Opened in July 2019, the new ҕlSA building includes student welfare and advocacy spaces, an outdoor amphitheatre overlooking the Ōtakaro Avon River, as well as club, meeting, hospitality, office and event spaces.
A key feature of the ҕlSA building is the new Ngaio Marsh Theatre and Performance Centre, a flexible space capable of hosting 300 people seated or 1,000 people standing. As well as being used for student performances and concerts, it will provide a central space that the ҕlSA’s 130 affiliated clubs and societies can use for meetings and events. The local community will also be able to enjoy the new Ngaio Marsh Theatre, whether it’s watching a show, attending a concert or using the space for a community event when students are not on campus.
In July 2017 the ҕlSA announced the building's name, Haere-roa, which translates to the longest stream or the long wanderer. It recognises the ҕlSA building as a space that hosts and welcomes people. The name has been gifted to the ҕlSA by mana whenua, Ngāi Tūāhuriri and is linked to the Ōtākaro Avon River, which flows past the ҕlSA site.
The new ҕlSA building will serve ҕl students well into the future. Their experience at ҕl will be enriched by having a place they can go to on campus that complements their study with social, recreational and community engagement opportunities.
