Auckland: A new St John building was opened in Mt Wellington, Auckland, on Friday by the Governor-General and Prior of St John, Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand.
It is designed to accommodate 127 staff and house the services supporting St John in New Zealand. The existing St John facilities on the site which opened in 1984 are greatly advanced by the development.
Sir Anand and Lady Susan Satyanand were joined by St John volunteers and staff and members of the community for Friday’s opening ceremony.
“I acknowledge the considerable efforts of service of St John members past and present during this, the 125th year anniversary of St John in New Zealand,” Sir Anand says.
The facility has a strong green focus with the main building being ventilated naturally rather than air-conditioned and having external louvres to help regulate temperature. Rainwater is recycled from the roof for toilet flushing.
The building will provide a common location for a number of shared service activities for the whole organisation and resolves the need to provide adequate accommodation for various teams who have been sharing cramped and temporary space for years.
”This building is the latest of many buildings to provide shelter for St John people as they work. Those who served before would, I am sure, be very proud to see the wide range of services St John is able to provide today,” he says
“In constructing this building, St John has developed a splendid base for the wider St John team who in turn are supporting the community across the country,” Sir Anand said.