate and demolish the building.

Demolition began in 2022. Due to the Tower’s proximity to other facilities, the university opted for physical deconstruction rather than implosion. The initial phase involved stripping the interior and removing windows and spandrels. Structural demolition commenced in October 2022.

Much of the building material was recycled, including timber, glass, and metal. Concrete rubble and debris removed from the site were earmarked for reuse in roading projects.

Below are photographs and other materials documenting the history and deconstruction of the Veterinary Tower.