This afternoon Dame Patsy and Sir David attended the official opening of the Waikato Regional Council's new premises in Hamilton.
Dame Patsy declared the building open, and Kiingi Tuheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero te Tuawhitu unveiled taonga at various points in the building.
The Council chose to move into a building where there was a commitment to reduce carbon footprint wherever possible, in line with the Council’s ‘green pledge’ to its communities. Structural timber flooring has been used instead of concrete and steel, carbon neutral and recycled material has been used in floor coverings, and there is provision for electric vehicle charging and solar panels.
A 10,000m holding tank is located under the garden on Tristram Street, fed from rainwater collected on the roof. This water meets the irrigation requirements of the garden.
Solar panels power water heating, car charging, lighting, and the HVAC systems.
